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Show Empowering CNA Instructors in Underserved Communities BACKGROUND • Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and is strongly influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH) including education, income, and healthcare access.1,2,3 • Many CNA programs lack standardized training on blood pressure measurement, health literacy, and SDOH. • Evidence-based instructor training, standardized blood pressure protocol, and multilingual patient education materials can improve teaching consistency and instructor confidence.3,4 • Strengthening CNA instructor education may improve CNA competency and support better patient outcomes in underserved communities.2 METHODS The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice was used as the framework. By embedding health literacy and SDOH into CNA curriculum and aligning with the Iowa Model, the project promotes lasting improvements in patient education and health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.4 • Pre- and post-surveys were created to evaluate the instructors’ confidence on blood pressure education, health literacy strategies, and SDOH awareness. • Blood pressure protocol checklist was created in accordance with the AHA guidelines to ensure consistency.⁵ REFERENCES ¹Chaturvedi, A., Zhu, A., Gadela, N. V., Prabhakaran, D., & Jafar, T. H. (2023). Social determinants of health and disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension, 81(3) https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.21354 ²Centers for Disease Control (2021). CDC’S health equity guiding principles for inclusive communication. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/HealthEquityGuidingPrinciples.pdf ³U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022). Social determinants of health. Healthy People 2030. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health ⁴Cullen, L., Hanrahan, K., Edmonds, S. W., Reisinger, H. S., & Wagner, M. (2022). Iowa implementation for sustainability framework. Implementation Science, 17(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-021-01157-5 ⁵American Heart Association. (2024). Understanding blood pressure readings. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/highblood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings Enhancing Teaching, Blood Pressure Education and Integration of SDOH Savanna Searle, BSN, RN, MSN Student Anne Kendrick, DNP, RN, CNE Laura Ogaard, FNP, RN INTERVENTIONS • Step 1: Conduct a baseline pre-survey to assess CNA instructors’ confidence and knowledge. • Step 2: Provide evidence-based training modules on accurate blood pressure management, health literacy communication, and the impact of SDOH on hypertension. • Step 3: Implement a standardized blood pressure protocol checklist and multilingual patient education materials. • Step 4: Conduct scenario-based skills labs for instructors to practice teaching blood pressure monitoring and patient communication strategies. • Step 5: Administer a post-survey to evaluate changes in instructor confidence and readiness to teach standardized hypertension education. IMPACTS • Improving CNA instructor confidence can ensure that students are consistently trained in accurate blood pressure measurement, effective patient communication, and recognition of SDOH.1,2 • Better-trained CNAs can identify abnormal readings and reinforce better patient outcomes.5 • Standardized tools, can be integrated into CNA curricula and instructor development.3,5 • Can be implemented in other CNA programs to further improve hypertension education and reduce health disparities. CONCLUSIONS • Strengthening CNA instructor confidence through evidencebased training and standardized educational tools can improve consistency and quality of hypertension education in CNA programs. • By integrating accurate blood pressure measurement, health literacy strategies, and awareness of SDOH, CNA instructors can better prepare students to support patients in underserved communities.1,2,3 • The outcomes can enhance CNA competence, promote equitable care, and contribute to better long-term hypertension management and patient outcomes.1,2,3 |
