Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Trauma Admission Guidelines For Elderly Isolated Orthopedic Injuries, Jessica Lauren Hamrick-Welchel

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

A rise in complications at a southeastern level one trauma center had the trauma department and performance improvement personnel looking for a cause and a solution. It was determined through data mining that the patient population that was driving certain complication cohorts above acceptable levels was the injured elderly patient admitted by the non-surgical hospitalist group. Patients admitted by this group commonly sustained a single injury, mostly hip fractures. Elderly patients are admitted by this group in efforts of successfully managing the many co-morbidities these patients typically possess with co-management by the orthopedic group to manage the injury. A meeting …

Faculty Perception Of Student Nurse Compassion Post-Simulation Experiences, Lisa Alley

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Compassion is a common, foundational component in nursing and remains a challenge for faculty to continue to employ into nursing students. As simulation technology continues to gain momentum, faculty have expressed the benefits and downfalls as related to simulation and nursing education throughout the literature. A qualitative study was performed at a community college school of nursing to assess faculty perceptions of nursing students compassion post-simulation experiences. A survey was administered to faculty to obtain their perceptions.

Working Through A Virtual Reality: Empowering Experienced Nurses Through Hybrid Orientation Programs, Latoria Massey

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The year 2020 was not the year of the nurse that many expected. Frontline teammates were put at risk for so much more than just the usually fast-paced clinical and ethical decisions of their time. In a matter of months, the same professionals that were noted for being hard-working, diligent individuals were now fatigued, burned out, and working under some stressed and unrealistic constraints. The staffing needs in several acute care facilities changed drastically as the global crisis now known as COVID-19 continued to spread. Nationwide redeployment models were initiated, pulling many nurses into new unchartered territory. Among the stress …

Bullying In Nursing, Amanda Vargas

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available

Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring: Understanding Misutilization And How To Ameliorate, Stanley Yeargin

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Inappropriate usage of cardiac telemetry in the hospital setting is a problem that plagues healthcare facilities almost ubiquitously. By writing orders for a telemetry monitor when it is not needed, providers are potentially increasing the costs of that patients stay in multiple areas. The goals of this project are to decrease telemetry monitoring misutilization, thus decreasing costs in several different areas. The plan is to create interventions, based on literature reviews of previous studies, and enact new guidelines that will lead to success of project goals. This plan could have significant impacts in the areas of patient length of stay, …

Pandemic Recovery In Nursing: Labor Shortage And Financial Devastation, Rebecca Rogers

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently caused one of the greatest nursing labor shortages in history. Many healthcare organizations were forced to rely on external agency nurses to staff their organizations and care for large volumes of patients. The high demand for these nurses caused an increase in costs for external contracted labor. The costs of external agency use became financially devastating for healthcare organizations who had not budgeted for this expense and still the external agency use did not resolve the issue of nursing labor shortages. Learning and recovering from the labor and financial costs of the COVID-19 pandemic requires an …

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using The Self Care Deficit Theory, Katherine Decillis Taylor

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project aims to reduce inpatient hospital readmission occurrences within 30 days of an initial inpatient hospitalization. Patients at high risk for readmission may have deficits in their ability to meet self-care needs after discharge. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory provided the theoretical framework for the project. The education provided by this project can teach nurses to identify patients who may be at high risk for readmission. Once identified, nurses can advocate for the patient’s needs.

Improving Effective Communication During A Pandemic, Stephanie Brooke Greene

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted communication in healthcare. The purpose of this project was to develop a clear and uniform communication tool for healthcare members to utilize during conversations with patients, families, and caregivers. This communication tool was developed for healthcare workers, as a guide during conversations, to ensure all questions and needs are met. The communication tool is expected to show improvement in healthcare communication during a pandemic. Improvement in healthcare communication will be reflected in improved patient experience scores.

