Implementing Sepsis Recognition Education for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Sepsis has been a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for millennia. There is a vital need for skilled assessment and rapid intervention for septic patients. Substantial evidence shows that sepsis knowledge is lacking for nursing students and practicing nurses. This DNP project will examine the effectiveness of undergraduate sepsis nursing education. The project will develop, implement, and evaluate an educational module for undergraduate nursing students to improve their knowledge of sepsis and confidence in identifying patients at risk of sepsis with a focus on older adults. Six participants began the module by completing the demographics and the pre-quiz sections. Four participants completed the entire module. Barriers to implementation included low recruitment and participation. Project implementation resulted in six participants, with four students completing the module. Half of the participants had prior experience with sepsis, and all were in their fourth year of post-high-school education. Half the participants answered the same pre-quiz question incorrectly: “Less than 17% of nurses have current sepsis knowledge.” Half of the participants responded incorrectly to the same post-quiz question, “Sepsis recognition tools include,” with the response of “SIRS” instead of the correct response, “All of the above.” The satisfaction survey results indicated that all participants felt the module improved their sepsis knowledge. Sepsis education is vital for students and practicing nurses. Future recruitment to participate in the sepsis education module of undergraduate students at different stages in their education would allow comparison of knowledge and could assist in curriculum development. Practicing nurses in many clinical areas may benefit from sepsis education.