Digital Commons Network^™

Staff Education Project For Enhancing Medication Adherence In Mental Health: An Evidence-Based Education Program For Healthcare Practitioners In Outpatient Clinics, Rita Erina Pyuzza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The staff education project was designed to address medication non-adherence among mental health patients in an outpatient psychiatric clinic by enhancing the knowledge and skills of mental health nurses and nurse practitioners. The lack of structured, evidence-based training on medication adherence strategies has contributed to poor patient outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs. Clinic patient reports indicated 50% medication non-adherence, highlighting the need to address non-adherence through effective nursing-led education, medication management, and adherence monitoring. The project assessed whether enhancing the outpatient healthcare providers’ skills and knowledge through a structured, evidence-based program would improve the providers’ medication adherence strategies. …

Staff Education To Enhance Nursing Knowledge And Confidence In Withdrawal Management Using The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment And Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, Margaret Sarana Hector

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement staff education project addressed the inconsistent use of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) and Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) assessment tools among nursing staff in an adult psychiatric and addictions unit located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Inconsistent use of the CIWA and COWS tools may lead to unfavorable patient outcomes. The goal of this project was to enhance nursing familiarity, confidence, and sense of importance in using CIWA and COWS tools for assessing and managing withdrawal symptoms in patients with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders. A pre- and posteducation survey design …

An Education Project For Training Nurses On Self-Care Strategies To Prevent Work-Related Burnout, Nsemboowo Effiong Enyong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is no in this project

Staff Education To Improve Mental Health Knowledge Among Critical Care Staff, Ashton Barnes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health literacy is increasingly recognized as a critical component of nursing practice, particularly in high-acuity environments. At a local healthcare organization, leadership identified a gap in staff education related to mental health, contributing to elevated incidences of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout, and diminished patient outcomes. In response, I conducted this Doctor of Nursing Practice project to evaluate whether a structured educational intervention could enhance mental health knowledge and competency among critical care staff. Participants completed pre- and postintervention assessments to evaluate core concepts in mental health awareness and clinical application, with supplementary qualitative feedback gathered to …

Socio-Cultural Correlates Of Breastfeeding Behavior Among Latina Mothers And Its Implications For Child Health, Liliana Davalos, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar, Marissa Martinez, Christopher Johansen

Social and Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Background: Latina mothers in the United States report lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Lower rates of breastfeeding in infancy may lead to a higher rate of excess weight in childhood and adverse health conditions. Breastfeeding disparities in Latina women have been previously correlated with socio-cultural factors such as acculturation, education, income, nativity, and marital status. This study examines whether socio-cultural factors are associated with breastfeeding behaviors in Latina mothers in Nevada. Methods: Participants were Latina mothers [n = 214] over 18 years of age, with a child 2–5 years old. A logistic regression was …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (Ai) For Competency-Based Course Design: A Quality Improvement Project In Nursing Education, Lesslie Bull

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project addressed inefficient, manual course design processes contributing to faculty workload and declining National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates at a rural Texas university’s baccalaureate nursing program. Guided by the Roy Adaptation Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project evaluated the effect of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools on faculty perceptions of technology adoption, specifically perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and behavioral intention (BI). Using a quasi-experimental pre-/post-intervention design, twelve faculty members completed a one-hour, evidence-based training using the Generative AI for Instructional Development and Education (GAIDE) framework, and eight faculty participated in …

An Anesthesia Informed Consent Checklist And Ahrq Share Decision-Making Model For Labor And Delivery Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Katherine C. Burnett

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Abstract

Background and Significance: Informed consent is the disclosure of all benefits, risks, and alternatives to patients for a given intervention. Recalling all important details during the consenting process can prove difficult for providers. The process is further complicated for obstetric patients since healthcare decisions also have consequences for the fetus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee (ACOGC) (2021) recommends shared decision-making models (SDMs) for the obstetric patient population. SDMs engage patients in healthcare decisions by reaching a decision through provider expertise, best evidence, and patient values. In addition, surgical informed consent checklists have emerged as useful …

Enhancing Interprofessional Competence Among Speech Pathology, Nursing, Social Work, And Psychology Students Using Simulated Case Presentations, Elizabeth Oommen, Emily Helder, Kayla Johnson, Stacia L. Hoeksema, Laura Schipper

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Background: This study assesses the impact of an Interprofessional Education (IPE) program (which included simulated case presentations), on the perceived competence and quality of interprofessional (IP) work products of undergraduate social work, nursing, psychology students, and graduate students in speech-language pathology.

