Digital Commons Network^™

Do You Use Your Professional Code Of Ethics?, Kathryn Schroeter

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Birthing Positions: Is There A Connection Between Acutal Nursing Experience And Evidence-Based Research?, Leah M. Latham

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there was an association between clinical nursing knowledge of four birthing positions and current evidence-based research of those same positions and also to identify possible areas where nursing knowledge of those birthing positions was inadequate. This pilot study used convenience sampling to survey registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on labor and delivery units. The survey was distributed to three hospitals in the southeastern United States, and twenty-four RNs and LPNs participated. Participants’ knowledge did not reflect current clinical evidence in two key areas, (1) the best position to …

The Prevalence Of Smoking In Nursing Students, Jennifer Trotter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tobacco use is one of the most preventable sources of death and disease, and yet remains a worldwide problem. With the rising costs of healthcare, the focus of efforts to control them has honed in on lifestyle behaviors that contribute to the escalating costs. Within the scope of this scrutiny, the prevention or cessation of smoking and tobacco usage has become a global priority and a major focal point of worldwide anti-tobacco initiatives. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified cessation interventions by health care professionals as a crucial factor in successful patient smoking cessation, and studies have shown that …

High-Dose Interleukin-2 Administration In The Oncology Medical-Surgical Setting – An Innovation To Impact Cost Efficiencies, Clinical Outcomes And The Ideal Patient Experience, Deidre L. Kutzler Rn, Megan L. Derr Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Don't Ask Alice -- Medication Reconciliation: A New Role To Decrease Discrepancies, Tracie Heckman Msn, Rn, Cmsrn, Angela Agee Adn, Rn, Cmsrn, Tracie Heckman Msn,Rn,Cmsrn, Leroy Kromis Bs,Pharmd,Bcps

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Is Their Foundation Solid Enough To Build On: An Investigation Into The Information-Seeking Skills And Self-Efficacy Levels Of New Nursing Students, Kimberly J. Whalen, Patricia J. Mileham

Library Faculty Presentations

Researchers at a mid-sized, Midwest, faith-based university used a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pretest posttest design to gather data from newly enrolled nursing students in a baccalaureate, masters and doctorate in nursing practice program. Literature regarding confidence levels, self-efficacy and information literacy skills was reviewed. Specific tools to assess confidence and self-efficacy of information literacy skills were explored. The 28-item Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale (ILSES) developed in 2006 by Serap Kurbanoglu was used in fall 2012, spring 2013 and fall 2013 to gather data from over 200 newly enrolled nursing students. Analysis of self-reported information literacy skills and self-efficacy levels …

Awareness, Education, And Prevention Of Chronic Kidney Disease In The Older Adult, Torrel R. Bridges

Honors Theses

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major issue in our nation. Many of our neighbors, family, and friends have concerns and a call for our attention is necessary. CKD does not have a specific target, but individuals with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are all at increased risk. Adults older than 65 years of age are especially at increased risk for developing CKD due to decrease in kidney function and other physiologic changes. In light of this, awareness, education, and prevention of CKD in the older adult population is important.

The number of older individuals …

Does Knowledge Make A Difference? Assessing Nursing Students’ Knowledge Of Proper Hand Hygiene Techniques In Correlation With Their Progression Through Nursing School, Charika R. Carradine

Honors Theses

Proper hand hygiene techniques have been widely accepted as the most effective way for health care workers to prevent the spread of diseases. The main focus of this research was to determine differences between nursing students’ semester level and their knowledge of proper hand hygiene techniques. A convenience sample was obtained from the nursing student population. The sample population included nursing students enrolled in the second, third, and fourth semester in nursing school. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version Twenty. A Parametric and descriptive statistics were used to measure the magnitude of relationships between variables, and describe students’ knowledge …

Solving The Obesity Problem One Bite At A Time: A Review Of Interventions, Sally Catherine Davis

Honors Theses

Resource limitations contribute to obesity in southern rural populations. An examination of published research provides evidence related to factors that lead to obesity and to related health consequences. Resource limitations in southern rural areas include a lack of access to healthy foods, a lack of safe areas to exercise or fitness equipment, and a lack of funding to promote the hiring of adequate numbers of healthcare workers to implement prevention programs and treat obesity related diseases. An investigation of obesity rates in Mississippi and Louisiana demonstrate that high rates of obesity exist. Through an exploration of published interventions in both …

Use Of Ovulation Predictor Kits As Adjuncts When Using Fertility Awareness Methods (Fams): A Pilot Study, Rene Letva, Ula Burban, Edmond Kyrillos, Richard J. Fehring, Robin Mclaren, Catherine Dalzell, Elizabeth Tanguay

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: Difficult clinical signs such as confusing cervical mucus or erratic basal body temperature can make the use of fertility awareness methods (FAMs) difficult in some cases. The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a cheap urinary luteinizing hormone (LH)–surge identification kit as an adjunct to identify the infertile phase after ovulation when facing these scenarios.

