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Vitamin D Deficiency And Cardiovascular Health Disparities In High-Melanin Populations: A Scoping Review, Jalen K. Luter, Silver R. Kaylor, Michael S. Boyer

Doctoral Projects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality and disproportionately affect individuals with darker skin tones, partly due to vitamin D deficiency (Sabzmakan et al., 2014). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project uses a scoping review methodology to examine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular outcomes, with an emphasis on high-melanin populations. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Framework, the review synthesizes existing evidence, identifies gaps in representation and biomarker use, and highlights social and biological contributors to disparity. Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched, and studies were screened using standardized inclusion criteria: …

Over Reliance On Antidepressant Medication In Long-Term Care Facilities: Rethinking Mental Health Approaches, Kaylene Elder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition among older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities and is often managed primarily through antidepressant medications. While these medications can be effective, their overuse in elderly populations increases the risk of falls, sedation, cognitive decline, and adverse drug interactions. This project addresses the need for safer, evidence-based alternatives by promoting non-pharmacological interventions that support holistic well-being. The proposed approach integrates gratitude journaling, vitamin D testing to identify deficiencies, and vitamin D supplementation for residents experiencing mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Implementation is led by nursing staff and supported by the interdisciplinary care team, …

Quality Improvement Project: Creation Of An Ebp Healthy Lifestyle Program: An Evidence-Based Development Program, Devanee Ray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing education is the foundation of healthcare itself. However, several things influence nursing students’ academic success. A lack of overall health habits is a significant contributor. Generally, this lack is due to a lack of education. The goal of this quality improvement Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) project was to develop an educational program that addresses the identified knowledge gaps. The aim was to develop the program to promote student success and pilot-test the program to determine its impact among masters-level nursing faculty. Using Lewin’s Change Theory and Orem’s theory of self-care, the educational program was piloted over a seven-week …

Implementation Of A Standardized Diabetic Guide For Rn Outpatient Care Managers, Ceateetra Goard

MSN Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Staff Education Program To Improve Nurses' Knowledge Of Diabetes Self-Management Education (Dsme) Toward Reducing Readmissions, Vivian Adaora Okechukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education program to enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) in reducing hospital readmission. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs as a direct result of the body's inability to produce enough insulin or the inability to utilize insulin in the bloodstream effectively, consequently accounting for life-threatening health complications. At the local organization, where diabetes is the third leading cause of hospitalization, evidence shows that it critically affects about 25% of the patient population. Also, some care providers at the organization do not have the distinctive competencies to give DSME …

Enhancing Patient Follow-Up: Creating And Evaluating Clinical Practice Guidelines On Appointment Reminders Using The Agree Ii Tool, Goretti Numfor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This report presents the outcomes of a quality improvement (QI) DNP practicum project situated at an outpatient facility. The preparation for the practicum project included a situational assessment to determine feasible changes and an appropriate strategy of change leadership. The target practice problem is missed appointments. Keeping appointments is a defining element of plans for care for medical services that require regular assessments and updates. In psychiatric nursing, reminders dictate schedules for the nurse practitioners because they indicate expected encounters and commitments. At the same time, unplanned changes could demand a change of the appointments or rescheduling. Best practice guidelines …

Cv: Christina Jeslis (Nursing), Christina Jeslis

Nursing Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Executive Summary: Organization Change Process Initiative Usability And Integration Of A Nutrition Screening Tool In Outpatient Mental Health Care, Jennifer Marie Ross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This doctoral, practice-focused quality improvement project used a mixed-methods design to evaluate the usability, acceptability, and clinical integration of a nutrition screening tool in a mental health outpatient clinic. The project addresses a key practice gap, the lack of evaluation of the implementation of a systematic nutrition screening for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), which contributes to worsening psychiatric symptoms and delayed recovery. Aligning with nursing’s holistic and patient-centered framework, the initiative aimed to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and preventive care. The guiding practice-focused questions addressed: How usable and acceptable is the clinical practice guideline (CPG) tool among clinic …

Personalized Resistance Exercise With Peer Support For Women With Pcos Using A Smart Home Video Device: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Guided By Self-Determination Theory, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Kesheng Wang

Faculty Publications

Background

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) report exercise barriers as stigma-related stress, lack of peer support, and facility issues. “Resistance exercise (RE) with peer support and bands/ball and digitally-based supervision” (REPS w/BANDS) was designed to help mitigate exercise barriers. Underscored by self-determination theory (SDT), the 12-week intervention was remotely delivered via digital technology and inclusive of peer support.

