Top 10 Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Every Student Should Know in 2025

As healthcare continues to evolve, nursing students must stay updated with the latest evidence-based practices (EBP). These practices improve patient outcomes, enhance efficiency, and ensure adherence to the latest medical guidelines. Here are the top 10 EBP every nursing student should master.

Evidence-Based Nursing Practices

1. Patient-Centered Care
Placing the patient at the core of healthcare ensures individualized treatment plans. Evidence shows that engaging patients in their care leads to better adherence and improved outcomes.

2. Infection Prevention and Control
Strict adherence to hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and sterilization procedures remains essential in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

3. Pain Management Strategies
Modern pain management integrates pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

4. Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring
With digital healthcare advancements, nurses now use telehealth technologies to monitor chronic conditions, provide virtual consultations, and enhance accessibility to care.

5. Medication Safety and Reconciliation
Proper medication reconciliation minimizes errors. Nurses should double-check prescriptions, assess patient history, and educate patients about their medications.

6. Preventing Pressure Ulcers
Regular patient repositioning, use of pressure-relieving surfaces, and skin assessments help prevent pressure ulcers, especially in bedridden patients.

Evidence-Based Nursing Practices

7. Early Recognition of Sepsis
Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality. Using tools like the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and early warning signs can improve survival rates.

8. Effective Communication and Handoff Reporting
Clear and structured communication using the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) technique ensures continuity of care and reduces errors.

9. Evidence-Based Wound Care
Updated wound care techniques, including negative pressure therapy and the use of antimicrobial dressings, accelerate healing and prevent infections.

10. Mental Health Integration in Nursing Care
Recognizing and addressing mental health in all patient interactions helps improve overall well-being, reduce stigma, and support holistic treatment approaches.