Methods: The study used a block-allocation, crossover, 2-arm methodology (LH kit/FAM vs FAM only). Comparison of the 2 arms was done with regard to the accuracy of identification (yes/no) of the luteal phase in each cycle as confirmed by …

Palliative And End-Of-Life Care: Precepts And Ethics For The Orthopaedic Population, Cheryl L. Petersen, Susan Breakwell, Margaret Callahan

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Since the emergence of reports such as the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care (2013) and the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Palliative Care Consensus Document (2005), there continues to be a growing recognition of the multiple adverse effects of serious illness and chronic conditions, as well as the potential benefits of receiving palliative or end-of-life care. As modern technology expands its ability to support life, ethical dilemmas may be encountered in the provision of palliative or end-of-life care. Through integration of the precepts of palliative care and consideration of the relevant ethical principles, orthopaedic nurses may best meet …

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Calcium, And Calcium-Regulating Hormones In Preeclamptics And Controls During First Day Postpartum, Ahmed Dalmar, Hershel Raff, Suneet P. Chauhan, Maharaj Singh, Danish S. Siddiqui

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The evidence for a link between vitamin D and preeclampsia is conflicting. There is a paucity of studies reporting simultaneous 25-hydroxyvitamin D (inactive form) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (biologically active form). We investigated if levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium-regulating hormones (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone), and calcium differ significantly between preeclamptics and controls. On postpartum day one, 98 subjects (44 with preeclampsia, 54 controls) were recruited among women admitted to the postdelivery unit, and their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, and serum albumin levels were prospectively measured. The majority of participants (70 %) had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D …

Cultural Competency In The Medical Workplace: A Look At Outpatient Clinic Nurses At A Children's Hospital In New England, Evelyn S. Callahan

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper analyzes the current state of progress toward cultural competency in the medical workplace, specifically in the hospital setting. It compares the current writing on the topic to research done at a large New England children’s hospital. The nurses are all individuals who work in an out patient setting so they often see the same patients regularly for longer periods of time. This differs from the in-patient or floor nurses who only spend limited time with a constantly changing population of patients. The research involved one-on-one interviews and a focus group with nurses at the hospital. The focus group …

A Sleep Apnea Program For Commercial Drivers, Gayla Ann Dace

Dissertations

Sleepy driving is a major contributing factor to the motor vehicle crash risk associated with commercial drivers (Pack et al., 2006). In commercial vehicles, approximately 31% to 41% of major crashes can be linked to sleepy driving (Gurubhagavatula et al., 2004). An average non-fatality crash involving a commercial motor vehicle costs about $75,637 while a fatality crash averages about $3.54 million (Gurubhagavatula et al., 2004). A contributing factor to sleepy driving is obstructive sleep apnea (Pack et al., 2006). The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine how many commercial motor vehicle drivers referred to a sleep center as …

Medication Adherence And Intervention To Create Success In Hypertensive African Americans In A Rural Setting, Laneita Davis

DNP Projects

Hypertension is a chronic disease that has been a major problem in the African American community for decades. Although numerous research studies have examined interventions to combat this disease, there has been very little research published that focused on African Americans with hypertension in a rural setting. Rural residents experience many difficulties in accessing healthcare services. This difficult access is a disadvantage that results in higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to those of their urban counterparts. Being from a small town in Mississippi, I have witnessed first hand the many barriers that are encountered. Individuals who live in a …

An Examination Of Correctional Nursing Competencies For Improved Patient Care, Bing Zheng

Honors Scholar Theses

The concept of this honors project was to explore correctional nursing competency, working closely with my advisor and the research team. Key findings from the initial competency assessment evaluation phase were compiled, organized, and analyzed. A podium presentation “Advancing Correctional Nurse Competencies for Quality Care: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction” was given at the 2013 American Correctional Health Services Association (ACHSA) Multidisciplinary Educational Conference on Correctional Healthcare: Ring a Bell. Additionally, a poster presentation, “Correctional Nurse Competencies: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction,” was given at the 2013 Frontiers conference. A poster presentation was given at the University of …

Engaging Staff To Change A Culture, Mary Kunkel, Erin Joyce Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Environmental Cleaning In The Emergency Department, Jenny Vang

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Emergency Departments (ED) have protocols in place for cleaning rooms vacated by patients in order to reduce the spread of infection. What is the health care staff’s responsibility to ensure these protocols are being updated and implemented as part of infection control? The principle objective of this project is to re-educate healthcare staff on the importance of the environmental cleaning policy in the ED to decrease transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO). Secondary objectives include a review of the literature to provide evidence on the most effective disinfectant wipe to reduce MDROs, and best methods for evaluating cleanliness. Data will …

The Use Of Original Song-Writing To Help Families Cope With Hospice Care, Kelsey Mcquillan

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

No abstract provided.

