Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Robert McWhirt
Abstract
AbstractStaff Nurses’ Lack of Knowledge and Opioid Use at the Veteran Administration By Cathy Ramey
MS, University of Phoenix, 2014BS, Chamberlain University, 2008
Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
Walden University November 2022
Abstract Opioids are often prescribed for pain management, which may have led to high rates of opioid addiction among veteran populations. The problem identified in this DNP project was the nurses’ lack of knowledge regarding pain management and the use of opioids in the veteran’s (VA) hospital where the project commenced. Using the Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) model as a conceptual framework, the purpose of this DNP project was to plan, implement, and evaluate a continuing education(CE) program on pain management and opioid addiction for the staff nurses of the VA hospital for which the project was developed. One practice-focused question guided this project, whether there would be an increase in knowledge related to pain management and opioid addiction after the implementation of a CE program, as evidenced by a pre-test or post-test survey. Six staff nurse participants were given pre-test and post-test surveys, and scores were compared using paired samples t-test to determine whether there was a significant increase in knowledge. Results indicated that nurses demonstrated a12.9% increase in knowledge. Therefore, this project addressed the identified gap by increasing the awareness among VA nurses regarding pain management and appropriate prescription of opioids while reducing the improper prescription of opioids for pain management among VA patients. Better pain management can occur with alternative strategies, and this knowledge may be instrumental in addressing the opioid crisis. As a result of this project, positive social change may occur as patients may be impacted positively when they experience better pain management, improved health outcomes, and reduced rates of addiction and opioid misuse or overdose.
Recommended Citation
ramey, cathy J., "Staff Nurses Lack of Knowledge and Opioid Use at the Veteran Administration" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13705.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13705
