Advancing Antibiotic Stewardship Nursing Practice Through Standardized Education: A Pilot Study

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a leading global public health threat. Nurses are well positioned to optimize antibiotic use via targeted antibiotic stewardship (AS) nursing practices. However, standardized AS education for nurses is lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an online AS for nurses continuing education program on nurses' antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge and their intent to integrate AS into their clinical practice. Method. A quasi-experiential pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of nurses at a U.S. academic medical center. Focus groups were conducted with those completing the program. Results. Fortyseven of 100 eligible nurses completed the program and the pre- and posttest surveys. Participation resulted in statistically significant increases (p < .05) in antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge, confidence, and perceptions related to the role of nursing in AS. Focus group participants had multiple recommendations for ways to integrate AS in daily nursing practice. Conclusion. Completing a comprehensive AS nursing continuing education program could prove instrumental to motivating nurses to adopt AS nursing practices.