Edinburgh Napier University

  Identifying cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., hypercholesterolaemia, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity) and establishing cardiovascular prevention strategies are important approaches towards reducing the global health burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of these risk factors are modifiable through lifestyle and behavioural changes and nurses are optimally situated within clinical practice to identify CVD risk and support people with adopting healthier lifestyles. Despite this, evidence suggests that the health of registered and student nurses in the United Kingdom is sub-optimal and student nurses currently lack the confidence and skills required for effective CVD risk management. Consequently, there is an urgent need to build on and extend existing UK undergraduate nursing curricula and offer students the ability to have more detailed understanding of CVD risk factors and to gain confidence in strategies to improve lifestyle behaviour. Through co-creation with nursing students, the overall objective of this study is to bridge the theory-practice gap by developing students’ skills and practical capability with cardiovascular risk assessment, motivational interviewing, and self-management strategies.