Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of The Nurse Pracitioner In End Of Life Care, Caryn Alison Johnson

MSN Research Projects

Although advances in medical technology have increased the average lifespan of the elderly population, many patients do not receive assistance at the end of life, and suffer with avoidable pain and distress. Practitioners and researchers have identified the need for further research to improve the quality of EOLC. Research shows that the NP may be the best choice of hospital staff to initiate EOLC discussions and decisions with patients and their families. For this reason, it is likely that the role of the NP in EOLC will expand to a specialty focus in the near future. Therefore, the purpose of …

Quality Of Life In Men With Prostate Cancer, Pamela Lott Baird

MSN Research Projects

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is extremely serious and overwhelming for men of any gender, age, or socioeconomic class. Unfortunately, many patients are left to deal with the ramifications of the illness with little information or coping mechanisms. Perhaps prostate cancer could be dealt with in a more productive and positive manner if patients had opportunities to vocalize feelings and ask pertinent and relevant questions of healthcare providers without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Clearly, quality of life is changed in many ways by this serious and often lethal illness. According to Willener & Hantikainen, the illness is quite prevalent: Prostate …

Autonomy As It Relates To The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner, James A. Ray

MSN Research Projects

The quintessential issue of nurse practitioner practice is the establishment of autonomy. The intention o f the pioneers o f nursing was to build on existing nursing autonomy and significantly expand it to accommodate the new role (Brown & Draye, 2003). While it is true nurse practitioners enjoy a limited amount of practice autonomy today, true autonomy cannot be achieved until the stigmata of collaborating physician is removed as a requirement for practice. The purpose o f this integrative literature review was to investigate the level of knowledge regarding nurse practitioner coping with role transition. The current level o f …

The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In End Of Life Care, C'Sara R. Strong

MSN Research Projects

Comfort is an essential concept related to end of life care. Webster’s (2004) defines comfort as “ freedom from pain, want, anxiety, encouragement or discomfort.” The aging process of the body brings about increasing discomfort (Malinowski & Staimler, 2002). At the start of the 21st century, the oldest of America’s 76 million baby boomers are in their mid 50s and the youngest are approaching age 40 (CMS, 2004). As advances in medical technology continue to extend life, these aging Americans will have to contend with the aches, pains and progressive disabilities of chronic illness. The need for specialized palliative care …

The Relationship Between The Health Behaviors Of Female University Freshmen And Their Academic Success, Courtney Taylor

MSN Research Projects

The purpose o f this study was to characterize the relationship between the health behaviors and academic achievement o f university women. To this end, female freshmen at Mississippi University for Women were given questionnaires measuring their healthrelated lifestyle habits that were then correlated with the students’ grade point averages. Lifestyle habits were assessed via the Wellness Worksheet questionnaire (WW), and academic success, first semester grade point averages (GPA). The analysis revealed a moderately weak and positive relationship between healthier lifestyle choices and first semester GPA, r = .34. Among the behaviors addressed by the WW, alcohol and other drug …

Role Of The Nurse Practitioner: Health Promotion And Education In Teenage Pregnancy Prevention, Alissa Anne Hood

MSN Research Projects

According to Martin, Kochanek, Strobino, Guyer, & MacDorman (2005), the lowest reported rate in the past six decades for teenage pregnancy in the United States occurred in the year 2003. Although this was found significant, the United States still holds the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the industrialized world. It has been estimated that by the year 2010 there will be a 10% increase in the number of teenage girls between the ages of 15-19(Coren, 2005). Therefore, it was found imperative to increase the awareness and promotion of healthy sexual behaviors to reduce further teenage pregnancy. The purpose of …

A Retrospective Evaluation Of The Planetree Patient Centered Model Of Care Program's Impact On Inpatient Quality Outcomes, Susan Stone Phd

Dissertations

This retrospective quasi experimental study evaluated the effectiveness of Planetree's patient-centered model of care. Donabedian's model linking structure and process to outcome was used to frame this study. The structure variable is the inpatient acute care hospital unit and the process variable consists of the Planetree patient-centered model of care. Outcomes are (1) patient satisfaction, (2) length of stay, (3) readmission, (4) cost per case, and (5) productive nursing hours per patient day. All data for patient satisfaction, length of stay, readmission, cost per case and productive nurse hours per patient day were retrospective, no participant recruitment was needed. Data …

