Promoting evidence-based practice: the roles and activities of professional nurses' associations.

Aim: This paper reports a study exploring the role perceptions and current activities in evidence-based practice promotion of professional nurses' associations in the Netherlands.

Background: The promotion of evidence-based practice contributes to professional standards in nursing and good quality care for patients. As professional nurses' associations can be key players in this process, the nature of their roles and current activities deserves to be explored.