Digital Commons Network^™

Soothability And Growth In Preterm Neonates, Holly Johanna Diesel

Dissertations

This proposal seeks to understand the relationship between soothability, weight gain and length of hospital stay in premature infants when the infants receive a simple, non-invasive treatment to help them cope with the noxious environment of the special care nursery. Thousands of premature infants are born every year in the United States, and the numbers are increasing. Prematurity is the leading cause of mortality in infants. Despite numerous technological and medical advances in treatment and care, premature infants still have difficulty adapting to life outside the uterus as a result of immature nervous systems and significant differences in the pre …

A Head Injury Teaching Module For Pre-Hospital Assessment: Using The Four Score, Chris A. Wolf

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a teaching module and evaluation tool for a United States Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron for the pre-hospital assessment of patients with head injuries using the FOUR Score assessment scale. Specifically, this project integrates theory, relevant literature, and reflection on service to and caring for others. Information from published literature supports the development and implementation of a new assessment tool, such as the FOUR Score, to assess patients who have suffered a head injury. Ultimately, a teaching module is presented, described, and evaluated, along with potential questions to be addressed in the …

A Nursing Educational Program For Recognizing And Managing Emotional Labor, Kathleen Kuzelka

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a one hour learning module on emotional labor for all staff that will enable them to recognize and manage emotional labor for themselves and their coworkers in their daily work. This project presents the concept of emotional labor and emotional labor in nursing. A one hour learning module is described. The presentation of this module is discussed. There is discussion of the implications of emotional labor for nursing research, nursing practice and nursing education.

Brad: A Model Of Caring For Persons With Frontotemporal Dementia, Jennifer Mcguire

Theses and Graduate Projects

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is caused by u progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain (Boxer & Miller, 2005), This degeneration causes profound alterations in personality, social behavior, and language skills. FTD is particularly devastating due to the fact that it commonly affects people during mid-life or earlier. Evidence has shown that caregivers face higher rates of burden, distress and isolation when providing care for someone with FTD than other forms of dementia (de Vugt, Riedijk, Aalten, Tibben, van Swieten, & Verhey,2006; Kumamoto, Arai, Hashimoto, Ikeda, Mizuno, & Washio, 2004). The Behavioral Recognition, Assessment and Delivery (BRAD) …

Building Community Among Older Oromo Women Struggling With Sadness In A Large Urban Setting, Fatuma Kotile

Theses and Graduate Projects

Older Oromo women who immigrated to the United States in the early 1990s have experienced several stressful life events including war, famine, acculturation, harsh northern climate, a new language (English), and multiple experiences different from those in their native country, Ethiopia. Coping with these new experiences, correlates with a high level of depressive symptoms that Oromo people call "sadness." The purpose of this project is to create and describe a transcultural model of nursing practice in community that aims to decrease sadness among older Oromo women by promoting community building and healthy life choices in the midst of change. A …

Effect Of The Interactive Computerized Information For Surrogates Icu Program In Increasing The Understanding Of Informed Consent And The Knowledge Of Genetic And Genomics Research, Ann Kathleen Shelton

Dissertations

Background: A significant and growing number of clinical research studies conducted in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) today have some genetic and genomics component. Surrogates approached to authorize participation in clinical research for a loved-one in the ICU may not be prepared to make informed decisions. A model of stewardship of genetic and genomics research was used as a framework for this study. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of an educational program, the Interactive Computerized Information for Surrogates (ICIS) ICU Education Program in assisting surrogates to (1) increase their understanding of the process of informed …

Comparing Perceptions Of The Nursing Profession Among Associate And Baccalaureate Nursing Students And Registered Nurses, Sherry R. Lovan

Nursing Faculty Publications

The inconsistencies between the perception of the profession of nursing and the reality of practice can lead to problems in student attrition or result in disillusionment with a career in nursing after a new graduate enters practice. With the nursing shortage reaching critical levels, it is important to examine possible discrepancies that exist and address strategies to reduce them.

For this study, a quantitative design was selected to explore how the perception of the nursing profession compared among first-semester associate degree nursing students, first-semester baccalaureate nursing students, and registered nurses. A convenience sample N = 238 included 69 ADN students, …

A Pilot Study Of Organizational Performance, Performance Barriers And Faculty Engagement In The Nursing Education Unit, Yolanda Chapman Turner

Dissertations

This pilot study was driven by the problem of market disequilibrium and the subsequent overarching desire to identify and describe principles and processes taken by nursing education units to optimize market equilibrium for nursing service in response to cyclical market demands. Given the complexities of market responsiveness in conjunction with changes in healthcare delivery, health economics, population demographics, higher education and other contextual factors, it is essential for nursing education as a whole to be in a position to respond to demand. The purpose of this study was to investigate organizational performance, performance barriers and faculty engagement in the nursing …

Effects On Resilience Of Women Family Caregivers Of Adults With Serious Mental Illness: The Role Of Positive Cognitions, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet, M. Jane Suresky

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study examined the effects of risk and protective factors on resilience in 60 women family members of adults with serious mental illness. Both the risk factors constituting caregiver burden (strain, stigma, client dependence, and family disruption) and protective factors, including eight positive cognitions were found to predict two indicators of resilience: resourcefulness and sense of coherence. The effects of caregiver burden on resourcefulness and sense of coherence were mediated by positive cognitions, lending support to resilience theory and suggesting the need to develop interventions to encourage positive thinking among women caregivers of adults with mental illness.

