Digital Commons Network^™

Lgbtq Topics And Christianity In Social Work: Tackling The Tough Questions, Laura E. Kaplan, Jeanna Jacobsen, David Mccarty-Caplan

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

In 2014 the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) convention offered a workshop whose abstract stated coverage of controversies, ethics, governmental policies, and faith related to reparative therapy. In this workshop, presenters expressed support for using reparative therapy at clients’ requests. In response to this, a member of the Caucus of LGBT Faculty and Doctoral Students in Social Work (LGBT Caucus) organized a letter with over 120 social work faculty and practitioner signatures and submitted it to NACSW expressing concern that reparative/conversion therapy was offered as a viable mental health treatment at a professional social work conference, …

Examining Nigerian Banking Governance, Leadership Style, And Performance During The Financial Crisis, Adeola O. Agbato Dr, Kevin J. Davies Dr

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The 2008–2009 global financial crisis of financial systems negatively affected about 30% of Nigerian banks, leading to profitability issues. The profitability issues led to operational challenges, downsizing, and liquidation of some banks. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between corporate governance structure, perception of leadership style, and bank performance. This study was grounded in agency theory and used survey and archival data. Survey data were collected from 11 participants employed by commercial banks located in Nigeria, using the Multifaceted Leadership Questionnaire. Corporate governance and bank performance data were collected from annual bank reports. The model …

Development And Testing Of An Instrument To Measure Informatics Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes Among Entry-Level Nursing Students, Diane K. Whitehead, Lynne E. Bryant, Jo Ann Kleier

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Informatics competencies in nursing education have long been and continue to be a concern. This article reports on the development and psychometric testing of the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes towards Nursing Informatics (KSANI) Scale to measure these constructs among entry-level nursing students. A measurement instrument was developed based on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Institute informatics competencies for pre-licensure students (Cronenwett et al., 2007). Survey data were collected from a convenience sample of 300 undergraduate nursing students attending the 2014 Florida Student Nurses Association’s annual convention. The data were subjected to Cronbach’s test to estimate the level …

Implications Of Traffic Analysis To Homeland Security, Bob Duhainy

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

One of the biggest challenges currently faced by the Department of Homeland Security is guaranteeing cybersecurity. Each and every day some type of cybercrime occurs. Such crimes have the potential to affect the country’s national security. This paper investigates the significance of internet traffic and analysis to Homeland Security. It will look at the importance of internet traffic and analysis to Homeland Security as well as encrypted traffic and its implications to cyber-security. The manner in which the U.S. has handled cybersecurity over the past twenty years and the methods that the government has used in this time period will …

Career Transitions In Sport, T. Brandt, N. Harmsen, W. Walsh, Kimberlee Bethany Bonura, N. Galli

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The transition out of sport prompts an identity change for the athlete. When putting an end to their sporting career, an athlete loses an important part of themselves, particularly if they have been training and competing in their sport for much of their life. This may apply to the youth athlete who will not compete in college, the collegiate athlete who will not compete professionally, and the professional athlete who is retiring. Because athletes spend a great deal of time training and devoting themselves to their sport, they may not have time for exploration of activities or careers outside of …

Small Enterprise Strategies In An Unstable Public Environment, Daryl Green, Thomas Kohntopp

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Many small business owners in the United States dream about getting a large contract with the federal government, feeling that their lives would be easier if they did. Ironically, there have been numerous occasions where small businesses have gone out of business after being overwhelmed by a government contract. This case study addresses how small businesses can improve their survival and success rate in the public sector with a strategic approach to their operations. It begins by discussing the preparation that goes into federal contracting by small businesses. Case examples of four American companies involved in contracting with the Department …

Beyond Competency: An Innovative Approach To Teaching Ethic, Laura E. Kaplan, Val Bryan, Scott Sanders

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

A Model For Hiv Disclosure Of A Parent's And/Or A Child's Illness, Gary J. Burkholder Jr, Grace Gachanja

