Date of Conferral

10-26-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Melanie Braswell

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was an evidence-based staff education initiative addressing medication nonadherence in hypertension, a critical issue that contributes to poor health outcomes, uncontrolled blood pressure, preventable hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. The identified gap in practice was defined by limited staff knowledge, lack of structured training, and inconsistent application of evidence-based adherence counseling strategies. The practice-focused question was: In a primary care clinic, will an evidence-based staff education program on medication adherence increase staff knowledge? A structured training intervention was implemented and then evaluated for its effectiveness. Descriptive statistics and a paired t test comparing pre- and posttest scores demonstrated a statistically significant improvement, with a mean knowledge gain of 3.4 points, thereby providing evidence of the intervention’s effectiveness in this practice setting. Major products for the training session included a 30-minute interactive training, reinforcement handouts, pre-/post training evaluation tools, and a post training survey. The findings suggest that structured staff education may serve as a feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable intervention. Within nursing practice, this approach has the potential to strengthen staff knowledge, enhance the quality of patient care, and reduce hospital readmissions. Beyond the organizational level, the broader implications may include fostering positive social change and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. By incorporating culturally sensitive strategies, such as teach-back and motivational interviewing, staff may be better equipped to promote health equity, reduce disparities, and provide equitable support for patients managing hypertension.

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