Digital Commons Network^™

An Exploratory Study Of Functional Status In Post Cardiac Arrest Survivors Discharged To Home, John J. Whitcomb Phd

Dissertations

Cardiopulmonary arrest is a major health problem, claiming 350,000 to 450,000 lives per year in the United States, but survival has increased to 49% from the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) by lay personnel. Leidy's work on functional status is a comprehensive framework to describe functional status and has not been used in this population. The specific aims of the project were to describe perceived functional capacity, physical functional performance, mental health, symptom distress, and demographic factors in survivors of cardiopulmonary arrest after discharge to home and to examine the relationship among perceived functional capacity, mental health and physical …

Evidence-Based Practice Considerations In Facilitating The Risk Surveillance Of Occupational Exposure To Antineoplastic Agents, Theresa A. Rafique

MSN Research Projects

According to Martin and Larson (2003), healthcare professionals involved with handling antineoplastic drugs may be exposed inadvertently to these agents, placing them at potential risk for acute and long-term adverse effects. For example, cyclophosphamide one of the most frequently used antineoplastic agents in clinical treatment facilities, is a known human carcinogen (Larson, Khazaeli, & Dillon, 2003). While the health risks associated with cytotoxic use have been well established, there is little information available about how people perceive these risks, particularly among those most affected by it-chemotherapy nurses. Therefore, the purpose of this Evidence Based Practice (EBP) project was to develop …

Screening Of Postpartum Depression Among Chinese Immigrants, Beahwa Yeoh

Master's Projects

Postpartum depression among the Chinese population in the United States has been understudied even though the Chinese community continues to rapidly increase in numbers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression among Chinese immigrants using the "Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale," a self-report questionnaire. This study also reports demographics obtained from participants and explores the practice of "zuo ye zi" among Chinese immigrants. In the spring of 2005, twenty-eight postpartum Chinese women, all first generation immigrants, were asked to participate in this study during home visits conducted by public health nurses in Alameda County, CA. …

Adult Suicide Attempts In Relationship To Life Experiences And Familial Tendencies, Laura S. Ford

Graduate Research Projects

The purpose of this project was to describe the variables age, gender, child or adult abuse, educational level, family history of suicide, depression, economic level as factors related to adult attempted suicides. The Lazarus framework was used to examine factors contributing to adult attempted suicide. A suicide prevention community education project was developed with Lazarus’s theory of cognition and unconscious processes in mind. Lazarus’s theory focuses on the relationship between development of coping skills learned during childhood and how a person will respond using those skills as an adult. This project explored links between child and adult abuse, education or …

Uab Nurse Scientist - Summer 2005, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

UAB Nursing magazine

No abstract provided.

Managing Susceptibility To Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer, Cynthia E. Perry Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The recent identification of Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) and BRCA2 genes offers an opportunity for high-risk individuals to learn whether they may be genetically predisposed to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine how unaffected women, identified as BRCA positive and variant of uncertain significance (VUS) mutation carriers, managed their susceptibility to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Thirty North American women ranging in age from 22 to 60 years responded to open-ended interviews. These interviews were analyzed using constant comparative method to generate a grounded theory. Managing Susceptibility was identified as the basic …

Workplace Empowerment And Job Satisfaction In Primary Care Nurse Practitioners In Southeast Kansas, Karen Zafuta Johnson

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose guiding this study was to identify perceptions of workplace empowerment and levels of job satisfaction in a group of primary care nurse practitioners in the southeast Kansas area. A quantitative study was conducted and examined as to what background variables are significant for empowerment to be fully realized. This will add knowledge to other studies that have been done on nurse practitioner's job satisfaction so that more will be known about this vital and growing profession.

The population for this study included 30 nurse practitioners that currently work in a primary care setting in the southeast Kansas area …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 14, No. 01, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

Contents

2 | A message from the dean

4 | Loma Linda NURSE news

6 | The First 100 Years: how providence started our first century

12 | LLUSN development report

19 | Letter from the alumni president

20 | Alumni Homecoming

26 | Centennial Research Conference

27 | Near and far

29 | In memory

30 | Special event planned

Adaptation To Cesarean Birth: Implementation Of An International Multisite Study, Jacqueline Fawcett, Cynthia Aber, Marianne E. Weiss, Susan Haussler, Sheila Taylor Myers, Charlette King, Jennifer Newton, Virginia Silva