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

HIV prevalence in Kenya remains steady at 5.6% for adults 15 years and older, and 0.9% among children aged below 14 years. Parents and children are known to practice unprotected sex, which has implications for continued HIV spread within the country. Additionally, due to increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-positive persons are living longer. Therefore, the need for HIV disclosure of a parent's and/or a child's HIV status within the country will continue for years to come. We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand the entire process of disclosure from the time of initial HIV diagnosis of an …

Transforming Care Of The Behavioral Health Patient In An Emergency Department Setting, Theresa J. Kubiel

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract

Transforming Care of the Behavioral Health Patient in an Emergency Department Setting

by

Theresa J. Kubiel

MSN, Walden University, 2009

BSN, Bloomfield College, 2002

AAS, Ocean County College, 1992

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

January 2016

Abstract

Behavioral and mental health issues contribute to the needs of many patients presenting to emergency departments, and yet these needs often go unrecognized. Patient processing procedures in emergency departments may not include mechanisms to consistently identify and triage patients whose care is complicated by behavioral illness. The purpose of …

Integration Of Place-Based Education Into Science Classes From Prekindergarten Through Grade 5, Terri A. Wade-Lyles

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract In a large urban district in Ohio, 29.2% of Grade 5, 28.7% of Grade 8, and 45.7% of Grade 10 students passed the state test in science. School district administrators formed a community partnership with local science institutions in order to provide students with hands-on place-based learning experiences intended to improve science academic achievement in PK-Grade 5. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to determine the level of implementation of that place-based program by examining the efficacy of the teachers’ embedded professional development and their experiences with the training components. Bruner’s theory of cognitive development was used …

A Model For Hiv Disclosure Of A Parent’S And/Or A Child’S Illness, Grace Gachanja, Gary Burkholder

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

HIV prevalence in Kenya remains steady at 5.6% for adults 15 years and older, and 0.9% among children aged below 14 years. Parents and children are known to practice unprotected sex, which has implications for continued HIV spread within the country. Additionally, due to increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-positive persons are living longer. Therefore, the need for HIV disclosure of a parent’s and/or a child’s HIV status within the country will continue for years to come. We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand the entire process of disclosure from the time of initial HIV diagnosis of an …

Sensory-Based Calming Strategies For Infants, Leann Stadtlander

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Crying in infants is a normal physiological response; however, prolonged crying can produce a great deal of frustration and stress for new parents, and has been found to be related to shaken baby syndrome. Offering parents a range of calming options for their infants gives them a sense of control and connection to the infant. The process of calming their crying baby boosts parents’ confidence, creates a growing sense of trust within the infant, and sets the foundation for establishing a positive parent-infant relationship. This article explores sensory-based calming techniques and provides resources for parents, as well as, the childbirth …

Parents And Teachers’ Perceptions And Clinical Diagnosis Of Autism Among White And Non-White Groups, Margaret Gopaul

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The pervasiveness of autism has significantly increased over the past 2 decades with the 2014 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report indicating 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early intervention is recommended as the most effective treatment approach. Nevertheless, previous research has indicated that White children are diagnosed with ASD about 1.5 years earlier than are Non-White children. A current gap remains in literature regarding ASD and different racial groups, and evidence has been inconclusive regarding disparities in identifying and diagnosing ASD. To fill this gap, this study investigated the relationship between child race, …

Terrorist Experts’ Perceptions Of How The Internet Has Shaped International Terrorism, Samuel F. Wilson Ii, Teresa M. Lao Ph.D., Ernesto Escobedo Dr.

