Date of Graduation

5-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Scott, Allison

Committee Member/Reader

Ballentine, Hope

Committee Member/Second Reader

Vowell-Johnson, Kelly

Abstract

Background: Education is an essential part of the nursing profession. Nurses should be teaching their patients every day, ensuring they understand the most reliable evidence-based practices. In breastfeeding education, however, there is a lack of education to expectant mothers on common breastfeeding methods, how to overcome common barriers, and general breastfeeding knowledge. If nurses can be effectively educated in breastfeeding knowledge and build their confidence in teaching their patients, then mothers will receive more thorough and helpful breastfeeding education. The hope in educating both nurses and mothers is to increase breastfeeding exclusivity rates to meet Healthy People2020 goals.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a breastfeeding education session on the knowledge and confidence of pediatric ambulatory care clinic nurses.

Methods: Local pediatric clinic nurses (N=11) completed a pre-survey to evaluate baseline knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding. Breastfeeding education was completed through a presentation by a board certified lactation consultant and advanced practice nurse and a PowerPoint slideshow. Afterward, participants completed a post-survey to evaluate any growth in knowledge or change in attitude. Independent t-test was used to compare pre-education to post-education data.

Results: Data showed insignificant results in attitude toward healthcare provider involvement as well as attitude toward breastfeeding for the post-education group, possibly due to the inability to track individual change. However, there was significant improvement in knowledge about breastfeeding in the post-education group.

Conclusion: The goal of this study was to increase breastfeeding education among nurses in hopes to consequentially increase patient breastfeeding education and raise breastfeeding adherence and exclusivity rates.

Keywords

nursing; breastfeeding; breastfeeding education

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