Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of An Interprofessional Practice Model, Jessica K. Mcguire-Wasylowich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Improving Provider Awareness Of Digital Asthma Applications Through Staff Education, Sade Turner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Fall Prevention In A Medical Intermediate Care Unit (Mimu) Through Use Of A Collaborative Fall Bundle, Sara M. Jose

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This DNP project focused on reducing the fall rate in a medical intermediate care unit by half, from 1.81 falls per 1000 patient days to 0.91 falls per 1000 patient days.

BACKGROUND

The number of patient falls poses a significant concern in a medical intermediate care unit. The fall rate goal is zero.

METHODOLOGY

The Collaborative Fall Bundle includes implementing the Fall TIPS Toolkit, an 11 x 17 bedside poster informing patients and staff of their fall risk factors and interventions to counteract; an alarm buddy system pairing two nurses to answer each other's call lights and assist with …

Improving Psychopharmacologic Continuity Of Care In Home Health Psychiatric Patients Using The Ideal Protocol, Serah Angela Guilbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Veteran Mental Health Screening In Primary Care, Denise Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Getting To The Heart Of The Problem: Blood Pressure Management Through Medication Adherence, Mallory G. Livengood

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Clinical hypertension affects one in four adults globally, making it the most common chronic condition. Despite its widespread impact, hypertension can be prevented, as it represents the most modifiable risk factor in preventing cardiovascular disease. The primary purpose of this evidence-based project was to determine whether a one-month follow-up with a healthcare provider improved medication adherence through enhanced hypertension management. Twelve eligible participants were selected from a primary clinic located in Northwest Indiana, based on their newly initiated anti-hypertensive medications or who required a medication adjustment due to poor hypertension management. Each participant’s preferred method of communication was noted, and …

Breastfeeding Promotion For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Olivia Czerwonka

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is the exposure in utero to drugs with the incidence in the United States increasing from 4 to 6.3 per 1000 births (Wei et al., 2023). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a breastfeeding support intervention to increase breastfeeding frequency and reduce hospital length of stay of newborns with NAS. A tailored multicomponent guideline based upon the current Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as established by WHO and UNICEF (2017) was implemented. Mothers of infants diagnosed with NAS were recruited using convenience sampling from a Northwest Indiana Hospital. Key stakeholders within the …

Incorporating The Use Of Puppets And Puppetry-Based Approaches In Nutrition: A Scoping Review Of Interventions, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Nada Benajiba, Majd Jan, Sarah Ali Alasmari, Patricia J. Kelly, Stephen F. Gambescia, Elizabeth Dodge

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Puppetry-based activities could serve as a low cost and manageable intervention in improving health-related outcomes. This review aims to identify the research to date and gaps in practice of the role and application of puppetry interventions in nutrition education. A scoping review was conducted using the PICOS framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying studies across eight databases between January, 1980 and July, 2025.Twenty-five studies were identified, with the majority (n = 19) aimed at pre-school and school-aged children. Fifteen studies used quasi-experimental, pre-post designs. The use of hand and finger puppets was common, as well as videos and puppet theatre. …

Two-Year Retrospective Evaluation Of Frailty To Optimize Postoperative Spinal Fusion Outcomes In Adults Aged 65 And Older, Sheri Loo

Doctoral Projects

Many older adults over the age of 65 have both spinal stenosis requiring spinal fusion surgery and frailty. As life expectancy has increased, many older individuals will undergo elective spinal fusion surgery to decrease their chronic pain in pursuit of improved quality of life. There is currently an underutilization of frailty screening for risk stratification of postoperative complications. A retrospective chart review over a two-year period from July 2023 to June 2025of adults aged 65 and older who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery, involving 126 participants, was completed. We assessed the correlation between frailty and postoperative outcomes, discharge disposition, and …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Standardized Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool In A Clinical Setting, Dylan Bogucki

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as any act of violence, including physical, sexual, stalking, or psychological aggression by an intimate partner, former or current. Despite being preventable, IPV remains a leading nonobstetric cause of morbidity and mortality among women, which highlights the need for systematic screening in clinical settings. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify women who have previously experienced or are currently experiencing IPV and to connect them with appropriate resources. Twenty-one studies were identified, all demonstrating moderate to high methodological quality and supporting the need for routine IPV screening in women’s health settings. …

Implementing A Mindfulness Mobile Application, Smiling Mind To Reduce Stress Experienced By Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses, Emma Jade Mowery, Justin D. Ruiz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the impact of implementing use of the Smiling Mind app (a free and easily accessed mobile application that teaches mindfulness skills) in inpatient psychiatric nurses. The aims: A 20% reduction in Perceived Stress and improved Workplace Satisfaction after 10 weeks.

Background: Workplace stressors experienced by psychiatric nurses include high patient acuity, emotional strain, environmental factors, and new policies. Unmanaged stress can harm nurse's well being and affect quality of care.

Methodology: Using a pre-post implementation design, 7 dayshift and 10 night-shift nurses used the Smiling Mind app for 10 weeks. Perceived stress (PSS-10) and workplace satisfaction (WPS) …

Experiences Of Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Nurses Working In A Hospital Setting, Layla C. Bradley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Reducing Burnout Among Psychiatric Practitioners And Therapists, Sarah Lemaine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention Bundle Practices, Ngowari Warmate

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Clinical Practice Guideline To Reduce Lgbtq+ Disparities In Health Care, Angel Lb Ambrose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Aligning Nutrition Screening Workflows To Improve Early Identification Of Pressure Injury Risk In Hospitalized Adults, Stephanie M. Vigil

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Effects Of A Structured Fall Prevention Education Program On Staff Knowledge And Confidence, Gifty Danso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Trauma-Informed Intake Standardization Equitable Approach, Ketura James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Improving Primary Care Depression Screening With The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Patience Amune

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Educating Staff On The Use Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Screening Tool, Adetayo Adebayo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Establishing The Division Interprofessional Council By Using Magnet Principles, Warisara Manuel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Nurse-Initiated Post-Discharge Phone Call In The Prevention Of Hospital Readmissions For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sierra Kane

Doctoral Projects

Background: Hospital readmissions are widely recognized as a key metric of quality care, reinforced by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) incentive programs (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2025). Despite these incentives, achieving a meaningful reduction of readmissions remains a challenge, especially for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), where readmission is fueled by gaps in medication management, patient confidence in symptom management, and access to timely follow-up care. Purpose: Evaluate the impact of a nurse-initiated post-discharge telephone outreach, conducted at 48 hours, by the outpatient endocrinology clinic, on 7- and 30-day readmission rates for …

A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Identification And Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In A Rural Clinic, Paige Spence

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Buddy System To Enhance Float Pool Nurses’ Experience And Unit Integration, Nancy Kairia

Doctoral Projects

Float pool nurses play a vital role in maintaining hospital operations; however, they often experience role ambiguity, inconsistent integration, and reduced psychosocial empowerment, which may negatively influence engagement and retention. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project implemented and evaluated a structured buddy program designed to enhance psychological empowerment among float pool nurses in a large academic medical center. Guided by Gretchen Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment Framework, the project examined changes across four domains: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. A pre-post design was used to assess outcomes before and after implementation. Five nurses completed the preintervention survey; of these, four completed the …

Standardized Elearning Debriefing Module Effects On Undergraduate Nursing Student Resilience And Coping: A Feasibility Study, Kelsey D. Miller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Undergraduate nursing students experience stressful clinical situations that may influence learning, emotional well-being, and practice readiness. Structured debriefing provides an avenue for reflective processing; however, variations in debriefing practices can reduce effectiveness. This program evaluation examined the effect of a faculty-developed, standardized eLearning debriefing module on resiliency and coping among BSN students.

Method: A quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test/post-test design was implemented with junior and senior students during clinical rotations. Faculty completed the module and facilitated standardized debriefings. Student resilience and coping were measured using the Connor‑Davidson Resilience Scale and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale.

Results: Twenty-one students completed baseline surveys, …

Confederate Women In The Field Of Nursing And Their Impact On Southern Women’S Roles In Society, Laura Leigh L. Prater

Theses

During the Civil War, Confederate women had the opportunity to go to work as nurses. The majority of these women had never been allowed to take on roles beyond the domestic sphere in antebellum society.  Despite most of these women having limited medical training, they developed an expertise in nursing, extraordinary organization skills and gained respect for their achievements.  Their achievements proved that women were able to do far more than many in the South believed prior to the war.  This paper will show how the demands of war opened doors of greater opportunity for women in the South for …

Education, Evaluation, And Impact Of A Delegation Learning Session In The Care Pair Model, Tiffany M. Whitney

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

The persistent nurse shortage is forcing the health sector to think about the way care is provided, and teams collaborate. One model, the Care Pair Model (CPM), pairs registered nurses (RNs) with nursing assistants (NAs) to distribute responsibility and provide patient care in a timely manner and with the best quality. Even though the model encourages working together effectively, many nurses still find it difficult to delegate to uncertainty, lack of confidence, or communication barriers. Improving these abilities is essential for fostering trust, ensuring a smooth workflow, and providing for patient and provider needs.

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) …

Beyond Cough Drops And Band-Aids: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Certified School Nurses’ Professional Scope And Enacted Roles In Pk–12 Settings, Brandy Gershon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation explored the underutilization of certified school nurses (CSNs) in PK–12 educational settings across urban, suburban, and rural school districts in western Pennsylvania. Despite their advanced preparation and wide-ranging scope of practice, school nurses are often limited to providing episodic care, including first aid, medication administration, and treatment of minor injuries. This limited use reflects a significant misalignment with their professional scope of practice, which encompasses chronic disease management, health education, mental health support, care coordination, and leadership in public health. Guided by role theory (Biddle, 1986), this study examined how school nurses perceived and interpreted their professional …

A Peer Support Model For Nursing Faculty: Stay And Thrive, Ngoc N. Hua

Doctoral Projects

Projections show a major nursing shortage over the next decade. Although many state and local efforts aim to expand the workforce, there is often less visibility into the nurse educators responsible for the healthcare pipeline. Moving clinicians into teaching roles presents unique challenges. Specifically, clinical skills do not easily transfer to classroom management,​ which can be jarring for new faculty. This "reality shock" frequently results in faculty turnover​ due to a lack of support during this important transition.​ This project looked at nursing faculty perceptions of a structured peer mentorship​ program at a Northern California community college. The intervention was …

Making Sense Of Hospitalization: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Covid-19 Patients’ Psychological Experiences In Indonesia, Mira Wahyu Kusumawati, Heni Dwi Windarwati, Setyawati Soeharto

The Qualitative Report

While previous research has probed into the experiences of COVID-19 patients during isolation in hospitals, little is known about their psychological experiences and the meaning of such experiences. To address the gap,this study was designed to explore the psychological experiences of patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 while undergoing isolation in hospitals. Using a phenomenological approach, we recruited 19 COVID-19 survivors who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 in the first six months of the pandemic entering Indonesia, located in Madiun Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with health protocols and analysed the data using the …