Date of Conferral

2-13-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Cynthia Fletcher

Abstract

This quality improvement staff education DNP project addressed the practice issue relating to adolescent substance abuse in the project mental health facility. The facility does not have a uniform process for addressing this problem. Follow-up care for adolescents treated in the clinic is a challenge because each provider uses a screening tool of their preference, creating inconsistencies in care and missed care opportunities. Therefore, identifying, reducing, and preventing the negative consequences related to adolescent substance abuse in this clinical setting is vital and needs to be prioritized. I developed and implemented a staff education program using screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment to increase nurses’ knowledge about best practices to provide care for adolescents with substance use. Seventeen participants (nurses, nurse practitioners, and social workers) completed the pretest prior to participating in the program and the posttest after the program. The data were analyzed for the mean and t test using Microsoft Excel Statistical Analysis program. There was a significant improvement in the participants’ knowledge after completing the course. The pretest mean was 3.11, the posttest mean was 8.82, and the p-value was p < .001. Increasing the staff’s knowledge to use evidence-based practices to identify and interevent for adolescents with substance abuse have the potential for positive social change. The staff will be able to competently use this assessment tool to care for all teens at the project facility. This approach will ensure equity and inclusion of all teens with substance abuse in this vulnerable population. I recommend providing this education program to all new staff during orientation and monitor the continued implementation by all staff annually.

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

 
COinS