Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Mexican Americans' Perspectives On "Borderline Diabetes" In Amarillo, Texas, Priscella Pena-Correa

Nursing ETDs

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of and experiences living with “borderline diabetes” among Mexican American adults residing in or around Amarillo, Texas. Sixteen Mexican Americans who self-identified as having “borderline diabetes” participated. Research questions focused on how participants understood the condition, self-care practices, and recommendations for improving prediabetes healthcare and education. An interpretive description approach was used to analyze data from phone interviews. Principal findings revolved around issues of disclosure vs. secrecy, information seeking, and challenges or “struggle” to change lifestyle, particularly diet. Self-care was managed in a relational way with support of family, friends, …

Bystanders’ Perspectives On The Provision Of Informal, Hospital-Based Care To Bedridden Patients With Cancer In Sri Lanka, B. Sunil S. De Silva

Nursing ETDs

Due to the nursing shortage in Sri Lanka, patients need informal caregivers, known as bystanders, to help provide patient care. This study described bystanders’ perspectives on informal, hospital-based care to bedridden patients with cancer in Sri Lanka. In this qualitative descriptive study, 17 bystanders at Apeksa/Cancer Hospital, Sri Lanka, were recruited using snowballing sampling. Data were collected through telephone interviews and analyzed using content and thematic analyses. Findings showed that paid and unpaid bystanders cover all caregiving tasks with minimum interaction with nurses. Unpaid bystanders described the need for same-sex bystanders and additional help with patients’ mobilization and specialized care. …

Social Network Centrality, Social Construction Of Knowledge, And Nurse Practitioner Competency In Asynchronous Online Discussions Among Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Students, Sharon Schaaf

Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs

The relationships between social network centrality, social construction of knowledge, and nurse practitioner competency among adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner students participating in asynchronous online discussions were explored. Social network centralities (betweenness, in-degree, out-degree, closeness, and eigenvector) were determined through social network analysis. Social construction of knowledge was assessed by the Interaction Analysis Model (IAM). Nurse practitioner competency was evaluated using the Novice to Expert model. A retrospective exploration of an online discussion board from the College of Nursing at the University of New Mexico was conducted. The centralities of betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector demonstrated a significant relationship with …

Standardizing Assessment And Management Of Ankyloglossia, Marcia Nicole Cowen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Ankyloglossia, which is characterized by a short, tight or thick lingual frenulum, can negatively impact breastfeeding. It has been recognized as a problem for centuries. Frenotomies have traditionally been performed to remove the lingual frenulum when indicated. The use of frenotomies and a focus on ankyloglossia fell out of favor in the twentieth century with renewed attention in the past several decades. Limited high-quality studies have been undertaken on ankyloglossia. There remains no standardized diagnosis or management recommendations. In efforts to promote a standardized approach that is based on current knowledge, this study will involve an educational in-service on ankyloglossia, …

An Autoethnography Of A Registered Nurse Living With Chronic Undiagnosed Illness, Frances M. Ricker

Nursing ETDs

Abstract

This autoethnographic study examines a registered nurse’s experience living with chronic undiagnosed illness. The number living with undiagnosed illness is unknown and little is understood about living with chronic undiagnosed illness.

This analytic autoethnography (Anderson, 2006) used multiple data sources: my journal, medical history narrative, and artifacts including my handwork, examples of my father’s handwriting, and family photographs. Narrative analysis, thematic analysis, and visual analysis were conducted.

My experience of living with chronic undiagnosed illness was characterized by three themes that reinforced isolation: not knowing, loss, and hidden secret self. Family context evidenced diverse themes of not being believed, …

Improving End-Of-Life Care On Navajo Through Education, Johanna G. Bahe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

End-of-life care (EOLC) is an essential component of comprehensive healthcare and has been shown to improve the quality of life of patients and their families by preventing and relieving pain caused by physical, psychosocial, and spiritual complications. Many rural communities lack access to EOLC, specifically certified palliative and hospice services. The lack of this specialty in rural areas directly affects the experience of healthcare staff. The absence of education for rural healthcare staff and the importance of culturally sensitive care among indigenous people are key concepts in this study.

The purpose of this study was to measure the knowledge, confidence, …

Value-Based Purchasing: Does Educating Direct Care Nurses Result In Value-Based Care?, Ryan Levi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The United States health care system is undergoing the greatest transformation in the country’s history. Health care is rapidly moving away from volume-based reimbursement towards value-based models. The Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), a Center for Medicare and Medicaid pay-for-performance program, makes Medicare reimbursement contingent on performance in four quality categories. Clinical care, person and community engagement, safety, and efficiency determine an organization’s total performance score (TPS), which is used to impose positive, negative, or neutral payment adjustments. Nursing, more than any other health care profession, impacts hospitals’ TPS and subsequently Medicare reimbursement under VBP. While the literature indicates nurses should …