Teaching With Confidence: Strengthening Nurse Education on Heart Failure Using the Teach-Back Method
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Document Type
Project – Full Written
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Committee Chair
Cindy Miller
Abstract
Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of hospital readmissions, often due to poor patient understanding of self-care instructions provided at discharge. Nurses play a critical role in patient education, yet many lack confidence and competence in delivering effective education. Additionally, inconsistencies and discharge materials, such as outdated or excessive documentation, can overwhelm patients and hinder their ability to retain vital information. Standardized education enhances the learning experience and ensures consistent messaging across the healthcare system. This project aimed to improve nurses’ confidence and competence in educating heart failure patients at discharge by 10% through the implementation of the teach-back method. Conducted at a 747-bed acute care facility, the project targeted nurses from three inpatient units with the highest heart failure readmission rates. Participants engaged in structured education sessions focused on the principles and application of the teach-back method. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were used to measure changes in nurse confidence and competence. Results demonstrated an increase in 10% of both confidence and competence following the intervention, suggesting that the intervention effectively enhanced nurses’ familiarity with teach-back, increased its use in patient interactions, and strengthened their ability to identify gaps and ensure patient understanding. While long-term patient outcomes were beyond the scope of this project, the ultimate goal is to contribute to a reduction in hospital readmissions through improved patient understanding and self-management. This quality improvement initiative highlights the importance of health literacy strategies in discharge education and supports the ongoing integration of teach-back in nursing practice.
Recommended Citation
Boyd, Melany, "Teaching With Confidence: Strengthening Nurse Education on Heart Failure Using the Teach-Back Method" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 137.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/nursing-dnp/137
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License