Date of Award
12-2026
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. Emma To
Committee Member 2 School
Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice
Abstract
The stellate ganglion block is a regional anesthetic technique with valuable clinical applications for a variety of disorders, such as complex regional pain syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite its usefulness, many Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) lack structured, evidence-based training for this block. This leads to a lack of knowledge and confidence about its use. This doctoral project sought to address this gap through the development of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) designed to educate CRNAs on ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blocks.
The OSCE incorporated evidence-based standards and current research, focusing on relevant anatomy, ultrasound identification of structures, safety considerations, and procedural techniques. Thirty practicing CRNAs were invited to participate in the OSCE. The email invitation included a Qualtrics link to the informed consent form, the OSCE template, and the survey questions. The University of Southern Mississippi Institutional Review Board approved human subjects for the study under IRB protocol number 25-0392. Eleven CRNAs completed all survey components after they voluntarily participated in the study, which achieved a response rate of 37%. The data collection process required a nine-question survey, which included multiple-choice knowledge questions and five-point Likert scale confidence assessments before and after OSCE completion, and open-ended feedback responses. The researchers used Qualtrics to conduct the survey, which stored all information anonymously. The data analysis process involved descriptive statistical methods to analyze demographic details and knowledge question answers and to evaluate participant confidence levels before and after their OSCE experience. The researchers examined the open-ended question responses to find common themes.
The results indicated that CRNAs had increased knowledge and reported increased confidence after they participated in the OSCE. This doctoral project demonstrates the value of standardized educational tools, such as OSCEs, in instructing CRNAs. Over 90% of participants stated they were “likely” or “extremely likely” to recommend this OSCE to CRNA colleagues, emphasizing the advantages of the educational tool. The OSCE was presented at the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarship Day on October 3, 2025.
Copyright
Anna Roberts and Olivia Smith, 2026
Recommended Citation
Roberts, Anna and Smith, Olivia, "Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)" (2026). Doctoral Projects. 297.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dnp_capstone/297