Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Monitoring Patient And Caregiver Adherence To Treatment In Management Of Vascular Ulcers, Angela N. Ikeri

Theses and Graduate Projects

Chronic diseases have increased the incidence of vascular ulcer development. These ulcers require long-term wound management and other interventions from different health care specialists to achieve healing and decrease further complications. Following acute hospital and clinic vascular ulcer care interventions, patients are discharged home or to other facilities in the communities with vascular ulcer care instructions. Often, these patients come back to the vascular clinic or get readmitted into the hospital with deterioration of their wounds. This project used questionnaires to determine what barriers vascular ulcer patients and their caregivers have in the management of these wounds in the community. …

Creating Health Membership In A Health Commons, Melinda Dively-White

Theses and Graduate Projects

Persons living in the margins may be separated or isolated because of poverty, disability, gender, and ethnicity. Isolation, along with exposure to at-risk environments and barriers to accessing health care, contributes to adverse health outcomes. Nurses must be open to learning essential transcultural skills to work with persons living in the margins to provide culturally appropriate care that addresses health inequities. Students in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Augsburg University developed an innovative approach to care for people living in the margins. The Health Commons, a nursing-led drop-in center in Rochester, MN, and grounded in Newman's (1999) Health …

Fostering Humanization: Providing Care In The Margins, Alicia Mccauley

Theses and Graduate Projects

This doctorate of nursing practice project aimed to restore or improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health in the marginalized population in Rochester, Minnesota to promote human dignity and foster humanization through the opening of a nursing-led drop-in center. Guided by􏰈 Jean Watson􏰆s Theory of Human Caring, the Rochester Health Commons was opened and provided personal hygiene supplies, foot soaks, foot care, community resources, and most importantly offered a place for people to feel welcomed and cared for. Utilizing the concepts of transpersonal caring, authentic listening, mutuality, and radical hospitality, transcultural nursing students serving at the Rochester Health Commons reduced …

A Proposal To Implement Assertive Community Treatment Into A Primary Care Shelter Clinic, Julie Churcher-Fields

Theses and Graduate Projects

Individuals who are experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness have a difficult time accessing healthcare systems. Without mental health treatment and stable housing, individuals develop multiple needs that must be addressed during an individual visit. Without treatment for mental health symptoms, individuals may experience a negative impact on their quality of life and the ability to get basic needs met. Community organizations have an obligation to provide integrated care with a goal to improve overall health for this population. As nurse leaders there is an opportunity to be advocates and implement innovative ideas to improve care. In a large adult …

Mentorship Through Storytelling Program, Debra Marie Perry

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Mentorship Through Storytelling Program began in response to an urgent need to reduce registered nurse (RN) turnover rates and improve nurses’ satisfaction on a medical surgical unit in a Midwestern Hospital. The unit was challenged to hire, integrate, and retain a multigenerational team of RNs. Guided by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the Mentorship Through Storytelling Program was initiated in the fall of 2018 after doing a broad literature review and adapting the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses’ Mentorship Program to include the concepts of storytelling, mentoring, and caring. Digital recordings of five expert nurses’ oral histories (stories) …

The Heart Of Atrial Fibrillation: Integrating Yoga For Holistic Care, Jessica Lee Mcalpine

Theses and Graduate Projects

Atrial fibrillation (afib) is a chronic disease with no reliable cure that is caused by a chaotic heart rhythm. The heart has both metaphysical and physical meaning as the place where the spirit resides, a symbol of love, and as an organ that provides life. Yoga can be integrated as a holistic modality that has both physical and metaphysical benefits. Literature demonstrates that yoga can reduce self-assessed symptoms of afib, secondary outcomes, and objective episodes of afib. Negative emotional states can increase afib frequency. Yoga has been found to improve emotional states, ability to cope with chronic disease, perceived wellness, …

A Journey Through Homelessness: A Photovoice Project With Youth Experiencing Homelessness In Minnesota, Bonnie D. Paulsen

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to conduct a photovoice project with youth experiencing homelessness who frequent a drop-in center in the Midwest. Youth experiencing homelessness are a marginalized population whose numbers continue to grow. Photovoice is a method by which marginalized populations have an opportunity to express their lived experiences through photographs and what those photographs mean to them. Four youth from the drop-in center in the Midwest participated in the photovoice project. The youths were given cameras and instructions to take photographs of three broad areas: what homelessness means to them, their dreams for their futures and how …

Empowering Victims Of Sex Trafficking: Developing A Practice Of Self-Care, Samantha Foster

