Digital Commons Network^™

Dnp Final Report: Reducing The Rate Of Falls With A Stuctured Fall Program, Elanda L. Douglas

DNP Final Reports

Background: Fall rates continue to be a significant problem in health care facilities despite all the research and tool kits created to prevent falls. Hospitals that have successfully reduced fall rates find it challenging to sustain a reduction in the fall rates. During hospitalizations, 3%-20% of patients fall, with 30%-50% resulting in injury (Joint Commission, [JC], 2015).

Internal Evidence: Despite Medical City Alliance (MCA) having an evidence-based fall program, the fall rate has not decreased. Falls are one of the quality measures identified at the division level that needs improvement.

PICOT: In adult patients in a progressive care unit (P), …

Implementation Of Hypertonic Saline Sliding Scale Protocol In A Neuroscience Icu, Guillermina A. Nelson

Cohort IX

Cerebral edema, a complication that can occur in acute ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, can lead to detrimental effects. Hypertonic saline therapy is use to obtain therapeutic hypernatremia to prevent further cerebral edema. In a neuroscience intensive care unit (ICU) setting, patients admitted with acute stroke and at risk for cerebral edema, are treated with hypertonic saline solution and the rate adjustment according to plasma serum sodium results every 4-6 hours. After a 10-day Reflective Practice Log, I gained insight of this issue. After a literature review, approval The University of Texas at El Paso Institutional Review Board (IRB), I started …

Evaluating Va Nurse Acceptance Of Virtual Healthcare Technology During The Coronavirus Outbreak, Francesca Bryan-Couch

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

At a regional Veterans Administration (VA) hospital, nurses performing case management were unable to perform face-to-face visits with patients due to coronavirus. Care coordination and discharge planning efforts occurred through telephonic case management to preserve personal protective equipment and reduce transmission rates through social distancing. Trust and rapport between patients and nurses were reduced without personal contact. Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations described six nurse roles and three phases of relationship development required to create therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. Connectedness was a key concept considered to be the path to a successful meaningful therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Hrabe, 2005).

To evaluate current …

Letters Against Loneliness: The Effect Of A Pen Pal Program Uniting Older Adults And College Students On Perceived Loneliness, Allyson Miriani, Caroline Crawford

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Surveys within years and particularly the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed increasing rates of loneliness. More research is also emerging linking loneliness with a myriad of negative health outcomes as well as reduced quality of life. There is little research about effective interventions addressing loneliness. This paper reviews the available literature on the topic and proposes a pen pal program for college students and older adults developed based on available evidence.

Promises Endure: Historical Views Of Nursing Faculty, Laura R. Muñoz

Verbum Incarnatum: An Academic Journal of Social Justice

Lessons learned from the history of an organization are valuable. This is especially true for an organization with the legacy held by the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of the Incarnate Word. Memories recounted by nursing faculty were collected to enhance information provided in the two-volume chronicle written by Sister Patrice Slattery in 1995 entitled, “Promises to Keep” and the last history of the school, “The Story of One School of Nursing” written by Sister Charles Marie Frank in 1976.

Music Therapy For Treatment Of Bpsd, Heather Cunningham

MSN Capstone Projects

Alzheimer's disease can cause a decline in cognitive and physical abilities, however, behavioral and psychological issues can occur as well. With the many ways to alleviate behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD), music therapy shows to be an effective, low-cost, feasible, and safe option for patients. Music therapy can reduce BPSD and equips caregivers with a non-pharmalogical way to provide their loved ones with comfort.

Exploring The Impact Of Care Delivery On Families Of Children With Medical Complexity, Shelby Pawlowski

DNP Projects

Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) are considered most medically fragile and require the most health care needs. Medical care for CMC is described as fragmented, uncoordinated, and crisis-driven with a tendency to over-medicalize the child and under-support the family. The intimate link between caregiver and child health supports further exploration of factors that may influence family health-related quality of life (FHRQOL) in families of CMC. Purpose: The purpose was description of the population of CMC receiving rehabilitation services in the community setting and exploration of the impact of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF) on FHRQOL. Review of Evidence: …

Compliance In Fall Prevention In Dementia Vs Non-Dementia Nursing Home Units, Garima Shrestha

Merge

The student nurse researcher performed a research study to determine if there was a difference in the compliance of fall prevention interventions between dementia and non-dementia nursing home units. The student nurse researcher hypothesized the dementia nursing home units would be more compliant with fall prevention interventions than the non-dementia nursing home units. In contrast, the null hypothesis stated there would be no statistically significant difference in the compliance of fall prevention interventions between the dementia and the non-dementia nursing home units. The Fall Prevention Intervention Checklist was used to assess environmental fall hazards in occupied resident rooms. Of the …