Wound Nurse Specialists’ Pressure Injury Knowledge And Specialty Support Surface Preferences, Catherine Koutroumpis

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Low-level foam specialty support surfaces are negatively affecting the number of hospital-acquired pressure injuries that occur each year and overall skin health of acute care patients. Lack of knowledge by wound care specialists on different types of therapy could lead to patients not receiving the best possible specialty surfaces available. An online anonymous survey of 19 certified wound care nurses was conducted. The survey examined the nurses’ knowledge of pressure injuries using the Pieper Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge test (PZPUKT) and choice of specialty support surface for prevention of pressure injuries. One hundred percent of nurses scored 80% and higher …

Utilization Of Hiv Care Coordination Programs To Address Gaps In Care, Jessica Chavis

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project evaluated the use of HIV care coordination programs in healthcare and their impact on care. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the role of HIV care coordination programs and their relationship with patient outcomes. The goal was to provide education on the benefits of these programs and how the lack of their presence in today’s healthcare system impacts transmission and general patient care. The plan of implementing a care coordination program at a local health department was established. Gaps in care, increasing medication adherence, and improving viral suppression rates were targeted by addressing social, mental, and …

Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Mental Illness And Psychiatric Nursing As A Career Choice, Sharon Zurline

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward mental illness, and the interest in choosing psychiatric nursing as a desirable career choice. Methodology: A nonexperimental descriptive study design was chosen for this study. Sample size of 18 undergraduate nursing students participated in the self-reported survey, The Mental Health Nursing Education Survey (MHNES) Part 2. This survey has 43-items that report the attitudes and beliefs toward people diagnosed with mental illness and towards mental health nursing and scored on a 7-point Likert Scale. Findings: Data reported from the survey report …

The Impact Of An Employee Action Program On Staff Accountability And Nursing Retention, Amber Crouse

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nurse staffing retention rates have decreased in the last 5 years among hospitals nationwide. This decrease in retention of qualified, trained nurses has led to a decrease in the delivery of high-quality care putting patient safety at risk of compromise. The purpose of this project was to propose a leadership education program for the basis of improving staff accountability regarding equal standards; thus, this will ultimately impact nurse staff retention in a positive manner. The leadership education program was meant to streamline management accountability processes in a large academic medical center for improving nurse staff retention rates. The results of …

Crisis Redeployment: An Evidence-Based Plan For Nursing, Lauren Setzer

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available

Nursing Attitudes To Hospice Care In The Intensive Care Unit, Claudia Lacivita

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nurses deliver care to patients 24 hours per day and are experts in the care of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The critical care nurse is trained to assess, treat, and monitor severely ill patients to facilitate their recovery, but may often feel ill-prepared and lacking the support usually available to the hospice or palliative care nurse. It also can be difficult to refocus when the desired outcome changes from stabilizing and getting a critically ill patient better to hospice or end-of-life care (EOLC). The purpose of this project was to improve the delivery of care …

Improving Nursing Practice For Perinatal Mood Disorders, Tonya May

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Perinatal mood disorder can affect mothers in the antepartum and post-partum phase of pregnancy. Nurses need to be educated on the risk factors, signs, screening tools, and management methods to provide excellent patient care. The purpose of this project was to implement education used to improve nursing practice for patients that experience perinatal mood disorders. Early recognition and management is essential for patient care. Patients that experience perinatal mood disorder do not always report symptoms. This is often out of fear their ability to care for the child or children at home will be questioned if signs of perinatal mood …

Grieving Nurses' Need For Support, Tammy Patterson

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Veteran nurses vacate their positions after more than 20 years of nursing experience due to the chronic emotional grief experienced after patient death. Nursing programs lack the curriculum support to sufficiently instruct student nurses how to appropriately deal with patient death. This lack of understanding leads the way for nurses to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and withdrawing from the profession. A needs assessment was conducted and confirmed the desire and demand for support of nurses experiencing grief. A method was developed to support grieving nurses who are experiencing or will experience grief. A peer support group was established to assist …