Patient Satisfaction With Nurse Practitioner Care In Telemergency, Melissa Henry King

MSN Research Projects

Recent studies suggest that patient satisfaction has a direct correlation to patient outcome. In today’s healthcare system, satisfaction is the ultimate measure of services rendered from a provider to a consumer. From retail sales to the delivery of healthcare services, satisfaction surveys are highly regarded by the provider of services as a means to correct and improve products or services. A patient who is not satisfied with provided services will seek out providers with whom they gain the greatest amount of satisfaction. Telemergency is a fairly new concept that is growing rapidly in popularity with both hospital administrations and providers. …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 15, No. 01, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

Contents

2 | A message from the dean

4 | Loma Linda NURSE news

10 | End of an Era: Helen Emori King retires after 24 years

16 | LLUSN development report

19 | Letter from the alumni president

20 | Alumni homecomeing

26 | Alumni feature story

29 | In memory

30 | Centennial book announcement

Nurse Practitioner Adoption Of Clinical Innovations, Rhoberta Jones Haley Phd

Dissertations

Adoption of clinical innovations by Nurse Practitioners (NP) is a complex phenomenon, rooted in personal values and influenced by challenges within health care environments. When clinical innovations are adopted or rejected by NPs, this decision has meaning for patients, NPs, health care agencies, and society. The decision controls the opportunity for patients to access a clinical innovation that could reduce morbidity and mortality, save money, and provide satisfaction related to the health care encounter. The purpose of the study was to increase knowledge about NP adoption of clinical innovations, particularly emotionally-laden clinical innovations. The lines of inquiry focused on what …

Healthcare Encounters Of Formerly Incarcerated Women: A Grounded Theory Study, Karen Sue Hoyt Phd

Dissertations

The adult correctional population in the United States soared to nearly 7 million people (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], 2005). Over 2 million individuals were housed in prisons or jails in the United States. Nearly 7 percent (6.9%) were women (BJS, 2005). Recent trends in the adult correctional population suggest that there has been a stark increase in the number of formerly incarcerated women in the United States. The purpose of this research was to explore how formerly incarcerated women perceived their healthcare encounters. The aims of this study were to answer the following questions. How did formerly incarcerated women …

Enhancing Nurses' Autonomous Caring Practices In Ukrainian Villages Affected By Chornobyl, Lisa Prytula

Theses and Graduate Projects

Twenty years after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, the people living in villages affected by Chornobyl in northern Ukraine suffer from poor health status. Compounding the biophysical effects of latent exposure to ionizing radiation, socio-economic instability and psychological stress increase their suffering, The nurses that serve these villages depend on inaccessible physicians to guide them and lack basic medical supplies. The purpose of this transcultural nursing practice project is two-fold: (1)to strengthen nursing caring practices used by village nurses to serve a socially, economically, and environmentally disadvantaged population in Ukrainian villages surrounding Chornobyl; and (2) to enhance village nurses' …

Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: Making Progress And Making A Difference, Hila J. Spear

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Building Bridges To An Environment Of Transformational Nursing Leadership: Developing A Program To Enhance Professional Nursing Leadership Skills, Pauline J. Utsesch

Theses and Graduate Projects

The intent of this field project was to develop an educational model to enhance nursing leadership skills and promote professionalism of nurses at the bedside. The project consisted of analysis of the literature to support the need for further leadership development of nurses. The proposed model was based on concepts and application of transformational leadership in nursing, and Ernest Boyer's (1990) framework of scholarship as it relates to professionalism. This model also utilized Benner's (1984) From Novice to Expert model as a framework for the educational design where by skills are acquired through experiential learning with actual practice situations.

An …

Recruitment Of Men Into Nursing: Changing Attitudes, Nicklos M. Markey

School of Nursing Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Recommendations For Sexuality Education For Early Adolescents, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To determine community support and identify appropriate learning methodologies, parameters of delivery, and intervention content.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study in which participants were interviewed in a semistructured format. Data were analyzed thematically.

Setting: An urban pediatric primary care clinic from which youths and parents were recruited.

Participants: Ten youths, 10 parents, and 10 community members. Community members included professional and laypersons who had experience in working with early adolescents or in working with children of any age on sexuality issues. Overall, most participants were female (67%) and African American (67%).