Talking To Your Patients About Antibiotics: What Nurse Practitioners Need To Know, Danae M. Titensor, Katreena Collette-Merrill

Student Works

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to our current ways of treating infections. The overuse of antibiotics is a major contributor to this threat, especially with the prevalence of unnecessary prescriptions written for upper respiratory infections (URIs). Better education tools are needed for providers and patients regarding antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this project was to use evidence-based practice to produce an educational video about antibiotic resistance. Following a review of the literature, a 6-minute video was made using Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning. A convenience sample of 15 family nurse practitioner (FNP) students, from one master’s program, participated …

Depresioni Tek Të Rriturit, Shkaqet Dhe Roli I Infermieres, Evlijana Alidema

Theses and Dissertations

Hyrja: Depresioni përkufizohet si gjendje e shëndetit mendor që karakterizohet nga katër ose më shumë simptome, si ndryshimet në disponim, oreks, gjumë, anhedoni, letargji, ndjenja e fajit dhe vetëbesimit të ulët, vështirësi në përqëndrim, agjitacion dhe ide për vetëvrasje. Në mesin e çrregullimeve psikiatrike depresioni është një sëmundje me një frekuencë të lartë në mbarë botën dhe paramendohet të jetë shkaku i dytë i sëmundshmërisë në dekadat e ardhshme.

Qëllimi i punimit: Qëllimi i punimit ishte identifikimi i shkaktarëve të depresionit tek të moshuarit dhe roli i infermierëve gjatë punës me personat me depresion.

Materiali dhe metodologjia: Metodologjia e këtij …

Vetë – Kujdesi I Pacientëve Me Sëmundje Kronike Të Dështimit Të Zemrës Në Komunën E Prizrenit, Zani Arapi

Theses and Dissertations

Kujdesi për veten; janë aktivitete të cilat i realizon individi me qëllim të përmirësimit të jetës, shëndetit dhe mirëqenies së tij. Kujdesi për veten; përfshin mirëmbajtjen e kujdesit për veten dhe menaxhimin e vetë-kujdesit. Kujdesi për veten; zhvillohet me kalimin e kohës përmes komunikimit, kulturës dhe ndërveprimit. Ndërsa vetë fuqia e mirëmbajtjes; është aftësia e një individi për t`i kryer aktivitetet e përcaktuara. Tek pacientët me dështim të zemrës kujdesi për veten do të thotë kufizimin ose lënien e pirjes së duhanit, alkoolit, kufizim të marrjes së lëngjeve, pajtueshmëri me ilaçet, dietë, ushqim i përgaditur me pak kripë, vazhdimit ushtrime …

Life Satisfaction: Aging Female Informal Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia, Deborah Ann Monson

Dissertations

Purpose/Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between aging female informal caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) and care recipients’ PWD demographic factors, aging female informal caregivers of PWD social support factors, positive and negative feelings, a sense of flourishing, stress, and life satisfaction.

Background/Rationale

Older adults with dementia are living longer and the majority are receiving care by aging female informal caregivers. Dementia incrementally worsens over time impacting informal caregiver life satisfaction. Most studies have focused on negative aspects of informal caregiving. Therefore, this study investigated both positive and negative aspects of caregiving.

Conceptual Basis …

Examining Social Factors In Self-Management For Older Adults Living Alone, Margaret Salinas

Dissertations (1934 -)

Older adults living alone are a rapidly growing and often vulnerable segment of the population. Patient activation is an established predictor of self-management engagement, ability, and behaviors, and may be impacted by many factors, including social factors such as loneliness, social isolation, and neighborhood conditions. However, relationships among these social factors and environmental factors and patient activation are unclear. Using the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the factor structure and bivariate correlations of loneliness, social isolation, neighborhood conditions and to test the effect of these factors on patient activation using self-efficacy …

Changes In Exercise And Musculoskeletal Symptoms Of Novice Nurses: A One-Year Follow-Up Study, Judith Dianne Pugh, Lucy Gelder, Kylie Cormack, Anne M. Williams, Diane E. Twigg, Margaret Giles, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Nursing is a high-risk occupation for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and many nursing students have a history of musculoskeletal symptoms.

