Date of Conferral
8-11-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Melanie Braswell
Abstract
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project addressed the underutilization of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications in an outpatient mental health center. Although LAI antipsychotics improve medication adherence, reduce relapse, and decrease psychiatric hospitalization, provider knowledge deficits and inconsistent prescribing practices lead to their underuse. The practice-focused question was: Among psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in an outpatient mental health center, what is the impact of an educational program on the application of LAI antipsychotic medication management on the improvement of staff knowledge? The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate evidence-based educational intervention to improve PMHNP knowledge regarding LAI antipsychotic medication management. Guided by the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, six PMHNPs completed an educational program with pre- and posttest knowledge assessments. Descriptive analyses conducted in Microsoft Excel indicated that PMHNPs’ knowledge improved post-intervention, with the mean test score increasing from 4.33 (86.7%) to 5.00 (100%). This highlights the effectiveness of staff education in improving provider knowledge and evidence-based psychiatric practice. Implications for nursing practice include continued use of evidence-based educational interventions to strengthen provider competency, improve clinical decision-making, and promote appropriate use of LAI antipsychotic medications in outpatient psychiatric settings. Recommendations include incorporating LAI education into staff orientation, annual competency assessments, and continuing education. Improved provider knowledge may strengthen evidence-based prescribing, enhance medication adherence, and reduce patient relapse.
Recommended Citation
Eromosele, Omonzua Mabel, "Educating Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners on Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medication Management" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20643.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20643