Electronic Medical Records And The Lost Art Of Nursing, Tonya Blackwell

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available

Perception Of Health Literacy Levels Among Nurses In Clinical Settings, Chelsea L. Oxendine

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Health literacy has been defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Somers & Mahadevan, 2010, p. 7). Poor health literacy is directly and indirectly linked to negative health outcomes, to include an increased rate of mortality (Alijassim & Ostini, 2020; Wittenberg, et al. 2018; Nantsupawat, 2019; Torres & Nichols, 2014). An essential component for effective delivery of health information is the use of “plain language”, which makes information easier to understand (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). There is …

Incivility In Nursing, Amanda Woodie Barnes

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Incivility and bullying in the workplace are serious problems in the nursing profession. Nurses who experience uncivil behaviors have been shown to have negative consequences to their health and well-being. Negative interactions between nurses can compromise patient care and patient safety which can result in undesirable patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations are negatively affected financially by these inappropriate behaviors which can be detrimental to the organization. The purpose of this project was to reduce or mitigate incivility in the workplace by increasing knowledge in clinical staffing relating to the issue, increase self-confidence and resilience, and improve communication so staff will be …

Leadership Role In Decreasing Nurse Turnover, Gwynne Turney

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nursing shortages are reaching crisis level in the United States. Many of the nurses who fill these needs will be millennials. In order to address this crisis, nurse leaders must develop strategies to reduce turnover and retain nurses on their units. This research investigates how leader-member relationship affects turnover intention of millennial nurses. A nonexperimental correlational design was used to examine the relationship between nurse turnover intention and quality of relationships with leaders in millennial nurses. A 13-question survey including the 6-Item Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6) and the Leader-Member Exchange 7-Questionnaire (LMX-7) were utilized to survey 20 millennial nurses through …

Implementation Of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Ob Eras) Protocol: Prenatally Through Transition To Community, Emily Corbett

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project discusses the implementation of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for cesarean section patients scheduled or emergent. The goal of this project was to ensure the best possible outcomes from surgery for obstetric patients by decreasing surgical site infection rates in order to decrease maternal mortality rates. It provides protocols preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively for surgical procedures. Key steps take place in each phase of surgical care to impact patient outcomes. The protocol includes shorter NPO times, decreased surgical stress through multi-modal approaches for pain and nausea, early mobility, and reduces the length of stay. OB ERAS …

Yearly Endometriosis Education For Reproductive Nurses, Jessica Boyer

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Reproductive and infertility nursing is an ever-growing subspecialty of women’s health where education and nursing resources are often limited and these nurses learn the majority of their skills through experience. Endometriosis is an increasingly common disease that reproductive nurses are encountering in growing numbers. A thorough literary analysis discovered the importance of early diagnosis to aid in a patient’s overall prognosis and long-term success with symptom management. A continuing education curriculum was created and implemented in a reproductive clinic in the South Eastern United States as a yearly learning opportunity for reproductive nurses in an effort to review the fundamentals …

Aromatherapy As A Non-Pharmacological Complementary And Integrative Sleep Intervention For Veterans, Amy D. Stewart

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Twenty-seven percent to 54% of military personnel and veterans experience insomnia, with apnea and insomnia being the most common disorders in this same population. Due to high incidences of sleep disorders in the veteran population, this project sought to identify and validate a non-pharmacological intervention, aromatherapy, as a viable option for veterans with sleep problems. Aromatherapy, essential oils, have proven to be a natural, safe, low-cost, and non-pharmacological option for improving patient health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Enhancing Learning And Self-Efficacy With Virtual Simulation, Lawone J. Lane

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background Evidence is lacking for support in the use of virtual simulation as a viable alternative for experiential learning and enhancing satisfaction, self-efficacy, and learning.

Problem Virtual simulation activities can provide opportunities for nursing students outside of clinical sites. In prelicensure nursing education, how does the development of a virtual simulation compare to traditional nursing education and does virtual simulation enhance student satisfaction, self-efficacy, and learning?

