Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Holistic Comfort And Bereavement Of Families Receiving Prenatal Hospice Support During The Loss Of An Unborn Child With Lethal Anomalies, Sally S. Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the grieving process and coping mechanism of families that was faced with the impeding loss of their unborn child. Grief is a very lonely process.

The aim of this research is to examine how parents cope with the lost of an unborn child with the aid of perinatal hospices. Giving families a broader range of options in regards to continuing their pregnancy. Each family has a right to choice what option is right for them. Choices should be in the hands of the family in regards to continuing with their pregnancy …

A Study Of The Presence Of Relational Aggression In The Adult Population, Kathy C. Williams

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Aggression can result in a challenge of the basic human need for safety and security (Plotnik, 1999). Historically there has been extensive research regarding physical aggression. However, only in the past two decades has relational aggression received attention. Most research studies regarding relational aggression have focused upon children, adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the presence of relational aggression in the adult population. The Self-Report of Aggression and Social Behavior Measure tool was used to survey a convenience sample of 67 nursing students. The participants were students enrolled in the school of nursing (associate, …

The Effect Of Emergency Department Length Of Stay On Clinical Outcomes For Critically Ill Or Injured Patients, Sheila Radcliff

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of the emergency department length of stay on clinical outcomes for critically ill or injured patients in the regional referral community hospital. Delays in transfer have been associated with increased mortality rates, prolonged length of stays, and poor outcomes. Emergency departments are designed to respond to immediate life or limb threatening emergencies.

A quantitative, descriptive, retrospective design was used in this study. Data was collected from APACHE II, trauma databases, and ED logs. The study was conducted in a 752 bed hospital in the western North Carolina. Data was analyzed …

Parental Perception Of Childhood Obesity And The School's Role On Prevention And Interventions In Childhood Obesity, Monique Jones

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Childhood obesity is a major health crisis that is becoming an epidemic among children and adolescents. Interventions must begin early and focus on prevention strategies to achieve the goal of increasing quality years of life for today's children and families. Parents with children in a local after school Boys & Girls club were surveyed regarding their perception of childhood obesity, the causes of childhood obesity, and the school's role in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. More than 90% of the participants identified inactivity, poor eating behavior, eating too much, and lack of money to buy nutritious foods as …

The Effect Of High-Fidelity Human Patient Simulation On Stress Levels Of Associate Degree Novice Nursing Students, Sallie Beth Todd

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The clinical learning environment is an important component in the educational development of a student nurse. Nursing students have identified the clinical experience as one of the most stress producing components of their nursing education. Past research has shown high levels of stress can lead to decreased learning, affect clinical performance, increase clinical errors, and threaten physical or psychiatric wellbeing. Nurse educators' primary responsibilities are to help students effectively cope with their initial stress and facilitate student learning by applying the knowledge they gain in the classroom to the clinical environment. To allow students the opportunity to integrate theory into …

Diabetes Understanding Among Staff Nurses: Examining The Actual Versus Perceived Knowledge In The Acute Care Setting, Rebecca B. Ledbetter

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death world-wide claiming a staggering 3.8 million lives globally each year to related complications (World Health Organization, 2011). Diabetes complications account for 20% of all acute care admissions or 1 in every 5 patients have a diabetes-related condition (American Diabetes Association, 2011). Patient education in the areas of lifestyle modification, healthy eating habits, and proper medication administration is research-supported to clinically decrease the likelihood of acute complications. Bedside, acute care nurses are at the front line of patient education delivery and have the opportunity to determine behavioral stages related to a patient's readiness …

A Comparison Of Patient And Nurse Perception Of Problem Areas Associated With Type 2 Diabetes, Kelley Oglesby

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study was to explore the difference in problem areas perceived and reported by patients with type 2 diabetes and registered nurses caring for patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects a large number of patients both physically and fiscally. Decreasing perception of problems by nurse case management intervention has the potential to adversely affect patients. A convenience sample of 20 patients and 10 nurses was obtained and completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire. Statistical analysis found a significant difference in perception of problems among patients and nurses.