Parental Perceptions Of Body Mass Index Referrals And Overweight School-Age Children, Misty Schwartz

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

It is well documented that there is a worldwide epidemic of obesity in children. To address obesity in children, emphasis must be on factors within family, school, and community environments. Although most parents and school officials are aware of the problem of overweight children, there is little data available to guide decision making about the acceptability of school-based Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and referral programs. As states mandate BMI screening and referral, parental insight is essential to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of BMI notification.

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the perceptions of parents …

A Critical Appraisal Of Guidelines For Antenatal Care: Components Of Care And Priorities In Prenatal Education, Lisa Hanson, Leona Vandevusse, Joyce Roberts, Amanda Forristal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

There are a variety of published prenatal care (PNC) guidelines that claim a scientific basis for the information included. Four sets of PNC guidelines published between 2005 and 2009 were examined and critiqued. The recommendations for assessment procedures, laboratory testing, and education/counseling topics were analyzed within and between these guidelines. The PNC components were synthesized to provide an organized, comprehensive appendix that can guide providers of antepartum care. The appendix may be used to locate which guidelines addressed which topics to assist practitioners to identify evidence sources. The suggested timing for introducing and reinforcing specific topics is also presented in …

How To Select The Correct Education Strategy: When Not To Go Online, Carol Klingbeil, Norah L. Johnson, Joan P. Totka, Lynn Doyle

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Screening for intimate partner violence is an important injury prevention strategy. Nurses who develop staff education, to promote screening, need to select a method that is sensitive to learners. Online learning, although convenient, is not well suited to sensitive topics such as screening for intimate partner violence. The purpose of this article is to describe a curriculum for intimate partner violence screening based on self-efficacy theory, which includes a hospital-produced video, a role play, and a discussion.

Animal-Assisted Therapy As A Pain Relief Intervention For Children, Carie Braun, T. Stangler, J. Narveson, S. Pettingel

Nursing Faculty Publications

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a healing modality involving a patient, an animal therapist, and handler with a goal of achieving a specified therapeutic outcome. Despite the myriad of studies documenting the benefits of AAT, no studies have yet determined the impact of animals on alleviation of pain in children. Therefore, a quasi-experimental intervention design was used to capture the change in pain and vital signs with (n = 18) or without (n = 39) AAT in children ages 3–17 in one acute care pediatric setting. The AAT intervention group experienced a significant reduction in pain level compared to …

Uab Nursing - Fall 2009, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

UAB Nursing magazine

No abstract provided.

Contextual Factors Influencing The Acute Care Registered Nurse's Response To Clinical Alarms, Kathleen Mary Stacy Phd

Dissertations

Nurses are faced with a multitude of clinical alarms on a daily basis. There is an inherent expectation that upon hearing an alarm the nurse will immediately respond to assess the situation and initiate appropriate action to correct the problem. Yet this does not always occur. Issues with alarm responsiveness can pose a serious threat to patient safety. The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a broader understanding of the contextual factors that influenced the acute care nurse's response to clinical alarms. This study used an interpretive phenomenological methodology to study the lived experiences of the nurses who …

The Use Of Remote Monitoring For Internal Cardioverter Defibrillators (Icds): The Infusion Of Information Technology And Medicine, Susan Shirato, Msn, Rn, Ccrn

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

The clinical use of automated implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) has been rapidly increasing since the results of several randomized trials confirmed the efficacy of AICDs in the secondary and primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Patients with AICDs require high-quality care and intense follow-up to ensure safe and effective device performance. According to international guidelines these patients should be followed at 1- to 4 month intervals, depending on the device model and the patient’s clinical status (Schoenfeld, 2004). Given the expanding indications for use and the complexity of these devices, there is an urgent need to develop new means of …

Youtube And Other Web 2.0 Applications For Nursing Education, Margaret M. Hansen Edd, Msn, Rn, Scott Erdley

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Web 2.0 applications, such as the popular YouTube™ online video network, may enhance health care students' learning and retention while providing connections with peers and faculty. Today's students are consumers of popular social networking tools, such as "Facebook" and "MySpace," as well as the personal video sharing site, YouTube™. Furthermore, novel cellular 1 phones, such as Apple Computer's© iPhone and the innovative Palm phone, have the capacity to i show You Tube videos, which are now literally a "touch" away from viewing. The authors set out to I explain Web 2.0 applications and the impact on health care students' education, …