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The use of the Internet by terrorists has greatly contributed to international terrorism. The Internet is a main strategic communication asset for terrorists who use online message boards and chat rooms to share information, coordinate attacks, spread propaganda, raise money, and recruit. The Internet gives terrorists a medium to legitimize, propagate, and intimidate citizens to their cause. Their strategies are based on careful analysis of human communications; thus, messages are adapted and carefully delivered to appeal to people who may need something to believe in. This study bridged the gap in knowledge by exploring, understanding, and explaining the perceptions of …

Promoting Effective Assessment For Learning Methods To Increase Student Motivation In Schools In India, Sunddip Panesar-Aguilar, Erick Aguilar

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This qualitative study explored how using effective assessment can engage learners and motivate student learning in the Dehradun, Noida, Delhi, and Trivandrum regions in India. The study randomly sampled 26 teachers from six private schools. Private schools were used in this study since such schools allot substantial funds to support ongoing professional development. Four core themes were identified from this study. The implications derived from this study suggest that educational leaders, stakeholders, and teachers can help improve student motivation in the classroom if they involve students in assessment practices. This study provides a clear understanding of reasons why assessment can …

Evaluation Of A Temporary, Immersive Learning Community Based On Worldschooling, Aimee Ferraro

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Learning communities are a proven method for engaging groups of people who share common goals for personal growth and knowledge acquisition (Gabelnick, MacGregor, Matthews, & Smith, 1990; Taylor, Moore, MacGregor, & Lindblad, 2003). However, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the context of alternative education. This article describes the evaluation of a temporary, immersive learning community for self-directed teen learners, Project World School (PWS), which was based on a new, pedagogical approach to learning called worldschooling. Findings indicate that regardless of demographic characteristics and personal interests, PWS attendees experienced learning and progress in three main areas: …

Pregnancy With Psoriasis: What New Parents Need To Know, Debra Henline Sullivan, Deborah Weatherspoon, Christopher Weatherspoon

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects a substantial number of women annually during pregnancy and childbirth. Some of these women will need and seek guidance before or during their pregnancies and during lactation. The childbirth educator needs a basic knowledge base and ability to answer questions that may arise regarding psoriasis during the childbirth experience. This article will define psoriasis and its effects on pregnancy and childbirth, consider genetic concerns, and explore treatment options.

Mindful Fitness: Guidelines For Prenatal Practice, Kimberlee Bethany Bonura

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Mindfulness exercise practices offer a form of physical activity which is uniquely suited to support both psychological and physical health during pregnancy. Mindfulness exercise practices, which include yoga, qi gong, tai chi, and martial art forms such as kung fu, karate, and tae kwon do, combine physical activity with deliberate breathing exercises and focused attentional strategies. The purpose of this article is to review the various forms of mindfulness exercise and outline basic guidelines for mindfulness exercise training during pregnancy.

Exploring Strategies For Leaders Of Microfinance Banks In Nigeria., Josephine Aruoriwo Diete-Spiff, Yvonne Doll

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore strategies microfinance bank executives use to maintain business sustainability. The concepts of microfinance banking, sustainability value, and strategic management theory formed the conceptual framework for this study. Twenty executives from microfinance banks in Anambra state of Nigeria participated in semi-structured interviews. The data analysis process involved the use of Moustakas’ modified van Kaam process, which resulted in the emergence of three themes: strategic management, fear of microlending, and maintaining sustainability. The findings indicated the practice of strategic management, but indulgence in commercial activities instead of microlending to maintain business sustainability. The …

Law Enforcement Officers' Experiences Of Exposure To Trauma, Michelle B. Nirenberg, Robyn Trippany-Simmons, Tiffany C. Rush-Wilson

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Violent, traumatic, and stressful work situations are common for law enforcement officers (LEOs). LEOs are susceptible to stressful situations that impact their emotions and have the ability to affect job performance. This phenomenological study focused on identification of how traumatic incidents affected 10 LEOs from 2 rural law enforcement agencies from a rural community in the southeastern United States. Participants were interviewed regarding the experience of how encountering or witnessing traumatic events impacted their emotions during and after the incident, coping mechanisms they implemented, views on seeking mental health treatment, and importance of peer support. Findings indicated that LEOs expressed …