Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Dr. Regina Prusinski

First Committee Member

Dr. Jeffrey Fouche-Camargo

Second Committee Member

Dr. John Chovan

Third Committee Member

Matthew McMullen

Keywords

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), nursing education, nurses’ knowledge, residential care facilities, knowledge improvement, health promotion behaviors

Subject Categories

Geriatric Nursing | Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing

Abstract

The project addresses a critical gap in nursing education by implementing a structured, evidencebased educational intervention led by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to improve nurses’ knowledge of metabolic syndrome in residential care facilities. The purpose was to determine whether this intervention could significantly enhance nurses’ understanding and management of metabolic syndrome, a complex cluster of disorders present in adult populations. Nine nurses participated in targeted educational sessions focusing on definition, diagnosis, complications, and evidence-based prevention and management strategies. Each participant completed the Metabolic Syndrome Knowledge Scale (MSKS) questionnaire before and after the intervention to assess changes in knowledge. Results revealed a total score improvement of +36.7 points (p < .01), indicating a substantial overall gain in knowledge. In the area of definition and diagnosis, nurses’ scores improved by +22.2 points (p < .01). Knowledge of complications improved by +7.8 points (p ≤ 0.05), and prevention and lifestyle management improved by +6.7 points (p≤0.05). These findings demonstrate that the APRN-led educational intervention was highly effective in increasing overall knowledge and diagnostic skills related to metabolic syndrome, while also promoting moderate gains, although not statistically significant, in understanding complications and preventive approaches. The project highlights the importance of structured, evidence-based education in bridging knowledge gaps among nurses. It supports ongoing professional development that can enhance patient outcomes in residential care settings.

Acknowledgement 1

1

Acknowledgement 2

1

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.