Date of Conferral

4-30-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Kristina Bohm

Abstract

Suicide remains a significant public health concern, with increasing prevalence across diverse populations. Outpatient nurses frequently encounter individuals at risk for suicide; however, many report limited confidence and inconsistent use of evidence-based assessment tools, contributing to missed opportunities for early intervention. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to implement a structured suicide prevention education program to improve nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and ability to identify and manage suicide risk. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing a structured suicide prevention education program for outpatient nurses would increase knowledge and confidence in identifying and intervening with patients at risk of suicide. A quality improvement approach was used with a sample of 11 outpatient nurses in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The intervention included a blended learning model consisting of didactic instruction, case-based learning, and simulation using standardized tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Pre- and posttraining surveys were used to assess changes in knowledge and confidence, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination was used to evaluate clinical competence, with a competency threshold of 80%. Results demonstrated improved knowledge and increased confidence among participants. Pretraining confidence ranged from low to moderate (Likert scale scores of 1–3), while posttraining scores increased to high levels (4–5). Knowledge scores improved from a baseline range of approximately 70%–80% to 85% or higher following the intervention. All participants achieved competency on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination. These findings indicate that structured suicide prevention education can enhance outpatient nurses’ ability to identify and respond to suicide risk using evidence-based approaches. The implications of this project include improved patient safety, earlier identification of suicide risk, and increased adherence to standardized screening practices in outpatient settings. This project supports positive social change by strengthening nurses’ capacity to provide timely, evidence-based care to individuals at risk for suicide.

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