Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2024
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Ashleigh Heter
Second Advisor
Dr. Barbara McClaskey
Third Advisor
Dr. Greg Belcher
Abstract
Pain is reported as the number one fear of patients, and has been shown to stop patients from seeking necessary medical treatment in a timely manner. Therefore, it is important that health care professionals be able to properly assess and treat pain. One area not previously studied is how degree path affects knowledge acquisition.
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of structured education and clinical experience on general pain knowledge between traditional and non-traditional Bachelors of Science in Nursing students. Participants of this study include RN-BSN students and pre-licensure BSN students who have completed the Adult Medical-Surgical course. Participants completed a forty-five-question assessment including the Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain. Also collected were degree path, years of nursing experience if applicable, and any specialty nursing experience.
Twenty-one responses were received with twenty completed submissions. One-half of submissions were BSN with the other half being RN-BSN. Competency is established with scores above 70%. Total scores for all groups indicate inadequate knowledge and negative attitude regarding pain (M=69.27%, SD=9.83). BSN cohort scores demonstrated inadequate knowledge and negative attitude (M=65.85%, SD=10.089). RN-BSN cohort scores were slightly higher and demonstrated competency and positive attitude but scores were not statistically significant (M=72.68, SD=8.741, p=.123). The small sample size may affect generalizability. Major area of deficiency was pharmacology-based questions.
Implications for this study include evaluating current nursing curriculum to correct deficits in student knowledge acquisition. Lessons learned relate to how vast the current knowledge deficit is amongst nurses worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Cope, Justin, "THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION PATH AND NURSING SPECIALTY ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE SURVEY REGARDING PAIN SCORES" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project. 100.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/dnp/100
