Date of Conferral

2-11-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Susan Huehn

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education initiative designed to support the implementation of a protocol that integrates nutrition and mental health screening in an acute medical setting. The practice problem addressed inconsistent identification of nutrition-related needs and mental health concerns, along with variable follow-through on referral pathways, limiting holistic care and contributing to unmet needs during and after hospitalization. Nutrition and mental health are bidirectionally related, with dietary quality and lifestyle factors influencing mental health outcomes and overall well-being (Dubois & Giroux, 2025). The practice-focused question guiding this project was: In adult patients receiving care in an acute medical setting, how does the introduction of an integrated nutrition and mental health screening protocol, compared with existing practices, influence identification and referral rates over eight weeks? The purpose of the project was to improve frontline staff readiness and promote consistent execution of integrated screening and referral processes. A pre–post evaluation design assessed staff-reported outcomes following an educational intervention. Data was collected using an anonymous questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Ten staff members participated. Post-intervention findings demonstrated improvements in knowledge of the nutrition–mental health relationship (90%), confidence in nutrition-focused assessment (90%), inclusion of nutrition questions during consultations (80%), initiation of dietitian referrals (60%), and perceived relevance of nutrition in mental health care (90%). Education using practical tools strengthened screening, referrals, collaboration, holistic care, and overall equity outcomes

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