Date of Graduation

Summer 8-14-2026

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

MSN project

First Advisor

Tania Borja-Rodriguez, PhD, RN, FNP-BC

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly diagnosed among the older population, contributing to high utilization of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. Objective: SNF A’s current onboarding and training program for staff discussed general geriatric topics but failed to include structured PD-specific education. This may lead to gaps in competence, confidence, and workflow related to PD care and management, resulting in low quality of patient care, poor health outcomes, and decreased safety and satisfaction. Aim: The project aimed to establish and incorporate a structured PD-specialized education program within a SNF located in Northern California, to increase employees’ self-reported confidence, competence, and improve workflow in Parkinson’s care and disease management. Methods: The project intervention included two different components: presenting an evidence-based PowerPoint for staff and creating a supplemental informational brochure. Staff competence, confidence, and workflow in caring for residents with PD were measured through a comparison of anonymous pre- and post-education surveys. Results: The average scores between the pre- and post-education surveys increased in the majority of the survey items across four domains: staff confidence in PD management (domain 1), staff competence (measured as knowledge of key PD concepts (domain 2) and clinical decision-making scenarios (domain 3), and analysis of staff’s PD workflow (domain 4). However, the average scores for two items in domain 1 (confidence) and one item in domain 4 (workflow) remained stable, while domains 2 and 3 (competence) demonstrated improved scores. Conclusions: The educational intervention aligned with SNF A’s mission, goals, and values of promoting a safe, resident-focused environment. Standardizing PD education had strong potential to improve the quality of patient care by improving staff competence. In SNF A, baseline confidence remained high, allowing little room for improvement.

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