Digital Commons Network^™

The Grade Experience Of Online Nurse Practitioner Students, Jennifer Stone, Phyllis D. Morgan, Mahaman Moussa, Linda Steele, Joshua Fogel

2017 Program & Posters

The rapid growth and demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) is expected to increase through 2020. The growing national shortage of physicians in primary care has fueled the demand for NPs. The expansion of health insurance coverage means that more people will be insured and will need health care. Online NP programs are of interest to working students. NP students often want to expedite degree completion by taking more than one clinical course per quarter (OCCPQ). This study examined grade experience differences for online NP students who took more than OCCPQ, compared to those who did not take more than OCCPQ. …

Attitudes Of Women Offenders Towards Medicaid Enrollment And Coverage Under The Affordable Care Act, Morrisa Barbara Rice

2017 Program & Posters

This phenomenological study explored the attitudes of women offenders in jail about Medicaid enrollment and coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This understanding provided insight for jail leadership and other stakeholders to address barriers and incorporate facilitators identified to make it simpler for women offenders to enroll before released from jail.

Internal Strategies For Assessing Communication Channel Effectiveness, Melvin E. Murphy

2017 Program & Posters

This qualitative multiple case study was designed to explore communication assessment strategies used in three law firms to improve message dissemination and channel efficiency. The findings revealed informal assessment strategies can sustain operations, indirect assessment strategies have a role, and efficient versus timely assessments could improve employee performance and morale.

Gamification Techniques And Millennial Generation Philanthropy, Karen Kavanaugh Kavanaugh

2017 Program & Posters

This qualitative study used Q methodology to examine how Millennials perceived the use of gamification elements might impact their philanthropic behavior. Overall Millennials appeared to embrace the idea of using gamification to further nonprofit fundraising. Five factors or donor-profiles were extracted from the Q-sort results and provided insight into not only the preferred gamification elements, but also general Millennial fundraising engagement preferences.

How Parenting Behaviors Influence Weight And Health Status Of African American Adolescents, Natasha T. Hourel

2017 Program & Posters

This quantitative secondary data analysis sought to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and practices of African American mothers and fathers residing both inside and outside of the home on the weight status (as measured by BMI percentile) of their adolescent children. Findings indicate variables beyond parenting practices, such as urban/rural residence, must be considered to explain weight status among adolescents.

Multiple Roles As Predictors Of Subjective Well-Being In African American Women, Sha-Rhonda Michea Green-Davis

2017 Program & Posters

Through multiple regression analysis of the NSAL archival data, this study examined how the subjective well-being (SWB) of African American women ages 18-44 (n = 1,877) can be predicted by their age, years of education, household income, number of children, and marital, parental, and employment statuses.

Overcoming Pedagogical, Social/Cultural, And Attitudinal Barriers To Technology Integration In K-5 Schools, Lisa Durff

2017 Program & Posters

In this qualitative multiple case study, I interviewed educators to determine how they overcame barriers to technology integration. The findings showed that a triadic force of personal, behavioral, and environmental factors work together to influence technology integration. The present study may contribute to social change by increasing the knowledge of barriers preventing integration of technology into the elementary classroom.

Rapport Development And Native Language Use Between U.S. Advisors And Afghan Counterparts, Sean Ryan Ryan

2017 Program & Posters

This phenomenological symbolic interactionism study of rapport and native language use between 15 Afghan counterparts and their U.S. advisors involved semi-structured interviews informed by social exchange theory, servant leadership theory, role theory, and the Army conceptual rapport framework. Native language appeared to contribute to perceptions of respect, understanding, commitment, and trust supporting rapport.

Assessing Learning Styles Of Adults In Different Learning Environments, Theresa M. Bane

2017 Program & Posters

To support the development of more supportive learning environments, Kolb’s Learning Styles Inventory (LSI) was used to assess learning styles in adult students of online, classroom, and combination learning environments. There were no significant differences in learning styles between learning environments in the sample population, though learning styles correlated with some demographic measures.