Coming Home: The Use Of Skilled Nursing Visits On Recently Discharged Nicu Patients, Brittany Mattson

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

This research analyzes the facility’s use of skilled nursing visits of premature infants and recommends the best practice to support positive patient outcomes.

Evaluation Of A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Sane) Program On Sexual Assault Criminal Case Outcomes, Julie Valentine, Alyssa Lark, Michael Worthington

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a community-based sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program on sexual assault criminal case outcomes in Salt Lake County, Utah.

Exploring The Influence Of Charge Nurses On Patient Safety, Charity Rowley, Dr. Katreena Merrill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2010, The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that adverse events during hospitalization contribute to the deaths of 180,000 patients each year! The study at hand was based on these findings and aims to improve the safety in the hospital environment.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Kathryn E. Brackett

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a worldwide movement started by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that is aimed at providing hospitals with a certification that guarantees the best possible patient-centered care for mothers and infants. It focuses on breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition, and implements strategies to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months after birth. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are a set of 10 simple, easy to understand guidelines developed by WHO and UNICEF for implementing this initiative in the hospital setting and …

Home Care Role In Reducing Re-Hospitalization For Patients With Chf And Pneumonia Within 30 Days Of Discharge, Janelle (Nelli) Hodorff

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

No abstract provided.

Adults With Type I Diabetes: Lifetime Support And Management, Jordan Lynne Prescott, Dr. Donna Freeborn

Journal of Undergraduate Research

To explore the effects of family support and how that relates to personal management of people diagnosed with Type I DM.

Vaccination Perceptions Of School Employees In A Rural School District, Jennifer Orton, Dr. Beth Luthy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Comparing the pre-vaccine rates to the 2010 rates, vaccine preventable diseases have decreased by 98% or greater for diseases such as smallpox, diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella (American Academy of Microbiology [AAM], 2010). High vaccination rates are required to maintain low disease prevalence, and all 50 states have legislated mandates with childhood vaccination requirements before enrolling in public schools in an effort to maintain high vaccination rates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Conversely, adult vaccination rates are low and many adults are unsure of their vaccination status (Johnson, Nichol, & Lipczynski, 2008) or are not completely vaccinated …

Nursing Home Staff Perceptions Of Older Adults With End-Stage Dementia, Camille Tranter, Dr. Barbara Heise Phd, Aprn, Bc, Cne

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2012), one in eight older adults has Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and by 2050, someone will develop AD every 33 seconds doubling the current number of people suffering from AD. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the impact of an end-of-life educational module on nursing home staff perceptions of end-stage dementia care. End-of-life education may improve the quality of care for nursing home residents with advanced dementia.

What Do Nursing Students Know About Quality And Safety? A Pilot Study, Arlene S. N. Johnston, Dr. Katreena Collette Merrill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Quality and patient safety has become a strong focus in the hospitals. However, academic institutions vary in their approach to preparing student nurses in the areas of quality and patient safety. Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) was initiated in 2007 with the charge to prepare student nurses with the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. Six QSEN competencies were developed. These QSEN competencies are patient centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, and safety. These QSEN competencies are beginning to be implemented across nursing curriculums. Emphasis has been …

Accuracy Of Blood And Fluid Loss Estimation In The Adult Patient: A Comparison Among Healthcare Team Members, Diana Carter, James E. Kohl

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The ability of registered nurses and healthcare providers to correctly quantify blood and fluid loss is an important factor in providing quality care as it often directs healthcare interventions. Underestimation of blood and fluid loss can lead to delays in treatment and can be detrimental to the patient. Overestimation can lead to needless, wasteful, costly and often times dangerous treatments placing the patient at risk for harm and additional comorbidities. Multiple studies have shown that blood loss is overestimated in small amounts, and underestimated in large amounts. As blood and fluids are lost, the mean arterial pressure may decrease to …

Religiosity, Spirituality, And Family Hardiness In Parents: Raising A Child With A Disability, Brittni Carr, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to Cohn, the number of children in the United States with a disability has increased to 5.2 million, making 1 in every 12 children disabled (2002). This number continues to rise with every passing decade, so more research is being done concerning the parenting of these children. While some studies have been done relating to religiosity and coping, there is a falling out in the literature on religiosity’s correlation to family hardiness. These two variables greatly influence the upbringing and development of CWD. Some researchers have assessed that a parent’s faith helps him or her through stressful situations (Dura-Vila, …