Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Michong Rayborn

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Nina McLain

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

Regional blocks have become an increasingly important part of anesthesia practice. Anesthetists have developed many of these regional blocks in recent years, and because of this, some certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have not received training specific to each kind of block during their education. An example of a block that current CRNAs who graduated in earlier years may have yet to receive specific training on is a cervical plexus block. Developing a learning tool such as an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) will address this knowledge gap.

An OSCE will allow CRNAs to take advantage of hands-on learning stepwise, allowing them to translate these skills to patients in clinical practice. This OSCE includes key information and learning points of the major steps of a cervical plexus block utilizing both external landmark technique and ultrasound guided technique. CRNAs were sent an email invitation letter for participation that included the OSCE and a link to the post-OSCE survey.

Once consent was obtained, the participants completed a survey after completing the educational material that included qualitative and quantitative data. This data pointed to an improvement in participant confidence of the external landmark technique more so than the ultrasound guided technique. Participants said they thought the OSCE had good educational material and overall said they would recommend the OSCE to a colleague looking to improve their confidence in performing a cervical plexus block.

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Available for download on Friday, December 12, 2025

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