Digital Commons Network^™

Attitudes Towards Care Of Dying Patients Among Sophomore, Junior, And Senior Pre-Licensure Nursing Students At A Christian University While Controlling For Religiosity, Diane Bridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a need for nurses who can effectively care for dying patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of nursing students towards providing care of dying patients while controlling for religiosity. The study used a quantitative causal-comparative research design using two administered questionnaires, the Frommelt’s Attitudes Towards Care of the Dying (FATCOD B) and the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). A convenience sample of 417 residential undergraduate nursing students were used in this study. The sample consisted of 137 sophomore, 142 junior, and 138 senior pre-licensure nursing students who attended a large Christian university located …

Perceived Knowledge And Perceptions Of Palliative Care Among Advanced Practice Cardiac Providers, Jordan Vance

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Providers of healthcare have continued to focus on addressing patients’ chronic health outcomes. When understanding how to manage chronic disease, there remains many opportunities in facilitation of better management. With such a wide range of individuals who suffer with a chronic condition, better management to address this population is essential. Palliative care aids in accomplishing this task. It was seen that there was a lack of education in relation to palliative care, with perceptions that continued to be a barrier to the utilization of the service. Due to the lack in education, the strongest barrier to palliative care service utilization …

From The Top Down: Assisting Critical Care Nurses In Coping With Job Stresses, Cynthia R. Bryant

Senior Honors Theses

Critical Care nurses are faced with traumatic scenarios on a daily basis at work and are expected to remain professional in the face of chaos. In the midst of caring for their patients and catering to each family’s emotional needs, their own mental health tends to get pushed aside. Nurses are expected to remain supportive to sick patients and their families while enduring psychologically disturbing images and sounds, witnessing phases of the dying process, and hearing end-of-life care decisions being made. Because these nurses are only human, their energy reserves are rapidly depleted and they are left emotionally exhausted. Nurses …

The Challenges And Biblical 'Self-Care' Strategies For 'Direct-Care' Staff In Residential Treatment Facilities, Michael Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ministry means more than just pastoral duties within the context of the church. Those in ministry, and particularly those in ‘direct-care’ positions working in residential treatment facilities in childcare face a plethora of issues that can be mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually taxing. This project will provide biblically based engaging, edifying, encouraging, and equipping ministries the necessary skills to enable those who are in ‘Direct-Care’ positions to develop ‘self-care’ practices to address these issues. This thesis will investigate the causes and effects that impact those in ‘direct-care’ ministry to experience disillusionment, discouragement, depression, despair, defeat, and/or departure from ministry. …

Opportunities To Present Your Research, Brenda Ayres

Honorable Mention

This article lists opportunities for LU Honors students to present and publish their research through papers and posters. Some of the opportunities offer awards.

The Physiology And Psychology Of Exercise And Parkinson's Disease, Jess Gibson

Senior Honors Theses

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common degenerative neurological disorders and is currently lacking a cure. While physicians have long debated over the best treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms, treatments such as oral medication and deep brain stimulation have not yet shown to be a permanent solution to the disease. Recently, exercise has emerged as a contender in the fight against Parkinson’s and physicians and physiotherapists have been investigating the benefits of prescribing exercise programs to patients in an effort to slow progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. The following presents an analysis of the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s symptoms and …

Six Key Concepts In Training Evangelical Lay Chaplain For Effective Local Hospital Ministry, Lisa Kanne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many professional hospital chaplaincy organizations have ethics statements that specifically prohibit paid chaplains from proselytizing, unless specifically requested by the patient. The intention of the dissertation is to train lay chaplains in what to communicate with the patients, family and friends. Restrictions will be imposed on lay volunteer chaplains by the hospital and the chaplaincy department dealing with proselytizing and other topics concerning religion. The presentation will introduce biblical principles regarding ministering to the sick and dying, providing comfort to those who are hurting, and fostering hope and who are grieving. Between the survey findings and the interview key concepts …

A Four-Fold Strategy For Training Parents To Teach Spiritual Formation At Home, James Otis Ledbetter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to aid church leaders toward understanding the dynamics of family ministry: what it is and what it is not. Having written five books for Focus on the Family and David C. Cook addressing the role of the church and family, this author has successfully transitioned his church from the traditional family ministry (families in the support role of the church) to placing the church in the support role of the family: strengthening God's family by strengthening theirs. Based on surveys, evaluations of each individual family's health, historical and cultural documents, resources, and actual case …

Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A seminary graduate is often well equipped in a variety of areas including preaching, languages, church growth, and the like. One area that graduates often feel ill equipped is the practical area of pastoral care; however, every minister, whether in a church of ten or ten thousand, must have a way to effectively deal with this part of their ministry. From a review of the literature and a survey of pastors, this project will confirm the current need for further training in the area of pastoral care. In addition, this project will offer a plan to meet those needs within …

Caring For Caregivers: Assessing Grief And Coping Of Pediatric Palliative Care Nurses, Sophia Undseth