Results: Descriptions of early adolescents ’ knowledge of sexuality, …

Matching A Graduate Curriculum In Public/Community Health Nursing To Practice Competencies: The Rush University Experience, Susan M. Swider, Pamela F. Levin, Sarah Ailey, Susan Breakwell, Julia M. Cowell, Diane Mcnaughton, Marilyn O'Rourke

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

An evidence‐based approach to Public/Community Health Nursing (P/CHN) requires that P/CHN educators prepare practitioners with the relevant skills, attitudes, and knowledge. Such education should be competency‐based and have measurable outcomes to demonstrate student preparation. In 2003, the Quad Council competencies were developed to be applied at two levels of public health nursing practice: the staff nurse/generalist role and the manager/specialist/consultant role. This paper describes a process for evaluation and revision of a graduate curriculum to prepare Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in P/CHN, to ensure that the educational program addresses and develops knowledge and proficiency in all relevant competencies. …

Diabetes Prevention Education For Mexican American Women With Gestational Diabetes: Pilot Testing A Videotape, Carol Anne Easton

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a culturally sensitive educational videotape on the knowledge of prevention of Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy, in pregnant gestational diabetic (GDM) women over 18 years old, who attended the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at a university health center in a large southwestern city. Mexican American GDM women have a high risk for Type 2 diabetes, 80% in 5 years if their diabetes status is reclassified pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance during their early postpartum exam (Kjos. 1995). But the return-to-clinic rate for the women who attend this clinic is …

Evaluation Of A School Based Disaster Preparedness Program, Sandra Linebarger

Master's Projects

This study evaluated a school based intervention designed to better prepare teachers and staff members in an elementary school to improve their knowledge and confidence of disaster preparedness. Participants included 19 teachers and I 0 staff members of an elementary school in San Mateo County, CA. With hundreds of schools scattered in the communities and the recent disasters in our country there is a growing awareness of the need for disaster preparedness in schools. A pretest-posttest was administered to measure changes in knowledge and confidence following a school based intervention of disaster preparedness education. There was a significant improvement in …

Effects Of Organizational Trust, Pablo Velez Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between levels of organizational trust (OT) and nursing turnover rates, turnover expenditures, patient satisfaction scores, nurse managers' job satisfaction, and nurse managers' perception of fair compensation. An OT inventory and demographic questionnaire were used to collect data from 57 nurse managers working for not-for-profit hospitals in California. Pearson correlations analysis showed that OT was statistically significantly (p = .05) related to overall hospital patient satisfaction scores, nurse managers' job satisfaction, nurse managers' perception of fair compensation, and executives' tenure. OT was not correlated with nursing turnover rates or nursing turnover expenditures. By focusing on developing …

Creativity Fostering Behaviors In The Nurse Educator, Barbara Neher Taylor Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study of 93 BSN nurse educators in the State of California was to examine the relationship between creativity fostering behaviors in the nurse educator and intrinsic motivation, creativity fostering behaviors and the teaching/learning goals, and creativity fostering behaviors and class size, number of years teaching, and university type. This sample included 93 participants, 93% were female, Caucasian (91%), with a mean age of 53 and worked in a public university (65%). Medical/surgical was the most common clinical specialty (26%), with a mean of 29.15 years in nursing practice, and 15 years as a nurse educator. …

Does Culture Influence The Needs Of Critical Care Families?, Naomi Alston

Master's Projects

Purpose: This study explores ICU patient's family member needs, particularly Vietnamese and Latino families. Design: Convenience sampling at 24 bed ICU in acute care community hospital serving ethnically diverse population. Methods: Non-experimental survey with pretest-posttest design using Demographic sheet, Critical Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI), and Needs Met Inventory (NMI). Information pamphlets were distributed. Data analysis was by ethnic groups using measures of central tendency and descriptive statistics. Findings: CCFNI results indicate family members of all ethnicities experience the same priority of needs; support and information are top two needs. English, Spanish and Vietnamese pamphlets met information needs of the majority …

Addressing Student Nurses' Concerns In End Of Life Care, Tami Boroughf

Master's Projects

Recently, there has been a great deal of attention to the fact that there are few learning opportunities regarding end-of-life (EOL) care in nursing undergraduate education. One purpose of this research study was to provide an educational seminar for nursing students with information necessary to communicate with patients at the end of life and their families. The educational intervention consisted of an interdisciplinary panel discussion, a brief segment of a video, a case study with small group discussion, and an optional reflective activity. A quasi- ~; experimental, pretest and posttest design was used in a baccalaureate-nursing program in Northern California. …