Monitoring Congestive Heart Failure Across The Healthcare Continuum, Katrina E. Walker

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart no longer pumps adequate blood and oxygen to bodily organs. CHF is a chronic condition that affects millions of people on a yearly basis. Common diseases that cause CHF are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CHF patients face many compilations that affect their daily activities. Along with morbidity CHF has major financial implications because much of the cost associated with CHF healthcare is avoidable. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of monitoring congestive heart failure across the healthcare continuum with application to the …

Nursing Students' Perception Of Comfort, Norma Mott

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

One of the most important goals of nursing care is to provide comfort to patients and their families. In order to provide comfort, nurses must be able to recognize and respond to patients in distress. Inconsistencies in the delivery of comfort care are based largely on the nurse's educational preparation. The degree to which comfort and comforting is evidenced in nursing performance depends in great measure on the way upcoming nurses perceive the concept during their education.

In this descriptive study guided by Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, the researcher surveyed a convenience sample of Associate Degree Nursing students to assess their …

Effects Of Early Initiation Of Induced Therapeutic Hypothermia, Frank Castelblanco

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Cardiac arrests are responsible for about 325,000 deaths annually in the United States (Heart Rhythm Foundation, 2010). The majority of these cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital setting, with a dismal national survival rate of 8% (American Heart Association, 2010). The Bernard (2002) and HACA (2002) studies demonstrated that by initiating therapeutic hypothermia as a treatment modality for cardiac arrests the survival rate could be as high as 49% and 55% respectively. Therapeutic hypothermia can be initiated in many different settings. The question remains, does the setting of the initiation of therapeutic hypothermia effect patient outcomes? The purpose of this …

The Incidence Of Individual Sexually Based Counseling By School Nurses In An Urban School System, Tiffany Dunlap

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of individual counseling on sexual issues by school nurses in a large, urban, public school system in the Southeastern United States (U.S). Utilizing a descriptive, non-experimental method for the study, a secondary data analysis was conducted by the researcher using information self-reported by 117 school nurses regarding individual counseling of students in grades kindergarten through twelve on sexual topics. The topics included in the study were pregnancy, puberty/reproductive health and sexual abuse. There was a relationship established between grade level and rate of individual counseling. School nurses in the school …

The Effects Of Education And Training On Nurses' Perception Of Lateral Violence In The Healthcare Field, Tamara Cook

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The effects of lateral violence are costly for all aspects of the healthcare profession. Lateral violence is an act of aggression directed towards another nurse. Educating nurses of lateral violence and its appearance may prove to increase nurse's perception of lateral violence therefore decreasing its occurrence. This study will explore the effects of education and training on nurses' perception of lateral violence in the healthcare field. Lateral violence threatens the integrity of each nurse, the nursing profession, and the organization. Increasing the awareness of lateral violence attempts to make a culture change among nurses in the healthcare profession. Minimizing lateral …

Preparing The New Graduate Nurse Entering Critical Or Progressive Care Practice Areas: What Is The Effect Of Blended Orientation Approaches On Their Level Of Self-Confidence And Satisfaction With Current Orientation Methods?, Jennifer L. Forbes

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The transition from student nurse to professional nurse is often difficult for the new graduate especially if transitioning into critical or progressive care areas of practice. It is imperative for new graduates to receive a clinical orientation that meets their educational and transitional needs. The orientation process should provide them with a strong foundation in critical or progressive care practices. Educators are challenged to provide educational opportunities while accommodating diverse learning needs and continuing to maintain competency that ensures the highest quality of patient care and improved patient care outcomes.

New graduate nurses hired into the critical or progressive care …

Effect Of Remote Fetal Monitoring In An Inpatient Obstetrical Unit: A Retrospective Review, Lauren Reavis

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) has been used as a tool for inpatient obstetrical care in the United States since the 1980's. The litigious nature of our society has caused much emphasis to be placed upon EFM use and interpretation; however, little evolution has occurred in monitoring techniques. The review of relevant literature found a significant gap in knowledge in regards to research of the current monitoring practice. Therefore, this study was aimed to look at the effect of remote monitoring, like the practice currently used in telemetry, on inpatient obstetrical care. The study used a retrospective review to look at …

The Nurse's Knowledge Of Blood Conservation As A Part Of Blood Management, Lindsey Putnam Austin

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Medicine has historically regarded blood transfusion as an integral component of major surgery or illness. However, clinical studies have shown that allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and decreased survival. Knowledge of this research and the concepts of blood conservation so as to avoid unnecessary blood transfusions is needed in order to deliver holistic care and serve as patient advocate. This knowledge reaches every specialty of nursing care.

