Mixed methods evaluation of a digital resource to build students' skills in ASsessing cardiovascular risk, MOtivating change, and SUStaining a healthier lifestyle in themselves and others- ASMOSUS: a study protocol.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Nurses and nursing students are in an optimum role to assess, manage and promote lifestyle changes associated with CVD risk. Patients and service users are more likely to adopt these changes if the person delivering the information embodies this lifestyle themselves. Literature suggests that nurses and nursing students show detrimental behaviours in association with smoking, obesity, nutrition, physical inactivity and alcohol. It is therefore essential to address CVD risk factors, management and lifestyle promotion early on in a healthcare professionals' career- ideally the university delivering their nursing program. This aligns with the Nursing and Midwifery Council curricula in the United Kingdom (UK) on the topic of public health and health promotion. Although already taught there is a gap between knowledge and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours. This is potentially resolved through consolidating self-efficacy in nursing students and their ability to apply theory to practice.

Methods: This study will evaluate a digital educational resource: ASMOSUS. This resource was co-designed with nursing students, academic and clinical staff to provide the skills to assess CVD risk, motivate change and encourage adoption of a healthy lifestyle in themselves and others. All nursing students will receive the ASMOSUS digital resource as part of their routine teaching, followed by either a 90-minute face to face tutor-led class or via a live online platform such as Microsoft Teams to consolidate skills with their peers. A mixed-methods study will be carried out in two phases. Phase one will use two questionnaires to investigate student knowledge on CVD risk and self-efficacy, using a pre-post test design. Phase two will explore the experience of the students in using the resource and the impact on their skills and self-efficacy using focus groups.

Discussion: This study has the potential to engage nursing students as the health professionals of the future in the early adoption of the knowledge and skills in CVD risk assessment, management and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. This will inform not only the health and wellbeing of nursing students themselves but translate into role modelling for patients and optimal patient care.