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Reframing Recovery: Comparing Music Interventions And Traditional Rehabilitation Methods For Cognitive Function In Traumatic Brain Injury Patients, Laura Velez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions annually, often resulting in long-term cognitive deficits that hinder independence and quality of life. While traditional rehabilitation methods address many physical and functional limitations, cognitive impairments—such as deficits in attention, memory, and executive function—often persist. Emerging evidence highlights music-based interventions as a promising complement to standard therapies, yet comparative research remains limited. This integrative literature review examined the effects of music interventions versus traditional rehabilitation methods on cognitive function in adults with TBI. Using a systematic search of databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, APA PsycInfo, and Music Index, eight peer-reviewed studies were selected for …

Nurse's Satisfaction With The Implementation Of A Standardized Physical Assessment Template In Home Based Medical Care, Nicole Silvestri

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background and Literature Review:
Home based medical care (HBMC), part of Optum’s UnitedHealth division, delivers in-home urgent care to medically complex patients at high risk for hospitalization. A nurse is dispatched to the home and a provider connects via telemedicine to conduct the visit. Currently, there is no standardized documentation tool to communicate physical assessment findings between the in-home nurse and the telemedicine provider. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL with search terms including nursing satisfaction, physical assessment, EMR, template, standardized tool, and documentation. This revealed challenges in nursing documentation, communication, and physical assessment, particularly regarding …

2025-2026 Graduate Msn-Fnp Handbook, Morehead State University. Nursing Department.

Nursing Department Publications Archive

2025-2026 Graduate Student Handbook for the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University.

Enhancing Nursing Education To Improve Care For Patients With Substance Use Disorder: A Literature Review, Allma Swier

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Background. As nursing students attend undergraduate school and prepare to enter the workforce, clinical experience and classroom training shape who they will become as caregivers. There is a lack of education built into the standard curriculum on how to care for people with substance use disorders empathetically and professionally. Aim. The purpose of this literature review is to determine if nursing students feel adequately prepared to care for patients with substance use disorder, and how implementation of educational curricula can increase students' knowledge of caring for individuals with substance use disorder, leading to an increase in confidence when caring for …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Bibliography, Mary P. Bennett

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Bibliography of publications by Mary Bennett.

Exploring Factors Influencing Posttraumatic Growth Among Nurses: A Path Analysis, Shinhi Han, Hee Sun Kang, Koun Eum, Kathleen Karsten, Faith Armstrong

Publications and Research

Introduction: Persistent exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic has subjected frontline nurses to heightened levels of collective traumatic syndromes, including stress, burnout, and emotional distress. Resilience and self-compassion may serve as protective factors in mitigating stress and burnout stemming from the pandemic. Moreover, these factors may contribute to posttraumatic growth (PTG), which has been recognized as a potential outcome for nurses caring for patients. This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to PTG among registered nurses, with perceived stress, burnout, resilience, and self-compassion.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational survey used convenience sampling with 228 registered nurses from New York. Data were …

The Impact Of Health Promotion Home Visits On Loneliness In An Older Adult Population, Jean M. Herb

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Loneliness among older adults is a significant public health concern associated with adverse physical, emotional, and cognitive outcomes. Despite widespread recognition of the issue, effective interventions remain limited in clinical practice. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented and evaluated a Health Promotion Home Visit (HPHV) intervention designed to reduce loneliness in community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. A quality improvement initiative using a pre-post design was conducted at a community outreach division of a home health agency. Patients received HPHV every other week over an eight-week period. The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) was used to assess loneliness …

Cus+E: Creating A Culture Of Safety Through Improved Communication Within Perioperative Services, Sunilka Thompson

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

The Department of Perioperative Services identified ongoing communication and cultural challenges that compromised team dynamics, psychological safety, and patient care. A culture of safety survey revealed a significant disconnect: while many staff felt comfortable raising safety concerns, nurses and ancillary support staff reported widespread experiences of disrespectful behavior—perceptions not shared by providers. In response, the department implemented the CUS+E (I’m concerned, I’m uncomfortable, this is a safety issue + Explanation) communication tool to enhance the real-time escalation of safety concerns. Project goals included increasing safety reporting, reducing adverse events, and improving staff confidence in raising concerns. Post-implementation surveys indicated that …

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress: The Effects Of A Medical Trauma On Development, Psychological Well-Being, And Interventions For Prevention, Emilee M. Stevens