This study of the nurse's knowledge of blood conservation as a part of blood management utilizes The Conservation Model developed by Myra E. Levine in 1973. Levine's work is a …

What Is The Experience Of Emergency Department Nurses With Lateral Verbal Aggression?, Wendi Harper-Lonabaugh

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This descriptive study investigated the incidence of lateral verbal aggression among emergency department nurses. A sample of registered emergency department nurses currently working in western North Carolina with more than one year of full time work experience was surveyed (N=68). Roy's adaptation model was used as a theoretical framework for this qualitative study. A survey was utilized to collect the frequency, source, and incidences of reporting the lateral verbal aggression that occurred. Nurses also reported personal and professional ramifications to the lateral verbal aggression. Aggregate data was examined; no specific individual data was analyzed. The most common perpetrators of lateral …

Reorientation Of The Experienced General Medical/Surgical Nurse To A Progressive Care Medical/Surgical Nurse Utilizing Benner's Novice To Expert Theory, Barbara Radford

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The decisive factor for this project was the Health Care Organization's decision to combine the medical/surgical units from two campuses into one department. This process required the Registered Nurses to reapply for their positions, merge into one unit, and transition to a different physical location. The next major process to occur will be the changing of patient acuity-levels from general medical/surgical to medical/surgical progressive care.

This project will provide a cost effective educational plan based on Benner's novice to expert theory which will ensure efficient transition for the expert medical/surgical nurse to an expert progressive care nurse. A structured orientation …

Copd Care Coordination Program, Glenda Mccall

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Several studies confirm only 50% of COPD patients receive optimal care. The disease is greatly under-recognized and generally is not diagnosed until it is clinically apparent and moderately advanced. COPD is also a major resource consuming disease. Considering these facts, Mission Hospitals realized the opportunity to improve evidence based quality care for patients diagnosed with COPD as well as the development of a Care Coordinated Program to improve outcomes for the patient as well as the organization. The goal of the program is to provide correct, comprehensive, and …

Does Medication Error Reporting Increase With Anonymity?, Kristina Mccall

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Medication errors have been a long and growing problem within all health care areas. Prevention and education is the key to prevent the errors from occurring. All efforts must be made to achieve an overall goal of an error-proof health care society. The purpose of this study was to determine if the anonymity of medication error reporting would make a difference in the amount of medication errors reported. Research has shown that many nurses and health care professionals find it stressful to report an error due to fear of disciplinary action or blame; a no-blame culture must be implemented into …

Congregational Health And Wellness Ministry Using Locus Of Control To Develop Teaching Methods, Theresa Lee Trivette

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Faith communities have a unique opportunity to help congregational members modify health-seeking behaviors in order to reduce modifiable health risk factors. Health researchers have increased their use of health locus of control as a preferred method for studying health promotion and sick-role behaviors. Targeted education and activities designed from the context of the subjects' health locus of control may provide an effective method to influence people to make positive healthy behavior modifications with a higher likelihood of success because locus of control beliefs have been shown to have direct relationships with healthy behavior choices. The health locus of control theory …

Expectations Of Pain Relief Utilizing Epidural Analgesia, Kelly Powell Morris

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This study describes patient expectations and actual pain relief reported by patients experiencing childbirth while utilizing epidural analgesia as their method of choice to reduce the pain associated with childbirth using a quantitative descriptive design. Data were collected using the Expectations of Pain Relief Utilizing Epidural Analgesia Questionnaire. The sample (N=17) consisted of first-time mothers delivering at an acute community hospital who were participants in the county's Nurse-Family Partnership Program. The questionnaire, developed by the researcher, was distributed to participants by their Nurse-Family Partnership Registered Nurse during a routine postpartum home visit during the three month study time span. The …

Nursing Students Knowledge Of Factors Influencing Parent Satisfaction Of Pediatric Nursing Care, Carol L. Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Professional Pediatric Registered Nurses and parents of sick children share a common goal of returning the sick child to health. To the Pediatric Registered Nurse the means to achieving the goal of returning the child to wellness involves their knowledge of signs and symptoms of disease processes and their abilities to quickly respond to warning signs of impending illness. The knowledge and abilities of the Pediatric Registered Nurse is important to the parent of the ill child however to the parent there are many other elements of care delivery that can assist the Pediatric Registered Nurse and parent in achieving …

Sabotage And Workplace Bullying: The Bad And Ugly Of Horizontal Violence, Shelia Jennings Jeter

