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Implementation Of A Learning Module To Reduce Advanced Practice Provider Preceptor Burden, Michelle Bloom

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Projects

The transition of advanced practice providers (APPs) from student to provider, or from an experienced provider to a new organization or location, has been identified as a high-stress period with potential turnover for new-hire APPs. APP preceptors play a key role in this transition. Limited time to teach during the clinical day and a limited knowledge base among new hires were two of many factors associated with increased preceptor burden. A brief online educational module that provided pre-clinical, organization-specific education was proposed to improve new-hire APPs’ knowledge base and reduce preceptor burden, among APP preceptors working in a 36-bed surgical/burn/trauma …

Reimagining Clinical Education: Interprofessional Simulation And Clinical Skill Readiness In Nursing And Occupational Therapy Curricula, Gretchen Johnson, Linda Barnett, Lori Aaron-Brija, Emily Berkowitz

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: As the healthcare landscape evolves, education for health professionals must prepare future practitioners to meet emerging challenges and navigate diverse care settings. Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities within healthcare curricula supports the development of essential clinical skill competencies and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The Clinical Skill Readiness interprofessional model prepares students for successful clinical rotations by integrating assessment and skill development. Students develop vital interprofessional skills, with specific emphasis on communication, professionalism, and role clarity, all of which are essential for effective practice in a collaborative clinical setting. Methods: Nursing and occupational therapy students participated in timed treatment sessions …

Towards Primary Health Care Education Reform: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis Of Nursing Supervisors' Perceptions, Experiences And Challenges, Debbie Procter, Mccullough, Debbie Massey, Karen Strickland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To explore Primary Health Care nurses' experiences of supervising nursing students on clinical placements and their perceptions of academic preparation for placement and future employment. Background: Primary Health Care nurses are essential workers within sustainable health systems but pre-registration educational preparation and access to clinical experiences can be limited. Previous research correlates positive clinical experiences with workforce intentions. Furthermore, nursing supervisors are pivotal to maximising student experiences and education, yet little is known about their perceptions, challenges, and views about how current curriculum prepares students to commence professional careers in primary care. Understanding their perceptions may inform curriculum, improve …

Nurses' Perspectives Of Dysphagia Screening Practices In Irish Residential Long-Term Care Settings: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Constantino Estupiñán Artiles, Claire Donnellan, Julie Regan, Mary Mooney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives To examine nurses’ perspectives on current dysphagia screening practices in Irish residential long-term care settings (RLTCS), and to investigate barriers and facilitators to nursing-led dysphagia screening within this healthcare context. Methods This study employed a qualitative descriptive design and was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from RLTCS located in the northeast of the Republic of Ireland. Eleven in-person focus group interviews were conducted with thirty-four nurses working in clinical and managerial roles. A semi-structured interview guide was utilised, and the data were subsequently analysed using reflexive …

Culturally Safe Nursing: Transformative Learning Experiences Through Critical Reflection Assessment, Lesley Andrew, Michelle Pedlow, Bev Ewens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To explore the transformative learning experiences of postgraduate nursing students engaging in an Aboriginal culture and history module, through an analysis of a critical reflection assessment, in particular the student development of cultural awareness and culturally safe practice.

Background: Despite mandated inclusion of Aboriginal cultural content in Australian nursing curricula, culturally unsafe practices and racism persist. Transformative learning, underpinned by critical reflection, can challenge fixed assumptions and promote cultural awareness and culturally safe care.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study using thematic analysis. Methods: Written critical reflections from 15 consenting postgraduate nursing students who completed the Ngany Kalyakal Katatjiny Boordawan …

Forty Years In The Making: Reporting On The Co-Creation Of A National Roadmap For Birthing On Country Services For The Best Start To Life, Res Mccalman, Anneka J. Bowman, Roianne West, Kristie Watego, Jyai Allen, Claire Clack, Sue Kildea, Sue Kruske, Melanie Briggs, Cleone Wellington, Rebecca Coddington, Yu Gao, Isabella Garti, Sascha Kowalenko, Sarah Ireland, Catherine Austin, John D. Boffa, Marah Prior, Kelsie Kahl, Bettina Chaseling, Sarah Khaw, Emily Armstrong, Donna Hartz (Kamilaroi), Yvette Roe (Njikena Jawuru)

