Do Nursing Students REALLY Know Pain Management?

Abstract

By Ashley Kreusch, Nursing; Madeline Okuley, Nursing; Chandler Blum, Nursing; Erin Kaiser, Nursing; Kristen Beuggeman, Nursing; Hong Jun Jo, Nursing

Advisor: Angela Clark

Presentation ID: 41

Abstract: In 2017, the CDC reported that opioids were responsible for over 40,000 deaths. Thirty-seven percent of these deaths reported were from opioids prescribed by health care providers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). The purpose of our project is to educate nursing students on the risk of opioid abuse and alternative pain management strategies. Our project aims to increase future nurses' comfort level in discussing pain management topics with patients and decrease opioid abuse. A 15-minute education session with a powerpoint presentation was conducted about proper opioid use and alternative pain management. A pre- and post-survey assessing nursing student knowledge on opioids and their comfort levels about communicating with patients regarding pain management was included as well. Results indicated an overall increase in nursing student knowledge and perceived competency about opioids and pain management.