2017 Walden University Research Symposium, Daniel W. Salter, William Barkley, Barbara Benoliel Phd, Paula Dawidowicz, Paul Englesberg, John W. Flohr, Elisha Galaif, Gerald Giraud, Kristina Harris, Joeann Hinrichs, Matthew Jones

2017 Program & Posters

Welcome to the 2017 Walden University Research Symposium. We are glad you can join us in celebrating our 10th anniversary of this Walden University tradition. The Research Symposium is an annual event that showcases research projects from our academic community, especially work by our recent graduates. If there is a theme this year, beyond their shared focus on social change, it would be research aimed at “assuring success” for a variety of people and groups. The presentations at a symposium appear in two different formats

• Poster presentations provide an opportunity for researchers to engage with all individuals attending the …

Age Differences In Walden Faculty’S Satisfaction And Commitment, Lee Stadtlander, Amy Sickel, Lori Lacivita, Martha Giles

2017 Program & Posters

Very little is known about online faculty and their work habits. This survey study examined the effect of work habits and demographics on job satisfaction and commitment to the organization. The results indicate that faculty over 70 years of age are more satisfied and committed to Walden then faculty 30-49 years.

Validation Of The Doctoral Writing Knowledge And Efficacy Inventory, Lee Stadtlander, Amy Sickel

2017 Program & Posters

There has not been a validated measure of doctoral level writing knowledge nor one of doctoral writing self efficacy. In this study we developed and validated the Doctoral Writing Knowledge and Efficacy Inventory. The inventory showed validity, being correlated with writing apprehension, perceived writing self efficacy, and stage of dissertation.

Content Area Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Literacy Strategies, Osha Lynette Smith

2017 Program & Posters

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) recommend that all educators prepare students with the literacy skills needed for college and careers. This study examined seventh and eighth grade content area teachers’ perspectives towards teaching literacy. Results indicated that teachers felt unprepared to teach reading. These findings can facilitate communication between teachers and other stakeholders regarding school literacy initiatives. Further the findings informed creation of a professional training program to provide teachers with on-site support for literacy integration.

Strategies To Improve Project Management Maturity Processes, Walter H. Sargent

2017 Program & Posters

Information technology (IT) organizations lose significant competitive value when business leaders fail to use project management maturity (PMM) processes that enhance market delivery, reduce costs, and increase profitability. This multiple-case study involved 20 project leaders that used successful strategies to improve PMM. Thematic analysis and cross-case analysis revealed 6 strategies to improve PMM processes, which are (a) Project leader development, (b) customer focus, (c) standard methodology, (d) interactive communication, (e) organizational structure, and (f) continuous process improvement.

Cognitive Performance And Mood Changes In The Post-Thyroidectomy Patient Treated With T4 Versus T4+T3, Lorena Likaj

2017 Program & Posters

This study investigated changes in cognition and mood in the post-thyroidectomy patient. Specifically, this study investigates changes in cognition and mood, when the patient has been returned to normal, laboratory serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) reference levels, following conventional thyroid hormone replacement therapies with levothyroxine (T4) alone. Findings reveal a distinct, small, and clinically significant subgroup of post-thyroidectomy patients (10–15%) who continue to experience impaired cognition and mood, even when routinely measured serum TSH levels have been returned to normal levels. Findings are discussed within a conceptual matrix emphasizing the differential role of deiodinase enzymes required for conversion of T4 to …

Crafting A System Of Profound Knowledge Management In Long Term Care, Charlotte Johnston

2017 Program & Posters

Healthcare industries face regulatory and funding challenges to improve quality and close knowing-to doing gaps in healthcare. The study presents a substantive conceptual theory for crafting knowledge management (KM) in long-term-care (LTC); and extends Deming’s theory of profound knowledge from an organizational to the individual level of action and decision making.

Communication Strategies As Drivers Of Nonprofit Donor Retention, Tamieka Jameson

2017 Program & Posters

Retaining loyal and engaged donors is a critical component of sustainability for nonprofit organizations. The purpose of this single-case study was to explore communication strategies used by senior leaders of a nonprofit organization. The findings of this case study may ensure leaders’ ability to serve and improve their communities by engaging at-risk youth in programs and activities designed to help them acquire performance arts skills, develop leadership skills, and improve their lives.

Qualitative Research And Vicarious Trauma: The Use Of Reflexivity, Dawn Higgins

2017 Program & Posters

Qualitative researchers studying traumatic events may experience vicarious trauma. The research practice of reflexivity addresses biases of the researcher, however, there is no explicit practice to address symptoms of vicarious trauma. In this introspective study, the researcher uses a reflexive worksheet to explore vicarious trauma in her study on 9/ll.