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

For over 40 years, First Nations communities in Australia have called for community-controlled birthing and maternal–infant health programs that restore First Nations-led, community-controlled birthing systems grounded in cultural authority and sovereignty. ‘Birthing on Country’ services have demonstrated improved First Nations maternal–infant health outcomes, more babies kept out of the child protection system, and reduced health system costs. Restoration and expansion of Birthing on Country services across regions has been inconsistent, and has lacked support for national implementation. In 2022, a large national gathering (‘Best Start to Life’) was co-hosted in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). The focus was Birthing on Country service …

Beyond The Binary: Strengthening Nursing Students’ Proficiency Of Equitable Health Promotion, Martha K. Findley

Theses

Background: Sexual and gender diverse (SGD) populations continue to experience significant health inequities, yet prelicensure nursing curricula often lack structured, evidence‑based training to prepare students for equitable care.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether a targeted, transgender‑focused simulation could improve nursing students’ clinical knowledge and preparedness for providing equitable health promotion to SGD populations.

Methods: A pre‑/post‑intervention design was used with senior‑level nursing students who completed a transgender patient simulation emphasizing communication, assessment, and equitable health promotion. Students completed a validated survey measuring knowledge and preparedness in caring for SGD patients.

Results: Significant improvements across most survey items demonstrated that the …

Staff Education On Standardized Suicide Risk Assessment In An Outpatient Clinic For Behavioral Health, Fanta Haja Cabah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide risk assessment is a high-priority nursing safety responsibility in outpatient behavioral health. The practice gap was a variation in nurses’ knowledge of validated suicide screening, direct inquiry, risk escalation, referral, and related documentation expectations working in an outpatient behavioral health clinic located on the Eastern Atlantic Coast. To address this problem, I developed, implemented, and evaluated a staff education program on a standardized suicide risk assessment. The practice question focused on whether staff knowledge increased following participation in the education program. Ten nursing staff members participated in a 60-minute education program. Pretest and posttest questionnaires included 20 multiple-choice questions. …

Implementing A Routine Fall Risk Assessment In Older Adults In An Inpatient Psychiatric Setting, Amaka Obi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of the project was to implement and evaluate a structured fall risk assessment process that promoted the early identification of patients at increased risk for falls and supported interventions designed to prevent fall-related events. A pre- and post-implementation evaluation design was used to assess the intervention's effectiveness by comparing fall rates before and after implementation of the standardized assessment protocol. De-identified data obtained from the electronic health record (EHR) were analyzed using descriptive statistics to evaluate changes in fall incidence and protocol adherence. The project findings demonstrated that provider-led, standardized fall-risk assessments improved screening compliance, provider adherence, and …

Staff Education To Increase Knowledge And Awareness Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Alie Sholola Sahid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background STIs or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are consequential public health emergencies that affect millions of people globally and have long-term health implications (Garcia et al., 2024). STIs are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact with the most common types of STIs include chlamydia, trichomoniasis, general herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). It is estimated that each year, more than 20% of the U.S. population has had an STI, with around 26.2 million cases per year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024a). The common types of STIs include chlamydia, trichomoniasis, general herpes, and …

The Lived Spirituality Experiences Of Adult Diabetes Patients In Adhering To Treatment, Dwight Mahaputera Marulitua Hutapea

The Qualitative Report

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived spirituality experiences of adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in adhering to treatment. Prior research has indicated that spirituality may influence attitudes toward and adherence to chronic disease management; however, empirical evidence addressing the spiritual dimension among people with diabetes remains limited. Guided by Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected participants, equally distributed among Christians and Muslims. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to rigorous phenomenological analysis. Seven themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) spirituality strengthens relationships; (b) spirituality affects choices and outcomes; …

Tracking Towards Zero: Implementing A Picc Team Tracker To Prevent Clabsis, Carolina Maria Gerodias Cayetano

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain among the most serious and costly healthcare-associated infections in acute care settings, with each event associated with significant excess mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and avoidable healthcare costs. At Hospital A, a 239-bed acute care facility, two of six total CLABSI events over a 12-month period were associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), representing 33% of all facility CLABSIs and exposing a critical gap in standardized PICC line surveillance and maintenance bundle monitoring.

