Date of Conferral

4-28-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Donna Bailey

Abstract

The use of physical restraints in mental health care settings is a common practice, yet it poses significant risks to patients’ physical and psychological well-being. The issue of excessive restraint use was addressed through this doctoral project by designing an educational program aimed at promoting alternative strategies. The practice-focused question was: How can an educational program for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) impact their knowledge and attitudes towards alternatives to physical restraints? The purpose of the project was to develop and evaluate an education program to improve UAP knowledge and attitudes to reduce reliance on physical restraints. The project was informed by the theory of planned behavior, which links knowledge and attitudes to behavioral change, and the health belief model, which guided the intervention’s design. Data were collected through pre- and postintervention surveys assessing knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction from UAP from a hospital system. Using paired sample t tests, results failed to show statistical significance in UAP’s change in knowledge, practices, or attitudes (p > .05). This finding highlights the need for additional support, such as hands-on training and mentorship, to reinforce the educational content of the project. Major recommendations include expanding the program to include practical training and continuous feedback. This project has important implications for nursing practice, including encouraging safer, more patient-centered care. The project, with modification and further development, has potential for positive social change by reducing restraint use and fostering compassionate care in mental health settings.

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