Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Document Type
Major Paper
School
Zvart Onanian School of Nursing
Department
Nursing
Date of Original Version
2023
Abstract
Background: Vaccine hesitancy among students and families is a pervasive challenge for school health professionals, leaving the school community at risk for vaccine preventable disease. All states have vaccine requirements for school entry, and the school nurse is responsible for communicating with caregivers regarding the completeness of the immunization record. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was first approved in the Unites States (US) in 2006 and is an underutilized primary prevention strategy.
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot quality improvement (QI) project was to measure the effect of evidence-based educational interventions on the knowledge and confidence of school nurses when discussing HPV vaccinations with students and caregivers.
Methods: This pilot QI project was performed through a pre-test/post-test design measuring knowledge and confidence in HPV vaccination focused on a group of 14 school nurses in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, an urban New England school district. Participants engaged in a professional development (PD) presentation, to build knowledge and confidence in discussing HPV vaccination. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests in R Studio (Version 4.0.3).
Results: Statistically significant increase in both knowledge of and confidence in the HPV vaccine was found in pre and post test data.
Conclusion: This pilot QI project has important implications in increasing school nurse confidence when engaging with students, families, and caregivers.
Recommended Citation
Dark, Amy E., "The Role of the School Nurse in Reducing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Hesitancy: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project" (2023). Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview. 472.
https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/etd/472
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