Methods: Participants included 123 students who participated in IP colloquiums through reviewing clinical cases, developing IP assessment and treatment goals, and presenting these to fellow students and faculty. Pre- and post-testing using IPEC Competency Self-Assessment Tool was used for assessment. For each colloquium, the students from all disciplines also submitted a single worksheet for their assigned case, …

Relationship Of Provider-Patient Communication And Health Literacy To Self-Management In Black Adults With Type-2 Diabetes, Linda Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adults in the United States are nearly twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and are more susceptible to severe diabetes-related complications. Health literacy and patient-provider communication (PPC) are extremely important for self-management in patients of all ethnicities however, 58% of non-Hispanic Blacks have basic or below-basic health literacy skills compared to 28% of non-Hispanic Whites. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study, with was guided by the interaction model of client behavior, was to determine (a) if there is relationship between PPC during the healthcare encounter to health literacy among Black adults …

Improving Student Success In 2nd Degree Bsn Students, Sharon Radzyminski, Eloisa G. Tamez, Jennifer Brewster, Leslie Kimberling Jones

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are designed to leverage a student’s prior academic achievements and professional experience, integrating them into the curriculum for their nursing degree. This allows students to receive credit for previous core courses and move through the nursing program at an accelerated rate. This, however, brings special challenges for both students and faculty. At our university we noticed the attrition rate of students in the second-degree BSN program was significantly higher than the traditional BSN program. Investigation into this issue revealed students in the Second-Degree Program had significant issues with role conflict, poor …

Antidepressant Medication Nonadherence In Adult Patients With A Major Depressive Disorder, Sandrine Djou Kaze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The chosen approach for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a clinical practice guideline (CPG) on interventions to improve antidepressant medication adherence in adults diagnosed with depression in an outpatient setting. The consequences of medication nonadherence in patients with depression are devastating for individuals and the healthcare system. Therefore, addressing it within nursing practice is essential to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. The practice question related to the DNP project was to determine whether the CPG could improve antidepressant medication compliance in adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder in an outpatient setting. I aimed to develop a …

An Educational Intervention Focused On Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences, Laconia Bacon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic childhood experiences that individuals may have been exposed to during their youth, such as child maltreatment, domestic violence, or interparental violence. Research has demonstrated that experiencing ACEs in childhood may result in physical and mental illnesses that led to dangerous lifestyle patterns in adulthood. In the local organization, several patients with ACEs presented in the emergency department (ED). The nurses, unaware of ACEs, were unable to detect and respond to the consequences of ACEs. Thus, the purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to determine whether an educational intervention focused …

Promising Practices To Address Healthcare Needs Voiced By Local Native Americans, Noelle Taylor, Mykin R. Higbee, Raiden Gaul

Transforming Communities

Purpose

To examine barriers and facilitators to nursing education among Native Americans and identify evidence-based strategies to increase the number of Native American nurses working in their local communities to address health disparities.

Background

Native Americans experience significantly higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and lower life expectancies. Only 4% of registered nurses identify as Native American, with no growth despite increased funding for diversity in nursing education. This underrepresentation contributes to culturally insensitive care and persistent healthcare inequities stemming from historical marginalization and trauma.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, …

Using Exercise To Treat Anxiety In Adult Patients With Addiction, Emmanuella N. Nnadozie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary In this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, I selected a staff education as the best intervention to improve staff knowledge in using exercise to treat anxiety disorders in adult patients at a recovery clinic for addiction. Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among individuals undergoing substance abuse treatment, often exacerbating withdrawal symptoms and increasing relapse risks; thus, integrating the use of exercise in addition to existing standard care for anxiety treatment in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) will lead to decreased anxiety, decreased alcohol use and drug cravings, improved quality of life and affect, increased abstinence, and improve …

Targeted Depression Screening For At-Risk High School Students: An Integrated Review, Joseph Calub

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Depression in high school students is underrecognized because symptoms can present not only as mood issues but also behavioral or academic problems. This integrated review examined literature from 2010-2015 using PsycInfo, ERIC, CINAHL, and PubMed to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted depression screening for students referred for behavioral, academic, or social concerns. Studies meeting inclusion criteria assessed targeted or clinically referred screening methods, with a focus on validated tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A). Findings indicate that targeted screening effectively identifies depressive symptoms in at-risk students and is more feasible in resource-limited schools than universal …

An Integrated Literature Review Examining Nurse Burnout Interventions, Wislande Joseph

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Nurse burnout has detrimental consequences for patients, nurses, and organizations and can negatively impact patient outcomes, nurse quality of life, and organizational costs. This integrated literature review aimed to examine interventions for nurse burnout in order to identify what characterizes effective interventions, whether evidence supports implementing such interventions, and how the most commonly-implemented intervention type (mindfulness-based) in particular impacts signs and symptoms of nurse burnout. A two-part search was conducted of CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar, and APA PsychInfo. Part one investigated burnout interventions broadly using the primary search terms nurse burnout and interventions; part two focused specifically on mindfulness-based interventions …

