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Volume 3 Advanced Practices in Nursing
ISSN: 2573-0347 Advanced Nursing Research 2018
June 14-15, 2018
June 14-15, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland
48th World Congress on
Advanced Nursing Research
The effect of faculty lead gentle persuasive approaches training has on nursing students to manage
responsive behaviors
Tracy Christianson, Kim Morris and Tracy Hoot
Thompson Rivers University, Canada
Problem Statement: Nurses face a high level of risk of violence compared with other workers, with higher frequency towards
those who are younger and less experienced. Risk of violence is similar for health care aides (HCA), and nursing students, with
HCAs experiencing the highest rate of injury because much of their work and clinical practice is in residential care settings
where many patients are at risk for challenging behaviors due to cognitive changes.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effects of Gentle Persuasive Approaches© (GPA) training had on
students' knowledge and ability to care for patients who have the potential for responsive behaviors. GPA is a training program
recognized in Canada as best practice in the management of responsive behaviors of patient and provides the learner with the
skills to interact and intervene to diffuse escalating care situations.
Methodology: A mixed-methods approach with a quasi-experimental, repeated measures design was used with nursing
students (health care assistant [HCA] & bachelor of nursing [BSN]) who had limited exposure to the practice setting. The
intervention took place over three phases with two HCA cohorts completing GPA through self-paced online modules
(e-learning) with a two-hour face-to-face post e-learning review (Phases 1 & 2). Phase 3, the third HCA cohort and 1/2 of the
BSN cohort received GPA training face-to-face (Phase 3) with GPA trainers, with the other half of the first year BSN cohort as
the comparison group. Repeated measure questionnaires were administered pre-GPA, post-GPA, and post-clinical practice. At
the close of each clinical practice, focus groups allowed students to reflect on how GPA prepared them for managing responsive
behaviors.
Findings: Although the project is not yet complete at the time of this abstract submission, preliminary results are indicating
positive results. Students recognize signs of changes in behaviors that may lead to responsive behaviors. Students describe
their ability to manage and redirect patients to decrease such behaviors. Physical techniques learned and practiced in the GPA
training helped students confidently manage physical aggression.
Conclusion: While no scientific conclusions can be made at present, preliminary data indicates GPA may have had a positive
impact on confidence, skill, and knowledge manage responsive behaviors.
Biography
Tracy Christianson is a tenure track assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Thompson Rivers University. With over 25 years of nursing practice and teaching
experience, her research focus is a blend of nursing education, gerontology, and rural health issues with an emphasis on improved practice and quality of care. Dr.
Christianson has completed a number of research projects and has disseminated research findings at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Tracy Christianson et al., Adv Practice Nurs 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2573-0347-C2-020