Aims

To quantify (1) changes in exercise and musculoskeletal symptoms from pre-registration to 12-month registered nurses, and (2) the best predictor of severity of musculoskeletal symptoms from measures of the five physical fitness components and exercise participation.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, August 2013 to April 2015, 62 (55.9%) of 111 nursing students fitness tested completed questionnaires measuring nursing work history, exercise, and musculoskeletal symptoms at baseline and 12 months post-registration.

Findings

Nurses’ exercise participation declined post-registration and 38.0% were …

Pursuing The Need For Physical Activity In Recurrent Cva Patients During Hospitalization: A Case Report, Stepanus Maman Hermawan, Hany Wihardja

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a neurological deficit condition caused by an acute focal injury of the central nervous system by cerebral infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage. CVA patients who do not reduce risk factors after the first attack have an 8.7 times higher risk of CVA recurrence. The effect of a recurrent CVA is six times greater than the risk of a first CVA in the general population of the same age and sex, and nearly half of them remain alive but are physically disabled. This case report illustrates the process of recurrent CVA and disability experienced by a 69-year-old Malay …

Improving Caregivers’ Perceived Involvement In Care Through Facilitating Communication With Hospital Providers, Heather Manolas

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Involvement of family in care-planning for prevention of delirium in acute care settings is crucial, yet remains underutilized in those who are cognitively impaired. Despite the incidence of delirium in acute care worsening during COVID-19, many factors have led to it being placed on the back burner.

PICOT: In caregivers of cognitively impaired individuals, can implementation of an evidence-based, best practice tool that advocates for evidence-based delirium prevention strategies tailored to their loved-one and facilitates family involvement in care planning for these strategies during a healthcare experience as compared to no other intervention improve confidence in, and …

Understanding The Meaning Of Well-Being In Older Adults: A Mini-Phenomenology, Francesca Ezeokonkwo, Rick Zoucha, Kathleen Sekula

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Title: Understanding the Meaning of Well-being in Older Adults: A Mini-phenomenology

Background and Objective: Loneliness is a major concern in older adults, the fastest-growing segment of society, due to age-related losses. As the aging population continues to rise, so will their vulnerability to loneliness. Previous studies suggest that promoting well-being is a potential strategy to prevent or reduce loneliness. The aim of this mini-study was to explore the meaning of well-being in older adults.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive mini-phenomenological research design was utilized for this study. Four older adults ages 72 to 78 (mean age of 74.3) participated in the …

The Relationship Between New Graduate Registered Nurse Knowledge, Experiences, Attitudes, And Age Bias Toward The Older Adult, Michelle Fox

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There had been a lack of research on the relationship between a new graduate Registered Nurses’ knowledge, experiences, attitudes, and age bias toward older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was a relationship between new graduate Registered Nurses’ knowledge, experiences, attitudes, and age bias toward older adults.

The researcher used correlational, non-experimental, quantitative design for this study. The instruments used in this study were the Facts on Aging Quiz, the Kogan Attitude Toward Old People scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographic data and correlation coefficients were used to …

Exploring The Phenomenological Experience Of Precepting, Erica Fowler

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Nurse practitioners and physicians are increasingly sought to volunteer as preceptors for nurse practitioner students. Preceptors serve a crucial role in student education in providing mentorship, instruction, and supervision in the clinical setting. However, preceptors are often difficult to come by, leaving a shortage of available clinicians willing to participate in preceptorships. There is a paucity of information related to exploring the experiences of precepting among clinicians who have served as preceptors. Insight into these experiences are imperative in identifying the impetuses that drive or dissuade clinicians to commit to the preceptor role. This DNP project implemented a survey designed …

Addressing Psychosocial Outcomes Of Social Isolation In Older Adults, Megan Friesen, Madeline M. Christensen

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale

The aim of the evidence-based practice (EBP) project is to improve psychological outcomes for socially isolated older adults enrolled in a Homebound Program (HP) through the implementation of an EBP intervention. Social isolation has a multitude of negative consequences, including impacting the psychological health (e.g. depression, loneliness, anxiety) of the older adult population.

