The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Nurses' Knowledge, Beliefs, and Actions to be Taken, Regarding Suicide

Margaret Kramer; Samantha Miniard; Maria Hayden; Rachael Hovermale; Aileen Jones; Claire C Davies; Martha Monroe; Judy Ponder; Brook Miller

doi:10.1097/NNA.0000000000001427

The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Nurses' Knowledge, Beliefs, and Actions to be Taken, Regarding Suicide

J Nurs Adm. 2024 May 1;54(5):299-303. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001427.

Authors

Margaret Kramer¹, Samantha Miniard, Maria Hayden, Rachael Hovermale, Aileen Jones, Claire C Davies, Martha Monroe, Judy Ponder, Brook Miller

Affiliation

¹ Author Affiliations: Director of Educational Development & Community Education (Kramer); CME/CE Coordinator and Professional Development Specialist (Dr Miniard), Department of Educational Development & Community Education; and Research Consultants (Drs Davies and Monroe), Nursing and Allied Health Research Office, Baptist Health Lexington; Director of Training and Development (Hayden), Baptist Health Paducah; PMHNP Program Coordinator and Associate Professor (Dr Hovermale) and PMHNP Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor (Dr Jones), Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond; Director of Training and Development (Dr Ponder), Baptist Health Richmond; and Director of Education (Miller), Baptist Health Madisonville, Kentucky.

PMID: 38630947
DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001427

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge defined as understanding, beliefs, and actions to be taken, regarding nurse suicide.

Background: Between 2007 and 2018, nurses were 18% more likely to die by suicide than the general public. As a result, an assessment of nurses' knowledge regarding suicide has become an important issue for nursing administration.

Methods: A quasi-experiment (N = 225) was conducted. Variables of interest were assessed pre and post an educational intervention on 3 domains related to suicide.

Results: Significant and meaningful differences were found regarding 2 domains of interest in nurses' understanding related to nurse suicide, and actions to be taken, pre and post intervention. A significant change occurred regarding beliefs; however, the difference was small and therefore not meaningful.

Conclusions: Finding demonstrate that educational interventions focused on issues related to suicide can enhance nurses' knowledge of the challenges implicit when one considers taking one's own life.