Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Achieving Cultural Competence Through The Use Of Community Health Workers: Open Cities Health Center's Approach, Dorii Gbolo

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to identify objectives necessary for incorporating a Community Health Worker (CHW) program within an urban Federally Qualified Community Clinic setting, for the purpose of enhancing the culturally specific care provided by the clinic. CHWs offer our current fragmented and complex health care system an opportunity to improve the health of underserved populations in our country. The use of CHWs dates back to the 1960's as an attempt to expand health care to the underserved residing in poor communities.

If one is poor, an immigrant, or just different from the norms of our society receiving …

Designing An International Friendship Model For Children, Charlotte Martins

Theses and Graduate Projects

In 2006 this writer traveled to Windhoek, Namibia to take the course Walking the Truth; Culture, Gender and HIV/AID,S in Sub-Saharan Africa. As part of that class each student was assigned to work with an organization or individual whose mission was working with HIV/AIDS patients or there families. It was from this experience that the project was born. The purpose of this project is to design a friendship model that links children of middle school age from different cultures and different nations together through letter writing.

Supporting Lactation: Beyond Nutrition, Desiree' M. Bertilrud

Theses and Graduate Projects

Breastfeeding provides nutritional, health, immunological, psychological, economical and environmental benefits. Despite the abundance of scientific evidence and public health campaigns, the United States fails to meet national goals for breast feeding rates. Numerous barriers to lactation are identified and explored. However, by far, returning to work has the greatest impact on the duration of breastfeeding. Employers and organizations who support breastfeeding are the recipients of a multitude of benefits. The purpose of this project is to identify the strategic steps to establish a lactation room in an outpatient clinic setting for employees to support maternal-child relationships, foster employee satisfaction, and …

Firearms And Children: A Public Health Issue, Janet M. Benz

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is the time for nurses as individuals and collectively as a profession to realize their obligation to society in regards to the injury and death caused by firearms. Not one population or single community is immune from gun violence in America; it is an epidemic that does not discriminate. There are monumental implications for both nurses in practice and leadership to make a difference when it comes to changing policy from a public health perspective to reduce gun violence and save lives. In this project, Margaret Newman's (1994) theory of Health as Expanding consciousness is applied to the role …

How One's Cultural View Of Obesity Affects Care Giving, Marietta Kramper Farris

Theses and Graduate Projects

As the United States faces the challenge of obesity it is important to understand the cultural aspects of caring for these patients. Leininger's Transcultural Nursing Theory is used as a framework for the development of an educational program for health care professionals. The obese patients receiving care should be able to count on their care givers to appreciate the biases, stigmatization and discrimination of the culture in which they live. A review of the history of cultural views of obesity and thinness is used as a starting point. An in-depth review of related research is presented to detail bias, stigmatization, …

Supporting Charge Nurses In Their Leadership Development: A Framework For Education, Sonja Rivers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This project examines the complex and multifaceted role of the charge nurse in the acute care setting and compares the charge nurse's role to that of a front line leader. Charge nurse competencies are identified and leadership skills and behaviors necessary for the charge nurse to function effectively in the role are explored including those related to emotional intelligence. A conceptual framework for education is developed using Botatzis' Theory of Self-Directed Learning, and Swanson's middle range theory of caring, Nursing as Informed Caring for the Well-Being of others.

The Sweat Lodge Ceremony As Experienced By Nurses A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Patricia L. Engstrom

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nursing must reconnect with its roots found in the teachings of Florence Nightingale and be open to ancient indigenous wisdom, focusing on caring, healing and being present. To practice as culturally competent healers, nurses must grow in self awareness and an ability to understand cultural and spiritual practices, as well as communicate with and show respect to people from all walks of life. A Hermeneutic Phenomenological study was done by interviewing three participants to explore what it was like for Master in Arts nursing students participating in an Augsburg College Department of Nursing Immersion to experience a Sweat Lodge Ceremony; …

Exploring A Model Of Transcultural Nursing Practice That Promotes Cultural Care Preservation/Maintenance, Margaret Sormana

Theses and Graduate Projects

Migration is increasing due to instability in most parts of the world. Immigrants are faced with the choice to either maintain their unique cultural heritage or adopt the culture of the host country. Most immigrants desire to maintain their cultural heritage which requires balancing the values of their cultural heritage with those of the host country. Balancing includes silence which can reinforce self-blame when the values are in conflict. This project sought to break these patterns by engaging a group of Somali women in creative artistic activities. Based on Leininger's model of Cultural Care Diversity and Universality (1985), Watson's Human …

A Model Of Holistic Nursing As A Pathway To Nurse Self-Care, Kristin Mchale

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a model of holistic nursing practice as a pathway to nurse self-care. Specifically, this project integrates nursing theory, relevant literature, and reflection on holistic nursing practice. The significance of the project is identified as the current low priority of nurse self-care and the need for nurse self-healing- Additionally, holistic nursing, as a pathway to nurse self-care, is examined through the theoretical lens of Jean Watson. Furthermore, literature and research are examined in the areas of (t) the meaning of the holistic nursing experience, (2) self-care and complementary, alternative medicine use by nurses, …

Promoting Healthy Development: Educating Somali Mothers And Children On The Importance Of Outdoor Physical Activity, Rebecca S. Wawra

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper describes an educational program that was designed to provide education and awareness for Somali mothers and children about the importance of outdoor physical activity on healthy child development. The program is based on Margaret Newman's nursing theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and Hartrick-Doane & Varcoe's concept of walking with. A comprehensive literature review was completed to exemplify the need for outdoor physical activity education in the immigrant population.

