DNP Alumna De La Fuente, Schoenfisch and Colleagues Publish Article in The Journal of Nursing Administration

Margarita De La Fuente, DNP '18, and Ashley Schoenfisch, consulting associate; recently published an article entitled "Impact of Behavior Management Training on Nurses' Confidence in Managing Patient Aggression" in The Journal of Nursing Administration. Co-authors include Barbara Wadsworth, senior vice president and chief nursing officer; Joyce Foresman-Capuzzi, clinical nurse educator. 

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of behavior management training on nurses' confidence in managing aggressive patients.

Background: Nurses are at a high risk of experiencing violence directed toward them by patients.

Methods: This quality improvement project used a pre-and-post study design. A survey was administered within 1 month before behavior management training and 1 month after training, capturing participants' demographic and work characteristics, as well as their experiences with patient/visitor-perpetrated violence. Confidence was measured using the Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression Instrument. Open ended questions sought participants' thoughts on workplace violence prevention initiatives.

Results: Thirty-eight confidence scores were assessed. Nurses' confidence in coping with patient aggression was significantly higher after behavior management training. Nurse participants described the training as “timely,” “helpful,” and “beneficial.”

Conclusion: With an increased understanding of violent behavior stages and warning signs, a nurse is better able to manage a potentially violent situation.