Date of Conferral

2-18-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Cynthia Fletcher

Abstract

This quality improvement project was focused on enhancing quality of nursing assessments for suicide risk among adults with psychiatric illnesses at a behavioral healthcare hospital. Inconsistencies involving assessing risks for suicide in patients who were treated in the facility led to inadequate treatment plans and missed opportunities for timely intervention, as well as potential risks for self-harm. Factors that were identified as relating to the gap in practice included inadequate knowledge or understanding of use of evidence-based suicide assessment rating scales, insufficient time that is dedicated to conducting thorough assessments, lack of standardized protocols for reinforcement, and limited resources for follow-up care postdischarge. To address this critical issue, an evidence-based educational intervention was developed to improve nurses’ competencies using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale for suicide risk assessment. I determined the effectiveness of this education program by analyzing data from pre- and posttests using descriptive statistics and paired t tests. Results showed a significant improvement in terms of participants’ knowledge. The mean pretest scores increased from 75 to 97 post-test (p < .001). These findings reflect enhanced confidence and knowledge among nursing staff, which is essential for providing patient-centered care and effectively managing suicide risk. I recommend integrating this educational program into nurse orientation programs and routine professional development. Implications of this project are significant for nursing practice, as it supports early detection and management of suicide risk. Additionally, it promotes positive social change by addressing disparities in mental health care and fostering equitable and inclusive practices for diverse patient populations within psychiatric settings.

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