Oncology Nurses' Perceptions Of Self-Compassion: A Pilot Study, Miriam R. Lindell

Theses and Graduate Projects

Oncology nurses face extraordinary stressors in their work. If this stress becomes prolonged, these nurses are at risk for burnout and compassion fatigue. One effective way for nurses to manage stress is to care for themselves, body, mind, and spirit. The concept of self-compassion reflects a meaningful approach to self-care. This pilot study explored the perception'of self-compassion by hospital based oncology nurses. A convenience sample of 37 oncology nurses was surveyed using four demographic questions and the Self-Compassion Scale by Kristin Neff. The results demonstrated positive correlation between years of nursing experience and years of oncology nursing experience with common …

Transformational Nursing Simulation: Bringing Life To Inanimate Objects For The Purpose Of Educating And Re-Igniting Passion, Pamela A. Torkkola

Theses and Graduate Projects

A transformational nursing simulation program that incorporates a holistic approach in caring for the caregiver is the focus for a Master's Field Project paper. As an alternative to the construction of a generic nursing simulation center that is limited to the education of knowledge and skills, a larger vision centered in Margaret Newman's nursing theory, Health as Expanding Consciousness is proposed. Business models, an incremental approach and practical suggestions are offered in support of healthcare organizations working toward a Center for Nursing Arts and Sciences in times of economic challenge.

Faculty Field Guide For Promoting Student Civility In The Classroom, Cynthia Clark

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Student incivility is defined as rude and disruptive behavior that, when left unaddressed, may spiral into aggressive or violent behavior. Nursing faculty are challenged by uncivil student behavior and many are underprepared to deal with its effects. Some faculty members consider leaving academe due to the serious toll incivility often takes on their personal and professional lives. The impact of student incivility on faculty is especially troubling during a national nursing shortage. The author provides nursing faculty with several ready-to-use strategies for preventing and effectively dealing with student incivility in nursing education.

Delirium Screening: From Research To Point Of Care, Beth Ann Swan, Phd, Crnp, Faan, Sheena Ahlawat, Mph, Christopher N. Sciamanna, Md, Phd

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Delirium is a serious public health problem among older adults and is one of the most common cognitive disorders affecting postoperative older adults. Delirium is a treatable illness that disproportionately places postoperative older adults at increased risk for functional and cognitive decline, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. More than 50 percent of postoperative patients develop delirium during hospitalization. Epidemiologic and clinical studies over the past two decades have provided ample evidence that delirium in hospitalized older adults is under-recognized by nurses and physicians, often leading to untoward events that the safety and well-being of hospitalized older adults.

Exploring The Stress Response In New Army Nurses, Laureen Otto

Theses and Dissertations

The study of stress is limited in professional nursing, but it is nearly non-existent in professional military nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among psychological, environmental, biological and demographic factors of stress in new Army nurses during the Army Medical Department’s 8-week Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC). Using a descriptive prospective, correlational repeated measures design, 33 study participants completed two psychological stress measures (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS] and the Impact of Event Scale – Revised[IES-R]), an environmental measure (Life Experiences Survey [LES]), a biologic measure (salivary cortisol) and a demographic questionnaire at three different time …

Nurses' Spiritual Care Practices: Assessment, Type, Frequency, And Correlates, Iris Mamier

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This descriptive, correlational study described the type, frequency, and correlates of nurses' spiritual care practices (quantitative) and their experiences with the sacred at work (qualitative). A convenience sample of 554 (24%) of the Registered Nurses employed at a western United States faith-based tertiary care health system participated in this online survey. Nurses' spiritual care practices were assessed using the 17-item Nurses' Spiritual Care Practice Questionnaire (NSCQ). Factorial validity and reliability of the pilot NSCQ were established. Spiritual care practices most frequently endorsed were assessing patients' spiritual beliefs pertaining to health and listening to patients' stories of illness and their spiritual …

Retaining The Next Generation Of Nurses: The Wisconsin Nurse Residency Program Provides A Continuum Of Support, Marilyn Meyer Bratt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Because of the high costs associated with new graduate nurse turnover, an academic-service partnership developed a nurse residency program that provides a comprehensive support system that spans 15 months. Now in its fourth year, involving more than 50 urban and rural hospitals of varying sizes and geographic locations, the program provides formalized preceptor training, monthly daylong educational sessions, and mentoring by clinical coaches. Key factors contributing to the success of this program are a dedicated, cohesive planning team of individuals who embrace a common agenda, stakeholder buy-in, appropriate allocation of resources, and clear articulation of measures of success, with associated …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Job Satisfaction In Long-Term Care: A Comparison Between Licensed Nurses And Nursing Assistants, Lynne Almand

