Date of Conferral

8-11-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Melissa Rouse

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project addressed inconsistent medication-assisted treatment (MAT) implementation in a masked crisis stabilization unit. MAT was available, but staff education was informal and inconsistent, contributing to variation in knowledge, confidence, patient education, documentation, and discharge planning. The practice-focused question that was answered through this project was whether structured staff education would improve knowledge, confidence, and intent to consistently implement MAT. The purpose was to develop, implement, and evaluate structured education for interdisciplinary staff. De-identified pre- and post-education surveys were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and aggregate averages were compared because individual surveys were not matched. Eight staff participants completed the evaluation. The mean knowledge scores increased from 62.5% to 92.5%. Confidence identifying when MAT should be considered increased from 34.4% to 95%, and confidence educating patients nonjudgmentally increased from 2.62 to 4.62 out of 5. Post-education intent to use standardized MAT practices averaged 4.62 out of 5. Limitations included a small sample size, a single masked setting, aggregate data, and post-only measurement of intent. Continued MAT education, onboarding reinforcement, workflow reminders, and periodic monitoring are recommended. The project supports nursing practice and promotes positive social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion through consistent, nonstigmatizing, recovery-oriented care.

Included in

Nursing Commons

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