Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Health Nursing - Musculoskeletal Disorders & Stretching, Katherine Hale

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For employees who work in food processing plants, work related injuries can take a serious physical toll because of the continuous repetition of the tasks that they perform. Occupational health nurses work hard to encourage correct body mechanics in the workplace and are often the ones to treat those injuries. An internship at a food manufacturing plant allowed me to step into the shoes of an occupational health nurse and witness the difficulties that come with the position. The purpose of my position was to educate the food processing plant employees on proper ergonomics as well as create a stretching …

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide, Cheyenne Star Lowrey-Lagrone

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physician-assisted suicide, or PAS, is end-of-life option in which patients self-administer physician-prescribed lethal medication to end their life. Nurses' own interpretations and understandings of the legalities, ethical dilemmas, and factors that influence their attitudes can be analyzed to determine the nurses’ role in the support or opposition of the practice. Although nurses do not have an active role in PAS, they play a pivotal role in patient advocacy and education. This paper analyzes the factors that contribute to nurses’ attitudes toward the practice, along with the benefits of education of this topic going forth.

The Exploration Of The Long-Term Effects Of Stroke Patients In The Icu, Hannah Smith

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been shown to have poorer long-term effects in stroke patients from the time of admission up to one year of discharge. Throughout the world, people suffer from the complications of having a stroke and being in the ICU. Increased mortality rate, dysphagia, poor speech, loss of mental status, and decreased muscle movement are found in stroke patients who received treatment in the ICU. The poorer long-term effects in stroke patients receiving treatment in the ICU may be caused by the type of stroke, comorbidities, or mental status at admission. The long-term effects …

Reflections On Southwestern Diabetic Foundation Internship, Katherine Hamilton

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Residential diabetes camp plays an important role in the health care plan of children with diabetes. The multidisciplinary team at Camp Sweeney provides primary care and continued diabetes health education for their patients, empowering them to build healthy lifelong habits. An internship with the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation allowed me to gain more hands on experience with a pediatric population, acquire a greater understanding of the complex variables that go into treating chronic illness, and create age appropriate teaching presentations. The purpose of my position was to engage with children in order to create a positive experience for both their physical …

An Extensive Literature Review On Neonatal Pain Assessment & Management, Bailey Bishop

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neonatal pain assessment and management is a field requiring much more research. This literature review outlines the current climate of neonatal pain assessment, compares a variety of neonatal pain scales on validity and clinical utility, and implications for how neonatal pain management can be improved. Neonates experience pain to the same degree, if not more, than everyone else. Unmanaged pain during the neonatal period leads to adverse health outcomes. In order to prevent these atrocities from this vulnerable population, NICU pain assessing needs to become the standard of care.

Prevention Of Pediatric Mortality Associated With Malaria: An Exhaustive Literature Review, Taylor Mosley

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Malaria, a disease that is preventable yet frequently fatal, disproportionately affects pediatric African populations at a rate that results in a child under the age of 5 dying every two minutes. Since 1955, the World Health Organization has contributed to a significant reduction in the morbidity and mortality of malaria; however, progress has stalled in recent years. In some countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, cases have increased since 2015. This literature review seeks to identify factors associated with this incline, as well as what interventions can have the greatest impact to prevent pediatric mortality in areas with the largest …

Reflections On North Texas Ob-Gyn Internship, Catherine Beachner

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis provides a personal reflection on a nurse internship with North Texas Ob-Gyn Associations located in Lewisville, Texas. An evaluation of the internship was conducted by providing a description of the position, analyzing the internship, and outlining a pertinent patient case study. The responsibilities for this position mainly included assisting the doctor during appointments. An extensive range of skills were gained through the experience, including developing confidence in interactions with patients and learning physical tasks. The focus of the honors project was overall learning, which occurred through completion of learning goals, and the goals of the internship were fully …

Reflections On R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Internship, Brea Keiser

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis provides a personal reflection on an internship with the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Organization through S.T.A.R. Central at the University of Arkansas. An evaluation of the experience was conducted by providing strengths and weaknesses as an intern, positive and negative aspects of the internship, an objective analysis, connection to nursing, and impact on future career. The focus of this honors project was providing education to peers on sexual assault topics, including consent, rape culture, and bystander intervention. Overall, the internship proved to be a positive learning opportunity that allowed for the development of improved communication skills, gaining of knowledge and passion …

