Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Remote Monitoring Compliance For Pediatric And Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (Cieds), Christine Meliones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Improving Remote Monitoring Compliance for Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs)

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarly project was to implement a quality improvement (QI) project to improve patient safety by improving cardiac implantable electronic device remote monitoring (RM) which has traditionally failed to achieve published benchmarks.

Background

The project was implemented at a healthcare institution in Houston, Texas. The practice area includes pediatric and adult patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in an outpatient setting. Current compliance with 14-day post-implementation enrollment (44%) and ongoing compliance (60%) did not meet published benchmarks.

Methodology …

Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes (T2dm) In A Rural County In Texas: A Diabetes Intervention Bundle, Roxanne Morales

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in rural and underserved communities where patients often face barriers to effective self-management. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the impact of a diabetes intervention bundle consisting of individualized diabetes education, biweekly support phone calls, and digital self-monitoring tools on glycemic control, body weight, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, diet compliance, and physical activity. The project was implemented over an eight-week period in a rural family medicine clinic and included 18 adults with uncontrolled T2DM (HgbA1c >7%). Participant outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-intervention clinical measures, the Diabetes …

Intra-Amniotic Infection (Iai) Prevention, Shelbie Clement, Deanna Conley

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Improving Compliance Via Barcode Scanning With Rover App, Jeni Varghese, Lilia Preston

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Purpose: The purpose of the project was to increase compliance with interoperability workflows through implementation of barcode scanning using the Rover app. The goal was to streamline electronic medical record (EMR) programming and overcome workflow challenges.

Background: Infusion interoperability links EMR systems with smart infusion pumps to streamline programming and monitoring. Orders are sent directly from the EMR to the pump, nurses verify settings, and infusion data is relayed back for documentation, reducing manual input and enhancing patient safety by minimizing errors. Current interoperability workflow includes the use of handheld scanners located on computers.

Hospital benchmark for interoperability …

Effectiveness Of Aromatherapy And Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Madison Irfan North

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Lifestyle And Medication Adherence On Type 2 Diabetes Management In Hospital Patients, Mohammed Irfan Lari

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

Teamwork Enhanced With Digital Technology To Augment Bedside Shift Report: An Integrative Research Review (Irr), Daniel Everard Hronek

Covenant Nurses Week 2026

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Strong Parental Support And Societal Support Compared To Low Or Absent Support In Lgbtqia+ Youth, Kassandra Bautista

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: LGBTQIA+ youth with unsupportive backgrounds face negative outcomes in their mental health. Past studies share that LGBTQIA+ youth have increased symptoms of mental illness including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors related to unsupportive environments among parents, peers, and society. Objective: By advocating for this minority group through education and culturally competent care, healthcare providers can reduce negative outcomes in the mental and physical well-being of the youth. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the impact of parental and societal support in LGBTQIA+ mental health, and to implement interventions and increase awareness of this issue. …

Comparing Nurse-Led Holistic Pain Relief Strategies And Sole Pharmacological Use In Enhancing Maternal Satisfaction, Reducing Pain, And Lowering Obstetric Interventions During Childbirth, Jessica C. Moore

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Childbirth has become heavily reliant on pharmacological management and obstetric interventions such as epidural use, labor induction, and cesarean deliveries (C-sections) even among low-risk pregnancies. While necessary in some cases, excessive reliance on pharmacological interventions can negatively impact the experience of birthing as a whole. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) such as breathing techniques, positioning, hydrotherapy, massage, aromatherapy and continuous support have shown to be effective in reducing pain and supporting physiologic labor. The gaps in education and lack of standard implementation result in inconsistent application in practice. Purpose: This research proposal aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led NPIs compared …

How Social Media And Cyberbullying Correlate To Eating Disorders In Adolescents, Nicoli A. Panelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Social media is very prevalent in today’s society, particularly in adolescents. This time period is crucial for this age group in terms of developing a sense of purpose and identity. Although social media may keep many of our children entertained, they also can create negative impacts on them and ultimately hinder their overall development both mentally and physically through negative body image and unrealistic self-expectations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the correlation between social media use and the rise of eating disorders in adolescents. Doing so would allow us to find ways to lower the …

Supporting New Graduate Nurses: Residency, Mindfulness, And Simulation, Shaianne Kaye S. Intal

