Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
Advisor
Maryellen E Roberts, D.N.P., R.N., A.P.N.C., FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Committee Member
Beth Jameson, Ph.D
Committee Member
Moira Kendra, DNP, MA, RN, ACNP-BC
Keywords
chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney disease (AKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), best practice advisory (BPA), referrals, nephrology consultation, nurse practitioners, quality Improvement project, kidney function tests, electronic Health record (EHR), early intervention
Abstract
Nephrology referral has been recognized as a modifiable factor influencing patient outcomes (Cheng, 2025). This project aims to reduce delayed or missed CKD diagnoses at large suburban hospitals in north New Jersey by improving timely nephrology referrals. I used a mixed-methods approach, retrospective chart review, pre- and post-education surveys, and referral trend analysis to assess how an educational session affects nurse practitioner knowledge and nephrology referral behavior. Enhancing nurse practitioner (NP) awareness and decision tool usage may increase early kidney care for patients, leading to better outcomes (ISN-KDIGO, 2021; Van Mil et al., 2024).
Recommended Citation
Volcy, Diahann M., "Improving Appropriate Nephrology Referrals Using Epic Screening Tools and Nurse Practitioner (NP) Education" (2026). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 4473.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/4473
Included in
Critical Care Nursing Commons, Family Practice Nursing Commons, Geriatric Nursing Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons