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sex trafficking (ST) is on the rise globally, nationally, and locally. This modern day form of slavery most often victimizes women and children, stripping them of their personal power. The traumatizing crime that is sex trafficking affects its victims physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and has many negative ramifications on communities. Minnesota is leading the Nation in addressing this human rights violation by implementing and enforcing the Safe Harbor Law. Guided by concepts of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, trauma-informed care (TIC) practices, current literature support, and in cooperation with shelters like Brittany’s Place in Minnesota, nurses may utilize …

The Eleventh Hour: Navigating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Within A Veterans’ Community, Christopher R. Lee

Theses and Graduate Projects

War-torn veterans have had limited support when combating symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Historically, PTSD was viewed as a weakness. Only recently has it gained attention as a health priority for veterans. This scholarly project provides an algorithmic resource to help providers discern and assess whether a veteran is suffering from PTSD. This paper will go on to define what PTSD symptoms are, and what care options there are for veterans suffering from PTSD. One specific option explored is animal therapy as a way for a veteran suffering from PTSD to better manage his or her symptoms.

An Essential Perspective Of Surgery: A Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Care Model, Michelle D. Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Family Nurse Practitioners provide efficient, cost effective and safe care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings. Through the implementation of a clinical care practice model, the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner is a part of the multidisciplinary team caring for the outpatient surgical population. Patient satisfaction, system and patient benefits, including potential for increased revenue and effects on continuity of care across the spectrum of the surgical journey will be evaluated. This scholarly project examines the evidence in the form of literature review, conceptual and theoretical frameworks to evaluate the 1:1 clinical care model utilizing a Family …

The Effectiveness Of Yoga In Preventing And Managing Back Pain, Sonja M. Brockman

Theses and Graduate Projects

In this Doctorate of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) scholarly

project, a yoga program was developed and implemented to educate how the practice of yoga can be utilized to manage or prevent back pain in nurses. Back pain in nurses is a common condition that can cause nurses to become unable to work and ultimately affect the nursing work unit. The practice of yoga has gained popularity in Western culture for improving health and back pain. A review of the recent research literature from 2000- 2015 that investigated back pain in nurses, back pain management, treatment, and yoga, is provided …

Early Integration Of Palliative Care For Patients Diagnosed With Life-Limiting Illness, Jennifer M. Rivers

Theses and Graduate Projects

There are numerous reasons conversations regarding the early implementation of palliative care for patients diagnosed with life-limiting illness do not occur early in the disease trajectory. A literature search was conducted to support the benefits of earlier implementation of palliative care, specifically, implementation by patient’s primary care providers upon a qualifying disease diagnosis. The literature review revealed generous benefits of early implementation of palliative care and provided support for this scholarly project. For this scholarly project, a palliative care questionnaire and PowerPoint presentation were designed, administered, and presented to health care providers including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and consultants …

Exploring The Lives Of Retired Nurses Using The Lens Of Legacy, Verliss L. Keller-Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

Legacy can be viewed as a summary of life. Legacy develops over a lifetime and changes and grows as one ages. How do retired nurses view their legacy? This paper looks at a select group of five female retired nurses and how each views her legacy at this time in life. Each was a professional nurse, and each is fully retired. Imogene King’s Goal Attainment Theory discusses the concepts of self and role. Through individual conversations, each retired nurse shares her life story of self and the roles she held during her working years. Literature yields little information about this …

Trafficking Victims In The Emergency Room Setting, Lisa M. Archer

Theses and Graduate Projects

Human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, is a violation of human rights and a public health issue. Affecting millions worldwide, a high prevalence of human trafficking exists in the United States (US). Traffickers target vulnerable victims in an effort, through coercion and exploitation, to benefit financially, perpetuating the issue of supply and demand. Lacking a specific demographic, traffickers opportunistically seek out victims, such as targeting runaway and homeless youth, those sold through poverty, or those surviving in conditions caused by natural disaster. Multidisciplinary health care staff are uniquely positioned to recognize, assess, and intervene when encountering victims who seek …

Full Court Press: Providing Pre-Adolescent Girls Success Through Team Membership And Mentoring, Katie N. Benike

Theses and Graduate Projects

Pre-adolescent female mentorship through team membership over the course of four years is examined for the purpose of this Doctoral of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner project. Dr. Jean Watson theory of Human Caring is used as a catalyst for the project. A literature review was performed to help guided the project and bring to surface opportunities for further examination. A Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner student mentored the eleven participants. The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advance Practice nursing were utilized in the project.

Mindfulness, Movement, & Music: Implementing A Yoga Program For Children, Briana Darcy

Theses and Graduate Projects

The prevalence of stress-related physical and psychological diseases is continually increasing. Underserved children have a high risk for developing stress-related conditions as a result of multiple social, physiological, and environmental factors. This DNP/FNP scholarly project focuses on the stress-reducing effects of the integrative therapies of yoga, meditation, music, and mindfulness. A program includes concepts of yoga, meditation, mindfulness and music listening to provide children with low-cost coping techniques that help combat the ill effects of stress in their lives. It was implemented in Rochester, MN. Participant reactions were favorable, as well as evaluations by faculty at the place of implementation. …

Open Your Eyes: Recognizing The Signs And Symptoms Of Human Trafficking, Elizabeth M. Stanek

Theses and Graduate Projects

Human trafficking is both a human rights violation and a major public health concern. Trafficking in persons, prevalent both domestically and internationally, is a form of modern-day slavery. Although there are different typse of human trafficking, the most prevalent is the recruitment of girls and boys to be used in sex trafficking. This form of human trafficking uses force, violence, fraud, and coercion to control the victims and keep them from from contacting law enforcement or seeking help. Knowledge and awareness of signs and symptoms of human trafficking are crucial for doctor of nursing practice-family nurse practitioners (DNP-FNP), as they …

Merging Human Becoming Theory And Health Coaching Principles Into The Role Of The Family Nurse Practitioner, Tammy Lee Olney

Theses and Graduate Projects

Family Nurse Practitioners have limited time with patients to address their health care concerns. Practitioners need to make the most of this limited time in order to promote positive patient outcomes. Health coaching is a proven method to assist others in identifying obstacles, prioritize what is important to them, leverage strengths, and in making healthy behavior changes. Drawing on evidenced-based practice in health coaching assists the Family Nurse Practitioner with making deeper connections with patients and guides in co-creating a plan that is truly patient-centered. The health coaching process is in parallel with the Human Becoming Theory by the use …

Essential Nursing Care For The Sole, Teresa A. Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper illuminates the transformational journey experienced while exploring nursing practice involvement in essential holistic foot care as a Doctor of Nursing-Transcultural Nursing (DNP-TCN) practice project. The underlying theoretical framework is based on the relational caring complexity theory by Marilyn A. Ray and Marian C. Turkel, depicting model complexity concepts essential to holistic health and wellness nursing foot cares. As an advanced practice nurse, this practice shift is an assertion of health and wellness essentials in the model of holistic nursing, as foot health is tied to the health of the physical body and spiritual soul of the living. Individual …

Honoring Others By Accompaniment, Merrilee Brown

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nurses recognize that access to healthcare for marginalized individuals prevents some from utilizing western medicine basic health services. People living in the margins can experience difficult encounters to healthcare as a system and a culture. Providers in Scott County that offer access to the marginalized are referred to as safety net services, lack individual choice, resource coordination, or a health partnership with individuals struggling in their daily lives. public Health Nurses recognize the need for intentional collaboration among providers. This project began with a Hispanic individual who had accessed all safety net providers in Scott County and still was not …

Reclaiming Our Sacredness As Nurse Healers, Lani L. Hollenbeck

Theses and Graduate Projects

The nurse-patient relationship encompasses the richness of being in a relationship with another human being. When viewed through a healthcare lens a patient's health, illness, and healing are often defined by procedural testing, diagnosis, and a plan for treatment. Within the community of professional nurses, it is known that healing involves more than an attempt to physically repair the human body. The use of nursing theory, caring science, and recognition of the patient in their wholeness guides nursing practice. Nurses incorporate the use of experiential wisdom (metis) in caring for the life force of another human being in the effort …

Uncertainty In Nursing: The Impact On Practice And Leadership, Sarah R. Orde

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nurses experience uncertainty in practice due to the fast paced, complex nature of the healthcare system. Uncertainty in nursing practice has a direct influence on patient care, as well as personal well-being of the nurse, and his or her engagement and retention in the workplace. This paper describes a project intended to help nurses identify and cope with uncertainty in practice on an adult medical inpatient unit at a major Midwestern healthcare facility. The project is illustrated through a conceptual model of coping with uncertainty as guided by Margaret Newman's Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness (HEC). The model identifies …

Overcoming Knowledge Gaps In Use Of Capnography In A Post Anesthesia Care Unit: A Project Proposal, Glen Meyer

Theses and Graduate Projects

The use of capnography plays a significant role in patient safety while recovering from anesthesia and sedation. Capnography has been used for many years in emergency departments, operation suites, and procedural areas. However, in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) capnography is rarely utilized. This proposed project explores the use of capnography in developing a project proposal and implementing an educational module to change this practice in a PACU. Dr. Watson's Transpersonal Caring Theory is used as the theoretical foundation for developing the project proposal. Within this project proposal an educational module will be developed using Dr. Watson's Theoretical concepts …