Purpose

The purposes of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) were to test the feasibility and acceptability of REPS w/BANDS and explore signals of within- and between-group differences on outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms and fitness).

Methods

Participants (N = 25) …

Planning For Prevention: Implementing Pressure Injury Bundles In Hospice Settings, Ellie M. Martin, Mckenzie Pool

Scholars Week

There is an increased prevalence of pressure-related injuries in the hospice setting. This can be due to age, diagnosis, comorbidities, inadequate nutrition or hydration, lack of mobility, or inadequate care due to lack of education. Prevention bundles and policies are at every facility, but are not as effective as needed. This looks at the theoretical framework and ways to prevent pressure injuries as effectively as possible. Pulling information from multiple other research studies to put the best care bundle together to decrease the amount of pressure injuries.

Enhancing Diabetes Self-Management Education And Support Knowledge And Awareness Among Nurses, Tamba Sam-Manimoi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects 12% of the United States population at an annual cost of $412.9 billion. In the local clinic, 20% of the patient population has a diagnosis of DM. Despite the importance of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) in managing DM, patients are often not educated on this important strategy. Leadership identified that patients were reporting a lack of knowledge regarding DSMES practices and that the nurses lacked the necessary knowledge and awareness to educate patients in DSMES. Thus, the purpose of this DNP project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on DM and DSMES …

Hypertension Prevention Program And Its Effects On Blood Pressure Levels Among Young Adults In A Christian Community In Southwest Michigan, Cindel Hollancid

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Although the majority of patients who present are adults over the age of 40 years old; with blood pressures ranging from 140/88 – 190/110 and many times higher readings, it was intriguing and important to assess whether a direct intervention, teaching young adults ages 18 – 39 years the benefits of lifestyle choices would be beneficial as a preventative measure to implement for hypertension reduction patterns as one ages. According to Hinton et al. (2019), hypertension affects 1 in 8 adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years old and is thus common among young people; with the …

State Of Menstrual Health Education In 2024: Content Analysis Of Us K-12 Public School Education Standards, Emily Richardson, Sarah Bemis, Page Dobbs, Hope Ballentine, Shristi Bhochhibhoya, Victor Kwaku Akakpo, Kylie Lovett

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Exploratory study aiming to assess the prevalence and time of initiation of menstrual health curriculum in US public school education standards by state. Methods: US public school Kindergarten-12th grade education standards from each state's Department of Education website, including D.C. (n = 51), were searched for menstruation, menstrual, menses, menopause, period, menarche, reproduction, puberty, and growth and development. Results25.5% (n = 13) of US education standards include menstruation. Of these, constructs of comprehensive menstrual health were recorded including abnormal menstruation (n = 6), menstrual hygiene (n = 6), menopause (n = 1), and stigma (n = 7). Education is …

Cultural Humility In Patient Education: Development Of A Nutrition-Related Simulation For Nursing Students, Theresa G. Schnable, Sylvia Peña, Juanita T. Garcia, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction:

The Latinx community is disproportionately impacted by social and structural inequities such as food insecurity and culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. To address a gap in culturally appropriate nutrition education with Latinx individuals among baccalaureate nursing students, a simulation learning experience (SLE) was developed.

Methodology:

The SLE was designed using best practice standards by faculty experts and reviewed by consultants. After the SLE, students and faculty provided feedback regarding simulation design and implementation.

Results:

Participants reported improved knowledge and confidence when providing culturally appropriate nutrition education and valued working with an interpreter.

Discussion:

This innovative strategy using simulation offers …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Venous Leg Ulcer Prevention, Bini John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project implemented a standardized program to strengthen knowledge, confidence, and adherence to venous stasis ulcer (VSU) prevention among staff in an outpatient vascular clinic. The practice problem was the lack of standardized staff education, leading to inconsistent patient teaching and recurrent ulceration. VSUs are a significant public health challenge, increasing morbidity, healthcare utilization, and reducing quality of life (He et al., 2024). The practice-focused question for this project was: In frontline medical staff at a vascular outpatient clinic, does a staff education program on a standardized approach to patient education for VSU …

Staff Education On Oral Health To Night Shift Staff, Uzoamaka Mbionwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) remains the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States, with nonventilated adult patients particularly at risk. This doctoral project focused on improving oral care practices among night shift nursing staff on a medical-surgical unit to reduce the risk of HAP. The practice gap identified was the inconsistent and inadequate delivery of oral hygiene during night shifts, primarily due to staff knowledge deficits, time constraints, and a lack of standardized procedures. The project was guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and addressed the following question: In adult patients on a medical-surgical unit, will staff education …