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Background Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) is a syndrome of physiological and psychological responses that occur in children following exposure to stressful or traumatic medical events. Experiences such as painful procedures, admission to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) or neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and acute injuries may be traumatic to some children. This integrative review aims to identify risk factors associated with PMTS, examine its impact on child development and psychological well-being, and outline nursing interventions for prevention. Methods A search of ProQuest and PubMed was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion …

Enhancing Advocacy Through Nursing Interventions For Hospitalized Pediatric Oncology Patients With Absent Parents, Ma Seandee Mae Corrales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Parental advocacy is essential for high-quality, patient-centered care, particularly in pediatric oncology settings. However, when parents are infrequently present due to responsibilities such as work or caring for other children, pediatric patients may experience advocacy gaps, leading to delays in treatment, miscommunication, and unmet needs. Nurses are uniquely positioned to help address this need, but limited research exists on how nursing policies and educational interventions can enhance nurse-led advocacy in such situations. This research proposal assesses the effectiveness of structured nursing policies and educational programs designed to support nurse-led advocacy for pediatric oncology patients with infrequently present or absent parents. …

The Power Of Plate & Knowledge: Nutrition’S Role In Pcos Management For Asian American Women, Cassandra Curameng Diego Curameng

Nursing | Senior Theses

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic endocrine condition with symptoms that severely impair women's physical and reproductive health. However, individuals with PCOS, especially Asian American women, lack sufficient understanding of non-pharmacological symptom management options, such as dietary and lifestyle modifications. This research proposal explores whether culturally appropriate nutrition education can help manage PCOS symptoms and lessen the need for medical management. The literature critique focuses on addressing the knowledge gap regarding treatment management among women diagnosed with PCOS, health risks related to PCOS, ethnic differences, and nutrition. This proposal investigates the impact of a dietary education program tailored …

Reducing Anxiety And Burden: The Effect Of Caregiver Education In Hospice Care For Immigrant Families, Nicole Maria

Nursing | Senior Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this research proposal is to explore the impact of early mental health screenings, comprehensive education, and support in alleviating caregiver burden and anxiety among hospice immigrant family caregivers.

Methods

This research proposal will evaluate the effectiveness of caregiver education and mental health screenings. Baseline data will be collected using the Zarit Burden Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). After interventions are implemented, a post survey will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness.

Results

If the findings are statistically significant, they will support the hypothesis that caregiver education can reduce burden, improve caregivers’ mental well-being, and …

Awareness Of The Physiological Changes Occurring In Older Adults Can Reduce Dehydration And Electrolyte Imbalances, Lisa Isley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Individuals over 65 years are at an increased risk of dehydration. The physiological changes that occur with age and medication consumption can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can physically and mentally impair individuals over 65 years old. Objective: By providing education to individuals 65 years and older regarding the significance of drinking water and consuming electrolytes daily, older adults can reduce their dehydration symptoms and improve their quality of life. Method: The proposed research is a quasi experimental study geared towards individuals 65 years and older. The quasi-experimental study will include two pre-surveys and then two post-surveys. The …

Effects Of Educational Intervention On Asthmatic Children, Zoe Coggins

Nursing | Senior Theses

Abstract

Children are more vulnerable to asthmatic symptoms due to the physiological immaturity of their respiratory systems. Therefore, irritants are deemed more hazardous for the pediatric population. Pollution is a growing health concern, and within the literature review, several approaches to the measurement of the impact of low air quality and educational interventions are discussed. The themes identified in the literature review are increased risk of pollution-induced exacerbation due to age, behavior, and residential proximity to emission-producing facilities. The review of the literature demonstrated how pollution is a growing public health concern, especially among the pediatric population. Interventions, reviewed in …

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Quality Of Life In Kidney Transplant Recipients, Lawrence Panlilio

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Kidney transplantation is the best solution to save lives for those that have end-stage renal disease. However, psychosocial issues play a huge role in their quality of life after the procedure which can affect these individuals negatively. These issues recipients face include depression and anxiety, a lack of social support, and self management difficulties. Objective: This research consists of investigating psychosocial factors that affect kidney transplant recipients’ quality of life. Evidenced by research, focused assistance with ongoing support in patients is essential after receiving surgery and recovery. A literature review was conducted that consists of research on studies with …

Design And Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Pilot Program To Support New Graduate Nurses' Transition To Professional Practice: Application Of Soft Skills Education In An Associate Degree Program, Torri Crosby-Martin

All Capstone Projects

Problem Statement:
Post-pandemic nurse graduates experienced difficulty transition to professional practice due to limited focus on soft skills acquisition in pre-licensure nursing curricula.

