Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2019

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Karen Johnson; kajohnson@pittstate.edu

Second Advisor

Jennifer Harris; jharris@pittstate.edu

Third Advisor

Becky Brannock; rbrannock@pittstate.edu

Abstract

The purpose of this DNP scholarly project (SP) was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses (RN) regarding palliative care (PC) before and after an educational presentation. This SP strived to answer these questions: What is the current knowledge in RNs of PC and end of life (EOL) patients before and after the education presentation? What is the anxiety level RNs feel regarding medication administration and symptom management in PC and EOL patients before and after the educational presentation?

A multimethodology, cross-sectional study design was used. The participants were currently enrolled in the RN-BSN program at PSU. These nurses were licensed and working. The instrument used was the Palliative Care Knowledge Test. A pre-test was given to determine the nurses’ current knowledge regarding PC and their opinions and beliefs about EOL care. Basic demographics was collected: age, gender, area and years of nursing practice, state of current nursing practice, and if the RN has received PC education. A PowerPoint was included for participants regarding PC and the medications used for the symptoms experienced during EOL. A post-test collected quantitative data to determine if the educational presentation changed the nursing students’ opinions, beliefs, comfort level, and knowledge with PC. A resource guide on PC and the medications often ordered during this time was provided to the RNs following the post-test.

Included in

Nursing Commons

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