2014-2016 Undergraduate

The definition and implementation of pediatric palliative care has been increasingly studied in recent years. Within the United States, where children generally have adequate nutrition and access to advanced technology, the population of dying children is relatively small. Nevertheless, the number of pediatric patients suffering from both cancer and other chronic and life-threatening diseases has increased. While there has been a focus upon the need for support of the child and the family, the emotional response and grief of the caregivers, especially nurses, has often gone unnoticed. The five different kinds of loss that may be experienced by caregivers help …

Impact Of Family Presence In The Healthcare Setting, Michelle Mccabe

Senior Honors Theses

Family presence at the patient’s bed side is promoted and encouraged within the healthcare arena. Healthcare staff strive for reports of satisfaction from patients and families. Positive and negative outcomes of family presence on units within the hospital have been assessed, with suggestions for visitation practices and solutions for common concerns. Positive patient outcomes, including accelerated recovery time, increased reports of comfort, and decreased duration of hospital stay are the ultimate goals of hospital care. Research shows that patient outcomes are impacted greatly by family presence. Patient- and family-centered care represent the future model of healthcare. Knowledge of these policies …

Two By Two Leadership: A Model Of Christian Leadership, Joseph Swanner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A growing number of scholars are accepting the suggestion that shared leadership is preferred over individual leadership. The shared leadership model is proliferating into new fields where it is being modified and improved. Biblically, there is a pattern of sending individuals two by two into leadership, as well. Christian leadership models of the future must also return to the two by two, co-leader ideal. There is room for strategizing the details of what this model will look like on a practical level. Utilizing a case study and surveys, this project examines the effects of this leadership model in a church …

Providing Holistic And Spiritual Nursing Care, Jessika D. Gore

Senior Honors Theses

Holistic nursing is care of the whole person, which addresses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational aspects of health. Historically, nursing has always integrated these aspects into providing care. Nursing developed out of religious orders and was predominantly a way to serve God by serving the poor and the sick. Florence Nightingale believed that nursing was her calling from God and her faith and spirituality influenced every aspect of her care. Nurses today are often fearful of addressing the spiritual needs of their patients, despite research that demonstrates the importance of providing care in these areas. Nurses can use interventions …

His Right Eye: A Modern Radio Drama Adaptation Of Edgar Allan Poe’S “The Tell-Tale Heart”, Carson Burkett

Senior Honors Theses

Watching an actor manipulate emotions and physicality to breathe life into a character is extraordinary. Even more impressive is the ability of a performer to do this without being seen. Radio drama is an intriguing aspect of performance that is often underappreciated in current culture, but it can play an incredible role in communicating and allowing for emotion and truth to be presented richly.

Using Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Tell-Tale Heart” as the basis for this thesis, I have written a script for a radio drama that adapts the story for a modern culture. The Department of Theatre …

Contributions Of Apolipoprotein E And Environmental Factors In Alzheimer’S Disease, Kelly C. Mcmullen

Senior Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder, which currently affects nearly 5.5 million people in the United States alone. Clinical features often exhibited in AD include memory loss, unusual behavior, personality changes, and impaired cognitive function. The primary molecular hallmarks of AD include deposits of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissue. A myriad of risk factors are associated with the disease, but this review will focus on Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms and certain environmental factors. Understanding the role of Apolipoprotein E in AD pathology may aid in the development of certain drug therapies and possible cures for AD. …

A Nation In Its Prime: A Pentadic Study Of Walt Disney World's Main Street, U.S.A., Casey Guise

Masters Theses

The purpose of this paper is to consider the entrance to Walt Disney World, Main Street, U.S.A., as a rhetorical text and apply Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad. Background is provided on rhetorical theory and The Disney Company. Meanings are derived from messages interpreted using semiotics and symbolic interaction within the location. The significance of Main Street, U.S.A., as a replica of historic architecture and an illustration of revival architecture in creating emotive messages is discussed. Further discussion includes the implications of this study on corporations and the field of rhetorical studies in addition to suggestions for further research.

Pastoral Care: A New Model For Assessing The Spiritual Needs Of Hospitalized Patients, Douglas Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hospitalized patients are at an elevated risk of suffering from spiritual distress. Patients value and expect having spiritual and emotional needs met when hospitalized. A direct correlation exists between spiritual and physical health, making spiritual assessment and care a pastoral priority. Research indicates a lack of proper training for pastors making hospital visits. The purpose of this project is to provide pastors with resources and understanding of spiritual assessment of hospitalized patients. This project also provides pastors with a template for a new model of spiritual assessment to aid with establishing a spiritual assessment tool to meet their ministry needs, …

Ministry Of Memories: Keys To Pastoral Care Of Non-Cognitive Persons, Reginald Corfield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This work is intended to examine and study the theological and moral reasons to provide pastoral care to persons who have limited or no cognition. Dementia, Alzheimer's, certain other medical conditions and the aging process cause a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking, behavior and judgment. Most Clergy wrestle with the fact as to whether there is any purpose in ministering to such persons especially when there is no verbal or non-verbal response. This paper involves surveys, research, collection of historical and biblical data and medical science to evaluate the disease process and explore ways in which to …

New Media In Missions, Mallory Barks

Senior Honors Theses

Throughout modern history, missionaries have communicated with people at home and with nationals through print and electronic media, including television and radio. Today, the emergence of digital communication technologies is changing the way missionaries communicate internationally, allowing them to exchange personalized information immediately.