Background:
Faculty characterized graduates as underprepared for professional practice, stating concerns affecting retention, patient outcomes, and work satisfaction.

Aim:
The quality improvement project goal was to address the transition to practice readiness by providing soft skills education to associate degree students.

Theoretical Framework:
This project applied Benner's Novice-to-Expert MOdel and Duchscher's Stages of Transition.

Methods:
Utilizing a mixed methods approach, March-April 2024, a sample size of 28 participants completed both pre- and post-Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Surveys …

Facilitators And Barriers To Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates In Non-Hispanic Black Women: An Integrative Review, Melissa Marie Andersson, Elizabeth L. Goes

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction - Black maternal mortality remains a crucial public health crisis in the United States despite a plethora of research on the incidence. This presents in the persistent disparities in health outcomes between Black and White mothers and newborns. While numerous studies have explored isolated factors contributing to this issue, few have synthesized the full scope of barriers and facilitators influencing Black maternal health outcomes in the United States specifically.

Research Aim - This integrative review aims to identify and organize the key facilitators and barriers to reducing Black maternal mortality in the United States using the socio-ecological model as …

Impact Of Acuity-Based Assignments On The Satisfaction And Burnout Of Inpatient Rehabilitation Nurses, Madelyn Miller Smith

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Background: With half of healthcare workers reporting burnout, job dissatisfaction and burnout are nursing epidemics. Staffing shortages and heavy workloads are leading dissatisfiers. Acuity-based assignments (ABAs) can predict patient needs and equitably distribute workload among nurses.
Local problem: Nurses of a 21-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility identified burnout related to workload. There was no standard practice for creating assignments, and the existing acuity measure was not rehab-specific.
Methods: An ABA tool was implemented over 12 weeks. Nurse satisfaction and burnout were measured with an abbreviated Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Nurse Satisfaction with the Quality of Care Scale, which were administered …

Implementation Of A Pediatric Skills And Simulation Workshop Among Rural Nurses, Cassandra Grabiel

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

No abstract provided.

ผลของโปรแกรมการส่งเสริมความสุขสบายแบบองค์รวมต่อคุณภาพการฟื้นตัวหลังการผ่าตัดศัลยกรรมกระดูกในเด็กวัยเรียน, กนกพร กลับเจริญ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การศึกษานี้เป็นการวิจัยกึ่งทดลองแบบวัดเฉพาะหลังการทดลองมีกลุ่มเปรียบเทียบ (Posttest-only Control Group Design) โดยมีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อประเมินผลของโปรแกรมการส่งเสริมความสุขสบายต่อคุณภาพการฟื้นตัวหลังการผ่าตัดศัลยกรรมกระดูกในเด็กวัยเรียน กลุ่มตัวอย่างเป็นเด็กอายุ 7–12 ปี จำนวน 40 ราย ที่เข้ารับการผ่าตัดใหญ่ศัลยกรรมกระดูกส่วนรยางค์และพักรักษาในหอผู้ป่วยกุมารศัลยกรรมกระดูก สถาบันสุขภาพเด็กแห่งชาติมหาราชินี โดยแบ่งเป็นกลุ่มทดลอง 20 ราย ซึ่งได้รับโปรแกรมการส่งเสริมความสุขสบาย และกลุ่มควบคุม 20 ราย ซึ่งได้รับการพยาบาลตามปกติ เครื่องมือวิจัยประกอบด้วย (1) โปรแกรมการส่งเสริมความสุขสบายแบบองค์รวมที่พัฒนาตามแนวคิดความสุขสบายของ Kolcaba (1992) (2) แบบประเมิน Children’s Comfort Daisies และ (3) แบบประเมินคุณภาพการฟื้นตัวหลังผ่าตัด 15 (Quality of Recovery–15: QoR–15) เครื่องมือทั้งหมดผ่านการตรวจสอบคุณภาพ โดยมีค่าดัชนีความตรงตามเนื้อหา (CVI) เท่ากับ 1.00, 1.00 และ 0.96 ตามลำดับ และแบบประเมิน QoR–15 มีค่าความเที่ยง Cronbach’s alpha เท่ากับ 0.86 การวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลใช้สถิติ Independent t-test ที่ระดับนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ .05 ผลการวิจัยพบว่า เด็กในกลุ่มทดลองมีคะแนนคุณภาพการฟื้นตัวหลังผ่าตัดเฉลี่ยในช่วง 48 และ 72 ชั่วโมง สูงกว่ากลุ่มควบคุมอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (p < .001) โดยที่ 48 ชั่วโมงหลังผ่าตัด กลุ่มทดลองมีคะแนนเฉลี่ย 130.80 (SD = 16.43) ขณะที่กลุ่มควบคุมมีคะแนนเฉลี่ย 101.45 (SD = 21.13) และที่ 72 ชั่วโมงหลังผ่าตัด กลุ่มทดลองมีคะแนนเฉลี่ย 140.90 (SD = 10.76) ขณะที่กลุ่มควบคุมมีคะแนนเฉลี่ย 118.20 (SD = 17.19) ผลลัพธ์ดังกล่าวแสดงให้เห็นว่าโปรแกรมการส่งเสริมความสุขสบายแบบองค์รวมมีประสิทธิผลในการส่งเสริมคุณภาพการฟื้นตัวหลังการผ่าตัดศัลยกรรมกระดูกในเด็กวัยเรียนอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ

ปัจจัยทำนายพฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคในผู้สัมผัสร่วมบ้านของผู้ป่วยวัณโรค, นงนภัส เกษรทอง

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การศึกษาครั้งนี้เป็นการวิจัยแบบบรรยายเชิงทำนาย เพื่อศึกษาความสามารถของปัจจัยคัดสรรในการทำนายพฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคในผู้สัมผัสวัณโรคร่วมบ้าน โดยปัจจัย ประกอบด้วย 1) ความรู้เกี่ยวกับวัณโรค 2) ทัศนคติต่อวัณโรค 3) แรงจูงใจในการป้องกันวัณโรค 4) การรับรู้ความสามารถของตนเองในการป้องกันวัณโรค และ 5) การรับรู้อุปสรรคเกี่ยวกับการป้องกันวัณโรค กลุ่มตัวอย่างเป็นผู้สัมผัสวัณโรคร่วมบ้าน จำนวน 111 คน ซึ่งเลือกอย่างเจาะจงจากโรงพยาบาล 3 แห่งในเขตกรุงเทพมหานคร เก็บรวบรวมข้อมูลโดยใช้แบบสอบถามชนิดตอบด้วยตนเอง วิเคราะห์ด้วยสถิติเชิงพรรณนาและการถดถอยพหุคูณ ผลการวิจัย พบว่า พฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคในผู้สัมผัสวัณโรคร่วมบ้านโดยรวม อยู่ในระดับดี (Mean = 44.2, SD = 6.5) ปัจจัยที่สามารถทำนายพฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ ได้แก่ ทัศนคติต่อวัณโรค (b = .374, p<.05) การรับรู ้ความสามารถของตนเอง ในการป้องกันวัณโรค (b = .244, p <.05) และ การรับรู ้อุปสรรคเกี ่ยวกับการป้องกันวัณโรค (b = .166, p <.05) ปัจจัยดังกล่าวสามารถร่วมทำนายพฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคได้ร้อยละ 32.8 อย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (R2 = .328, p <.05) อย่างไรก็ตามในการศึกษานี้ ความรู ้เกี ่ยวกับวัณโรค และแรงจูงใจในการป้องกันวัณโรค ไม่สามารถทำนายพฤติกรรมการป้องกันวัณโรคในผู ้สัมผัสวัณ โรคร่วมบ้าน

Utilizing A Virtual Discharge Nurse To Help Decrease Patient Length Of Stay And Improve Earlier Discharge Times, Carol A. Romano

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project explores the impact of implementing a Virtual Discharge Nurse (VDN) on patient length of stay (LOS) and discharge timing at Paoli Hospital within the Main Line Health system. Hospital discharges are often complex and can negatively impact patient flow and outcomes. This study highlights the urgent need for innovative discharge practices in healthcare and supports the potential benefits of integrating technology into nursing roles to improve patient care and operational efficiency. The project's significance lies in addressing these challenges by utilizing VDN to enhance communication, education, and resource management during discharge. We …