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this column is to describe the implementation of an international multisite Roy adaptation model-based study of women’s perceptions of and responses to cesarean birth. The need for the study arose from the concern that women’s childbearing needs may not be met to their full satisfaction, especially if the infant is born by cesarean. Serendipity and networking played a part in the selection of four study sites in the United States (Boston, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Oklahoma City) and two in other countries (Finland, Australia). Data were collected by nursing students and staff nurses. Post-hoc consideration of the diversity of …

Unintended Pregnancy Prevention And Active Duty Women, Min S. Chung-Park Phd, Msn, Whnp

Dissertations

Studies have shown that a structured education program for women decreases risky sexual behavior identified as vulnerable for AIDS. However, the outcomes from a structured, repeated, educational intervention in reducing the rates of unintended pregnancies have not been studied in military females who are considered as a high risk. The purpose of this quasi-experimental longitudinal study was to implement and evaluate the effects of a reproductive health educational program regarding knowledge, attitudes, decisional balance, self-efficacy, stages of change, and contraceptive use, and to identify independent variables most likely to predict behavior change in the use of contraceptives among single, active …

Improving The Experience Of Hospitalization For Hawaiian Children On The Mainland Through Cultural Sensitivity To Hawaiian Ways Of Healing, Jane H. Lassetter, Joan H. Baldwin

Faculty Publications

The experience of hospitalization for Hawaiian children on the mainland might be improved through the understanding and development of cultural sensitivity to Hawaiian ways of healing. This article contains a selected review of the literature on meeting the cultural health care needs of Hawaiian children and their families, a discussion of some of the challenges of caring for Hawaiian children in Utah, and suggestions for practice that may improve the experience of hospitalization for Hawaiian children in general.

A Survey Of California Nurse Practitioners' Health Practices And Counseling Habits, Jessica Malone

Master's Projects

Morbidity and mortality due to obesity continues to rise in the United States despite well known Healthy People 2010 and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity. In the U.S. today, more than 60 percent of Americans aged 20 years and older are overweight (Hedley et al., 2004). This study investigated the exercise practices of California nurse practitioners (NPs }, how their practices compare to recommended guidelines, and to what extent California NPs prescribe aerobic exercise and strength training to their clients. The California Nurse Practitioners Physical Activity Questionnaire was self-administered at the annual2005 California Association for Nurse …

Self-Efficacy And Sexual Transmitted Disease Prevention Among College Women, Dominique M. Ly

Master's Projects

According to the Center of Disease Control (2002), sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise, especially among women. By far, women bear the greatest burden of STDs because they suffer more frequently and develop more serious complications than men. This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and safe sex behaviors among college women. The data was collected by using questionnaires from the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSE) and the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale(CUSES). The sample was composed of 38 unmarried female college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years-of-age who had been sexually active within the last …

Comparison Of The Faces And Numeric Pain Scales For Use In Long-Term Ventilator Patients With Chronic Pain, Diana Miller-Harvey

Graduate Research Projects

Chronic pain is a major cause of illness, disability, and is poorly understood and undertreated by health care professionals. Numerous misconceptions regarding chronic pain in older individuals has led certain health care agencies to require the use of pain scales for pain evaluation in all health care patients. yet, there is research lacking as to which pain scales are appropriate for use with chronic pain, ventilator-dependent, older individuals. The Wong-Baker Faces Scale and Numeric Pain Scale was administered to a convenience sample of male/female patients in a Southeastern, 44-bed, long-term care ventilator hospital. The purpose of this study was to …

Navigating The Change Of Life: The Menopausal Transition Of Thai Immigrant Women, Bulaporn Natipagon-Shah Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

Given that women continue to live more than three decades after menopause and their health and well-being in later life are determined by quality of health during the menopausal transition, menopause has become an important issue in the healthcare arena. The growing number of immigrant women in the United States signifies a need for healthcare providers to develop cultural knowledge and sensitivity toward each immigrant group regarding the issue of menopause. The purpose of this qualitative study was to build a substantive grounded theory of the experiences of menopausal transition among Thai immigrant women in the United States. Data collection …

Sexuality And The Aging Adult: The Attitude And Practice Of Physicians And Nurse Practitioners, Susan Runsvold

