Date of Conferral
10-26-2026
Date of Award
October 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Barbara Niedz
Abstract
This quality improvement (QI) project addressed inconsistent suicide risk assessment and response using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit in a southwestern U.S. medical center. Identified practice gaps included inconsistent assessment across shifts, documentation, observation-level decisions, and communication. Because nurses play a central role in identifying and responding to suicide risk, improving knowledge, attitude, and consistency contributes to patient safety. The practice-focused question examined whether structured staff education using a suicide risk response reliability bundle would improve nursing staff knowledge and attitude in the use of C-SSRS in reassessment of patients’ suicide risk in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit across all shifts. Findings demonstrated improvements in staff knowledge and attitudes. Fourteen nurses completed pre- and post-assessments, demonstrating significant improvements in knowledge (4.14 to 8.64, p < .001), confidence across all domains (p ≤ .001), and attitudes toward standardized suicide risk assessment (p < .001). These results indicate strengthened knowledge, attitude, and more reliable suicide risk response practices. Recommendations include integrating C-SSRS education into orientation and annual competencies, reinforcing practice through EHR prompts, peer champions, safety huddles, and ongoing audits. The project supports evidence-based nursing practice by strengthening clinical judgment, communication, and consistent suicide prevention practices while promoting culturally responsive, equitable, and patient-centered care across diverse populations.
Recommended Citation
Ndubisi, Lovette, "Staff Education to Improve Suicide-Risk Assessment Response" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20927.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20927