Exploring The Impact Of Collective Bargaining Agreements On High Performance Work Practices, Nana Gyesie

2017 Program & Posters

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore how collective bargaining agreements (CBA) hindered or enabled managers from creating and sustaining high performance work practices (HPWP).

Correlations Between Management Behaviors And Financial Indicators With Fda Compliance Leading To Medicine Shortages, Francisco Gutierrez-Perez

2017 Program & Posters

A series of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) interventions and enforcement actions against pharmaceutical manufacturers in the past 5-6 years led to medicine shortages in the United States.

• The manufacturing shortfalls made essential medicines unavailable for the treatment of patients.

• Manufacturing shortfalls implied that quality management and manufacturing systems were not empowered or adequately staffed to support the critical functions of the pharmaceutical firms.

The Relationship Between Pre-Licensure Employment And Student Nurse Self-Efficacy, Khristina Lee Grimm

2017 Program & Posters

Lack of self-efficacy in nursing practice contributes to high levels of stress as new nurses enter the workforce, which causes turnover during their first year of practice. Little is known about how the type and amount of pre-licensure employment affects the selfefficacy in nursing practice of the student nurse.

Determinants Of Hiv Screening Among Adults In New Jersey After Hurricane Sandy, Nathaniel R. Geyer

2017 Program & Posters

HIV screening is recommended to destigmatize the condition, prevent partner transmission, and postpone AIDS progression. However, determinants associated with implementation of opt-out HIV screening are not well understood. In order to examine determinants that predicted HIV screening for people impacted by Hurricane Sandy, this study aims to evaluate this screening to medical care after a natural disaster.

Labeling Still Matters: The United Nations Development Programme And The Bied Growth Path Model, Kenneth T. Davis

2017 Program & Posters

The Purpose of this study is to review the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index (HDI) labels with the Behavioral International Economic Development Growth Path Model labels to get a better understanding of this new dynamic model and its layered approach. The 2012 HDI labels and previous trends were used along with the CIA World Factbook 2002 and 2012. This study promotes classification labels based on labor force occupation by sector, specifically agrarian, industry, and services behavior.

Academic Achievement In Schoolwide Title 1 Elementary Schools, Kelli K. Cronin

2017 Program & Posters

This nonexperimental quantitative study addressed whether Title 1 had an effect on low socioeconomic schools by determining if Schoolwide Title 1 elementary schools in South Dakota demonstrated significant student gains in math and reading over a 5- year time period as measured by state standardized assessments.

Perceived Threats To Food Security And Possible Responses Following An Agro-Terrorist Attack, Lamesha Lashal Craft

2017 Program & Posters

Terrorist attacks against food and water supplies (agro-terrorism) are a national security threat due to the assessed fear, economic instability, and social instability that could occur following a food shortage. Findings indicate that a comprehensive response plan does not exist and perceived fears and the lack of knowledge in a society with high social capital can still create conditions for chaos and anomie.

Employee Lived Experiences And Initiative Success In Arkansas Quality Award Recipient Organizations, Carol Barton

2017 Program & Posters

Employee experiences and their stories about their experiences influence quality management and continuous improvement initiatives. Transcript analysis of semistructured interviews revealed the most meaningful experiences were those with people, then materials, feelings, time, and space. The study findings also showed that people transferred problem solving methods from the workplace to their homes and communities.

Sleep Among Young Adults Living In Rural Poverty, Susan Barber Skinner

2017 Program & Posters

Sleep problems are implicated in individual health and public safety issues. This phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews (n = 12) of young adults living in rural poverty. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes including a struggle to balance sleep with preferred activities and a belief that the body controls sleep behavior.

Insurance Status Versus Hospitalized Patient Outcomes With Pulmonary Hypertension: National Hospital Discharge Survey, 2000-2010, Srikanta Banerjee

2017 Program & Posters

Pulmonary Hypertension is a common complication of heart failure or obstructive pulmonary disease. The National Hospital Discharge Survey, the largest national inpatient-based survey, was used for complex samples logistic regression modeling. Findings from this study demonstrated that insurance status had a statistically significant association with hospital related mortality rates.