Symptom Clusters And Their Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life In Pediatric Cancer Survivors After Treatment Completion, Krishtee Napit

Theses & Dissertations

A critical area of cancer research, symptom management, has evolved from focusing on individual symptoms to recognizing the complexity of co-occurring symptoms, commonly referred to as symptom clusters. However, most studies on pediatric cancer symptom clusters have focused primarily on the treatment phase or long-term survivorship, overlooking the early post-treatment period. This dissertation examines the prevalence of multiple symptoms and symptom clusters in pediatric cancer survivors post-treatment; factors associated with the total number of symptoms and symptom clusters; and the association of the total number of symptoms and symptom clusters with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We developed and tested …

Temporal Patterns Of Ectopic Pregnancy: Using The Electronic Health Record To Illuminate A Dark Corner In Women's Health, Kirsten Hepburn

Theses & Dissertations

Ectopic pregnancy remains a significant contributor to pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, yet little is known about whether its occurrence follows discernible temporal patters that could inform prediction and prevention efforts. This dissertation aimed to explore the temporal characteristics of ectopic pregnancy through three interrelated projects: development of a new theoretical framework, a scoping review of the literature on ectopic pregnancy temporal patterns, and an empirical study using electronic health records data from a ten-year period at a single academic medical center. The Nursing Genomic and epigenomic, Environment, and Microbiome (N-GEM) situation-specific theoretical framework was introduced as a novel nursing theory …

Integrating Artificial Intelligence And Evidence-Based Guidelines Into Nursing Education, Allyson Kornahrens, Kerriann Latten

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are transforming the healthcare system and patient care delivery. Due to this, there is an essential need for faculty to incorporate AI into the nursing curriculum to educate students about its use and improve preparation for clinical practice. This practice-based article addresses the integration of AI into nursing education for students using AI-driven academic learning activities. These activities, created in alignment with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, explore clinical decision-making by comparing AI recommendations to evidence-based guidelines. Students are tasked with reflecting on AI’s accuracy and the ethical implications of …

Living With Disability After Spinal Cord Injury: A Grounded Theory Methodology, Diaa K. Abd Ali

Al-Ameed Journal for Medical Research and Health Sciences

Study Design: A Grounded Theory Methodology is employed to investigate the study phenomenon. the entire study started from Jan. 15^th. 2021 to March, 1^st. 2022.

Aim: The study is conducted to explore the concepts that shape the experience of living with disability among patients with spinal cord injury, and to formulating a grounded theory regarding nursing care for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Setting: The study is conducted in Ibn Alkuf Hospital for Spinal Cord Injuries, Baghdad, Iraq.

Methods: A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select (12) patients with chronic (more than 5 years) …

Addressing And Recognizing Secondary Traumatic Stress In Hospice And Palliative Care Clinicians, Laquisha La Chelle Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the emotionally demanding field of hospice and palliative care, the well-being of clinicians is critical. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on implementing a staffing education initiative to address secondary traumatic stress (STS). I designed this staffing education project to enhance clinician awareness, resilience, and coping strategies while informing organizational leadership on how improved staffing models and support systems can mitigate STS. Hospice and palliative care clinicians are uniquely vulnerable to STS due to constant exposure to trauma, death, and grieving families. The guiding question for this project was: In hospice and palliative care clinicians, how does …

Dnp Project: Research Study Using Mindfulness Meditation For Stress Reduction In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jennifer Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Undergraduate nursing students often experience high stress from academic rigor, clinical demands, and personal challenges, contributing to mental health concerns and increased attrition. Unmanaged stress, when met with insufficient coping strategies, may contribute to students failing, leaving, or withdrawing from a nursing program. This research project addressed the need for a structured coping strategy within the curriculum at a State College to promote student resilience and reduce stress. As a quality improvement process change, the project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of a four-week mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention on perceived stress levels of first-semester Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) …

Implementing Education On Music Therapy To Healthcare Professionals In Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Units To Decrease Incidences Of Aggression Among Patients, Judy Murua

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Aggression in psychiatric inpatient units presents a significant barrier to therapeutic care and staff safety, often resulting in the overuse of pharmacological interventions or restraints. Despite strong evidence supporting music therapy as a non-pharmacological option, limited exposure and confidence among healthcare team members hinder its use in practice. This quality improvement project evaluated whether an educational intervention on music therapy could improve staff‘s confidence in utilizing this technique to manage aggression. A quasi-experimental, one-group pre- and post-test design was employed in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit, involving participation from nurses and behavioral health technicians. A structured 30–45-minute educational session was …

Quality Improvement Project The Impact Of Targeted Education And Training On The Use Of Rapid Mood Screener Tool On The Rate Of Mood Disorders Detection Among Psychiatric Providers, Oluwatobi Adeleke

