Relationship between information literacy and innovative behavior of emergency specialist nurses: A cross-sectional study in southwest China

Emergency specialist nurses play a vital role in providing high-quality care to patients. This study investigated the innovative behavior and information literacy of emergency specialist nurses and analyzed the influence of information literacy on innovative behavior to promote the latter. In total, 484 emergency specialist nurses in Sichuan Province, China, completed the Innovative Behavior and Information Literacy Scales. Univariate analysis, Pearson’s analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. The emergency specialist nurses’ innovative behavior and information literacy scores were 32.34 ± 6.27 and 74.32 ± 7.38, respectively. Scores for information awareness, ability, knowledge, and ethics were 3.90 ± 0.53, 2.95 ± 0.45, 3.32 ± 0.19, and 3.28 ± 0.30, respectively. The correlation analysis demonstrated that information literacy positively correlated with innovative behavior. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that experience in publishing academic papers influenced innovative behavior. Emergency specialist nurses demonstrated a moderate level of innovative behavior. Higher information literacy was associated with higher innovative behavior. Therefore, enhancing emergency specialist nurses’ information literacy could stimulate innovative behavior and improve innovation ability. Nursing managers should develop corresponding information literacy training programs according to the characteristics of information literacy and evidence-based practice of emergency specialist nurses to improve their innovation level and quality of specialized nursing services.