Date of Conferral
8-31-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
Suicide risk assessment is a high-priority nursing safety responsibility in outpatient behavioral health. The practice gap was a variation in nurses’ knowledge of validated suicide screening, direct inquiry, risk escalation, referral, and related documentation expectations working in an outpatient behavioral health clinic located on the Eastern Atlantic Coast. To address this problem, I developed, implemented, and evaluated a staff education program on a standardized suicide risk assessment. The practice question focused on whether staff knowledge increased following participation in the education program. Ten nursing staff members participated in a 60-minute education program. Pretest and posttest questionnaires included 20 multiple-choice questions. The scores were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The mean score increased from 12.0/20 (60.0%) to 16.3/20 (81.5%), representing a gain of 4.3 points, 21.5 percentage points, or 35.8% relative to baseline. The results indicated improved knowledge about the topic. Suggested sustainability strategies include integrating the program into orientation and annual competency reviews, appointing a nursing education champion, and conducting periodic knowledge assessments after refresher training. The project may advance nursing practice and positive social change by reducing variation in prior training and strengthening nurses’ readiness to ask directly about suicide, recognize warning signs, and connect patients with appropriate care.
Recommended Citation
Cabah, Fanta Haja, "Staff Education on Standardized Suicide Risk Assessment in an Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Health" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20759.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20759
