Staff Education to Improve Medication Adherence Among Nurses

Medication nonadherence among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) contributes to relapse, hospital readmissions, and poor patient outcomes. Psychiatric nurses are central to promoting adherence, yet many lack standardized, evidence-based training. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project evaluated the effect of a structured nurse education program on medication adherence strategies, including psychoeducation and motivational interviewing, on nurses’ knowledge and confidence. Using the Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model, an online educational intervention was developed and implemented with 18 psychiatric nurses. Pre- and post-education surveys measured changes in knowledge and self-reported confidence, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results demonstrated significant improvements in nurses’ understanding of adherence strategies and increased confidence in addressing patient barriers. Participants also reported high satisfaction with the training. Despite limitations related to sample size and short-term evaluation, the project supports the use of evidence-based staff education to strengthen nursing practice, promote consistent patient education, and improve care quality for individuals with SMI.