Improving the Competency of Evidence-Based Nursing in China: Addressing Workforce Crisis and Inefficiencies in Leveraging the Potential of a Vast Healthcare Market

Background: Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) has the potential to enhance healthcare efficiency, ensure patient safety, improve patient satisfaction, advance healthcare services, and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage. However, despite being the world’s most populous and rapidly aging country, China has not fully realized the benefits of EBNP. The primary factor contributing to the significant gap between the demand for and supply of EBNP is the inadequate capabilities within its nursing workforce. Identifying the core competencies required for EBNP implementation is crucial to address this unmet demand. Aims: This study aimed to identify the core competencies necessary for the nursing workforce and propose a competency framework to effectively implement EBNP in China. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 67 participants from 17 provinces across mainland China were conducted, followed by thematic analysis to develop an initial competency framework. The second phase involved the Delphi method, engaging 29 experts to validate the proposed framework for EBNP. Results: The proposed competency framework consists of five domains and 20 sub-components essential for nurses to implement EBNP effectively in China. These domains include personal traits, professional value, research ability, leadership and management, and implementation and assessment. Conclusion: The findings provide valuable insights that can contribute to evidence-based nursing education, supporting the development of professionals equipped to address healthcare service demands. The proposed framework has potential applications in guiding the assessment, recruitment, and training of the nursing workforce, which may alleviate workforce shortage. Future research could further refine and integrate this framework into interventions and assessments, evaluating its long-term impacts on nursing practice.