The Relationship Between Intensity Of Fitness Tracker Usage And Motivation, Rachel Cannata, Abigail C. Daugherty, Madison O. Dirocco, Julianne Green, Pial Dasgupta

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Many college students engage in unhealthy behaviors which may contribute to diseases. Additionally, some students may lack motivation to rectify these behaviors to improve their long-term health. This study assessed the relationship between intensity of fitness tracker usage and motivation among health professions students at a large, public Midwestern university. This non-experimental, correlational study used convenience sampling and a theoretical framework based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Online recruitment announcements were emailed and included links to the consent form and survey. Motivation was measured with Deci and Ryan’s modified self-determination tool. Intensity of tracker usage was measured using a scale …

Best Youth Education Methods For Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention, Caitlin F. Walchonski

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Sexual health education in the United States is inconsistent; information and methods vary from one location to another. Education plays a large role in developing safe sex practices, and despite the sexual education efforts, rates of sexually transmitted infections have risen for five consecutive years in the United States. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine the best methods for educating adolescents to promote behaviors to enhance sexual health. Multiple types of interventions have been studied including cognitive behavioral interventions, comprehensive sexual education, parent and teen dyad education, and abstinence only education. Sexual behavior is influenced by a variety …

Homeless Tailored Primary Care And Access To Ongoing Primary Care Services, Jessica J. Stoefen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Homelessness is an increasing problem worldwide. The system for providing medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness is currently a patchwork of multiple different agencies. Many individuals do not utilize routine primary care (PC) services, instead present to emergency departments for nonemergent care. A systematic literature review was conducted using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Consumer Health Complete – EBSCOhost, and PsycINFO from 2014-2019 with the exception of Cochrane which was searched from 2009-2019, to evaluate if tailored PC clinics focused on providing PC services with additional supports to homeless individuals were more effective at engaging …

Educating Staff On The Benefits Of Vitamin D Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis, Cheniece Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical competency is an important factor when delivering care to those with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D therapy through diet, supplements, and sunlight may decrease physical complications. The gap in practice this doctoral project addressed is the lack of education provided to healthcare professionals to promote the benefits of vitamin D. The project examined whether registered nurses who are provided education on the benefits of vitamin D therapy can apply the knowledge into the plan of care for patients with MS within 6 months versus those provided no education. Paradigms and models that were used include the …

Promoting The Recognition Of Depression In The Geriatric Population, Rose L. Hodge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a chronic condition that has both physical and mental consequences, complicating the elderly’s health status and interfering with daily functioning. Depression is not a normal part of aging and the elderly frequently seek mental health care in outpatient clinical settings where there is need for effective screening and prompt recognition leading to decreased morbidity and mortality. It is critical for psychiatric care settings to provide the most effective screening tools for recognizing depression as quickly as possible. This Doctoral Nursing Project quality improvement (QI) evaluation project resulted from observation of lack of a tool for recognizing depression in …

Systematic Review Of Family Nurse Practitioner Utilization Within School Environments, Luz Elena Zapien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine recommend school health screening programs to detect problems that might interfere with a student’s education and general well-being, and many U.S. states require compliance with enrollment requirements such as updated immunizations and physical exams prior to attendance. In low-income areas, however, there is often a shortage of physicians available to meet the healthcare needs of the population. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) can be utilized in school health settings to deliver health care services that support school attendance and the well-being of school students, yet little is known about their impact. …

Health Care Providers’ Use Of Nudging With Families Of Older Patients Making Discharge Decisions, Tabatha Bowers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The health care system has focused on reducing costs associated with longer lengths of

stay while facilitating safe and appropriate discharges. The purpose of this educational

project was to increase awareness among health care providers regarding nudging and

how it influences discharge planning decisions by patients and families. Enhancing health

care providers’ understanding of the impact of discharge communication may address the

issue of alternate level of care (ALC). Transition theory was used to frame the project.

Practice-focused questions addressed how the use of evidence-based case studies about

nudging could improve discharge planning for patients in a large community hospital …

Fall-Related Patient Education: An Essential Feature Of A Fall Prevention Program, Immaculata Okonkwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project documented the evaluation of a voluntary patient falls prevention education

program (VPFPEP) of a rehabilitative facility in a Mid-Atlantic US state and ascertained

its sustainability. The project was designed using the customized Moore et al. evaluation

model and Lippitt’s planned theory of change to encourage patient engagement in

physical activity (PA) through fall prevention education to allay patients’ fear of falling.