Master's Projects

Background: As the population ages, many quality of life issues will generate discussion. One such issue is sexuality of the aging adult. While there is substantial documentation related to the physiology and desires of the aging adult, little is known about medical practitioners' beliefs and practices regarding sexuality. Method: A 14 question survey with a comment section was developed and mailed to 269 physicians and nurse practitioners in Santa Clara County, California. The responses were evaluated using descriptive statistics. The comments received were grouped related to intent or topic. Results: There was no discernible difference between the beliefs and practices …

From Presence To “E-Presence” In Online Nursing Education, Lisa M. Kaiser Phd, Msn, Bsn, Rn

Dissertations

Online web-based course offerings are now common in many institutions of higher education In response to the current and severe nursing shortage, estimated to represent a 20% vacancy rate by the year 2015, (Tarkin, 2003) many more universities have created online nursing courses for registered nurses wishing to continue their education in nursing. The National League for Nursing (NLN) set research priorities that urged exploration of the impact that technology has on the content and nature of teaching and learning in nursing education (1999). Using a series of separate synchronous, online focus groups and 1:1 interviews with nurse educator experts …

Perceived Social Support Among Chinese American Hemodialysis Patients, Kaklam Wong

Master's Projects

Social support is linked to improved health outcomes both in Western and Asian societies and is a vital factor in a patient's adjustment to end-stage renal disease and its treatment regimen. This study explored perceived social support among 46 Chinese American hemodialysis patients in San Francisco's Chinatown using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire plus open-ended questions. Findings unexpectedly revealed low levels of perceived social support and lack of tangible support especially in elder patients. We can no longer assume that traditional family cultural values are providing adequate social support for this population.

Practice Patterns Contributing To Positive Patient Outcomes By Nurse Practitioners, Kandice Bandy

Master's Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify NP practice patterns most important for positive patient outcomes. Data Sources: A convenience sample (n = 93) of Nurse Practitioners attending the 2005 California Association for Nurse Practitioners Conference (N = 535) completed the survey. Conclusions: The most important practice patterns identified were associated with patient-centered care. When analyzed with years in practice, patient-centered practice patterns continued to be the most important. This study suggests that patient-centered practice patterns are most important to positive patient outcomes for NPs. Implications for practice: Identifying the practice patterns that are most important to positive …

Quality Of Life And Medical Compliance In The Adolescent Kidney Transplant Population ---A Pilot Study, Catherine Costaglio

Master's Projects

Introduction: Post renal transplant medical non-compliance is a leading cause of renal graft loss, in the adolescent population. The pwpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between quality of life and medical compliance. Method: A pilot study was conducted using a convenience sample of 10 post renal transplant adolescents during their routine transplant clinic appointment. Demographic data was collected and the KIND L Quality of Life questionnaire was completed by study participants. Medical compliance was measured by evaluating transplant clinic appointment attendance, laboratory appointment attendance, and immunosuppressant drug levels. Results: Despite positive correlations reported in …

Using A 0-10 Scale For Assessment Of Anxiety In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Maria J. De Jong, Kyungeh An, Sharon Mckinley, Bonnie J. Garvin, Lynne A. Hall, Debra K. Moser

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Background: Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often experience anxiety, an emotion that predicts adverse physiologic outcomes. Critical care clinicians have not adopted an anxiety assessment instrument for widespread use, due in part to the unavailability of an easy to administer anxiety instrument that is not burdensome to either clinicians or critically ill patients. Objectives: To determine whether a single-item anxiety assessment instrument, the Anxiety Level Index (ALI), is a valid alternative to the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) or the anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in assessing state anxiety for patients with AMI. Methods: In this prospective …

The Relationship Between Student Perceptions Of Faculty Support And Student Perceptions Of Clinical Competency, Linda Clark

Master's Projects

This study explored the relationship between student perceptions of faculty support and student perceptions of clinical competency in beginning and senior level nursing students. A total of 91 ethnically diverse, generic baccalaureate nursing students from a state funded university participated in the study. The participants completed Mozingo, Thomas, and Brooks' (1995) Perceived Competency Scale (PCS), Shelton's (2003) Perceived Faculty Support Scales (PFSS), and a demographic questionnaire. An independent t test determined that the observed mean difference between perceived competency scores in 46 beginning students (M=32.02) and 45 senior students (M=27.36) was statistically significant (t (89) =3.25,p<.05). The students demonstrated high scores of perceived faculty support and demonstrated no difference between the beginning (M=94.82) and the senior (M=95.61) nursing students (t (87) =-.25,p>.05). No statistically significant …