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Optimal mood disorder (MD) management outcomes are associated with accurate and timely diagnosis. Yet, MD misdiagnosis, particularly Bipolar I, is an unfortunately common problem. Rapid assessment or screening tools offer effective diagnostic assessment interventions for faster diagnosis without compromising effectiveness. Still, their administration is constrained by providers’ knowledge and competence limitations. The Rapid Mood Screener (RMS) is a rapid screener for MDs, including Bipolar I, with well-established specificity, accuracy, and reliability. Provider training and education on RMS implementation can be effective in addressing the challenges providers encounter in the tool’s administration. Here, through a pre-post quasi-experimental design, this quality improvement …

Quality Improvement Project Implementing Test Anxiety-Reducing Methods In Senior-Level Nursing Students, Ashley Brooke Gray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Test anxiety is a common occurrence among university students, particularly nursing students. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to address the problem of test anxiety among senior-level nursing students and the lack of faculty intervention in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This DNP project aimed to increase awareness of test anxiety among nursing students and provide faculty development training on identifying symptoms, utilizing the Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS), and implementing test anxiety-reducing measures in the classroom. The DNP student provided training to senior-level nursing faculty in integrating relaxation methods, …

Evidence-Based Intervention Proposal For Reducing Intimate Partner Violence Against Jamaican Women, Kimisha K. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) is a significant public health concern that negatively impacts women’s health, yet gaps in trauma-informed screening and referral processes persist within nursing practice. In Jamaica, DV remains underreported, highlighting the need for enhanced provider competency in identifying and supporting survivors. The doctoral project was used to examine how implementing the trauma-informed care (TIC) model and the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) program could improve healthcare staff’s ability to recognize, assess, and support DV survivors. Guided by the TIC framework and the IRIS program, a mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating pre- and posttraining assessments, staff surveys, …

Evaluating The Impact Of Auscultation Task Trainer On Faculty Teaching Health Assessment Course In A Bsn Program, Marie Leonie Tampus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Simulation-based education continues to transform nursing pedagogy by enhancing instructional effectiveness and clinical competency through experiential learning. In undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, faculty often face challenges when teaching complex skills such as respiratory system assessment due to variability in lung sound exposure and reliance on peer-based instruction. The project aimed to evaluate whether the implementation of a high-fidelity auscultation task trainer could improve faculty knowledge and self-confidence in teaching respiratory assessment in a BSN Health Assessment course. Using a pre- and post-intervention quality improvement design, five faculty members teaching the course participated in a six-week intervention. …

Impact Of Primary Preventive Initiatives To Reduce Burnout And Compassion Fatigue In Emergency Department Nurses, Kelley Molandes

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Background and significance: It is estimated that 20% of nurses leave the profession within the first year due to an onset of burnout (Henson, 2020). Prior to the pandemic of 2020, workforce projected models estimated large-scale shortages in full time employee (FTE) registered nurses as demand continued to outpace supply (Lauer, 2022). Researchers estimate projections from 2024 into the year 2032 are now skewed, as pandemic-related contributors and their effects on burnout in the nursing profession have not been thoroughly assessed (Saravanan et al., 2022). When considering the data, an underlying need for burnout prevention amongst nurse residents emerges. Interventions …

Implementation Of Medication Administration Education To Increase Medication Technician Knowledge And Confidence, Nicole C. Yan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Medication technicians have minimal formal training and education in medication administration. Insufficient knowledge and a lack of confidence present safety concerns, such as medication errors, which decrease the quality of patient care.

Context: The setting is an assisted living facility in the San Francisco Peninsula that provides around-the-clock patient care, promoting independence in a safe and home-like environment for 53 patients.

Interventions: The proposed intervention involves implementing a quality improvement (QI) project to educate medication technicians on medication administration safety. The educational sessions, completed in two in-person sessions, include a PowerPoint lecture, interactive case studies, and group discussion.

Measures: …

Empowering Medical-Surgical Nurses To Conquer Burnout: Building Resilience And Wellness, Catherine P. Morante

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: In the healthcare industry, nurse burnout is a well-documented issue that affects the well-being of both healthcare professionals and their patients. Burnout manifests as intense exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment (Okoniewski & Verni, 2024).

Context: Burnout affects patient outcomes and drives up costs (Dall’Ora et al., 2020). When nurses are overwhelmed, attendance is affected (Unpublished confidential document; 2024). Resilient nurses are essential to a healthy, reliable workforce (Unjai et al., 2024).

Interventions: From May to July 2025, a 12-week initiative was launched to reduce the effects of nurse burnout in the workplace. Evidence-based interventions were implemented, incorporating educational …