Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/22801064
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
Pain management, Nurse education, Long-term care facilities, gerontological nursing, older adults
Advisor
Dr. Raeann LeBlanc, PhD, DNP
DNP Project Chair
Dr. Raeann LeBlanc, PhD, DNP
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Pain among residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) is underrecognized and undertreated. Older adults present a pain management challenge due to their altered pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, multiple morbidities, and polypharmacy. Long-term care facility nurses must be knowledgeable of treatment options, assessment of pain before and after treatment interventions, and how to implement any changes needed as indicated by post-treatment assessment. Barriers such as negative staff attitudes and biases, time constraints, and degree of organizational support may need to be overcome.
Purpose: With increased education, resources, and support, LTCF nurses will be better prepared to provide optimal pain management care to their residents.
Methods: A comprehensive pain management in-service developed by the DNP student was provided to the project site nurses. A paired t test and Cohen’s d were used to compare the pre- and post- in-service surveys completed by the nurses to determine the effectiveness of the in-service.
Results: Despite encountering barriers, data indicates that increased education increases LTCF nurses pain management knowledge.
Conclusion: Providing increased pain management education to LTCF nurses has the potential to improve pain management through increased nursing knowledge.
Keywords: pain management, nurse education, long-term care facilities, gerontological nursing
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