Sociocultural Factors Influencing Excess Gestational Weight Gain In Pregnant Puerto Rican Women, Sonia O. Roselló Aponte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than 50% of women experience excessive weight gain during pregnancy or are overweight at the start of pregnancy, increasing their risk of short and long-term maternal and fetal complications. The literature highlights the relationship between sociocultural factors and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and the need to explore these factors in ethnic subgroups. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study, guided by Nola Pender’s health promotion model, was to explore the sociocultural factors that influence EGWG for pregnant women living in Puerto Rico. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants recruited from public and private prenatal clinics in Puerto …

Utilizing An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Assess Health Care Provider Knowledge And Confidence Of Weight Management Strategies In A Primary Care Setting, Fanny Ngwa Shu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address a clinical gap in primary care by enhancing provider and staff knowledge and confidence in delivering weight management counseling. Despite the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, many healthcare providers feel inadequately prepared to initiate weight-related discussions due to factors such as limited training, cultural barriers, and a lack of understanding of social determinants of health (SDOH) that influence patient behaviors. This gap in care can hinder the effective management of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Can an educational session …

Empowering Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners To Address Nutritional Deficits: An Educational Quality Improvement Study, Beatrice Joan Richards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Psychiatry is a complex and multifaceted discipline, and treatment approaches often vary based on provider preference and philosophy. Some focus heavily on pharmacotherapies, while others use psychotherapeutic methods, and still others take a more holistic approach involving full-body wellness. All three strategies are beneficial, and providing psychiatric care with a combination of them all can address the full spectrum of factors that influence one’s mental health. Much research, education, and clinical focus have been put on pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutics. However, there is a marked lack of understanding regarding the holistic realm of psychiatric care, specifically the role of nutrition, amongst …

The Effect Of Telehealth-Based Medical Nutrition Therapy On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In A Rural Population: A Secondary Analysis Of Outcomes Related To Nutrition, Health And Well-Being From The Healthy Rural Hearts Randomised Controlled Trial, Tracy L. Schumacher, Erin D. Clarke, Jaimee Herbert, Anna Jansson, Chris Oldmeadow, Megan E. Rollo, Penny Milson, Carissa Alderton, Leanne J. Brown, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Annabelle Williams, Michelle Guppy, Shanthi Ramanathan, John Attia, Clare E. Collins

Publications

BACKGROUND: Adults in rural Australia are at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, no intervention trials have evaluated the impact of dietitian delivered nutrition therapy using telehealth exclusively in patients recruited in the primary care setting. The primary aim was to assess effectiveness of telehealth delivered Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) on change in dietary intake energy, reported as percent energy derived from nutrient-dense (core) foods. Secondary aims included assessment of the intervention effects on percentage weight loss, quality of life, health literacy and patient engagement in their health (patient activation).

METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of …

Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls among older adults in long-term care facilities constitute a pressing concern, affecting 30% to 40% of residents each year due to physiological changes associated with aging. Such incidents precipitated injuries, extended hospitalizations, elevated healthcare costs, and increased the potential for legal liabilities. This project investigated the effect of a structured educational intervention on nursing staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies in a long-term care facility where the fall rate of 3.4% exceeded the state average of 2.5% and the national average of 3.3%. The project explored the question: In a long-term care facility, does staff education increase staff knowledge …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 34, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

FEATURES

4 | Jordan Robison Profile

6 | LLUSN Mission Service— A Living Legacy

10 | Steps to a New School

12 | Entry Level Master’s at Murietta

LLUSN HIGHLIGHTS

14-21 | ALUMNI NEWS

22-27 | ACADEMICS

28-33 | HOMECOMING

34-37 | FACULTY UPDATES

Combating Obesity: Creating A Comprehensive Wellness Plan For Uninsured & Low-Income Populations, Kayla C. Berrios

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Aim: The aim of this project was to research the specific barriers encountered by obese patients that are low-income and uninsured. The goal of this data collection was to inform the stakeholders involved in creating a comprehensive wellness plan for obese patients.