Nutrition Support Nursing Handoff: A Computerized Template, Suzanne L. Bundrick

Theses and Graduate Projects

At a large Midwest private nutrition support practice, a manual reporting tool has been the communication practice used in daily handoff practices. For patients who require consultation from the Nutrition Support Consulting Service, accurate communication of the nutrition plan of care among members of the health care team is a critical element of patient care and safety. Because communication errors are a leading cause of sentinel events for patients, having a safe transfer of care from nurse to nurse each day is imperative. A nutrition support computerized handoff template not only creates continuity of care among team members, it also …

Cervical Cancer Screening In Rural Tanzania, Shangwe Kiliaki

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healthcare is complex, ever-changing, and unpredictable, and the healthcare system in Tanzania is susceptible to such complexities. As one of the poorest countries in the world, with approximately 75 percent of the 50,000,000 people residing in rural areas, increasing access to health services in remote regions is crucial. The leading cause of death among women is cervical cancer in Tanzania. This is due to limited preventive health services such as cancer screening programs, shortage of healthcare facilities in rural areas, vaccination programs for HPV, and simple lack of cervical cancer awareness in rural communities. As a starting point, a cervical …

Circle Of Care And Hope: An Adaptation And Empowerment Mental Health Healing Model For Blacks, Judy Edvaline Vansiea

Theses and Graduate Projects

PURPOSE- To engage and empower Black people with a "Circle of Care and Hope" that helps them to overcome their unequal access to effective mental health treatment. PROJECT DESCRIPTION- Black people in the United States have experienced unequal access to effective mental health care treatment due to centuries of oppression by the dominant Caucasian culture in the United States. This history has caused many Black people to distrust the purely Western and Caucasian-dominated model of mental health treatment. In response to this problem the author has adapted and integrated three healing modalities: multiple Western, theoretically-based therapies; culturally appropriate practices for …

Retreat As A Learning Medium For Health, Empowerment And Transformation Of Tanzanian Girls, Rebecca S. Hartwig

Theses and Graduate Projects

Social determinants of health in Tanzania include poverty, low educational standards, and pandemic diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Girls in Tanzania are at an increased disadvantage in educational and vocational opportunities relative to boys. They are also an identifiable 'at risk' population regarding access to health care and health education. To address vulnerability of girls, a 5 day retreat for 12 year old girls was held in July, 2014 in Ruaha Mbuyuni, a small village in Iringa region of Tanzania. Using cirlce process, focused group discussions, and creative arts, participants were given the opportunity to express their hopes, dreams, …

Stepping Away From The Path: A Transformational Journey Affirming Emic Food Security Practices On The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation In South Dakota, Beth E. Grund

Theses and Graduate Projects

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project concerns improving the level of food security on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Despite attempts by etic, or mainstream society, food security for the indigenous Oglala Lakota people who live there remains an elusive goal. Life expectancy for both men and women continues to decrease due to skyrocketing rates of chronic diseases related to malnutrition. Although the project initially focused on how effectiveness of etic food security solutions might be improved, unforeseen events prompted and examination of Pine Ridge food security from an emic, or Lakota, perspective. This more personal outlook …

Exploring The Complexities Of Daily Life And Healthcare For The Old Order Amish Of Central Wisconsin, Denise E. Barten

Theses and Graduate Projects

My heritage includes a long line of farmers dating back to the 1800's. This connection to farming, the land and my community in Clark County, Wisconsin was the impetus for me to create a cultural immersion experience for the students of Augsburg's nursing program. My projection is an exploration into the old order Amish community of central Wisconsin, a glimpse into farming both past and present and a celebration of the land. As a requirement for the completion of the DNP program I completed practicum hours at a small self-pay clinic owned and operated by a Mennonite physician in the …

Lgbt Advocacy: One Leader's Journey Through Fear To Transcendence, Paula Suffrins

Theses and Graduate Projects

The LGBT population experiences healthcare disparities at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. Fear among this population prevents them from seeking health care. Nurses can be influential in addressing this fear and decreasing healthcare disparities within the LGBT population. However, LGBT content offered in nursing programs is not adequately preparing students to care for this specific population in a culturally sensitive manner. Healthcare organizations lack LGBT content in orientation programs as well. Transformational nursing leaders can initiate and support the effort to create a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBT population where healthcare can be delivered by culturally sensitive …