Problem: The PICC team lacked a systematic, real-time tracking mechanism to monitor central line maintenance bundle adherence across seven adult …

Tracking Toward Zero: Implementing A Picc Team Tracker To Prevent Clabsis, Christian Justin Carreon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain a significant and preventable patient safety concern in acute care settings, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and substantial healthcare costs.

Context: At Hospital A, a tertiary referral center in Northern California, six adult CLABSIs were identified between June and December 2025 following an eight-month CLABSI-free period. Four events occurred in adult medical surgical telemetry. All peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line CLABSIs were attributed to gaps in maintenance bundle adherence and the lack of a standardized, real-time tracking mechanism for the PICC Team.

Interventions: A PICC Team Tracker was implemented as …

Reducing Inpatient Falls Through Staff Education, Courage Duin Chiangeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient falls remain a major patient safety concern, particularly among hospitalized stroke patients who are at increased risk because of impaired mobility, neurological deficits, and cognitive changes. The inpatient stroke unit selected for this quality improvement project consistently reported the highest fall rates within the hospital system, highlighting the need for evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this project was to determine whether a structured fall-prevention education program incorporating evidence-based practices and the 4Ps of purposeful rounding (pain, potty, position, and possessions) would improve staff knowledge, increase compliance with fallprevention practices, and reduce patient falls over a 2-month period. Guided by …

Advancing Paternal Perinatal Mental Health: Integrating Qualitative Evidence, Theory, And Measurement Science, Rachael Elizabeth Schmitz

Nursing and Health Sciences

Aim: To advance understanding of paternal perinatal mental health through the integration of qualitative evidence, mid-range theory, and conceptual framework development.

Background: Existing scholarship largely emphasizes prevalence and symptom identification of paternal post partum depression, with limited integration of fathers lived experiences into theory development and assessment frameworks, and mental health nursing practice. Greater integration of qualitative evidence, theory, and measurement science may strengthen the recognition and assessment of paternal distress.

Methods & results: This integrative paper synthesizes findings from a phenomenological study of fathers with postpartum depression, the Reciprocal Adaptation in Postpartum Fathers mid-range nursing theory, and the P- …

Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge Regarding Candida Auris, Nkechinyere Ejelonu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a staff education project regarding Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungus recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an urgent global health threat due to its high mortality, environmental persistence, and resistance to common disinfectants. Staff play a crucial role in infection prevention; however, limited awareness and inconsistent knowledge of Candida auris contribute to potential transmission in skilled nursing home settings. The project question was as follows: Among staff members in a skilled nursing facility, does an evidence-based educational intervention improve knowledge of Candida auris infection prevention as compared pre- …

Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of Relational Service Behaviors In Nursing Practice, Dadakpoye Tina Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses play a central role in shaping patient experiences through clinical care and relational service behaviors. However, little is known about registered nurses’ perceptions and experiences of relational service behaviors in contemporary health care settings. The purpose of this interpretive description qualitative study was to explore registered nurses’ perceptions and experiences of relational service behaviors and their role in promoting patient-centered care. Herzberg’s two-factor theory provided the conceptual framework for examining how intrinsic motivators and extrinsic workplace factors influence relational engagement. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 registered nurses from diverse clinical practice settings. Interview data were analyzed using Braun …

Staff Education To Improve Healthcare Staff Knowledge Of An Electronic Scheduling System In An Intensive Outpatient Program (Iop), Catherine Kinyili

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project aimed to improve staff knowledge of the newly implemented electronic scheduling and booking kiosk system. A transition from a paper-based to an electronic scheduling system led to reduced staff efficiency, communication challenges, scheduling errors, and delays in patient care. An evaluation identified inconsistent staff knowledge of the newly implemented electronic scheduling system. The practice-focused question for the project was: Among healthcare staff in an intensive outpatient program, how does a one-time structured education and training session affect staff knowledge of a new electronic scheduling system? The purpose of this project was to …