Nursing | Senior Theses

The purpose of this research proposal is to examine the effectiveness of support systems in helping new graduate nurses bridge the potential gap between nursing education and clinical practice. It aims to address the inconsistencies in nursing education and clinical practice, and how these strategies can better support new graduate nurses. This study will focus on new graduate nurses within their first 2 years of practice in an inpatient setting. A mixed-methods convergent parallel design approach will be used by combining quantitative questionnaires with qualitative interviews at the same time. This will evaluate the effectiveness of nurse residency programs, mindfulness-based …

Bridging The Language Gap: The Impact Of In-Person Versus Remote Interpreter Services On Medication Adherence And Patient Safety In Adult Spanish-Speaking Patients, Ashley E. Alarcon Martinez, Jocelyn N. Lopez Maradiaga

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Significant health inequities are caused by language barriers between patients and health care staff, resulting in miscommunication among adult Hispanic patients with low English proficiency, reducing medication adherence, impairing patient safety, and raising the possibility of medical errors. To address this issue, interpreter services, both in-person and remote translation, have been introduced in healthcare settings to enhance communication. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in patient safety and medication adherence between in-person and remote translation services for adult Hispanic individuals with limited English proficiency in healthcare settings. Methods: The proposed research involves five local …

The Impact Of Parental Mental Health On Infant Outcomes In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Length Of Stay, Feeding, Bonding, And Developmental Progress, Andee L. Plaskett

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a highly stressful environment for both infants and their parents. Poorer infant outcomes, including longer hospital stays, feeding difficulties, and delayed developmental progress can all be a reflection and outcome of elevated parental distress. Currently, mental health distress and infant screening tools are used in most NICUs but are not seen in all practices, it is also important to provide interventions based on the screening results. Screening tools are used to identify a problem but interventions should be implemented to try to alleviate the problem. Objective: By implementing a standardized screening …

Health Disparities In Cardiovascular Care: The Impact Of Diabetes Education And Post-Discharge Interventions For African American Adults At Risk For And After Myocardial Infarction, Trinity L. Billingsley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting African American adults at higher rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction, remaining one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of structured diabetes education tailored to African American adults who are at risk for and after a myocardial infarction. Additionally assessing the complications of a myocardial infarction, the outcomes associated with structured education will be compared to the outcomes of …

Human Milk Feeding And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Maya C. Kern

Nursing | Senior Theses

One of the leading causes of morbidity and death for preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns is still necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Existing literature consistently shows that the bioactive, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome-supporting components of human breast milk, including donor human milk, significantly lower the incidence of NEC. However, a lot of infants are forced to rely on formula and nutrient fortifiers because they cannot obtain maternal or donor milk. A critical gap persists regarding whether human milk derived fortifiers offer greater NEC protection than bovine derived fortifiers in infants who must receive formula. This thesis examines three interconnected themes; …

Blister Packaging Versus Bottles: Caregiver Accuracy And Child Safety In Pediatric Medication Gummy Administration, Paolo Olimpiada

Nursing | Senior Theses

The safety of medication in pediatric settings has become an increasing concern as gummy-formulated medications have gained popularity in children’s care. Gummy-formulated medications have a close resemblance to candy, and this may mislead children to ingest additional doses or more than what was prescribed. Children also depend a lot on their caregivers for medications. Therefore, the design of packaging would be impactful in supporting medication dosing accuracy. And studies have evaluated safety features of packaging related to adherence, misuse, and unintended administration. However, limited studies have examined the influence of medication packaging on the dosing accuracy at the time of …

Comparing Us Medicare Coverage Options As A Contributing Mechanism To Sticking Or Switching To An Insurance Plan, Lisa M. Grabert, Brian J. Miller, Kathryn L. Wagner

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

In 2025, the US Medicare program is expected to spend over $1.1 trillion taxpayer dollars. A growing trend in the US Medicare program is more beneficiaries electing a private insurer, referred to as Medicare Advantage (MA), to manage their care. Since 2023, a slight majority of Medicare beneficiaries have elected to enroll in MA, yet little is understood about the mechanisms that drive beneficiaries toward their choices.

Methods

Our objective was to examine the association between comparing coverage options and ‘switching’ or ‘sticking’ with Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare or Medicare Advantage (MA). We conducted a panel study, using data from …

Professional Identity Development Among Nursing Students: The Impact Of Structured Reflective Practice, Abdelmonim El Fadely, Kamal Takhdat, Charaf-Eddine Ahraiba, Rahma Bouali, Sabah Selmaoui, Boujemaa Agorram

