Date of Conferral

4-22-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Jonas Nguh

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated the effectiveness of a structured staff education program aimed at improving nurses’ knowledge and confidence in early sepsis recognition and management using the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) tool. Despite the availability of evidence-based screening methods, inconsistent application and limited nurse confidence were identified as key practice gaps. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and the ADDIE instructional design framework, an educational intervention was developed and delivered to hospital-based nurses, focusing on qSOFA criteria, early identification of sepsis, and nurse-driven escalation pathways aligned with current clinical guidelines. A pre- and post-intervention design was used to assess changes in knowledge and confidence. Results demonstrated substantial improvement, with knowledge scores increasing from baseline ranges of 30%–60% to 90%–100% post-intervention. Mean confidence scores also rose significantly from 2.3 to 4.6 on a 5-point Likert scale, with most participants reporting high confidence in recognizing sepsis and initiating appropriate escalation. The findings support that targeted, evidence-based education enhances nurse competency in sepsis care, with potential implications for improved patient outcomes, reduced mortality, and decreased healthcare costs. This project underscores the importance of integrating structured sepsis education into ongoing nursing practice to promote timely, standardized, and effective clinical responses.

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