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Exploring Nurse Practitioner Students' Perceptions of a Sleep e-Learning Program
Alexa J Watach1, Miranda V McPhillips, Bruno Saconi
1About the Authors Alexa J. Watach, PhD, RN, is an instructor, Division of Sleep Medicine, and lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Miranda V. McPhillips, PhD, RN, is a lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania. Bruno Saconi, PhD, RN, is a lecturer, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and staff scientist, Geisinger. Rebecca Lang-Gallagher, MSEd, is research project manager, Division of Sleep Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. M. Melanie Lyons, PhD, MSN, ACNP, is an assistant clinical professor and nurse practitioner, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio. Susan M. Renz, PhD, DNP, RN, is a practice associate professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Ilene M. Rosen, MD, MSCE, is an associate professor of medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Amy M. Sawyer, PhD, RN, is an associate professor of sleep and health behavior, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and clinician scientist and educator, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health (R25HL120874, Rosen; K23NR018487, McPhillips) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ; K12HS026372, Watach). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of AHRQ. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the US Government. The authors acknowledge the following for their contributions to the conduct of this research: Kathleen O. DeMutis, DNP, ANP-BC; Hanne S. Harbison, MHSPH, MSN, WHNP-BC; Joe Schatz, DNP, CRNP, PMHNB-BC, CARN-AP; and June A. Treston, DNP, CRNP. For more information, contact Dr. Watach at Alexa.Watach@pennmedicine.upenn.edu / awatach@nursing.upenn.edu.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to explore nurse practitioner (NP) students' perceptions of a sleep e-learning program.
Background:
Sleep assessment is uncommon as nursing curricula lack sleep education. By preparing NPs to conduct sleep assessment and screening and understand basic sleep diagnostics, sleep health is more likely to be part of the differential diagnosis.
Method:
The study is a qualitative descriptive study utilizing two focus groups. A directed content analysis, guided by the Kirkpatrick model, was used for analysis.
Results:
Twenty-four students participated in focus groups. Two overarching themes emerged: perceptions of course design and content. Asynchronous, case-based scenarios and quizzes were favorable. Students spoke of content relevance to themselves and patients and intentions to adopt sleep assessment practices.
Conclusion:
NP students embraced sleep education and declared intention to apply learned skills in practice. This study highlights the feasibility of increasing curricular exposure to sleep education and ensuring NPs have skills to recognize implications of poor and disordered sleep in patients.
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