Date of Conferral
12-15-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Diane Whitehead
Abstract
Insomnia and sleep deprivation are highly prevalent issues among the U.S. college student population, contributing to a significant health care gap due to the inconsistent performance of routine clinical screening. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project sought to determine the rigor and applicability of a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) designed for the early identification of insomnia in college students using a best-evidence screening tool within a rural health clinic. The primary practice-focused question was: In a rural health clinic, will a CPG for implementation of a screening tool based on best evidence for early identification of insomnia in college students be approved by a panel of experts using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool? The CPG centered on the implementation of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-7). The guideline was evaluated by a panel of experts using the AGREE II instrument. Analysis of the AGREE II data demonstrated high methodological quality, with domain scores ranging from 6.45 to 6.67 out of a maximum of 7, yielding an overall approval result of 6.67 out of 7. These robust validation scores support the formal adoption of the ISI-7 as a standardized screening tool within the clinical setting. The project recommends the immediate formal implementation of the ISI-7, comprehensive training for clinic staff on its use, and the development of a clear follow-up and referral protocol to improve patient outcomes and address this critical student health disparity.
Recommended Citation
Bliss, Ashly, "The Victims’ Experience: Emotional Spiritual Abuse in the Christian Community" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18911.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18911
