First Advisor

Lora Claywell, PhD, MS, RN, CNE

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

School

Regis University

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

65 pages

Abstract

Abstract

Today, perinatal nurses are challenged to provide equitable care for a very diverse and

high-risk pregnant/postpartum patient population. Pregnant women of color are mistrustful of

the health care system and concerned about their care and risks when admitted to the hospital for

fear that they are not listened to or treated with the same respect and intent as their white patient

counterparts. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., in a 1966 speech, made in connection with the

Medical Committee for Human rights stated, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is

the most shocking and inhumane.” Nurses play a significant role in active listening and effective

communication with their patients that promotes trust and security. This quality improvement

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education project for inpatient perinatal registered nurses

staff and management in Maternal-Child Services focuses on increasing awareness and

understanding of how implicit bias impacts quality care for pregnant/postpartum women of

color. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data a pre/post education Implicit Association

Test (IAT) was taken, demographic data collected on the RNs, and a 5-point Likert scale was

completed on their experience post implicit bias education. A qualitative Implicit Bias and

Cultural Humility Perinatal Questionnaire was completed online, and additional field study notes

were gathered through impromptu one-on-one and small group discussions. Cultural Humility

education was infused with techniques to decrease implicit bias and promote understanding of

racism and the social determinants of health as contributing factors. Due to lack of participation

and inadequate sample size of the post-test IAT as compared to the pre-test IAT it was

impossible to statistically analyze the IAT data. However, the qualitative data was very

informative identifying seven themes and three subthemes.

Date of Award

Summer 2024

Location (Creation)

Denver, Colo.

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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