Synthesis of Evidence

Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials addressing the clinical problem of social isolation were identified. Through critical appraisal of the evidence, physical activity, psychotherapy, and socialization interventions have shown to decrease depression and loneliness in older adults. There were mixed …

School Of Nursing News, Georgia Southern University

Nursing: News & Publications (2013-2023)

• Faculty Publish Work

Use Of Ecomaps In Qualitative Health Research, Veena Manja, Ananya Nrusimha, Harriet Macmillan, Lisa Schwartz Dr, Susan Jack

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative health research plays a central role in exploring individuals’ experiences and perceptions of wellness, illness, and healthcare services. Visual tools are increasingly used for data elicitation. An ecomap is a visual tool that applies ecosystems theory to human communities and relationships to provide an illustration of the quality of relationships. We describe the use of ecomaps in qualitative health research. Searches across eight databases identified 407 citations. We screened them in duplicate to identify 129 publications that underwent full text review and included 73 in the final synthesis. We classified and summarized data based on iterative comparisons across sources. …

Virtual Home Assistant Use And Perceptions Of Usefulness By Older Adults And Support Person Dyads, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Elizabeth M. Combs, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Otis L. Owens, Isabel Stringfellow, Thien Nguyen, Catherine R. Van Son

Publications

Aim: Describe virtual home assistant use and usefulness from the perspective of older adults and their support persons. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with older adults and their support persons (n = 10 dyads). Virtual home assistant (VHA) equipment was installed in participants’ homes, and its use was documented for 60 days. Participants received protocol-guided telephone calls to address their VHA questions or problems. The type and frequency of VHA use were summarized with descriptive statistics. End-of-study interviews about VHA use were conducted with dyad participants. Qualitative content analyses were used to describe the interview findings about the dyad’s …

Are Nurses Joining The Ride? Equine-Assisted Activities And Therapies Review, Khalid Bandar Almasloukh, Pamela Stewart Fahs

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) is a rapidly growing practice that is described as therapeutic and entertaining. Complementary therapies such as EAAT are gaining acceptance as the health care needs of the population are changing.

Method: This systematic review draws from four databases. The final review included 52 articles.

Purpose: To explain what is known about EAAT and identify literature gaps. Nursing and rural perspectives are included in the analysis and recommendations.

Findings: There are more than eight types of EAAT and different organizations around the world are providing certification for EAAT. Rural communities and organizations may benefit from …

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using The Self Care Deficit Theory, Katherine Decillis Taylor

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project aims to reduce inpatient hospital readmission occurrences within 30 days of an initial inpatient hospitalization. Patients at high risk for readmission may have deficits in their ability to meet self-care needs after discharge. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory provided the theoretical framework for the project. The education provided by this project can teach nurses to identify patients who may be at high risk for readmission. Once identified, nurses can advocate for the patient’s needs.

Advancing Disease Knowledge And Health Beliefs On Dyslipidemia By Implementing Patient Education, Edwin S. Ramos

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Dyslipidemia represents a chronic health condition with adverse effects on the individual’s health and wellbeing that go beyond the factual elevation in the levels of total cholesterol in the blood or the increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The association of dyslipidemia and adverse health events, including cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, are evident in clinical practice. Vulnerable populations, such as the adult and elderly Hispanic individuals in a primary care setting, can greatly benefit from increasing their knowledge and health beliefs related to dyslipidemia. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) educational …

Case Management Of Primary Care Patients, Bernadette Webster

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Case management (CM) offered in primary care is a collaboration, guided by the registered nurse, working to coordinate all aspects of care for the patient and the family. The purpose of this quality improvement/assurance project was to provide nurses in primary care with the education and methods of CM to assist in more effectively managing care for a patient after testing positive for COVID-19. An intervention was delivered to registered nurses (RN) in the primary care setting designed to improve knowledge and skill with case management for patients with high care needs or recently diagnosed with COVID-19. A templated note …

2021-2022 Nursing Graduate Msn-Fnp Handbook, Morehead State University. Nursing Department.

Nursing Department Publications Archive

2021-2022 Graduate Student Handbook for the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University.

Motivational Interviewing: A Strategy To Improve Health Professional's Communication, Lanita James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Miscommunication between patients and healthcare professionals is common in U.S. hospitals and is considered one of the chief factors in reduced patient satisfaction with care. Collaboration with the nurse researcher who reviewed the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS) data for a local hospital noted that negative ratings were directly related to the miscommunication between the patient and care providers. Further identified that the nursing staff was not knowledgeable about evidenced-based strategies needed to communicate effectively with the patients. The purpose of this DNP project was to develop an education program to increase nurses' knowledge about …

Home Healthcare Embodied Agents: Priorities And Opportunities, Faith Sauber

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Prevention is a central tenet of modern healthcare. New ways of informing, educating, and allowing patients to keep track of their health are continually developing. Integrating technology that bridges the gap between healthcare providers and their patients is essential in today's digital age. One emerging idea is the use of home healthcare embodied agents. Embodied agents are conservational interfaces that can interact and look like human beings. They can exhibit both verbal and non-verbal language cues and be capable of having a natural conversation. This kind of technology could help both patients and healthcare providers by giving patients a helpful …