Date of Conferral

1-6-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Julibeth Lauren

Abstract

This DNP staff education project involved addressing the absence of a structured and standardized approach to guide nurses in promoting medication adherence among psychiatric patients. The practice problem at the local project site was inconsistent use of adherence counseling strategies, which contributed to early treatment discontinuation, poor patient engagement, and frequent readmissions. The practice-focused question for this project was: Does implementing a structured staff education program improve nursing staff knowledge on medication adherence compared to usual care? The purpose of this doctoral project was to implement and evaluate an evidence-based education session to improve nurse knowledge and standardize adherence counseling practices. Descriptive analysis of pre- and post-knowledge assessments was conducted to measure learning outcomes and identify knowledge gains. Results of this project were an increase in mean knowledge scores from 53.6% to 88.1%, with all 14 psychiatric nurses demonstrating measurable improvement. Implications for the organization included improved role clarity, consistent adherence counseling, and enhanced patient communication. The conclusion of this project was that structured, evidence-based education can effectively strengthen psychiatric nurses’ knowledge and promote standardization in terms of adherence practices. Recommendations for future work include quarterly refresher sessions, mentorship, and integration of adherence education into new nurse orientation. Potential implications of this project on nursing practice are improved patient engagement and treatment continuity. This project has the potential to positively impact social change by promoting equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive psychiatric care across mental health settings.

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