Date of Conferral
12-19-2024
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Margaret Harvey
Abstract
Mental health care providers are often faced with difficult situations and frequently encounter patients that may exhibit violent or aggressive behavior. Without adequate training and knowledge to manage these situations, there is a risk of harm and a threat to safety for nurses and office staff. Many hospitals and inpatient psychiatric providers provide training and educational modules to educate staff on how to prepare for and manage these situations, but there is not much research about staff confidence in preventing and managing violent or aggressive patients in the outpatient setting. The practice gap that I analyzed in this project was about whether a staff education presentation would increase staff confidence and knowledge to manage violent or aggressive patients to create a safer environment and reduce the risk of harm. Data were collected by surveying 12 staff members at an outpatient mental health practice and outcomes were measured by administering a 13-item pre- and posttest questionnaire before and after the staff education presentation. A sign test analysis was conducted, and results supported the alternate hypothesis, suggesting that providing staff education increased staff knowledge and confidence. Findings from this project can lead to positive social change because with increased knowledge and confidence in this area, this can create a safer environment for individuals in outpatient mental health settings and help staff be better prepared to deescalate and manage aggressive or violent patients.
Recommended Citation
Ndifor, Agnelyne Afugmeyig, "Staff Education to Increase Confidence and Knowledge of Workplace Violence in the Outpatient Mental Health Setting" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17120.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17120