Teaching In Ghana: Respiratory Illnesses, Rachel Pruitt

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For participants of this teaching project about respiratory illnesses related to smoke, four goals were created. Our first goal was that participants would be able to recognize the health hazards associated with the populations’ current cooking situation using wood stoves. Secondly, participants would be able to verbalize the benefits of utilizing ceramic coal pots for cooking. Another goal was that participants would be able to explain a simple way to protect their family members from smoke exposure and developing respiratory illnesses. Our final goal was that participants would be able to verbalize and/or demonstrate how to use the new ceramic …

The Impact Of Stress On The Menstrual Cycle, Katherine Iris Gilbrech

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background/Purpose

Reproductive health is an important indicator of a woman’s overall health; however, menstruation is often viewed negatively in modern society. Across the nation, women are suffering with issues related to hormones and menstruation. Evidence continues to surface linking high levels of stress to negative health outcomes. The purpose of this literature review is to assess the effects of stress and stress reduction of the menstrual cycle in naturally-cycling women of reproductive age.

Methods

Peer-reviewed research within the past five years was selected for this review using the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. A variety of …

Determining Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Breastfeeding In The United States, Summer Coker

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The benefits of breastfeeding have been thoroughly studied and researched, with the majority of healthcare providers, health organizations and policies, and professionals in health all recommending the practice. Breastfeeding has protective factors for the newborn against infection and mortality. Other benefits for breastfed children include reduced risk of obesity, asthma, and ear infections; enhanced chance of having a higher income; and a stronger immune system that can follow them throughout adulthood (World Health Organization [WHO] 2020). For mothers who breastfeed, there is a reduced risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes (Centers for …

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding And Infants Support Internship, Lacey Schroeder

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support is an organization that provides resources to families at public Razorback events. Tiny Tusks provides a safe space for women to breastfeed in public as well as educate the community about the importance of breastfeeding. Women are allowed to use the space to breastfeed, pump, or use a clean diaper changing station. Once finished, they are asked to complete a survey pertaining to their experience and what they would have done if the resources provided by Tiny Tusks were not available. The stigma surrounding public breastfeeding is discouraging women from breastfeeding exclusively, which is …

Implementing Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding And Infant Support Tent, Madeline Wiche

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding and Infant Support Tent provided the first designated clean, private area to nurse, pump or change an infant’s diaper at University of Arkansas home athletic events. Tiny Tusks offered comfortable rocking chairs, changing tables, bottled water, and engaging projects for siblings and young children at a wide variety of University of Arkansas home athletic events, including football games, men’s basketball games, and women’s gymnastics meets. The project was created and designed by two Eleanor Mann School of Nursing professors, Dr. Allison Scott and Dr. Kelly Vowell-Johnson, in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Athletic Department. Women’s Giving …

The Management Of Cancer Pain: Should Interventional Therapies Be Approached As First-Line Treatment Along With Beginning An Opioid Regimen?, Sarah Holmes

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cancer produces many symptoms, and pain is one of them. When a person is having pain due to cancer, many aspects of the person’s life may be altered or inhibited; for example, activities of daily living may be difficult to perform, their psychological state may be altered, their social lives may be changed, and their overall physical function may be affected in a way that the person may need to modify what they typically do in a normal day. The pain a person experiences depends on the type of cancer, how far the cancer has progressed, and the treatment being …

Family-Centered Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sarah Brown

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Family-centered care has not always been integrated with patient-care. In the mid-1900's, a movement began that altered the role of the family from observer to participant. With the help of family advocates, inclusive practices and partnerships between families, patients, and providers was initiated (Kuo et al, 2012). Now, family and patient-centered care is a widely practiced form of individualized care and relationship building between families, patients and their providers. Five principles shape the foundation for family-centered care. These include information sharing, respect and honoring differences, partnership and collaboration, negotiation, and care in the context of family and community (Kuo et …

Reflections On Texas Back Institute Internship, Shelby Jones

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For my honors project, I chose to do the experimental option to gain more knowledge on topics that we do not spend much time covering in nursing school. I had the privilege to complete an internship with the Texas Back Institute, their main office is located in Plano, Texas. I worked closely the Scoliosis and Spine Tumor Center that is a branch of their team, and completed my internship from May to the first week of August 2019. I worked 20 hours a week during my internship between the clinic and the hospital. I was able to observe physicians in …

Family-Centered Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Madison Winter

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Family-centered care can be useful in any clinical scenario, but more so in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Having a preterm infant admitted into the NICU is not an ideal situation, and can cause high levels of apprehension for the parents. “Stress experienced by parents whose infant is hospitalized in the NICU is strongly correlated with anxiety, fatigue, depression, and sleep disruption” (Busse et al., 2013). [excerpt]