The sample included patients who opted into the facility’s VPFPEP. Evaluation was

performed using run charts to visually and quantitatively monitor trends and patterns of

fall incidents over time. Run charts also facilitated comparison of injuries sustained …

Factors Associated With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy And Quality Of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Saudi Arabia, Awatef Ibraheem

Dissertations

Evidence has suggested that diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and impaired physical and emotional health. About 82% of the diabetic population in Saudi Arabia show signs of DPN. However, it is under-recognized and undertreated. Further, DPN is linked to several clinical and metabolic risk factors. However, there is minimal evidence from Saudi Arabia on the impact of DPN on the individual's QoL. The aims of this current study were to (1) examine the impact of DPN symptoms on functioning, health perception, and QoL and (2) explore the biologic and individual factors associated with …

Exploring Enablers And Barriers To Accessing Health Services After A Fall Among People With Intellectual Disability, Portia Ho, Caroline Bulsara, Shane Patman, Jenny Downs, Anne-Marie Hill

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Adults with intellectual disability experience high rates of falls making falls prevention an important health need. The purpose of the study was to seek perspectives of older adults with intellectual disability and their caregivers to (a) explore the experiences of older adults with intellectual disability when seeking healthcare services after a fall and (b) identify enablers and barriers when taking up evidence-based falls recommendations.

Method: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken as part of a prospective observational cohort study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample. Data were analysed thematically using Colaizzi's method.

Results: Seventeen interviews were conducted …

The Flame, 2020-2021, Mennonite College Of Nursing

The Flame (1985-present)

The Flame is a newsletter of Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing

Evaluation Of The Care And Communication Bundle To Improve Palliative Care In Intensive Care Units, Angela Susan Bohon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Review of local data and concerns from nursing staff revealed the need to improve palliative care in a local, community hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This effort was mobilized by implementing the Care and Communication Bundle within evidence-based time frames, into this local, community ICU, using Lewin’s Change theory as a guide for implementation. The Care and Communication Bundle is a grouping of nine palliative, quality measures found to improve palliative care in the ICU. A pre/post-educational intervention evaluated if the implementation of the Care and Communication Bundle in the ICU improved palliative care by reviewing the documentation of the …

Quality Improvement Of Substance Misuse Screening Of Older Adults In Primary Care Using Evidence-Based Training, Kelly Lopez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background

The largest increase in preventable overdose deaths from 1999-2017 occurred among adults 50 and older, yet substance misuse among older adults is often not screened for or recognized in primary care settings. This oversight has been attributed to many factors, including age-related biases, unrecognized psychosocial and physiological differences, stigmatization, and a rapidly growing geriatric population.

Objectives

A quality improvement program using evidence-based educational training was implemented in a primary care setting with the intention to expand care knowledge and ultimately improve screening practices of older adults, especially those suffering from substance misuse.

Design

This quality improvement (QI) project used …

Suicidal Risk Education In Hospice Care, Shannon Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

It is well-documented that oncology patients experience greater rates of suicidality including suicidal ideation, actions, or completions, as compared to the general population. The small, rural county which was the setting for this project has a higher rate of lung and colon cancers as compared to regional, state, and national rates. A review of the literature revealed best practices for suicide screening including universal education and screening and targeted education and screening for at-risk populations. The rate for suicides in the county is also higher than the rates for the region, state, and nation. The purpose of this project was …

Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions Through Staff Education, Christopher Davio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure is a chronic health condition that can have devastating effects on thephysical and social well-being of patients. One critical component to heart failure treatment is understanding of the disease process and daily self-management for patients. The gap in practice at an acute care facility in the northwest United States was the lack of comprehensive discharge patient teaching to patients diagnosed with heart failure. The project explored if a heart failure education session for nurses would increase knowledge and competency on heart failure education. Knowle’s theory of adult learning was used to frame the project components. Thirty-one nursing staff …

Job Satisfaction, Work Environment, Job Stress, And Professional Identity Among Psychiatric Nurses, Tosin Rabiu-Akewusola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Job satisfaction is one of the most complex issues in the healthcare industry in regard to employees. To boost employees' productivity and job satisfaction, nurse leaders must satisfy their employees' needs by providing the right working conditions, reducing job stress, and promoting professional identity development. This quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study guided by Herzberg et al.s two-factor theory investigated the relationship among work environment, job stress, professional identity, and job satisfaction among 105 registered nurses working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals in the United States. It was determined that the moderating effect of demographic factor (years of experience) on the extent to …

