Date of Conferral

4-30-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

David Sharp

Abstract

The doctoral project was a staff education project aimed at improving the knowledge of psychiatric nurses on the use of structured walking interventions to manage depression. The practice problem was related to the lack of consistency in the application of walking as a treatment for depression. This gap was significant to address because psychiatric nurses are in the center of behavioral activation, and insufficient knowledge may deny patients the right to potentially valuable, affordable, and nonpharmacological treatment. The practice-based question was: Among psychiatric nursing staff does education on structured walking intervention, compared to standard care, improve staff knowledge and skills to apply walking intervention to patients with depression over an 8-week period? The project’s aim was to investigate how an educational program would enhance the knowledge and skills of nurses in the implementation of structured walking intervention to manage depression. A pre- and posttest survey was administered prior and after the education session. The analysis revealed a significant knowledge improvement among participants from 56% to 90%, demonstrating the education was useful. Major deliverables were an evidence-based training module and quantifiable improvements in the staff competency. The results indicate that structured education improves staff knowledge and confidence in managing depression using walking intervention. The implications on nursing practice are higher quality of holistic and evidence-based depression management through walking intervention. The project’s wider implications for social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion are advancing an easily accessible and low-cost intervention benefiting a varied patient population and decreasing disparities in mental health access.

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

 
COinS