Date of Conferral
11-17-2025
Date of Award
November 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Melissa Rouse
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a critical knowledge gap among clinical staff regarding the application of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) within a local health department. Although SDOH screening tools and the statewide NCCARE 360 referral system were in place, inconsistent use hindered integration into patient care and limited efforts to advance health equity. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and the ADDIE instructional framework, an educational intervention was developed and implemented to enhance staff knowledge, confidence, and integration of SDOH principles into workflow. Thirty-five clinical staff members participated in pre- and post-intervention assessments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests to evaluate knowledge gains and practice change. Postintervention results showed significant improvement in knowledge (t(34) = 12.62, p < .001), a 35.6% increase in test scores, and a 30% rise in documentation and referrals related to SDOH. All participants reported feeling “very confident” in addressing social needs following the training. The project demonstrated that structured education can improve staff competency and promote equitable, patient-centered care. Limitations included the inability to track referrals through NCCARE 360 due to restricted staff access, a single-site design, and short-term follow-up. Findings support integrating ongoing SDOH education and expanding system access to strengthen interdepartmental coordination, reduce disparities, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within public health practice.
Recommended Citation
Ayala, Alba Gisel, "Effect of Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs on Black Women Leaders at Nonprofit National Associations of Regulatory Boards" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 19120.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/19120