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured reflective practice intervention on the development of professional identity among nursing students. Method A mixed-methods design was adopted. The intervention, based on guided reflective practice, was implemented with a voluntary sample of 58 participants. The evaluation relied on a quasi-experimental quantitative approach using the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale, with a comparison group and both pre-test and post-test measurements. A qualitative component was also included to explore the dimensions of the studied concept in greater depth. Results Quantitative findings showed a statistically significant difference between the post-test means (p < 0.001), indicating that the reflective practice intervention had a positive effect on the experimental group compared to the control group. The qualitative results further illuminated students’ reflections, which were organized into ten themes corresponding to the study’s conceptual framework: professional knowledge and skills, values and ethics, the nursing role, leadership, professional self-image, social image of the profession, sense of belonging, identification with role models, theory–practice integration, and career choice. These dimensions provided a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of professional identity, capturing the complexity of the concept. Conclusion These results support the integration of reflective practice as a pedagogical approach to fostering the construction and development of a positive professional identity. Professional identity, as a rich and multidimensional concept, goes beyond the process of professionalization—it represents its ultimate achievement.

Enhancing Nursing Education To Improve Care For Women Experiencing A Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy, Sadie Caddell

Honors Theses and Capstones

Introduction: Nursing education prepares students to care for patient populations by enhancing knowledge of clinical pathophysiology and applying foundational nursing skills to tailor to the unique care requirements of each patient. When analyzing the nursing course curriculums as guides for what is included in nursing education, it is essential to consider relevant patient populations to ensure adequate representation in lectures. Inclusivity of relevant patient populations within curriculums equips students to encounter a variety of patients in a clinical setting. Perinatal substance use has prevalence in the local community of this university, with 6% of all births in New Hampshire in …

Ethical Considerations For Hospice Patients In Inpatient Settings: A Systematic Review And Thematic Analysis, Matthew D. Harry

Honors Theses and Capstones

Hospice care is intended to prioritize comfort, dignity, symptom management, and quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illness. However, when hospice-eligible patients are managed within inpatient hospital settings, significant ethical challenges frequently emerge due to the tension between comfort-focused care and the curative, intervention-driven structure of acute care medicine. This paper presents a systematic literature review and thematic analysis examining the ethical considerations surrounding hospice patients in inpatient settings, with particular attention to clinical decision-making, communication, prognostic uncertainty, moral distress among nurses, and conflicts involving patient autonomy and family wishes. A structured review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using …

Feasibility Of A Clinical Supervision Training Program For Mental Health Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jennifer Hamilton, Lesley Barr, Marie Boulianne, Irene Ngune, Julie Sharrock, Debbie Massey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Clinical supervision is widely recognised as a valuable method of workplace support and professional development. Effective supervision requires clinical supervisors to be trained on theory and practice. Oftentimes, training is interdisciplinary and may not address discipline-specific needs. Aim: This study evaluated the implementation of a clinical supervision training program developed specifically for mental health nurses and informed by community and consumer involvement. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used. A purposeful sample of 18 mental health nurses who completed the training program participated. Data collection included the Acceptability, Feasibility, Appropriateness Scale and open-ended qualitative survey responses. Quantitative data …

Voice Your Choice, Sarah Olson, Mercy Bustamante-Vizarretea, Hannah Bauman, Sally Hall

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Our proposal seeks to develop and implement a standardized Charge Nurse Interest Survey which will create a structured process for identifying those most interested and best suited for the position of charge for all registered nurses on a local med-surg unit. Nurses on this unit are appointed and eligible to serve in the charge nurse role after six months of experience on the unit. Research shows that charge nurses who demonstrate emotional stability, composure under pressure, strong organizational skills, and proactive planning contribute to improved team functioning and decreased workplace strain (Gottlieb & Gøtzsche-Astrup, 2018).

To clarify the charge nurse …

Slow Your Pace; Do I-Trace!, Meghan Delaney, Mckenna Geary, Kacie Knary, Chloe Minnich

SPARK Symposium Presentations

SPARK Final Summary

Slow your pace; do I-TRACE! The purpose of this project is the addition of the I-TRACE method to strengthen the current strategies and practices with a long-term goal of reducing central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) events. CLABSI remains an ICU concern, with an estimated 15,000 cases annually in the U.S. (NHSN, 2026). In 2025, a local ICU reported seven CLABSI events, an unusually high number for one hospital (LeapFrog, 2016). To combat CLABSIs, we will implement the I-TRACE method during every hand-off. The oncoming nurse will assess all central lines and dressings, and both nurses will …

Don't Let Them Fall, Let Ai Call, Ella Mills, Sara Barker, Andreea Ifrim, Yvette Uwase

