Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Robert L. McWhirt

Abstract

AbstractProviding educational strategies to maternal-child staff members can improve their attitudes, perceptions, and stigma towards the childbearing age women who are substance users. In the United States, an increased number of pregnant women have substance abuse problems. It is important that the maternal child staff have the resources and are equipped to care for women who are substance users struggling with their addictions and motherhood. The purpose of this project was to determine whether an educational program provided to postpartum nurses increased knowledge on the special needs of the new mother with a substance abuse issue. The education of the staff helps bridge the gap in nursing practice of substance abuse in pregnancy by improving the knowledge and perceptions of nurses on the postpartum unit thereby improving the outcome of mothers and their child. Knowles’ adult learner theory guided the project. The descriptive statistics results of 30 staff members who took a preassessment, accessed the educational presentation, and took the post assessment was used and analyzed using a nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The assessment questions all showed a significantly positive effect from the preassessment to the post assessment. There was a statistically significant positive effect on the perceptions of the project participants (Z = -2.812, P = .001). The Doctorate Nursing Practice project was evaluated and recommended for use as an educational resource for new staff and annually as staff competency. Implications for positive social change includes using this presentation to improve the care of mothers who are substance users which will improve the outcomes of the mothers and their children.

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