The Effect of Education on Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation Among Nurse Leaders: A Mixed‐Methods Systematic Review

Aim: This mixed methods systematic review explored the effect of education on the implementation of evidence-based practice among nurse leaders within healthcare settings. Introduction: Education influences nurse leaders’ ability to implement evidence-based practice. Successful implementation requires multifaceted strategies, including organisational support and leadership engagement, to overcome persistent challenges and ensure evidence-based knowledge is translated into high-quality, person-centred care. Methods: This review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance and was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched without language or year limits to June 2025. Studies were double screened, appraised using the Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool, and synthesised using convergent parallel synthesis. Results: A total of 3,646 records were identified, with nine studies included. Education positively influenced nurse leaders’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, clinical skills, and leadership behaviours regarding evidence-based practice. Perceptions of leadership support improved following interventions. However, evidence on long-term sustainability was limited. Organisational culture, resourcing, communication, and collaboration acted as both barriers and facilitators to implementation. Discussion: Education strengthens nurse leaders’ capacity to support evidence-based practice but is most effective when embedded within supportive organisational contexts. Education alone is insufficient without alignment with culture, resources, and leadership structures. Conclusion: Education enhances nurse leaders’ ability to implement evidence-based practice, but sustained impact requires organisational readiness and ongoing support. Implications for nursing and nursing policy: Targeted education, combined with organisational support, can strengthen leadership capacity and improve care quality and patient outcomes. Policies that invest in structured evidence-based practice education for nurse leaders, alongside organisational infrastructure and protected time, may enhance sustainable evidence-based care delivery.