Approach A non-experimental descriptive design was used to examine attitudes of prelicensure nursing students related to perceived satisfaction, self-efficacy, and learning following a virtual simulation in place of a clinical site experience.

Outcomes Nursing …

The Impact Of An Escape Room Simulation On Confidence And Competence In Nursing Student’S Identification Of Critical Changes In Patients: A Mixed-Method Approach, Kristy Schmaldinst

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background The novice nurse takes time to show competency and confidence when implementing the new skills learned throughout their time in nursing school. With the increasing complexities of the healthcare system in the United States, it is necessary to ensure graduates are adequately prepared to handle critical situations. However, the ability of novice nurses to recognize critical changes in patients continues to be a hurdle that nursing faculty are attempting to address.

Objectives The objectives of this project were to explore the impact of an escape room simulation on student’s confidence and competence in recognizing critical changes in patients.

Design …

Addressing Hidden Barriers To Follow Up Healthcare: A Community Referral Pilot Project, Amber Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Objective: The project was aimed to reduce the number of participants lost to primary care follow-up following a mobile health unit screening event.

Design: A pilot study program screening tool implementation was utilized to address the hidden barriers of the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) during a Winter 2021 event.

Sample: A group of 12 participants were screened during a mobile health unit event. Eight of the participants opted to be a part of the pilot study.

Measurements: A comparison ratio of Primary Care follow up was compared from the Winter of 2020 with Winter of 2021, where the screening …

Aerosol Spacers With Asthma Inhalers: Best Practice For School Health Nurses, Casey Page

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Healthcare providers do not have adequate knowledge regarding the use of aerosol spacers and asthma inhalers. Inappropriate use of asthma inhalers may lead to poor medication distribution in the lungs and poor asthma control. The utilization of aerosol spacers with asthma inhalers is shown to increase medication distribution to the lungs. Asthma is the number one chronic condition seen by school health nurses. An online learning module was created for school health nurses to reiterate the best practice use of aerosol spacers with asthma inhalers. After completion of the online learning module, school health nurses answered nine questions on an …

A Multi-Client Simulation To Improve Communication, Prioritization, And Clinical Judgment Among Nursing Students, Adam K. Combs

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Hospital administrators have noted a lack of clinical judgment in novice nurses, which can result in negative client outcomes. This paper describes the implementation of a multi-client simulation experience with the purpose of determining if the experience improved communication, prioritization, and clinical judgment.

Method: A descriptive, pretest postest study, using the National League for Nursing (NLN) Jeffries Simulation Theory, examined the perceived competence of 37 senior level Associate Degree Nursing students.

Intervention: The participants rated their perceived competence on the Perceived Competence Scale and were scored on the ISBAR Interprofessional Communication Rubric (IICR) and the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric …

Satisfaction Of Telehealth For The 55+ Population, Cynthia Schweizer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a primary care need for the 55+-year-old population related to the increasing aging population, physician shortages, and, more recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to implement Telehealth care. The Telehealth project will include the 55+ population to provide more participants for the project at an internal medicine clinic. Telehealth's contribution and interventions will affect causal factors such as moderating or mediating factors of health problems. Some of those factors include insufficient primary care coverage due to decreasing numbers of primary care providers (PCP), the increasing older population, complex health issues that come with aging, the need for frequent follow-up …

Evaluating An Overall Experience Of Virtual Learning In Meeting The Continuing Education Needs Of Rural Nurses In North Carolina, Yuen Li (May) Cheung

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background. Rural nurses in North Carolina (NC) face several barriers to accessing face-to-face continuing education (CE) opportunities.

Objective. The purpose of the project is to connect to rural nurses in NC by designing accessible and flexible CE programming that includes virtual learning activities.

Methods. System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Usability Metric for User Experience short version (UMUX-Lite) tools were used. to predict whether participants will use or adopt a new technology following a North Carolina Area Heath Education Center (NC AHEC) hosted virtual conference.

Findings. Of the 103 participants who attended the CE conference, 93 …