Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Jennifer Fricas

Readers

Dr Michael Myint, Joshua Halbert

Abstract

Objective: To improve the understanding of strategies implemented by institutions of higher education (IHE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how those experiences and resulting knowledge influenced staff confidence and preparedness for future infectious disease events.

Participants: Small to medium undergraduate residential IHE in CA, OR, and WA.

Methods: A Qualtrics survey collected data 1/26/25 – 2/24/25.

Results: Over 50% of respondents identified 7 of 9 preparedness needs as a major to critical need of their IHE. Statistically significant associations were found between IHE conducting a review of actions during COVID-19 and both self-confidence (ρ 0.46, p=0.018) and confidence in IHE preparedness (ρ 0.56, p=0.004). Other associations with self-confidence were knowledge of pandemic preparedness (ρ 0.45, p=0.011) and IHE size (ρ -0.47, p=0.008).

Conclusions: Although many IHE were unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to take the experience and lessons learned to be ready for the next emerging infectious disease threat.

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