Exploring student nurses’ perspectives of research and evidence-based practice: a pre- and postintervention study using authentic assessment

• Nursing students often struggle to connect research with clinical practice and EBP. • This study demonstrates that authentic assessments increase nursing students' confidence in research literacy skills that underpin effective EBP. • Implementing such approaches in nursing curricula can enhance practical research skills and patient care. Nursing students often struggle to see the relevance of research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in clinical settings, despite its critical role in safe, high-quality care. Traditional approaches emphasize theoretical knowledge, leaving a gap in students’ ability to apply research evidence through EBP processes in real-world clinical settings. Authentic assessment, which mirrors real clinical tasks, may offer a more meaningful way to build engagement and capability in research and EBP. To explore the impact of authentic assessment on nursing students’ understanding of, and confidence in, research literacy skills that underpin EBP. A pre–post intervention design was used with 303 undergraduate nursing students completing surveys to assess perceptions and confidence in research and EBP. Reporting followed the TREND statement. Independent-sample t-tests showed significant gains in students’ confidence to undertake research literacy tasks, formulate research questions, and apply EBP ( p < 0.001, moderate–large effects). Perceptions of research importance remained stable due to high baseline understanding. Authentic, practice-based assessments enhance nursing students’ confidence and readiness to apply research evidence through EBP, supporting safer, evidence-informed patient care.