This project explores how several of today’s missionaries utilize print, electronic, and digital media in the practice of their calling. This study bases its findings on the content of interviews with ten missionaries. Though their specific practices differ slightly, all use some or all of these digital media types for missional purposes on a daily basis. As …

A Revitalization And Growth Strategy For The African Methodist Episcopal Churches In The Virginia Conference, Orin Eckman Gill Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyze the current environments prevailing in the sixty-three A. M. E. Churches in the Virginia Conference and develop strategies to revitalize them, improve their health and increase their spiritual and numerical growth. Data collection and analysis utilized quantitative research methods. This study presented: (1) a historic profile of the A. M. E. church in the U. S., so readers could understand the roots of the church; (2 Biblical support for the church, its ministry, missions, evangelism and growth; (4) Biblical evidence to support the need for a coordinated strategy to train, develop and …

Palliative Nursing Care In Pediatric Oncology, Hannah K. Reynolds

Senior Honors Theses

Palliative care is an integral part of providing adequate care for pediatric oncology patients. Whether the cancer is terminal or treatable, palliative care helps patients live their lives to the fullest by improving quality of life. Therefore, it is important to have a system to define and measure quality of life. Once quality of life can be quantitatively measured, nurses can use pain and symptom relief, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to improve it.

Pain management is essential to cancer recovery. Relief can be achieved through pharmacological or nonpharmacological methods; however, prophylactic pain relief is most beneficial. This means that …

Anencephaly: Concepts Of Personhood, Ethical Questions, And Nursing Care, Jessica L. Ryskamp

Senior Honors Theses

Anencephaly is a neural tube defect that severely limits the lifespan of affected infants. While these infants have no higher brain function, they are still persons, and should be given the same moral and ethical considerations as healthy infants. With this in mind, organ donation procedures should follow the same guidelines that apply to other donors. Because a large part of nursing care for anencephalic infants is palliative care, nurses need appropriate training to care effectively for both the infant and the family, providing for physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.

10-14-08 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 6)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

Class Notes, Liberty University

September/October 2008

No abstract provided.

Season Of Opportunity, Liberty University

July/August 2008

No abstract provided.

Class Notes, Liberty University

May/June 2008

No abstract provided.

A Literature Review: Current Trends In Holistic Nursing, Angela J. Wolf

Senior Honors Theses

There is scarcity of documentation that seeks to define spirituality relating to holistic nursing; consequently, a literature review was formulated to define spirituality and guide nursing practice towards recognizing the importance of and implementation of spiritual care. By researching the current trends in peer-reviewed journals from the past three years and analyzing associated articles, this paper addresses the need for a comprehensive definition of spirituality. Key concepts such as belief, values, interconnectedness with self, others and God, energy, hope and transcendence will be analyzed, and the accumulated data will be complied into a framework that is easy for a nurse …

Aids: The Tragedy Facing Children In Sub-Sahara Africa, Katherine Sipes

Senior Honors Theses

Few things affect the entire world, and HIV/AIDS is one of them. While the whole world is affected by this terrible disease, the area of sub-Sahara Africa has been affected the most with large quantities now suffering because of HIV/AIDS. Children have become major sufferers of HIV/AIDS, both from having the disease passed on to them and from being orphaned as parents die of AIDS. When numbers are combined, four countries alone in sub-Sahara Africa have together over 660,000 children with HIV/AIDS and over four million orphans. It is important to know what is being done to help the sufferers …

Role Of Spirituality In Persons Choosing A Career In Education: Calling As A Motivating Factor, Jared Bigham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The job of a teacher undergoes more scrutiny and accountability with each passing year. The esteem for the profession and extrinsic rewards do not increase commensurately to the ever growing challenges that teachers encounter. It therefore raises the question what motivates a teacher to enter such a profession? Many teachers in the profession say they answered a calling to teach. This phenomenological study examined the role that spirituality plays in persons choosing a career in education. Participants were chosen from college students who were in their methods semester of training. The participants were interviewed, and the dialogue was analyzed for …

Disabling Complexity: The Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990 And Its Interaction With Other Federal Laws, Tory L. Lucas

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Given the daunting breadth, depth, and sheer volume of federal legislation impacting the labor and employment arena, the task of understanding how all of the federal legislation - not to mention state and local legislation and all corresponding regulations and caselaw - interrelates may be an impossible task even for legal experts. One vital area of federal employment legislation involves protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) seeks “to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” To fulfill the ADA's vision to protect …