Date Available

4-26-2022

Year of Publication

2022

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Karen Stefaniak

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Patricia Howard

Committee Member

Dr. Matthew Proud

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Relational aggression (RA) in nursing is widespread. One group often at risk for exposure to RA is the newly licensed nurse. RA can lead to a negative work environment which can cause poor patient outcomes and high nurse turnover.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an educational program on RA in the emergency department with newly licensed registered nurses. This was conducted using one pre and two post surveys. The surveys evaluated the nurses’ knowledge of RA self-awareness before and six weeks after an educational session.

METHODS: This was a single-site, single-unit pretest posttest study including 12 nurses working in the University of Kentucky Emergency Department. The educational program included didactic interactive subject interaction guided by prepared scenarios. The participants received written materials for future use following the formal education. The study was conducted December 2021-January 2022 after IRB approval.

RESULTS: Overall, no statistically significant change in the NAQ-R was found but there was a statistically significant change in the person-related questions (p = 0.05). There was also a statistically significant increase in perceived understanding of relational aggression (p = 0.10),

DISCUSSION: Due to the sample size and survey response, the results of this study are limited. Although the changes were small, there was an increase in most areas from the pre-survey to the post-survey.

CONCLUSION: It is recommended that this study be repeated with a larger group. If the results are statistically significant, it could be expanded within the enterprise and beyond

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