Digital Commons Network^™

Oncology Nurse Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Competencies, Jacob N. Woller

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Purpose: Healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs (HDs) in the workplace, especially with chemotherapeutics used in oncologic treatment. Exposure to HDs increases the risk of adverse health effects. Personal protective equipment (PPE) as one control to prevent exposure. A Northeast academic medical center required implementation of annual competencies on HDs to comply with national standards detailed in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 800. This project sought to evaluate the effectiveness of this HD competency and evaluate the PPE practices of healthcare workers who are frequently involved with HDs

Methods: A hands-on HD annual competency was developed …

A Standardized Web-Based Nursing Curriculum On Safe Infant Sleep Practices – A Vermont Statewide Initiative, Jace Nebeker

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background/Purpose: In Vermont and across the country, infants continue to die from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS), which in most cases is preventable. Best practice recommendations to safe infant sleep education are available; however, ensuring dissemination of this new information to parents has been challenging. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to develop an evidence web-based nursing curriculum on safe infant sleep practices for registered nurses working in Vermont community birthing hospitals.

Methods: Current literature on safe infant sleep practices, adult learning principles and nursing education strategies were incorporated into the development of an evidence …

Video Visits For Home Health Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Anne Brereton

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Purpose. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) tend to face frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The purpose of this project was to assist a home health agency in the process of building a video visit program to provide additional support to their COPD patient population.

Methods. A literature review was conducted to explore evidence for the use of video visits in home health care. Existing telehealth resources, a chart review, and interviews with stakeholders were utilized to create video visit guidelines. An online education module for staff was developed based off of the administration-approved guidelines. A post-module …

An Examination Of Correlation Between Preadmission Indicators Of College Readiness And Clinical Performance Of Nursing Students, Kenneth Allen

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

A significant body of literature supports the proposition that the development of a culturally competent healthcare workforce is enhanced by diversity in the cohorts of students graduating from post-secondary educational programs related to careers in health and healthcare. However, increasing diversity in these programs is contingent upon increasing acceptance rates of historically disadvantaged students, such as students from racial/ethnic minority groups and/or low socioeconomic status, into highly selective post-secondary institutions, such as state flagship universities, and highly selective majors such as nursing. A significant barrier to increasing enrollment of disadvantaged students at more selective post-secondary institutions is the combined effect …

Promoting Utilization Of The Clinical Nurse Leader: Improving Quality Of Unit-Base Care, Jason T. Garbarino

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

The purpose of this project was to provide consultative services to health care organizations in the State of Vermont on the purpose and role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). In providing a thorough overview of the CNL role including their improvements to patient care and care delivery, the desired impact was an increase in utilization of CNLs in pre-existing practice settings. Education was provided to three health care organizations in the State of Vermont. The post evaluation forms collected from participants of the consultative services highlighted an overwhelming interest in having their health care organizations actively or further pursue …

The Role Of The Community Health Worker: An Educational Offering, Kameron Escajeda

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Nursing Master Project Publications

Reducing health disparities among underserved and minority populations are an ongoing challenge for the United States’ health care system. The Affordable Care Act proposes the addition of a Community Health Worker (CHW) to the health care workforce to serve as a liaison between community and health services as a possible solution to improve quality and health outcomes in underserved populations. The newly formed health care team created in collaboration with the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties will welcome the CHW as a new team member to help improve the care and coordination of services for New …

Patterns Of Asthma Exacerbation Related To Climate And Weather In The Northeast Kingdom Of Vermont, Quincy Mckenzie Campbell

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by long- and short-term inflammation and bronchospasm susceptible to multiple triggers that affects patients across the lifespan. Asthma management is a primary care priority in Vermont, where there continues to be an above-average prevalence of asthma among both children and adults as compared to other states. However, many of Vermont's children and especially adults with asthma are not participating in regular check-ups for asthma management that would best prevent exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Several climate and weather elements including, but not limited to, extreme temperatures and particulate matter are known asthma triggers. Vermont's …

Physical Activity In Nature And Children's Mental Health, Stephanie Marcia Bless

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between children's physical activity and wellbeing, and if that relationship is enhanced by physical activity in nature. This study was a non-experimental retrospective multi-informant data review conducted at an outpatient pediatric psychiatric clinic in the Northeast. The theoretical framework used to guide this study was the Health Promotion Model, suggesting Advanced Practice Nursing investigate the relationship between health promoting behaviors and personal factors that support mental wellness in children and protect against mental illness. Data collected included age, sex, and exercise and wellbeing subsections of the Vermont …