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Sabotage and workplace bullying, forms of horizontal violence; which occur frequently among healthcare workers, nurses in particular, can have a significant and detrimental effect on professional growth, recruitment and retention, and quality patient care. The root cause of sabotage and workplace violence is not known, but what is known is that sabotage and workplace bullying erode teamwork and undermine the goals of the organization. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that sabotage and workplace bullying is associated with physical and psychological stress and loss of job productivity, which may affect patient safety. A convenience sample of …

Development Of An Educational Resource Tool To Improve Hospital Wide Knowledge Of Rehabilitation Care And Services, Vickey R. Allen

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Health Care Organizations (HCO) are businesses. In an effort to be successful and to remain viable, HCOs must provide a myriad of services to meet their customer's needs. Included in these services is competent rehabilitation care that manages patients holistically. Utilizing Orem's theory of self care deficit, this project will demonstrate the growing need for rehabilitation services and the importance of all healthcare providers to understand the profession in general. In addition, this project will provide a resource tool to educate healthcare workers and others; students and non-licensed personnel, on the care and services patients receive during their stay in …

Practices And Perceptions Of Delirium Assessment By Critical Care Nurses, Jacqueline M. Meunier

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Delirium has a tremendous impact on the patient, his family, and the health care system. In particular, the elderly patient in the Intensive Care Unit is the most susceptible to this condition. Delirium often results in longer hospital stays, more Intensive Care days, increased likelihood of being placed in a skilled nursing facility, and increases in mortality. For delirium to be treated properly it must first be identified. Critical care nurses are in the best position to identify these patients and initiate treatment. Past studies have shown that nurses do not identify patients that have delirium, and do not know …

Evaluation Of Purposeful Rounding On Patient Falls, Stephanie Spittle

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of routine purposeful rounding on the total number of falls on a medical unit in an acute care hospital. The project was prompted by high fall rates within the hospital and the implementation of the purposeful rounding initiative. Staff training was provided in a two hour educational class which covered the purpose for the initiative as well as the specific functions that must be performed with each round. To evaluate the effectiveness of purposeful rounding on patient falls, pre and post rounding fall rates were compared. These initial results were …

What Are The Perceptions Of Hispanic Parents Associated With Eating Habits Of Hispanic Children Ages 6--12 And Obesity?, Amy Barrett

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The main objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of Hispanic parents associated with eating habits of Hispanic children ages 6-12 and obesity. The purpose was to identify if the child's intake was different based on the parent's perception of whether or not their child had a weight problem. The idea was to examine how many times certain foods are consumed and compare that to the parent's perceptions. The study was a descriptive study. The childrenhad to be in the 95 th percentile and between the ages of 6-12 to qualify for the study. Parents were approached by …

Preceptor Coordinators: The Link Connecting Hospital Orientation And Unit Orientation, Tina S. Hunter

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Orientation is a crucial time for newly hired nurses, both experienced and non-experienced, and this initial training period is a vital function for all healthcare organizations. Being a collaborative process that includes administrators, managers, preceptors, and orientees, formal orientation programs directly influence and are essential in improving staff retention, lowering turnover, increasing productivity and quality patient care, and improving staff morale and job satisfaction. This scholarly project offers a detailed plan for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the preceptor coordinator role, a department-level initiative that links hospital orientation to unit orientation; thus enhancing the overall orientation process.

The Impact Of Formal Nursing Education And Nursing Experience On Medication Errors Made By Nurses In The Hospital Setting, Shellie M. Bumgarner

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The occurrence of medication errors is a problem that is common to health care systems worldwide. There has been countless research performed to try to determine the cause of medication errors. It has been found that shifts worked, pharmacy involvement, miscommunication and multiple other elements contribute to the occurrence of medication errors. The primary person involved in medication administration is the nurse. This study was performed at a Western North Carolina hospital examining recorded medication errors from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. Using a retrospective, descriptive, correlation design (n=293), the study determined that a significant correlation exists between …

Nursing Attitudes Towards Obese Patients, Diane M. Davis

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

All Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses who work in CICU, MSICU, NTICU and 7N .The attitudes of these nurses regarding obesity and the obese patients were measured. Objectives. To determine if there is a bias against obese patients in the health care setting and if further education is needed. Methods. Likert scale survey, modified from the NATOOPS survey (with permission) was sent electronically to each nurse and when completed transmitted to a data base where results were tabulated. Results. Among the 51 respondents, 60% had 4 years of college or more. Years in nursing ranged from 0-47.Age of nurse …