Background: The staff at Good Neighbor Clinic have struggled to support their support their obese patients with weight reduction. Many of the ailments that patients seek care for correlate to their obesity. Health promotion in this community clinic needs a more comprehensive program to support patients during their weight loss experience, providing support and resources to allow for …

Exploring Barriers To Patient Care In A South Carolina Free Clinic, Jonathan G. Green

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Access to healthcare remains a persistent challenge for medically underserved populations who rely on free medical clinics for primary care services, particularly in non-Medicaid expansion states such as South Carolina. Free clinics serve as critical safety-net providers, yet patients frequently encounter barriers that limit access, continuity, and quality of care. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to explore and identify the structural, social, and interprofessional barriers to patient care within a South Carolina free medical clinic to inform targeted, evidence-based interventions. A mixed-methods needs assessment design was used, combining a retrospective chart review of forty …

Empowering Mothers: A Digital Intervention For Perinatal Mental Wellness, Morgan Edmunds

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Aim: The aim of this project was to develop a smartphone application prototype for peripartum mental health. The goal of this application was to enhance access to education and quality mental health care.

Background: Currently, in the United States, peripartum mental health conditions are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality (The Joint Commission, 2023). There is a gap in education, screening, and treatment for peripartum mental health due to distrust and a lack of resources, including a lack of mental health providers (Dossette et al., 2024; Feldman & Perret, 2023). Therefore, there is a significant number of women …

Advancing University Student Health And Wellbeing Through Peer-Led Health Promotion: A Quality Improvement Project​ ​, Rojeda Merani, Elizabeth Page, Elizabeth Roth

DNP Projects

Background: Peer-led health promotion is widely recognized as an effective strategy for increasing engagement, trust, and health literacy among university students. However, few frameworks guide development and implementation of these programs.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, implementation process, and perceived effectiveness of a peer-led health promotion model supported by Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) mentorship at a mid-sized private university.

Participants: Thirteen undergraduate students from a diverse set of academic programs were recruited as Peer Health Ambassadors (PHAs) and paired with DNP student mentors.

Methods: Guided by the Implementation Research Logic Model, the project used a four-phase QI process: targeted …

Myplate For Healthy Diet And Physical Activity: A Pilot Project, Christin Sullivan

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Over 100 million American adults are obese. This has increased from 38.5% in 2013-2016 to 41.8% in 2017-2020 and is predicted to keep rising. Significant health risks are linked to obesity, prompting weight loss movements at the local, national and global level. Recently, Semaglutide has been favored in weight loss programs but must be augmented by education on healthy diet and physical activity for weight reduction and maintenance.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to pilot the MyPlate method on healthy diet and physical activity and determine its effects on patient knowledge of healthy diet and physical …

Reducing Aspiration Pneumonia By Implementing An Enhanced Oral Care Toolkit, Jennifer London

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Oral care is essential for reducing bacteria and preventing aspiration pneumonia. The risk of aspiration pneumonia increases when protocols are not followed. In 2024, a regional hospital in the Midwest United States spent approximately one million dollars on the preventable healthcare-associated infection known as aspiration pneumonia. A pre-project chart audit of 100 random patient charts on a medical/surgical step-down unit revealed that only 1 of the 100 charts had oral care documented as completed.

Aim of the Project: The primary aims of this project were to increase nursing documentation of oral care by 50% and to decrease …

Improving Pain Assessment After Bedside Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (Peg) Placement, Sherman Cotton

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Baseline audits at a 44-bed critical-illness recovery hospital showed low reliability in two post-PEG practices: (1) pain reassessment within 90 minutes of an intervention and (2) complete PEG-site documentation (skin, drainage, tube position/measurement). Baseline performance averaged 55% and 62%, both of which were below the organization’s 90% benchmark.

Aim of the Project: From May to July 2025 (12 weeks), improve on-time pain reassessment and ensure PEG-site documentation reaches at least 90%, maintaining this level for three or more consecutive weeks; monitor workload to prevent increases in perceived charting time and ensure safety by avoiding a rise in PEG-related …

A Novel Scaffold-Based Model For Stage Ii Pressure Injury Simulation: Protocol Development And Future Directions In Tissue Engineering, Skyler B. Wrubleski

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

This study developed a 3D tissue-engineered scaffold to mimic human sacral skin for modeling pressure injuries. The scaffold consisted of a composite hydrogel of sodium alginate, gelatin, and tannic acid, crosslinked with calcium chloride. Swelling tests showed moderate hydration capacity, while wound mimic formation using a custom 3D-printed apparatus produced consistent morphology and dimensions comparable to human dermal tissue. The scaffold maintained structural integrity under prolonged compressive forces, demonstrating viability for pressure injury studies. Future work will incorporate a bilayer model with keratinocytes and fibroblasts and introduce elastin to enhance elasticity and mechanical properties. This approach aims to improve in …