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This project proposes a nurse-led pilot of AI-supported predictive mobility monitoring on a cardiac medical-surgical unit, to improve early identification of high-risk mobility behaviors and enhance patient safety. Current fall-prevention strategies, such as bed alarms and virtual sitters, often alert staff after unsafe movement has begun, creating a reactive cycle that contributes to alarm fatigue and delayed intervention (Abbe & O’Keeffe, 2020). This initiative uses monitors with contactless infrared sensors to identify movement before patients exit the bed, an alert system that goes straight to the nurse and PCT phones, and a central console for floor management and care coordination. …

The Role Of Mentorship In Reducing Burnout In New Nurses And Nursing Students, Omari Andry

Honors College Theses

Burnout among new nurses and nursing students is a consistent issue affecting the healthcare system by adding to early career turnover, emotional exhaustion, and decreased quality of patient care. Structured mentorship programs have emerged as a promising intervention to alleviate burnout by giving emotional support, professional development, and coping strategies. This proposal explores the role of mentorship in reducing burnout symptoms, improving job satisfaction, and promoting emotional resilience among new nurses and nursing students alike. Based on existing scholarly articles, the project will investigate how structured versus informal mentorship affects burnout rates, the qualities of effective mentors, and the outcomes …

Short Time, Lasting Impact: Teaching Pediatric End-Of-Life Care In One Day, Mckenzie Taliaferro

Honors College Theses

Background: Pediatric nurses working in specialties that experience terminal diagnoses, death, and post-mortem care, often feel unprepared for the emotional toll and lack adequate support systems (Camera et al., 2024). Nurses report feeling under prepared due to a lack of hands-on opportunities before graduation (Richoux, et al., 2022). Pediatric death is a traumatic experience for families and nurses. Previous studies have shown that hands-on education increases nurses' confidence in caring for patients at the end of their lives (Cole & Foito, 2019; Noyes et al., 2023). Method: A one-day, hands-on multidisciplinary workshop on pediatric end-of-life (EOL) was created and offered …

How Is The Use Of Ai Impacting Nursing Students Education?, Lorna H. Strain

Honors College Theses

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is rapidly increasing and reshaping how nursing students learn and engage with content. This thesis proposal looks at the impact of AI on the education of nursing students and explores students' perceptions of its use in their learning and education. As AI becomes more prevalent, many students are using it for study aids and content personalization, while schools are using it in simulations and textbook platforms. Many recognize its benefits, such as enhanced critical thinking, improved accessibility of materials, and more immersive learning. Concerns persist around ethical use, academic integrity, and the …

The Performance Of Machine Learning Algorithms In Predicting Under-Five Anaemia In Tanzania, Henry Ofori Duah, Derrick Nyantakyi Owusu, Godwin G. Duah, Paul Shidende

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim

Anaemia in children under five remains a major public health concern, contributing significantly to global child morbidity and mortality. With the rise of machine learning (ML), novel opportunities exist to model and predict anaemia more effectively. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of five ML algorithms in predicting anaemia among under-five children in Tanzania.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2017 Tanzania Malaria Indicator Survey (TMICS). The dataset (n = 5906) was randomly split into training (70%) and test (30%) sets. Five ML algorithms, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Logistic Regression, Random Forest (RF), …

Facilitators And Barriers To Teach And Assess Clinical Judgment In The Context Of Ngn And Interpreted Through The Nln Framework, Patricia L. Pence, Seon Yoon Chung, Lisa D. Broderson, Vicki Moran, Myoungjin Kim

Faculty Publications - Mennonite College of Nursing

Background

The shift to Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) requires that nurse educators (NEs) align strategies to teach and assess clinical judgment (CJ). However, gaps remain in NEs' formal preparation to effectively teach and assess CJ as they prepare graduates for success on the evolving licensure examination.

Purpose

This study identified facilitators and barriers to teaching and assessing CJ within the context of NGN.

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 143 NEs across the United States (September 2022–April 2023). Findings were interpreted through the National League for Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies and Scope of Practice framework rather than reported …

Bias In Nursing Students: How Student Exposure Impacts Patient Interactions, Claire Roy

Honors Theses and Capstones

Bias is a pervasive issue in healthcare. It affects all aspects of the healthcare system and affects patients primarily through their interactions with healthcare providers. This study aimed to identify if exposure to various patient populations reduced bias among participants and increased their understanding of the way bias impacts patients. Two participants were recruited from a baccalaureate nursing program course titled “Living with Mental Illness” to participate in a series of two-semi structured interviews to identify bias, perceptions of community-based care, and the growth from the beginning to the end of their clinical experiences. Results showed skill development, increased understanding …