Bringing Down The Barriers Of Maggot Debridement Therapy, Kristine L. Gillard

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this paper is to describe the rationale for Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) and the development of a practice model. Chronic wounds are a growing problem in health care. Debridement of a wound is an essential component of wound healing as the presence of devitalized tissue can impede the healing process. Even with today's high-tech medicine there are still times we need to resort back to the basic and simple principles from nature that may help combat medical problems. The use of maggot larvae for wound debridement has made resurgence into wound management in the last 15 years. …

Becoming A Mother Across Cultures: Challenges Nurses Experience Teaching Prenatal Care To Recent Immigrant Sudanese Women, Cathy E. Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide an overview of Maternal Role Attainment (MRA) theory as discussed in nursing literature and explore how separation from culture may affect the transition to becoming a mother. Nursing issues related to teaching and supporting recent immigrant Sudanese women will also be identified. MRA is a complex developmental and transitional experience for women. In the United States, many women take on this role with the support of their culture, family, friends and community. However, over the past few years, the local public health agency has served a small number of immigrant pregnant Sudanese …

Bed Assignment: A Nurse's Call, Sandra L. Prince

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this Integrated Thesis Project is to develop a nursing unit based bed assignment procedural guideline. Currently general care patients admitted to the hospital are assigned to a bed through a centralized bed assignment process that does not involve nursing input. The nursing unit based bed assignment process is developed using the assumption that nurses will select the right bed for the right patient the first time with consideration given to patient's individual needs and staffing on the unit. A nursing unit based bed assignment process is anticipated to increase satisfaction for patient, family and nurse. Jean Watson's …

Closing The Research Gap: Enhancing Cambodian Participation In Clinical Research, Elsa C. Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Obtaining proper sampling of a heterogeneous population remains a concern in research studies. Many studies have examined the low numbers of African-Americans recruited to clinical trials. Other studies have also focused on Latino-Hispanic disparity in research. However, there remains paucity in research involving Asian participation. This project aims to develop a nursing model of cultural immersion in the Cambodian community's culture that will foster deeper understanding, acceptance, and trust. In so doing, a research-friendly milieu of collaboration by the Cambodian community and the research community will be established. Madeleine Leininger's Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality is the theoretical …

Beyond Florence Nightingale: Celebrating Nursing At Augsburg Central Nursing Center, Lori J. Keith

Theses and Graduate Projects

The face of healthcare and our society are changing. People have difficulty accessing or paying for health services. One approach to meeting the needs of the under served is the utilization of nursing centers. The Augsburg College Department, in collaboration with Central Lutheran Church, maintains a no fee nurse managed center. Many nursing centers face continual difficulties in remaining viable or have closed because of funding issues. This project was developed to garner support for the Augsburg Central Nursing Center from Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America (ELCA) churches in the area. Fostering this relationship can provide necessary items and monies …

Synthesis Of Data To Develop Cultural Competency Training For Telehealth Nurses Providing Outbound Disease Management Programs To Hispanic Patients., Barbara L. Kreinbring

Theses and Graduate Projects

Telehealth nurses deliver disease management programs to culturally diverse populations, including Hispanic patients. Disease management programs focus on chronic conditions such as diabetes, which are increasing in prevalence. The CDC predicts that the number of Hispanic people with diabetes will rise nearly six-fold by 2050. The nurses who deliver these programs via the telephone need training focused on culturally competent care. The purpose of this project is to review and synthesize information in order to develop cultural competence training for telehealth nurses providing disease management programs to Hispanic patients.

The Lived Experience Of A Patient While Receiving Treatment On An Orthopedic Unit After A Hip Fracture: Integrating Research And Theory To Improve Patient Care, Margaret A. Kaser

Theses and Graduate Projects

A hip fracture is a devastating injury for an older person, often resulting in long-term or permanent loss of mobility and independence. Although research has been conducted on various aspects of hip fractures, little research has described the experience of a patient with a hip fracture. This phenomenological study explored the lived experience of a patient receiving treatment on an orthopedic unit after a hip fracture. A purposeful sample of two participants who were hospitalized at Saint Mary's Hospital following a hip fracture were interviewed after surgical repair of the fracture. The interviews were analyzed using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenology. The …

Giving Voice To Lived Experience Of Children Affected By Hiv/Aids In Namibia, Annie Retter