Graduate Theses

Knowledge, attitudes, and job satisfaction of long-term care workers were examined to determine if a relationship existed between these factors and if differences existed between licensed nurses and nursing assistants. Participants included 36 nurses and 60 assistants from five nursing homes in the Midland/Odessa area. Results indicated that nurses had significantly more positive attitudes toward (t(94) = -5.72, p<.05) and increased knowledge of older adults (t(94) = 2.71, p<.05) than assistants. In addition, more positive attitudes were significantly associated with more knowledge of the elderly (r(96) = -0.36, p<.05) as well as increased levels of job satisfaction (r(96) = -0.53, p<.05).

The Relationship Of Level Of Traumatic Exposure, Perceived Stress, And Resilience With Salivary Cortisol And Salivary Alpha-Amylase Diurnal Rhythm In Palestinian Children 10-12 Years Exposed To Chronic War Violence, Mohammad R. Asia Phd, Rn

Dissertations

Political violence, war, and genocide exist across the world and often the innocent children and civilians become victims. War and long-term violence have potentially harmful psychological and physiological effects on children. There are limited studies on the effect of prolonged armed conflict on the child's physiologic and psychologic stress responses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between level of trauma, stress and resilience with salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) diurnal patterns in Palestinian children, ages 10-12, living in a long standing war zone. Salivary cortisol, a surrogate marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity, and salivary …

Psychometric Testing Of The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Of Behavior Change Questionnaire In Mexican-Americans With Diabetes Type 2, Beverley Brownell Phd

Dissertations

Background: The most successful diabetes self-management (DSM) programs focus on changing previously established behavior patterns. To develop focused and culturally appropriate self-management programs, health care providers need valid and reliable assessment tools. Purpose: To test the reliability and content and construct validity of an instrument developed to assess diabetes knowledge, motivation, and adherence to medical regimes. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) Skills Diabetes scale was tested with 83 Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes from a community in Orange County, CA. Methodology: A cross-sectional correlational study design was conducted with 64 female and 19 male Mexican-American adults diagnosed diabetes type 2 patients. …

Optimizing Vitamin D Status To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk: An Evidentiary Review., Guiyun Zhou, Jill Stoitzfus, Beth A. Swan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general public and in patients with cancer. Optimizing vitamin D intake is increasingly recognized in cancer risk reduction, particularly in decreasing colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, summarizing the current evidence to promote best practices related to vitamin D intake and colorectal cancer risk reduction is important. The objectives of this article are to examine the current evidence regarding the impact of vitamin D on colorectal cancer risk reduction and provide practice recommendations for clinicians. Relevant research articles from 2002-2008 were retrieved from multiple electronic databases. Reference lists of relevant articles also were searched manually. …

Adult Student Satisfaction In An Accelerated Lpn-Rn Nursing Program, Kathy French Batton

Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the importance and degree of satisfaction placed by adult, nontraditional, accelerated LPN-RN students on student service item scales as measured by the results of the Noel-Levitz® Adult Student Priorities Survey™. In addition, the study examined the correlation between satisfaction with each of the scales and student success as measured by current nursing course grade point average (GPA). The student service scales of importance were: academic advising effectiveness, academic services, admissions and financial aid effectiveness, campus climate, instructional effectiveness, registration effectiveness, safety and security, and service excellence. The conceptual framework for the study was derived …

Does “Asymptomatic” Mean Without Symptoms For Those Living With Hiv Infection?, Suzanne Willard, William L. Holzemer, Dean J. Wantland, Yvette P. Cuca, Kenn M. Kirksey, Carmen J. Portillo, Inge B. Corless, Marta Rivero-Méndez, María E. Rosa, Patrice K. Nicholas, Mary Jane Hamilton, Elizabeth Sefcik, Jeanne Kemppainen, Gladys Canaval, Linda Robinson, Shahnaz Moezzi, Sarie Human, John Arudo, Lucille Sanzero Eller, Eli Bunch, Pamela J. Dole, Christopher Coleman, Kathleen Nokes, Nancy R. Reynolds, Yun-Fang Tsai, Mary Maryland, Joachim Voss, Teri Lindgren

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Throughout the history of the HIV epidemic, HIV-positive patients with relatively high CD4 counts and no clinical features of opportunistic infections have been classified as ‘‘asymptomatic’’ by definition and treatment guidelines. This classification, however, does not take into consideration the array of symptoms that an HIV-positive person can experience long before progressing to AIDS. This short report describes two international multi-site studies conducted in 2003 - 2005 and 2005 - 2007. The results from the studies show that HIV-positive people may experience symptoms throughout the trajectory of their disease, regardless of CD4 count or classification. Providers should discuss symptoms and …