Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving and decision-making approach to improving the quality of care and closing the malpractice gap, especially for critical care nurses. Critical care nurses are responsible for the assessment of patients and the provision of care in intensive care units (ICUs). Critical care nurses need expertise and evidence to recognize clinical changes and prevent patient complications.

Despite the emphasis on EBP being applied in nurses' daily practice, a significant number of nurses have not gotten involved in EBP and are not fully aware of the concept of EBP. Nurses are unprepared to implement EBP due to a lack of information literacy skills in information searching and retrieval. Therefore, several studies have been conducted on the effects of different nursing skill training programs designed based on evidence. The almost short-term effect of the EBP training program is likely to be successful. Nevertheless, there is little evidence regarding the sustainability effects of these training activities over time. Therefore, the study aims to explore the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program.

Research question What are the factors that affect the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program? Study design A mixed, sequential method design with one qualitative and one quantitative method will be utilized in the study to facilitate a more comprehensive evaluation of the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an EBP training program. We identified these factors from reviewing the literature

Study variables The study variables of this study are the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program. qualitative and quantitative research methods will be used, four main factors will be assessed quantitatively using the following four measurement adopted instruments.

-Sustained Implementation Support Scale (SISS)

Self-efficacy: General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE):

Self-regulation: Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) The seven subscales

Motivation assessment scale:

The reliability and validity of the quantitative measuring tool content and face validity will be checked to ensure that the tools measure specifically what the study intends to measure. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) will be used. Also, trustworthiness will be established for qualitative findings.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving and decision-making approach to improving the quality of care and closing the malpractice gap, especially for critical care nurses. Critical care nurses are responsible for the assessment of patients and the provision of care in intensive care units (ICUs). Critical care nurses need expertise and evidence to recognize clinical changes and prevent patient complications.

Despite the emphasis on EBP being applied in nurses' daily practice, a significant number of nurses have not gotten involved in EBP and are not fully aware of the concept of EBP. Nurses are unprepared to implement EBP due to a lack of information literacy skills in information searching and retrieval. Therefore, several studies have been conducted on the effects of different nursing skill training programs designed based on evidence. The almost short-term effect of the EBP training program is likely to be successful. Nevertheless, there is little evidence regarding the sustainability effects of these training activities over time. Therefore, the study aims to explore the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program.

Research question What are the factors that affect the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program? Study design A mixed, sequential method design with one qualitative and one quantitative method will be utilized in the study to facilitate a more comprehensive evaluation of the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an EBP training program.

The inductive, category-generating qualitative approach will be employed using in-depth focus group semi-structured interview techniques to explore the participants' own experiences, beliefs, and perceptions using an open-ended question based on the participants' statements for addressing the contributing factors that affect the sustained implementation of the given EBPNTP into real-world practices. without the influence of supplementary texts or the researcher's internal suppositions.

Study variables The study variables of this study are the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' competency after receiving an evidence-based practice training program. qualitative and quantitative research methods will be used, four main factors will be assessed quantitatively using the following four measurement adopted instruments.

-Sustained Implementation Support Scale (SISS)

Self-efficacy: General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE):

Self-regulation: Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ) The seven subscales

Motivation assessment scale:

The reliability and validity of the quantitative measuring tool content and face validity will be checked to ensure that the tools measure specifically what the study intends to measure. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) will be used. Also, trustworthiness will be established for qualitative findings.

Data collection procedure After obtaining the ethical approval of the IRB and the nurses' agreement to participate, the purpose and method of the research will be explained to nurses. the qualitative will start first by establishing a focus group interview based on predetermined interview guidelines. Then quantitative method will start by asking the nurses to respond to the self-reported questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ICU nurses.
• nurses who took the EBP Training Program.

Exclusion Criteria:

- not willing to participate

Participants sample and setting The study will be conducted in adult ICUs at the NHTMRI in Cairo, Egypt. The total capacity of the ICUs is 14 beds, divided into two sections. All nurses who participated as an intervention group (n = 37) in a previously unpublished yet study entitled "Effect of Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Training Program on the Competency of Nurses Caring for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial" who received the evidence-based nursing practice training program (EBNPTP) will be invited to participate in the current study.