Theses and Graduate Projects

Namibia is one of the top five countries where HIV/AIDS is at epidemic proportions and thousands of Namibian children have become innocent victims of the disease. Research on children's lived experience of HIV/AIDS in Namibia is needed in nursing literature. The purpose of this project is to answer the question: What is it like to grow up in a society where AIDS is the leading cause of death and HIV infection rates are at epidemic proportions? Madeleine Leininger's Culture Care Theory will guide the research. An ethnonursing methodology that incorporates hermeneutic phenomenology will be used to answer the research question …

An Inquiry Into The Narrative Research Process: Supporting A Lao American Woman Tell Her Story, Kaija Freborg

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although many Lao refugees have adapted to the American lifestyle in the wake of the Vietnam War, others have had difficulty assimilating to mainstream society. Phayvanh, a Lao American woman, has struggled with living in both the traditional Lao world and the modem American world. I wanted to help Phayvanh share her life story but found that narrative research, a relatively new qualitative phenomenon within nursing, does not offer a concrete methodology. Therefore I decided to use a multifaceted approach, including ethnography, Newman's hermeneutic-dialectic methodology, and documentation of my process, while supporting Phayvanh in telling her personal narrative in order …

Evaluating Cultural Lmmersion Experiences To Teach Community Health Nursing, Martha Laskar-Alemán

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cultural immersion experiences can be a valuable way to teach the concepts of community health nursing in an introductory clinical course. By having an opportunity to experience a cultural context outside of their usual! area of practice and residence, students are able to expand their understanding of another world view while beginning to develop skills in population and community focused practice. The purpose of this project is to describe a method for evaluating cultural immersion experiences and to identify patterns of expanding professional and personal growth that are based on these experiences. Students who chose immersion experiences, were invited to …

Keeping The Moral Imperative To Care In The Nurse/Patient Relationship: A Survey Of Nurses Regarding Caring Practices, Attitudes And Interests, Cynthia M. Leas

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the caring relationship between nurses and their patients. The purpose of the study is to enhance the development of a new nursing class about caring relationships. A survey was done to obtain feedback from nurses directly caring for patients. Practices, attitudes, and interests regarding nurse/patient relationships were evaluated.

A Proposed Teaching Module For Senior Undergraduate Nursing Students To Counteract Bullying Among Nurses, Sue M. Odegarden

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite a plethora of literature on the potentially devastating effects of bullying, the behavior continues among professional nurses. Nurses who engage in the behavior jeopardize the nursing profession because of the negative impact bullying has on recruitment and retention. Bullying behavior is unprofessional, unethical and compromises patient safety. The purpose of this graduate field project was to design a learning module for senior undergraduate nursing students focused on bullying. New graduates are vulnerable to bullying behavior. The knowledge and skills acquired from the module enable undergraduate students to recognize and respond appropriately to bullying when it occurs and improves nurse …

Struggling With Disconnection: The Lived Experience Of Being Homeless And In Need Of Healthcare, Nonceba Mbangata

Theses and Graduate Projects

The intent of this field project was to study the disconnection that is experienced by homeless persons within the healthcare system. Homelessness is a growing concern that affects all age groups throughout the United States. It is not a secret that the increase in homelessness is stressing the health care system and limiting choices of becoming a healthy individual. The state of the health care system today and the nomadic habits of homeless persons make it impossible for those struggling with homelessness to stay connected to health care services. This project will illuminate the lived experiences of homeless persons as …

Reinventing Nursing For Future Generations, Connie A. Luedtke

Theses and Graduate Projects

By 2020 the USA will experience a tremendous nursing shortage. Unfortunately the public does not know what nurses do nor the rewards associated with the profession of nursing. Nursing has had difficulty competing with other professions offering more pay, better schedules and promises of exciting careers. The purpose of this graduate integrative project is to describe a children's book written with the intention of educating and recruiting future generations for the profession of nursing. Background information will be provided to illustrate the need for such a book, including general information on the current nursing shortage, the disparity of men and …

The Positive Energy Patrol: One Nursing Division's Approach To Address The Issue Of Morale In The Workplace, Mary Ann Ryan

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop an article for submission to a professional journal describing a staff led initiative to address employee morale in the hospital setting. It is well documented in professional nursing literature that the morale of a work environment has a direct effect upon the care provided to the patients and families served. Empowerment of staff, mutual respect, and transpersonal care as described by nursing theorist Jean Watson provide a healthy framework for a workplace where people want to engage and contribute. A morale initiative as trialed at one institution will be shared for consideration …

Nursing Education To Minimize Anxiety For Patient And Family During Transfer From Intense Care To General Care, Renee L. Wilson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to design an education module for nurses on the phenomenon of transfer anxiety so they are able to recognize patient and family behaviors manifested as a result of anxiety at the time of transfer from intensive to general care. Anxiety at the time of transfer can negatively impact patients' therapeutic response to health care as well as minimize the effectiveness of family members as needed support. The multifactorial causes of transfer anxiety are well documented in professional literature but not well known by nurses. Information from published literature that supports transfer anxiety as a …