Nurse Practitioner-Led Education Program For Heart Failure Patients, Shay Felecia Clarke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure (HF) affects 5.7 million Americans and continues to be a leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States, posing an enormous burden on patients, families, and the health care system. Readmission rates for HF within 30 days post hospital discharge at small rural acute care facility in the southeast are consistently higher than the national average. The gap in nursing practice was the lack of up to date patient education postdischarge guidelines on HF for the socioeconomically disadvantaged, culturally diverse patient population located in this small rural town. The purpose of this project was to use …

Mortality Disparities Among Puerto Rican Infants In 2015, Maria Del Carmen Medina

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a well-established disparity between infant mortality rates among women residing in rural areas in Puerto Rico in comparison with woman residing in urban areas of Puerto Rico. There is a significant amount of research that connects infant mortality to low birth weight, congenital malformations, and premature births. The purpose of this study was to determine infant mortality and its relationship with the geographical location of Puerto Rican mothers. The study also examined whether there is a relationship between infant mortality and the area of residence (rural/urban) of the mother, marital status, race, and education level of the mother. …

Influence Of Work Values On Rural-Practice Intentions Among American Students Attending A Rural University, Nicholas Best

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Rural areas in the United States frequently face difficulties regarding the prevalence of healthcare-related professionals. To better address this issue, it is important to understand how various demographic factors as well as individual work values influence the workplace setting decisions of future "helping" professionals. Previous research has studied the impact of various work values and how they relate to working with underserved populations (Aviram & Katan, 1991; Krous & Nauta, 2005). The current study aimed to compare various demographic factors and work value's ability to predict intentions to work in rural areas among students attending Murray State University (N …

Budget Impact Analysis Of Robotic Exoskeleton Use For Locomotor Training Following Spinal Cord Injury In Four Sci Model Systems, Daniel Pinto, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Jason Barbas, Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Susan Charlifue, Edelle C. Field-Fote, Catherine L. Furbish, Candy Tefertiller, Chaithanya K. Mummidisetty, Heather Taylor, Arun Jayaraman, Allen W. Heinemann

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

We know little about the budget impact of integrating robotic exoskeleton over-ground training into therapy services for locomotor training. The purpose of this study was to estimate the budget impact of adding robotic exoskeleton over-ground training to existing locomotor training strategies in the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injury.

Methods

A Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) was conducted using data provided by four Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals. Hospitals provided estimates of therapy utilization and costs about people with spinal cord injury who participated in locomotor training in the calendar year 2017. Interventions were standard of …

Clinical Nurses' Perspectives On Discharge Practice Changes From Participating In A Translational Research Study, Kathleen L. Bobay, Regina Conway-Philips, Ronda G. Hughes, Linda L. Costa, Sarah J. Bahr, Danielle M. Siclovan, Susan A. Nuccio, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim

To describe clinical nurses' experiences with practice change associated with participation in a multi‐site nursing translational research study implementing new protocols for hospital discharge readiness assessment.

Background

Nurses' participation in translational research studies provides an opportunity to evaluate how implementation of new nursing interventions affects care processes within a local context. These insights can provide information that leads to successful adoption and sustainability of the intervention.

Methods

Semi‐structured focus groups from 30 of 33 participating study hospitals lead by team nurse researchers.

Results

Nurses reported improved and earlier awareness of patients' discharge needs, changes in discharge practices, greater patient/family …

Teaching Methodologies For Improved Student Engagement In Online Or Distance Education Courses, Erin Williams

Nursing Capstones

Research demonstrates the importance of learner engagement and social presence achievement of student learning outcomes and increased student satisfaction. However, little guidance is available to educators on how to create effective online and distance education courses that are engaging, interactive, student-centered, and effective. A literature review was completed to determine which online and/or distance education teaching methodologies are best for improving student engagement, and therefore improving student outcomes. Thirteen articles published between January 2014 and December 2019 were identified from a search of two databases. Ten of these articles were further analyzed according to the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. …

Reconciling Incongruencies: Examining The Meaning And Influencing Factors Of Oncology Nurses' Professional Quality Of Life, Rebecca Lynne Boni

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nurses often witness suffering and loss. These experiences are intrinsic to the practice of nursing and can exert a strong, cumulative effect on nurses’ professional quality of life (QOL). Stamm (2010b) conceptualizes professional QOL as a composite of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Inferior professional QOL has been linked to numerous negative healthcare outcomes. Oncology nurses are particularly vulnerable to compassion fatigue. The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), created by Stamm (2009), is the current survey used to measure professional QOL, but it may not be specific enough for oncology nurses.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was …

