Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Comparison Of Nurses' Attitudes Concerning Therapeutic Ward Atmosphere With Those Of Other Members Of The Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team, Barbara Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The atmosphere of a psychiatric hospital ward has been found to have an influence on patient behavior and on treatment outcome. The ward atmosphere is affected by the patients, the multi—disciplinary team and the nurse who is the team member who spends the greatest amount of time on the ward. A multi-disciplinary team which shares similar attitudes concerning ward atmosphere is more likely to create a therapeutic ward atmosphere.
The multi-disciplinary teams of three adult psychiatric units at a midwestem psychiatric hospital were subject of a research study regarding their attitudes concerning therapeutic ward atmosphere. The scores, of team members …

Relationship Of Spiritual Well-Being To Psychological Well-Being In Bereaved Parents, Marcia E. Hodges

MSN Research Projects

This descriptive correlational study assessed the perceived spiritual and psychological well-being of bereaved parents. Spiritual well-being was measured by the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWB) and psychological well-being was measured by the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) Index. The sample consisted of 30 participants from three bereaved parent support groups located in North Alabama. The research hypothesis stated there would be a positive correlation between spiritual well-being and psychological well-being in bereaved parents. Findings revealed a positive correlation between spiritual well-being and psychological well-being in bereaved parents = .77, p_ = .000). Additional findings revealed men tended to report higher subjective spiritual …

Patients' Perceived Benefits Of Home Health Services, Rita M. Holley

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Home care can be described as the provision of health and related social support services to physically and mentally impaired persons in the places of residence considered to be their homes. The purpose of the study was to examine the patients' self perceived benefits of home health care services delivered in Chesapeake, Virginia. This investigation sought to study client satisfaction as it applies to area specific delivery of services, professional competence, and personal qualities. The target population were residents of Chesapeake, Virginia, who were currently or had recently received home care services from ComfortCare Home Health Services.

Coping Mechanisms Of Elderly, Ill, Homebound Clients, Vivien Tune

MSN Research Projects

This study was a descriptive one whose purpose was to identify coping mechanisms used by elderly, ill, homebound clients. The sample included 30 home health clients in a small southern community. The average age of the subjects was 76 years. Data were collected using Coping Resources Inventory (Hammer & Mart i n g , 1988) and a demographic and health history form. Data were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, and Pearson r_. Analysis of the data revealed that the elders utilized spiritual/philosophical , cognitive, social, and emotional coping skills equally and more often than physical coping skills. There were …

Power Strategy Usage Among Nurse Practitioners In Conflict Resolution With Physicians, Marlene Hurst

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine which power strategies nurse clinicians utilize in resolving conflict with physicians. A sample of 50 nurse clinicians were surveyed using the Modified Offermann and Schrier Tool. The data were analyzed using the chi-square statistical test. Findings indicate that the most frequently used strategy for conflict resolution is direct, rational power tactics. The most frequently used strategies were items such as "Openly discussing your differences and needs" or "Telling him/her you've studied the issue and know a lot about it." The strategies used the least were items such as pouting, coercion, or blackmail. …

The Effects Of Stress Education On Stress Levels In Grade School Children, Lou Ann Hubbard

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of stress management on stress levels in grade school children. The hypothesis to be tested was : There will be no significant difference in stress levels of grade school children following a stress education program. The setting included two third-grade classes in a small rural elementary school in North Alabama. There were 37 students in the study, 21 in the control group and 16 in the treatment group. Data were collected using the Teacher Questionnaire, to assess each student's stress level as perceived by the teacher, and the Everyday …

Relationship Of Quality Circles In Nursing To Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Patient Care, And Cost Containment, Shirley A. Weiglein

Dissertations

The use of quality circles in nursing has been widely espoused in nursing literature as a concept that enhances participatory leadership, promotes job satisfaction, improves the quality of patient care and contributes to cost containment. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the use of quality circles in nursing units and leadership, job satisfaction, the quality of patient care and cost containment.

Quality circle and non-quality circle units in two midwest hospitals were used for data collection. Staff nurses only were asked to complete the survey. A total of 126 of the possible 295 staff nurses in the …

Parental Perceptions Of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge Teaching, Virginia A. Passero

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine parental perceptions of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge teaching. Orem's (1985) self-care deficit theory was the conceptual framework. Fifty mothers and 15 fathers were interviewed in their homes following the infant's discharge to determine their perceptions of involvement, recall, need, satisfaction and importance of NICU discharge teaching.

