Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Bridgette Malchow

Abstract

Management of hypertension and its complications requires health care providers to

understand the reason for developing the disease. Complications of hypertension (HTN)

are more prevalent when patient interventions are not consistently performed by staff. A

gap in staff knowledge regarding the management of patients with HTN was noted at an

outpatient clinic in the southwestern United States. A staff education project based on

the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) guidelines for HTN management was

developed to address the gap in knowledge. This DNP project sought to understand the

impact of an evidence-based staff education program in improving the knowledge of

nursing staff on HTN management. The health belief model and social cognitive theory

guided the project. Three expert panelists evaluated the education program content and

agreed that the content was relevant to clinical practice and would improve staff

knowledge regarding management of HTN. Eight nurses participated in the education

program, first completing a pretest questionnaire followed by educational program

content in digital format. Participants reviewed the program for 1 week followed by a

PowerPoint presentation at a staff meeting. Posttest questionnaires were completed by 7

participants using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from completely unaware to completely

aware. Posttest results indicated that nursing staff knowledge increased to completely

aware (100%) of the JNC-8 guidelines for HTN management compared with completely

unaware before the program. The project emphasizes the potential for positive social

change when translating evidence to practice through staff education to improve patient

management and outcomes for the treatment of HTN.

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