The Relationship Between Parental Physical Activity Levels And Their Child's Body Mass Index, Juracia Carbajal

Master's Projects

This study compared the relationships between parental physical activity levels and their child's body mass index (BMI) using a convenience sample of volunteer parents at a school-based health clinic. Anonymously, parents completed a seven-question survey utilizing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The data analysis indicated that parental physical activity did not have a significant influence on a child's BMI. Forty-two percent of the children were overweight or at risk for overweight, demonstrating the need for increased physical activity and improved nutritional guidance. The school nurse has a significant role in providing education about health, nutrition, and obesity prevention strategies …

Identifying Catholic School Teachers Attitudes And Perceptions About Death And Grief, Stephania Ann Higdon

Master's Projects

Death and grief are not frequently discussed with children as a normal part of life. Previous studies show that teachers are not comfortable discussing the subject in the classrooms. As a trusted source, school nurses are able to help school staff recognize potential signs and symptoms of death and grief with a student dealing with a loss, providing information, educational resources and support. The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes and perceptions about death and grief of Catholic School teachers working among elementary school age children kindergarten through eighth grades. A convenience sample of 47 teachers from …

A Study Of Adolescent Depression Among Middle School Students, Cristina Lee

Master's Projects

Adolescent depression and teenage suicide should not be neglected and underestimated. While mental health is one of the ten health indicators that Healthy People 20 I 0 is focused on, and there are goals for the health community to work on, statistics are showing that teenagers in a county in Northern California were at high risk for mental health problem. This study was an introductory screening of the depression level of 7th graders attending middle school, and explored sources of adolescent perceived stress and routes of assistance. Results of the study show that almost one in every five 7th graders …

The Influence Of Staff Nurse Ethnicity On Perceptions Of The Work Environment, Silvia Helena Martins

Master's Projects

This study investigated the relationship among Registered Nurses (RNs) from different ethnic groups and their perceptions of the work environment in a community hospital in California. Moos' Work Environment Scale (WES) was used to examine three Dimensions of the work climate. Statistically significant differences were found in the way Caucasian and non-Caucasian RNs perceived Peer Cohesion and Work Pressure. These findings have implications for nurse leaders interested in transforming the work environment as perceptions of Peer Cohesion and Work Pressure are important factors influencing RN retention and quality of patient care.

How Special Education Teachers Of High School-Aged Students Address Sex Education, Amelia Owen-Casillas

Master's Projects

In this qualitative pilot study, five special education teachers of high-school-age students responded to seven research questions regarding how they address sex education, a part of family living from the Health Framework for California Public Schools. The participating special education teachers taught either in special education programs for the emotionally-disturbed(ED) or severely handicapped (SH). An overall identified theme for both groups of teachers was family participation. Other themes were teachers needing to be expert at understanding students learning styles and the need to be an expert at modifying goals for students learning. School nurses can help support and provide accurate …

Multigenerational Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Work Environment, Rukhsana Syed

Master's Projects

Objective: To examine the differences in multi-generational nurses' perceptions regarding their work environment. Background: Today's nursing workforce is comprised of individuals of many generations. Individuals of different generations share some values and beliefs, but they also vary in their perceptions regarding their work environments. It is a challenge for managers to create environments in which all staff members feel welcome and appreciated, a situation. which ultimately leads to decreased turnover, increased productivity, and a high quality of patient care. Methods: Survey packets (n = 850) were distributed to all RNs employed at an acute care hospital. To assess RNs' perceptions …

Cultural Identity Of Labor And Delivery Nurses In The Assessment Of Pregnant Patients For Interpersonal Violence, Ramona Nichols Smith

Master's Projects

Objective: Identification of barriers to assessment of interpersonal violence (IPV) in pregnant women. Design: An exploratory descriptive study Setting: The labor and delivery department of a public county hospital Participants: 34 nurses, representing 8 cultures and 13 native languages, completed the survey, and 34 laboring patient's medical records were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures: Any specific barriers, identified by nurses, to assessing for IPV in laboring patients Results: Medical record review revealed 50% assessment rate in labor triage patients. Survey results revealed that cultural identity (85 %) was not a significant barrier. Approximately 65% of nurses agreed that in their culture …