The Experience Of Wellness And Self-Care For Graduating Bsn Students, Jenny Pappas, Terri A. Clark, Tasha Ruffin, Deborah Ellison, Adrienne Wilk, Debra Rose Wilson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The aim of this study was to explore how graduating prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students experience self-care and wellness, with the goal of informing future curriculum development. Nursing students face significant academic, emotional, and sociocultural pressures that heighten vulnerability to burnout. Despite widespread agreement that self-care is a professional expectation, little is known about the students’ experience within demanding programs. Guided by Orem et al.’s (2001) self-care deficit theory, a qualitative study using interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology was used to examine lived experiences of self-care and wellness. Sixteen graduating BSN students participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews. Interviews were …

The Evaluation Of The Epic Epidural Assessment Event And The Effects Of The Conversion Of Epidural To General Anesthesia For Cesarean Sections, Rebecca Turney, Bridget Shinnick

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Manuscripts

Unplanned conversion from labor epidural analgesia to general anesthesia (GA) for cesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal and neonatal risk and may occur when inadequate epidural function is not recognized before operative delivery. This Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice quality improvement project evaluated implementation of the Epic Epidural Assessment Event, a structured electronic medical record documentation tool designed to standardize epidural assessment during labor at a high-acuity obstetric referral center in Western Pennsylvania. Using a Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project compared pre- and post-implementation epidural-to-GA conversion trends, reviewed Epic audit data for documented tool utilization, and collected anonymous anesthesia provider …

A Quality Improvement Project On Maternal Hemorrhage Protocol Adherence, Cyrus Masih, Richard Zapata

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Manuscripts

Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality and requires rapid, coordinated response among obstetric, anesthesia, nursing, and blood-bank teams. This quality improvement project implemented and evaluated a California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC)-based Code OB maternal hemorrhage intervention at a western Pennsylvania hospital. The project aimed to improve anesthesia provider knowledge, confidence, and readiness to recognize, stage, and respond to maternal hemorrhage using standardized guidance, quantitative blood loss (QBL) measurement, and point-of-care cognitive support. Guided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement and a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, the intervention included a focused educational presentation …

Implementation Of A Discharge Planning Protocol, Sylvia Ngwikooh Forku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was a nursing led quality improvement initiative focused on standardizing discharge planning on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit. The goal of the project was to strengthen evidence-based, person-centered transitions of care to reduce readmissions and promote safer community reintegration for adults with serious mental illness. The practice focused question guiding this project was whether implementing an evidence based, standardized discharge planning protocol on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit would improve staff knowledge and adherence to best practice discharge elements and contribute to a favorable decrease in 30-day readmission rates. Analytical strategies included descriptive analysis of pre and …

Improving K-Card Observation Fidelity To Sustain A Culture Of Continuous Learning, John L. Ricks Iii

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem

            Despite improvements in central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) attribution, variability in Kamishibai card (K-card) observation practices and documentation limited the unit's ability to identify, learn from, and correct persistent deviations from expected practice. Baseline data showed frequent incomplete documentation and a pattern of completing K-card observations outside bedside shift report.

Context

This project took place in a 20-bed medical-surgical ICU, using the existing K-card process to support high-reliability prevention of hospital-acquired conditions (HAC). Baseline assessment revealed inconsistent observation workflows, incomplete documentation, and unclear roles and expectations.