Physical Activity Group On An Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Patricia Brown

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Physical activity is beneficial for the wellness of both the body and mind. Preventable physical diseases are the cause of the majority of deaths in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) (Vancampfort et al., 2017). Motivation can be a barrier to regular physical activity. Learning by observation can facilitate maintaining behavior change. Thus, physical activity groups on an inpatient behavioral health unit were facilitated by exercise physiologists to improve mental health and physical health (Kaur et al., 2013; WHO, 2015). Lack of physical activity on inpatient behavioral health units is a common practice. The primary aim of this project was …

A Nurse Practitioner-Led Group Advance Care Planning Program In An Independent And Assisted Living Community, Alexander Bustos

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

It has been well documented that the majority of people want to spend their last days in the comfort of their own homes, free of pain, and off any dependent machine. , However, the majority of people have not documented these wishes or talked with their family or provider about end of life care (Hamel, Wu, & Brodie, 2017). The Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA), which took effect on December 1, 1991, was enacted to raise awareness and promote discussions between patients and providers about end of life (EOL) healthcare decisions. The primary care nurse practitioner is in a prime …

The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Stress And Coping Mechanisms In The Undergraduate Nursing Student, Marissa Rebello

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), coping mechanisms and perceived stress in undergraduate nursing students.

Design:A quantitative non-experimental descriptive design was followed.

Method:The data was collected through a convenience sample. The sample was collected during an undergraduate nursing class where the students in the classroom were asked to participate in the study. The students that chose to participate took a survey that included data collection on demographics, EI scores, perceived stress and coping mechanisms. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (Cohen et al., 1983), the Brief COPE (Carver, 1997), and …

Predictors Of Short-Term Residential Treatment Completion Preceded By Detoxification For Opioid Use Disorder, Christopher Gideon

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background and Significance: Deaths related to opioid overdose are increasing. Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is necessary to help prevent future opioid abuse, and often involves opioid detoxification, followed by short-term residential treatment, typically lasting about 28 days. Literature regarding OUD and short-term residential treatment is limited. Predictors of short-term residential completion, including whether detoxification was performed, may help addiction professionals individualize treatments. This study’s purpose was to determine predictors of short-term residential completion treatment for OUD, and whether detoxification prior to entering residential treatment may also be a factor in residential completion.

Method: De-identified data regarding …

Impact Of A Web-Based Instructional Module Of Alzheimer’S Disease Within Seven Content Knowledge Domains, Joyce Haynie

Dissertations

Abstract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has been classified as the most common form of dementia. Primary health care providers are usually the first clinicians to whom individuals present with symptoms of dementia. By 2050, it is expected that as many as 13.8 million Americans will be living with AD, and millions more will be placed in the challenging role of providing care for these individuals. However, studies continue to show that dementia is often underdiagnosed and under detected. The purpose of the study was to systematically inquire about the impact of AD education on level of knowledge about AD among primary …

Nursing Campus Therapy Dog, Deborah A. Hall

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

An acknowledged bond has existed between humans and animals throughout history. Therapeutic physical and psycho-social effects of these bonding relationships have been noted in health care settings. Professional nursing education is known to be one of the most demanding and stressful fields of study. Students begin to experience extreme stress early in their nursing education. An animal-assisted intervention with a therapy dog is an innovative and inexpensive action that can help decrease the stress, anxiety, and depression students experience in higher education.

The focus of this dissertation portfolio was an animal-assisted intervention with a nursing campus therapy dog. The initial …

A Pilot Study: Baseline Educational Achievements Of Children Raised By Grandparents In A Kinship Care Program, Mary Lou Lacomb-Davis, Phd, Aprn, Cpnp-Pc, Michael Patton, Msw, Jean Pawl, Phd, Rn, Ocn, Cne

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This pilot study reports the baseline data of a prospective longitudinal study examining the educational achievements of grandchildren being raised by grandparents in parent absent homes. The baseline data includes 117 grandchildren in grades K-12 in two school districts in a southeastern state. School records reporting 2,230 grades were examined for grade point average (GPA) and attendance for K-12 and conduct in grades K-5. The majority of the grandchildren achieved A/B averages. There were no significant differences between gender, pre-care experiences, placement by welfare agencies or paternal involvement across years of schooling. GPAs were lower in the grandchildren who had …