Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Violet Robb, DNP, ARNP, MSN, FNP-C
-
Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
Karen Hande, PhD(c), DNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP, ANEF
DNP Project Abstract
Opioid Stewardship Education for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners: A Needs Assessment
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to conduct a needs assessment of opioid stewardship education provided to acute care nurse practitioners (NPs) in academic and employment settings.
Methods
A 12-15 item survey was designed and distributed to the advanced practice providers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center using REDCAP. Question length varied depending on whether the respondent was an NP or physician assistant. The pharmacology professors at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing were interviewed using a semi-structured format. The participants included professors who teach at the pre-specialty level and acute-care specialty level.
Results
Key source documents used to guide NP curriculum provide limited guidance on opioid stewardship education requirements. During the pre-specialty and acute care MSN training, acute care NP students at VUSN receive 18.75 total hours of pain management education in the pharmacology courses. 89% of VUMC APP survey respondents reported that their education and training had prepared them to provide evidence-based care for patients prescribed opioids.
Implications for Practice
This project serves as a foundation for further investigation into this area. Future DNP students could use the project findings in partnership with Vanderbilt Committee on Opioid Monitoring and Stewardship to explore whether other APP provider sectors display similar characteristics.
