Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Margaret Harvey

Abstract

AbstractMany patients whose primary or secondary chronic condition is hypertension present to their first follow-up appointment in a primary care facility in the north of Puerto Rico with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Nurses’ knowledge of hypertension is vital to addressing a gap in practice for this patient population and patient quality of life and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The practice-focused question guiding this project focused on a nurse educational session for increasing hypertension management knowledge as well as a follow-up phone call protocol that aimed to improve patient care. The theoretical framework guiding this project was Pender’s health promotion model. This framework aims to help nurses understand the major determinants of health behaviors that promote healthy lifestyles. Six registered nurses from the facility participated in a staff education program that included a PowerPoint presentation and a question-and-answer discussion. A pretest was given prior to the education and a posttest was given after to assess improvement of nursing knowledge on hypertension. A descriptive statistical analysis showed an improvement in posttest scores compared to pretest scores suggesting knowledge gained on seven out of the 10 items. Findings generated from this project have the potential for increasing nursing knowledge of hypertension and enhancing the lives of patients diagnosed with high blood pressure. Implications for positive social change include raising awareness of the importance of continuing nursing education and its impact in achieving effective patient outcomes, preventing repeated hospitalizations, and lowering healthcare costs.

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