Approved by the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Board of Directors  

http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/nursing

"The IL Standards are meant to be a guide and support for readers and to be fully adaptable to individual institutions and classrooms.  Because translational research and evidence-based practice is the professional standard, the ability to identify an information need; find and evaluate information; assess information; use information ethically; and to use information for the purpose of best practice is at the heart of nursing education and nursing practice. "

The information literate nurse determines the nature and extent of the information needed.

1. Defines and articulates the need for information.
2. Identifies a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information.
3. Has a working knowledge of the literature in nursing related fields and how it is produced.
4. Considers the costs and benefits of acquiring the needed information.
5. Reevaluates the nature and extent of the information need.

The information literate nurse accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

1. Selects the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information.
2. Constructs and implements efficient and effectively-designed search strategies.
3. Retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods.
4. Refines the search strategy if necessary
5. Extracts, records, and manages the information and its sources.

The information literate nurse critically evaluates the procured information and its sources, and as a result, decides whether or not to modify the initial query and/or seek additional sources and whether to develop a new research process.

1. Summarizes the main ideas to be extracted from the information gathered.
2. Selects information by articulating and applying criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources.
3. Synthesizes main ideas to construct new concepts. 
4. Compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information.
5. Validates understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals, subject-area experts, and/or practitioners.
6. Determines whether the initial query should be revised.
7. Evaluates the procured information and the entire process.

The information literate nurse, individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

1. Applies new and prior information to the planning and creation of a particular product.
2. Revises the development process for the product.
3. Communicates the product effectively to others.

The information literate nurse understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.

1. Understands many of the ethical, legal and socio-economic issues surrounding information and information technology.
2. Follows laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources.
3. Acknowledges the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance.