Date of Conferral

7-2-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Lilo Fink

Abstract

This evidence-based educational project addressed the knowledge gap in stress management techniques among mental health nursing staff at an acute psychiatric facility. Mental health professionals experience substantially higher rates of workplace stress and burnout compared to other healthcare workers, affecting staff wellbeing, patient care quality, and organizational outcomes. The practice-focused question was: Does educating mental health nurses on stress management improve knowledge as evidenced by pre- and post-intervention? A comprehensive literature search was done at the Walden University Library using CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases that yielded 200 potential articles, with 45 full-text articles reviewed and 20 high-quality studies included in the evidence synthesis. The project implemented a structured 4-week stress management education program for 15 mental health nurses using the ADDIE framework. Weekly in-person sessions covered stress physiology, recognition of personal triggers, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and self-care strategies. Analytical strategies included paired t tests for comparing knowledge scores and descriptive statistics for demographic data. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in knowledge scores (t (14) = 5.63, p < .001), with mean scores increasing from 6.8 to 9.7 out of 12 points—a 42.5% relative improvement. This project demonstrates that brief, structured education can significantly enhance mental health nurses' knowledge of stress management strategies. By addressing workplace stress through evidence-based education, this project contributes to positive social change by supporting the wellbeing of mental health professionals and potentially improving care for vulnerable populations.

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