The 50 infants in the sample were hospitalized an average of 41 days with a variety of neonatal diagnoses. The average age of the mothers was 27 years, and the sample of 50 included 82% married women, 42% primiparas, and 52% cesarean deliveries. Forty-two …

Relationship Of Self-Care Behaviors And Selected Demographic Variables Of Pregnant Women, Eva Mcguff Wheeless

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare self-care behaviors which influence the risk for urinary tract infection in pregnant women of lower and other socioeconomic groups . The Survey of Personal Habits and Behaviors in Pregnant Women (1988) was administered to 57 subjects; however, one survey form was incomplete and was discarded from the data analysis. Data collected included positive and negative self-care behaviors, age, race, marital status, educational level, gestation, prenatal history, and employment. Ages of subjects ranged from 16 to 36 years, and stages of pregnancy ranged from 8 to 39 weeks gestation. All subjects were …

Development And Testing Of The Stress Adaptation Scale For Parents With Chronically Ill Children (Sasp), Carolyn M. Rutledge

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This research study consisted of four phases used to develop and test the Stress Adaptation Scale for Parents with Chronically Ill Children (ASP). The first phase dealt with developing the items on the SASP from a review of the literature and the researcher's professional experience. The SASP was then divided into the six categories of health care, social, personal, familial, financial, and spiritual. In phase II, content validity was evaluated by a panel of experts. In phase III, stability over time and face validity was demonstrated using 26 parents of chronically ill children. The SASP achieved a Pearson's r=.85 with …

The Influence Of Nursing Experience And Education On Nurses Inferences Of Patients' Suffering, Patricia A. Coots

Nursing Theses & Dissertations

A primary dimension of nursing is caring tor patients who suffer. This study examined the inferences made about patients' suffering oy 65 registered nurses employed in acute care health facilities. Utilizing The standard Measure of Inferences of Suffering Questionnaire. the purpose of the study was to explore the influence of nursing education and experience on the degree of pain and psychological distress inferred by the nurses. Analysis of Covariance was used to test for group differences on the basis of nursing education when number of months of nursing experience was controlled. Although nursing education did not influence nurses' inferences of …

The Effects Of Relaxation Training On Anxiety Levels, Absenteeism, And Academic Performance In First, Second And Third Grade Children: Implications For Coping With Stress, So Hee Jon

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Promoting Adaptation Of The Young Child During An Outpatient Surgical Admission Assessment, Mary C. Mitus

Masters Theses

This study used an experimental design to investigate whether the timing of a child's admission physical assessment, either before or after an interview with the child's parent(s), had an effect on the upset and cooperation behaviors exhibited by the child during the physical exam.; Thirty-two children, age 12 to 36 months, who were scheduled for elective outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups.; The hypothesis of the study was that children who were examined after the interview would exhibit less upset behaviors and be more cooperative with the examining nurse. It was hypothesized that these children would …

A Comparison Of Nurse And Spouse Perceptions Concerning Psychosocial Needs, Marie C. Bednarczyk

Masters Theses

The purposes of this research were to discover and compare spouse's and nurse's perceptions of selected psychosocial needs. Twenty-six spouses of cardiac patients admitted to intensive care ranked 45 need statements using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Nineteen nurses were also asked to assess and select the spouse's needs using the same tool. The need to know the prognosis was identified as the most important by the spouses of this study. Whereas, the nurses perceived the need to have hope as the most important for the spouses. The results showed that significant differences existed between the perceptions of spouses …

Use Of Circadian Rhythms To Screen For Fever: A Replication, Michele S. Heckman

Masters Theses

There are inconsistent guidelines for, and consequently, inconsistent practice in the screening of hospitalized adults for fever. Using the predictive knowledge of circadian thermal rhythms, the purposes of this study were to identify (1) the hour of the day in which most fevers occurred and (2) the necessary frequency of measurement to detect fever. The sample consisted of 35 subjects, ages 22-62. Temperatures were measured at 6 p.m., 10 p.m., 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. for 24 hours. Eighteen (51.42%) of the 35 subjects had fevers during the 24-hour measurement period. Fourteen (77.78%) initial fevers were …

Primary Nursing: A Cost And Quality Effective Patient Care Structure, James Greer

Masters Theses

This descriptive study was undertaken to investigate differences in cost-effectiveness and quality patient care between primary nursing and team/functional nursing as practical in a 113 bed acute care community hospital. The sample was comprised of 80 hospitalized patients that were divided equally between a primary and team-functional nursing unit. Quality of Care was measured by the Rush-Medicus Nursing Care Quality System and cost effectiveness was determined by annual salaries.; Using a t-test statistical analysis, no significant differences were obtained in quality of patient care when using a primary nursing care structure with less FTEs as compared to a team leading …

Nursing And Health Care In Jacksonville, Florida, 1900-1930, Linda Emerson Sabin

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the development of nursing as a vocation, in the early twentieth century, within the context of a growing southern city and an evolving health care system. Nursing advanced from a domestic service to a recognized vocation during this era. An extensive survey of historical and nursing literature revealed few studies which focus on nursing and health care in an urban context. Those studies identified gave only brief glimpses of nurses and focus on northern cities. This investigation aims to add a southern chapter to the history of nursing and health care in urban settings.

