Date of Conferral

5-2-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Corinne Romano

Abstract

Aggressive behavior among psychiatric patients threatens safety and quality in healthcare, causing physical and psychological harm to staff and contributing to burnout and high turnover rates. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed gaps in staff knowledge and attitudes, particularly among nurses, regarding aggression management and de-escalation techniques through a comprehensive education program on the causes of aggression, warning signs, and effective strategies. The evidence-based practice (EBP) question was, Will staff education on evidence-based strategies for preventing and managing aggressive behavior improve staff knowledge and attitude? Project team members used the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) model to develop training materials and a 36-question anonymous paper-based pre/posttraining survey focused on staff knowledge and attitudes based on the reviewed literature. Participants completed the pretraining survey, reviewed training slides at their own pace, and then completed the posttraining survey. The pre/post-training scores were then statistically analyzed to assess the training's effectiveness. Lower scores on the survey indicated higher knowledge and more favorable attitudes toward patient aggression. Posttraining results supported an enhancement in staff knowledge and attitudes, with mean scores dropping from 96.38 to 73.38, reflecting a 23.36% improvement. This training model may foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, enhancing patient care and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care environments. By emphasizing these values, the organization may not only improve nursing practice but also foster positive social change by ensuring equitable care tailored to individual patient needs.

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