Date of Conferral

2-5-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Barbara Niedz

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed stigma and implicit bias toward individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) within a rehabilitation subacute care setting. OUD remains a significant public health concern and at the project site, inconsistent staff education was identified as a practice gap requiring intervention. The purpose of this practice-focused DNP project was to evaluate the impact of a structured staff education intervention on healthcare staff knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in caring for patients with OUD. The project was guided by a thorough evidence search. The project was implemented using brief, unit-based educational sessions delivered to interdisciplinary healthcare staff. Post-implementation findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in staff knowledge with an increase in scores from a mean of 66.14 to 87.28 (t = -23.467, p <.001), a 33% increase in knowledge. More positive attitudes toward patients with OUD were seen with a 1.5 point shift to more positive attitudes pre to post education across five attitudinal questions. Staff reported increased comfort, enhanced stigma recognition, and greater confidence in applying evidence-based OUD care practices. This project has implications for nursing practice, organizational culture, and health equity by promoting compassionate, patient-centered care for all individuals with OUD. Reducing implicit bias among healthcare staff contributes to more equitable treatment regardless of diagnosis, socioeconomic status, or history of substance use. Inclusive care environments that respect patient dignity and promote fairness in clinical decision-making contribute to positive social change.

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