Knowledge and Application of Evidence-Based Practice Among Senior Nurses at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is central to contemporary nursing, yet adoption in Nigerian clinical settings lags behind international standards due to systemic and individual barriers. Aim: This study assessed knowledge and application of EBP among senior nurses at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, North West Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey recruited 85 senior registered nurses through stratified random sampling. The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and the EBP Implementation Scale were administered. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: EBP knowledge was satisfactory in 57% of respondents. Regular EBP application in clinical decision-making was reported by 39% of nurses. Barriers included limited access to online databases, insufficient research literacy, and lack of institutional EBP champions. Senior nurses with postgraduate training reported significantly higher EBP scores. Conclusion: EBP application remains limited in this Nigerian tertiary context. The study recommends institutional library access, EBP mentorship, journal subscriptions, and inclusion of research appraisal modules in post-basic nursing training. Keywords: evidence-based practice, senior nurses, knowledge, Kano, research utilisation.