A community systems …

Being Aware: The Meaning Of The Relationship Between Social Support And Health Among Independent Older Women., Susan Elaine Trippet

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Maternal, Environmental, And Temperamental Characteristics Of Toddlers With And Toddlers Without Sleep Problems., Kathryn Redwood Wood

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Similarities And Differences In Political Expectations And Participation Among Nurses In Clinical Practice, Education, And Administration., Priscilla Neeley Daffin

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Moral Dilemma Discussions On Moral Reasoning Levels Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students., Beth Stephens Hembree

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Identification Of The Presence Of The Restoration Concept In Seventh-Day Adventist Nursing Programs In The United States, L. Phil Hunt

Dissertations

Problem. In 1976 Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) nursing educational leaders adopted a statement of philosophy and goals that incorporated the concept of restoring humans to God's image. Although Adventist education was founded upon restoration themes, no empirical evidence indicates that nursing faculty and students perceive restoration as important or evident in nursing education today. It was the purpose of this study to determine the extent to which the concept of restoration is manifested in SDA nursing programs in the United States.

Method. Ten summary statements provide a definition of restoration consistent with the beliefs and teachings of the SDA church. An …

The Relationship Between Position And Incidence Of Spinal Headache Following Spinal Anesthesia In The Young Adult Female, Royce A. Fishell

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation determined the difference in the incidence of spinal headache in 33 patients placed in 30 degrees (°) head-up position versus 33 patients who remained flat for four hours following the administration of spinal anesthesia. An experimental design was used. The two randomly assigned groups presented for elective postpartum tubal ligation under spinal anesthesia. Group A was placed flat and group B had the head of their beds elevated 30° postoperatively. Strict procedural protocol was adhered to prior to and during the administration of the spinal anesthetic. To determine if the patients had any symptoms consistent with spinal headache, …

Assessment Of The Potential For Maladaptive Parenting In Expectant Fathers With The Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (Aapi)., Cecilia M. Tiller

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Maternal Self Esteem, Work Status, And Sociodemographic Characteristics And Self Esteem Of The Kindergarten Child., Martha Griffith Lavender

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Learning Needs Of Ostomy Patients: A Comparison Of Nurse And Patient Perceptions, Linda K. Burdette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study will attempt to identify areas of agreement and disagreement between the ostomy patient's perception and the nurse's perception of learning needs. In order to achieve this purpose, the objectives of the study were:
,1. Determine the different perceptions regarding the importance of content items offered in an ostomy patient education program when comparing:
a. Medical-surgical nurses and ostomy patients;
b. E.T. nurses and ostomy patients;
c. Medical-surgical nurses and E.T. nurses.
2. Determine the different perceptions regarding time placement of patient education content items when comparing:
a. Medical-surgical nurses and ostomy patients;
b. E.T. nurses and ostomy patients; …

Impact Of Perceived Mandatory Continued Formal Education On Professional Attitudes Of Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students, Kathy Hankel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effects of perceived mandatory continued education on professional attitudes of Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students. The results indicate a statistically significant difference in the professional attitude of self-regulation. Those Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students who perceived continued education as mandatory had a more positive attitude regarding self-regulation than those who chose to continue their education. Age and size of city were variables that also influenced professional attitudes.

Perceptions Of Health Status Of Rural Elderly, Colleen Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Questionnaires were designed and administered to a nonrandom sample of 18 rural elderly residents in a midwestern state. The questionnaires obtained information which attempted to describe perceptions of current health status and self-care capability, to determine the relationship between perceptions of health status and type of residence or senior citizen center attendance. The dependent variables were definitions of perceived health status as derived from the Health Perceptions Questionnaire. Health status included factors of current health, prior health, health outlook, resistance to illness, health worry/concern and sickness orientation. The independent variables were selected personal factors, self-care capability, desire for self-care and …

The Relationship Of Attitude, Subjective Norm, And Behavioral Intention To The Documentation Behavior Of Nurses., Darlene Hastie Renfroe

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Stressors, Levels Of Stress, And Self-Care Actions To Reduce Stress In Preadolescent Children., Linda Rollins Roberts

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.