Interventions

A standardized K-card observation workflow was developed through rapid-cycle testing. Observations were …

Don’T Fall For It: Just-In-Time Staff Education To Reduce Patient Falls On An Adult Telemetry Unit, Forrest Wilcox, Kyle Knight, Jennifer Paiz, Zaira Garcia-Vega

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Patient falls remain a leading cause of preventable harm among hospitalized adults and carry significant clinical and financial consequences. On an adult medical-surgical telemetry unit at this study site, a one-year review of 45 fall events found that most falls occurred among patients classified as high risk on the Morse Fall Scale, frequently without continuous observation or consistent purposeful rounding. Aim: The aim of this project is to reduce falls on the telemetry unit to the national benchmark of 3.2 falls per 1,000 patient days within a 6-month period. Methods: A just-in-time (JIT) education intervention was delivered to registered …

The Effect Of Escape Room Simulation On The Self-Efficacy And Communication Levels Of Novice Critical Care Nurses, Lauren A. Femino, Kim Chapman, Julie A. Marshall, Shelby A. Trull, Jennifer A. Dibenedetto

The Lahey Journal

Abstract 

Introduction: Novice critical care nurses often report having low self-confidence and effective communication skills when transitioning to the ICU practice, often due to stress, limited experience, and unfamiliarity with critical care environments. These challenges can not only affect their job satisfaction and retention rates, but also pose serious risks to patient safety and outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to assess the impact of an escape room simulation on the self-efficacy and communication skills of novice critical care nurses.

Methods: An evidence-based practice (EBP) project with pre-test and post-test design was conducted to …

Staff Education To Enhance Nurse Knowledge Of Standardized Sud Screening Using The Dast-10 In An Outpatient Psychiatric Setting, Peters Olugbemiga Adu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The utilization of substance use disorder (SUD) screening tools at the practice site was inconsistent, contributing to limited identification and diagnosis of SUDs. The project was conducted at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in an urban region of Maryland that serves many patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The purpose of the project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a staff education program focused on the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). The primary goal was to improve staff knowledge and understanding of the DAST-10 screening tool. A 14-item multiple-choice questionnaire was administered before and after the educational intervention …

Staff Education To Improve Confidence Of Triage Decision-Making In Hospice After-Hours Care, Kelly Hurst

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A quality improvement project addressed variability in after-hours hospice telephone triage through implementation of structured communication and symptom-based decision-support tools. The practice-focused question examined hospice triage nurses’ perceived confidence following implementation of these tools. A descriptive quality improvement design was used. Five hospice triage nurses received education on the CALMER communication technique and symptom-specific decision-support guides for anxiety and dyspnea. Outcomes were evaluated through a postimplementation survey assessing confidence, tool utilization, intervention perceptions, and practice recommendations. Quantitative responses were summarized using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were reviewed for themes. All participants reported high baseline confidence in hospice telephone triage. …

Clinical Practice Guideline For Sepsis In Skilled Nursing Facility, Chinyere Okoroh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can rapidly lead to organ dysfunction, septic shock, and death if not recognized and treated early. Older adults in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are especially vulnerable because of age-related physiological changes, chronic conditions, weakened immunity, and increased exposure to infections. Consequently, sepsis remains a major cause of hospital readmissions, mortality, and healthcare utilization among SNF residents. The SNF serving as the site for this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project experienced increased hospital readmissions associated with recurrent sepsis, highlighting the need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to sepsis recognition and management. The practice-focused question …

Staff Education To Nurses On Trauma-Informed Care, Lorna Sackey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many nurses receive little formal instruction about trauma-informed principles and their practical application in behavioral health settings. To address this practice gap, the project implemented a staff education program for staff at an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP) located in a northeastern state. The aim was to increase staff knowledge and confidence in trauma-informed principles within clinical practice. The education program emphasized the relevance of trauma-informed care (TIC) in outpatient behavioral health settings, its principles, and its application in nursing assessments, therapeutic communication, and patient interactions. A pretest and posttest questionnaire consisted of 12 multiple-choice …

Implementation Of Staff Education To Reduce Or Prevent Pressure Injury, Beverley A. Moses

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pressure injuries (PIs) present a significant clinical challenge in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with limited mobility, comorbidities, and complex musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries lead to adverse patient outcomes, such as increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and an increase in healthcare costs. Despite advancements in clinical practice, PI prevention remains a critical area for quality improvement, necessitating a standardized, patient-centered approach to care. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve patient outcomes by implementing a standardized educational initiative for nursing staff in a bone and joint unit at a private hospital in Upstate New York. The project …