A Replication Study For Comparative Purposes Of Evidence-Based Practice Activities In Magnet And Non-Magnet Hospitals, Joann F. Bunke

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nursing literature is rich with articles and studies in support of evidence-based practice. Health-care consumers today expect quality and excellence. As McSherry (1997) states, "'Patients', 'consumers'or'clients'are being encouraged to expect no less than a quality service and high standards of patient care from health professionals" (p. 985). The Magnet Recognition Program is one way to publicly recognize excellent nursing service. Using the 2003-2004 Magnet Recognition criteria within Standard Xlll is a way to evaluate the research environment of health-care facilities. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of the research environment of nursing departments within hospitals that are …

Changes In Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Mental Illness, Jared Rogge

Honors Theses

People who suffer from mental illness comprise a highly vulnerable population, and encounter adversity from two directions. Not only do they have to contend with their illness and the management of its symptoms, but they also have to brace themselves against the societal backlash and devaluation produced by the stigma that accompanies mental illness. Stigmatization can drastically alter the life chances of individuals with mental illness and have negative outcomes in regards to employment, income (Markowitz, 1998), social integration(Chan, 2004), self esteem(Blankertz, 2001), health care, insurance, and access to justice (Sayce, 1998.)

Disparity Of Breast Cancer Survival In African American Women Vs. Caucasians: Examination Of Potential Origins, Mary Collier

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Advances In Graduate Nursing Education: Beyond The Advanced Practice Nurse, Sharon Radzyminski

Nursing Faculty Publications

Historically, graduate education in nursing has been primarily concerned with the clinical role. In recent years it has been suggested that graduate education needs to consider alternate programs of study that prepare nurses for clinical leadership that are distinct from management and advanced practice roles. Graduate education is needed that focuses on the skills required to coordinate care and implement outcome-based practice and quality improvement strategies. Two models are currently being proposed that meet these objectives. The first is the population health nurse expert that functions on the macrosystems approach and the second is the clinical nurse leader which is …

Think First For Kids (Tffk): A Longitudinal Analysis Of A School-Based Injury Prevention Curriculum, Dorothy L. Zirkle Phd

Dissertations

Despite years of legislative and public health efforts, unintentional injury continues to be a serious public health problem and is identified as a major priority on the national health care agenda. The high incidence of unintentional injury in the middle childhood age group is of particular interest due to immaturity of the cognitive, psychosocial, and neurophysical dimensions of the child. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a school-based curriculum on improving knowledge and self-reported safety behaviors over time among ethnically and socioeconomically diverse elementary school aged children. The social, cultural, cognitive, and behavioral learning theory …

Reconciling Temporalities: A Substantive Explanation Of The Origins Of Difficulty In The Nurse Patient Encounter, Marilyn Theresa Macdonald Phd

Dissertations

Nurses describe patients as difficult on a regular basis. Nursing research to date has assumed the existence of this phenomenon. Most studies have listed descriptors of the difficult patient and offered interventions for nurses to use to alter patient behavior. Locating of difficulty within the individual and failure to consider the context of the nurse patient encounter is problematic. The practice of locating difficulty in the individual absolves organizations and society of responsibility to work to change factors that contribute to the construction of difficulty. The purpose of this research was to move beyond a focus on the patient as …

Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance During A Major Construction Project, Sherry Sexton

Graduate Research Projects

The purposes ofthis study were: a) to detennine if organism migration occurred from a construction area into other areas of the hospital-especially adjacent operating suites, b) to monitor and evaluate the incidence of construction-related surgical site infections, and c) to monitor the incidence of employee illnesses that could be construction-related. This was a descriptive correlational study and provided epidemiological data to evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures in preventing employee or patient infections related to construction. The framework for this study was Florence Nightingale's Environmental Adaptation theory which focused on the environment and changes which could affect patient outcomes. …

Healing Model Of Nursing Practice In Nursing Homes, Virginia C. Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The project is a healing practice model designed to advocate for the certified nursing assistants and elders in nursing homes. The Healing Model of Nursing Practice in Nursing Homes was designed to reclaim the inherent "caring-healing" attributes of nursing that have been excluded from nursing and the health systems as posited by Watson's Theory of Human Caring. The model integrates Zen and Reiki into a non-invasive practice, which is a method of healing that has been promoted by nurse theorists Jean Watson and Martha Rogers. The model promotes wholeness. The goal is to move our actions beyond regulatory processes to …