Cultivating Civility, Courtney Ruck

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Nurse leaders play a vital role in creating, sustaining, and ensuring a culture of civility along with a healthy work environment for both staff and patients. A challenge nurse leaders face today is the prevalence of bullying and incivility that continues to grow within the nursing profession and has detrimental effects on nursing staff, patient satisfaction, and healthcare organizations. Bullying and incivility can have disastrous effects on the mental, emotional, physical, and professional lives of those victimized by such behavior. When a culture of incivility is prevalent, patients suffer as secondary victims; patient safety and patient satisfaction are compromised. Organizations …

Implementing Holograms To Perform Cognitive Health History Screenings, Franchesca I. Gonzalez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Marginalized populations, defined as a group of individuals who experience systematic disadvantages due to various social identity factors (Oxford Review, n.d.), experience uneven barriers to cognitive and mental health assessments, including socioeconomic, linguistic, and educational inequities, that contribute to misdiagnosis (Petersen et al., 2018, Saeed & Masters, 2021). This study investigates the feasibility of hologram-based patient simulations as an educational intervention for undergraduate nursing and graduate Nurse Practitioner students. Culturally representative, three-dimensional holographic patients were created to replicate complex geriatric encounters and facilitate cognitive health screenings. Established assessment tools, including the Mini-Mental Status Examination, Patient Health Questionnaire 2 and Patient …

Burnout At University: Cross-Sectional Study Among Dental Students, Manal Elhijazi, Hajar Nafia, Ihsane Benyahya

Health Sciences

Context: The university constitutes a demanding and competitive learning environment which can impact the well-being of students. The objective of this survey is to assess the burnout of students at the faculty of dentistry.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an anonymous questionnaire with 3 sections: socio-demographic data, lifestyle and habit, and burnout through the Maslach burnout inventory-student survey (MBI-SS) . Continuous variables were presented as means and standard deviations,categorical variables as numbers and percentages. The variables were tested in univariate analysis to assess predictive factors related to burnout using the Khi-2 test. The significance level was …

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perceptions Of A Screen-Based Virtual Simulation And Self-Debriefing: A Qualitative Study., Fatima Zahra Mahou, Guillaume Decormeille, Asmae Khattabi

Health Sciences

The integration of virtual simulation and self-debriefing in nursing education offers promising approaches for enhancing students' competency in medication administration and dosage calculation. This study aims to explore undergraduate nursing students' perceptions and experiences with virtual simulation and self-debriefing, building on findings from a previously published RCT that demonstrated improved learning outcomes through these approaches. In the first phase (self-debriefing), 153 students answered five open-ended questions, followed by a focus group with six students in the second phase.The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis by two independent coders to ensure consistency and credibility. The study highlights the benefits of …

Using Educational Intervention To Impact Provider And Nurse Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Contingency Management At An Sud Clinic, Chinwe Egwudo

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The US opioid epidemic crisis led to 700,000 deaths in 2019 alone. Poor adherence to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) strains individuals, families, and the healthcare systems, with rising relapses at the project site highlighting the need for evidence-based intervention. Studies show that contingency management (CM), a behavioral intervention that incentivizes desired behaviors, improves adherence to MOUD. Despite its effectiveness, CM remains underutilized in clinical settings due to healthcare providers’ lack of knowledge and self-efficacy. This project aimed to bridge the knowledge gap by implementing an educational intervention to impact healthcare providers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in applying CM protocols …

Functional And Traditional Medical Management Of Endometriosis: An Integrative Review, Madison G. Daniels

Senior Honors Theses

Endometriosis, a progressive disease that affects many women worldwide, has been managed primarily through hormonal medication, pain management and surgical intervention. However, there is a growing desire among women to use more natural and holistic methods to control the progression of this disease as well as effectively manage the severe symptoms that accompany it. This integrative review examines the efficacy of functional management as compared to traditional medical management. The pathophysiology of each treatment method and provide statistical evidence as to its efficacy. The progression of the disease, symptom management, and related side effects are all taken into consideration in …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Critical Care Nurses Caring For Covid-19 Patients, Marwa Abdo

Nursing

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with a substantial number of severe cases requiring admission to isolated intensive care units (ICUs). This unprecedented situation exposed critical care nurses (CCNs) to a highly stressful traumatic environment, placing them at increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early identification and intervention for PTSD are crucial to mitigate the negative consequences for nurses' well-being, job performance, and overall quality of life. Aim: This study aimed to assess post-traumatic stress disorder among CCNs caring for COVID-19 patients. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 109 CCNs …