Date of Conferral
10-26-2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
: A lack of knowledge among nurses and healthcare staff in providing evidence-based practice (EBP) medication treatment and patient care for individuals who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was evident at a Midwest substance use and mental health facility. For nurses and staff caring for those with ADHD, appropriate patient treatment is essential in helping patients avoid struggles in their daily lives. To address this problem, I developed, implemented, and evaluated a staff education program on ADHD treatment in the project. The practice question focused on whether participants of the education program improved their knowledge of medication and treatment management, as well as different treatment options for ADHD clients. The pre- and posttest questionnaires consisted of 20 multiple-choice questions, and data were analyzed using the normalized learning gain of averages formula. Among the five participants, the mean test score increased from 13.8 before the intervention to 17.6 after the intervention, resulting in a learning gain of 61.3%. The number of participants was small, but the results indicated that the education program effectively showed signs of improved knowledge about the topic. Key recommendations include using EBP medication treatment options in nursing and staff caring for ADHD to improve patient care; reduce disruptive behavior; and reduce the risk of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use. The project served to generate equitable mental health provisions for all patients who have ADHD and offers culturally appropriate care.
Recommended Citation
Klein, Livia L., "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18552.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18552
