First Advisor

Dr. Lora Claywell

Second Advisor

Dr. Carol Wallman

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Division

Loretto Heights School of Nursing

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

57 pages

Abstract

Background: Bedside rounds involving the child and family in the hospital are considered a best practice, offering numerous benefits that enhance patient care, family engagement, and nurse participation. Nurse-led bedside rounds (NLBR) have been linked to improved nursing self-efficacy, which correlates with reduced burnout and higher nurse retention. However, on the mixed inpatient pediatric unit (MIPU) studied in this project, a standardized family-centered rounding process was lacking, and nurses faced barriers to participation. This prompted the research question: Do nurses on an MIPU (P) report an improvement in self-efficacy (O) following the implementation of NLBR (I)?

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to implement NLBR on an MIPU using nursing, behavioral, and change theories as foundational frameworks. The objective was to enhance nurses' self-efficacy through structured and sustainable bedside rounding practices.

Methods: Following stakeholder approval, an evidence-based NLBR model was developed to ensure feasibility and sustainability. A pre-survey assessed nurses’ self-efficacy among both day and night shift volunteers prior to intervention. The intervention included education, training, simulation, and role-play exercises to enhance leadership skills for NLBR implementation. Three months after initiating the rounding process, a post-survey was conducted among participating nurses.

Results: Despite a small effect size and a weak regression model (r² ≤ 0.13), post-survey findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in nursing self-efficacy (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the implementation of NLBR positively impacts nurses' confidence and engagement in patient care within the MIPU.

Conclusion: NLBR fosters a structured, family-centered approach to rounding, leading to measurable improvements in nursing self-efficacy. While further research is needed to explore long-term effects, findings support NLBR as a valuable practice for enhancing nursing engagement and retention.

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Location (Creation)

Denver, Colo.

Rights Statement

a

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Available for download on Thursday, May 18, 2028

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