Benefits Of Infant-Driven Feeding In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Literature Review, Maddison Carroll

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current policy in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) is to prescribe a volume of formula or milk to ingest a certain number of times per day to infants admitted to the NICU. The method of infant-driven feeding (IDF) is believed to be a superior alternative that allows the infants to determine the timing and volume consumed and leads to better patient outcomes. To be considered in this review, the studies were required to be primary sources that were peer- reviewed, conducted in the last five years, and had to include at least one of three outcomes: weight gain, time to …

Honors Internship Evaluation, Lauren Nolan

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper addresses the experience of an undergraduate nursing student in a Student Nurse Intern Position. The student addresses how her position differed from a certified nursing assistant (CNA), how the position helped her to imrpove organization and time management skills, and addresses patient scenarios that were encountered during her internship. These scenarios were used to address how this student will carry her experience into her nursing practice. This paper also addresses changes that could be beneficial for future honors students participating in nursing internships.

Analyzing The Triad Diagnosis Requirement For Autism In Arkansas, Liliana Barrientos-Figueroa

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that has steadily increased in incidence and prevalence over the last ten years. While the disorder can be diagnosed as early as two years of age, most children do not receive a diagnosis until they are about five years old. The state of Arkansas requires a triad autism diagnosis, mandating that a physician, psychologist, and speech pathologist individually evaluate and agree on a diagnosis of autism for a child. The purpose of this evaluation was to examine diagnostic practices in the 11 states that participate in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring …

Quality Improvement With The Breast Center, Hannah Seelye

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

I spent the summer of 2019 interning at The Breast Center under Audra Flammang. She has a degree in communications and holds the position of Quality Assurance Administrator. She primarily works to ensure Joint Commission Quality Indicators are met and proper documentation of these indicators takes place. She communicates with the staff in weekly meetings about their ideas for quality improvement projects and necessary indicators for ongoing or upcoming projects. Her job also includes preparing case briefings for the weekly Breast Conference that occurs at Washington Regional.

During my internship, I was fortunate to learn a lot about radiology and …

Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding And Infant Support Internship Review, Blair Wilhelm

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks: Breastfeeding and Infant Support is a tent and lactation room at University of Arkansas athletic events such as men's basketball and football games that allows moms that are breastfeeding a comfortable and private area. Tiny Tusks aims to empower and educate moms about the benefits of breastfeeding and decrease the stigma behind it. The tent offers comfortable chairs, a changing table, arts and crafts for younger kids and educational pamphlets and brochures. Tiny Tusks is run by certified lactation consultants, BSN honors students and Eleanor Mann School of Nursing faculty. Participants were asked to fill out a survey …

Implementation Of Tiny Tusks: A Breastfeeding And Infant Support Space At The University Of Arkansas Athletic Events, Brittany Lyons

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis focuses on my internship of assisting in the design and management of a breastfeeding and infant support space at home athletic events at The University of Arkansas with emphasis on the importance and the promotion of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides a wide variety of benefits for mother and infant and I have been honored to work and assist in building Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support Tent and the implementation of these ideas. This honors internship has allowed me to increase my knowledge on the positive aspects of breastfeeding, as well as promote community involvement by collaborating with …

Community Health Nursing In Ghana: Respiratory Illnesses, Paige Deffenbaugh

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

As part of a service learning experience, I researched unique risk factors for developing respiratory illnesses in Ghana, Africa. Then, during a study abroad trip to Ghana, I taught groups of women about their high likelihood of exposure to indoor air pollution from solid fuels, how it contributes to the development of respiratory illnesses, and ways to minimize their smoke exposure. All of this education was done with the aim of preventing the development of respiratory illnesses in people of Ghana, as well as minimizing the number of premature deaths attributable to indoor air pollution from solid fuels.

Reflection And Literature Review On Loving Choices Pregnancy Center Internship, Madison Stave

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis involves a personal reflection and literature review of a nurse internship at Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Fayetteville, AR. The purpose of this internship was to provide a learning experience in women’s and obstetrical health. Responsibilities included completing community resource projects and assisting staff and nurses in the Care Center and Pregnancy Clinic. To satisfy honors requirements, five learning objectives were created during the internship. These objectives were all met and reflected upon in the first part of this thesis. The second portion of this thesis involves a literature review of the socioeconomic and health-related risks of …