Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

7-10-2020

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Natalie Murphy

Committee

Dr. Natalie Murphy

Dr. Louise Miller

Dr. Laura Kuensting

Abstract

Problem: In areas with limited health resources, such as Guatemala, cost-effective and reliable methods for sexually transmitted infection and cervical cancer screenings are needed. The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to develop standardized training in Vaginal Wet Mount (VWM) preparation and cervical cancer screening using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) for Nurse Practitioner students who traveled to Guatemala for a week-long global immersion experience.

Methods: This was a QI project with a prospective descriptive design utilizing a purposive sample of 10 University of Missouri-St. Louis Nurse Practitioner students who traveled to Guatemala on medical mission trip from January 13, 2020-January 18, 2020.

Results: A total of 10 Nurse Practitioner students scored their personal clinical confidence in performing women’s health diagnostic procedures and were rated by the investigator for clinical competence when performing these skills. A significant positive correlation was observed between competence and confidence on the final clinic day (rp = 0.94, p < .001) with a 104% increase in confidence and a 38% increase in competence.

Implications for Practice: Standardized training in VWM and VIA may improve Nurse Practitioner students’ confidence and competence in performing women’s health diagnostic procedures.

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