Digital Commons Network^™

Prevention Of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections In A Long Term Acute Care Facility, Gail Jones

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The overuse of the indwelling urinary catheter is a significant problem in all healthcare settings. Up to five million urinary catheters are placed annually in the United States. The use of indwelling urethral catheters, while important and useful in certain clinical situations, can lead to patient discomfort, morbidity, and even mortality.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the effectiveness of implementing a catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention program guided by best practice recommendations. The four best practice guidelines were recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Society of …

The Effect Of Low Perceived Life Chances On Odds Of Adolescent Participation In Fighting, Stabbing, And Shooting, Alice L. March

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Adolescent participation in violent behaviors increases the likelihood of premature death. Minority youth have high rates of fighting, stabbing and shooting, yet substantially more research has been completed in majority populations. Multiple factors influence the odds of involvement, yet theory-based research has not fully examined how risk or promotive factors alter behaviors. This study employed the problem behavior theory to examine psychosocial risk and protective factors in impoverished African American adolescents. The purpose of the study was to discover the relationships between risk and protective factors, and behaviors related to violence, in particular the risk factor of low perceived …

Physical Health Of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Live Longer And Stay Healthier?, Kuei-Min Chen, Hsin-Ting Huang, Chun-Huw Li, Mei-Hui Lin, Pei-Chi Hsu, Yueh-Chin Wang

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Physical health of older adults is the major concern in health promotion of this age group. Having better comprehension about older adults' physical health can better design activities to maintain and promote their health.

Aims: This study aimed to: 1) investigate the physical health of community-dwelling older adults; and 2) compare the differences of physical health among different age groups and gender. Design: Survey research.

Methods: Using stratified random sampling, 384 community-dwelling older adults, equally represented from 11 districts in Kaohsiung city, southern Taiwan, were recruited. Based on the Health Model of Older Adults, three constructs with 28 indicators …

Implementation Experiences Of A Evidence-Based Program To Reduce Sexual Risk Behavior Among Mexican Adolescents, Raquel Alicia Benavides-Torres, Morayma Gonzalez Sanmiguel, Bertha Cecilia Salazar, Esther C. Gallegos, Antonia Villarruel

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Reports estimate that 31% to 68% of Mexican teenagers have had sex and 72% never used a condom. Moreover, few evidence based HIV/AIDS prevention programs for adolescents have been disseminated to practice settings. The primary objective of this study was to examine the feasibility implementing Cuidate!, an evidence based program to reduce sexual risk behaviors in adolescents, as delivered by community providers.

Methods: In this implementation study 48 health care providers (HCP) from 38 agencies from low socioeconomic communities were recruited. Participants committed to: 1) attend the 3 day training; 2) deliver the program at least once with 10 …

The Clinical Scholar Program: A Fulbright Collaboration In Northern Thailand, Alyce A. Schultz

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The Complementing Alliance for Research and Evidence-Based Practice (CARE) project was initiated in 2006 in northern Thailand to develop regional capacity for emphasizing evidence-based practice (EBP) in international health; 5 projects were initiated. In 2009, Making Evidence and EBP Consultations Accessible to Practitioners (MEECAP) was added to accelerate the uptake of EBP using a nurse clinician-instructor model. The Fulbright Senior Specialist program, initiated in 2001, provides two to six week grants to qualified scholars to work with colleagues in smaller or isolated non-United States institutions where placing a traditional Fulbright scholar is not feasible.

Approach: A Fulbright application submitted …

Families' Experiences With Palliative Care Services Of Children With Cancer In Lebanon, May Naifeh Khoury, Huda Abu-Saad Huijer, Myrna Abi Abdallah Doumit

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: the impact of childhood cancer on the family has been studied in different cultures and continues to be an object of study and concern. In Lebanon, a country of 4 million people 282 new pediatric cases age <20 years were reported in 2004. Objectives: the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Lebanese families living with a child with cancer and receiving palliative care(PC) in a major referring center in Beirut.

Method: The study followed purposeful sampling and saturation principles in which 12 parents (mother or father) of a child with cancer were interviewed. Data were analyzed following hermeneutical process as described by Diekelmann and Ironsides (1998).

Results: A phenomenological approach was used to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of families of children with cancer. Five themes emerged from the data …

Impact Of Workplace Incivility On Staff Nurses Including Productivity And Financial Consequences, Patricia S. Lewis, Ann T. Malecha

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Workplace Incivility is "low-intensity deviant behavior with ambiguous intent to harm the target, in violation of workplace norms for mutual respect." (Andersson & Pearson, 1999, p. 452). Healthy work environments are linked to patient safety and positive outcomes.

Purpose/Aims: The aims of the study were to determine relationships and predictors of individual and organizational factors influencing workplace incivility as well as its impact on productivity and costs.

Methods: This non-experimental study of 659 staff nurses was conducted in 2009. This study is based on the Conceptual Model of Workplace Incivility (Pearson et al., 2005). IRB approval was obtained. The …

The Trauma Of Being Diagnosed With Hiv/Aids For Zimbabwean Women, Clara M. Gona

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Zimbabwe has among the highest HIV infection rates worldwide, with 1.3 million people, most of them women between 15-49 years living with the disease in 2008. The pandemic has caused crisis level adult morbidity and mortality among the economically-active groups, huge reversals of recent gains in early childhood survival, rapid decrease in population growth, and a relentless rise in the number of orphans. Missing from the Zimbabwean HIV/AIDS literature are the women's voices and experiences of being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS for Zimbabwean women.

Method: …

Hiv-Infected Women And Intimate Partner Violence: Cd4 Counts, Opportunistic Infections, Viral Replication, And Adherence To Antiretroviral Medication, Ma De Los Angeles Nava, Judith M. Mcfarlane, Debra Trimble

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to document the impact on HIV dissease progression, measured as CD4 counts, number of opportunistic infections, viral replication, and adherence to antiretroviral medication for HIV-infected women who do and do not report partner violence. Although both HIV infection and partner violence affect millions of women worldwide, research is lacking on the impact of violence on the health of women with HIV. Once the relationship of IPV and HIV disease progression is documented evidence-based interventions can be designed and tested.

Methods: A non-experimental, comparative, descriptive design was used. HIV-infected women receiving care at an …

Emotional Intelligence In Nursing, Elizabeth Ann Freitas, Estelle Codier, Lynn Muneno

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Practice problems: Nurses are responsible for using emotional skills to evaluate and promote patient's emotional health. There is very limited research relating to measuring emotional abilities of nurses. Research from professions outside nursing has demonstrated that EI abilities can be developed. In the oncology clinical environments emotional health needs are particularly acute. This feasibility study was undertaken to assess and improve EI abilities in oncology nurses.

Evidence used and synthesized: Data was collected on rounds participants: mood/energy reports, emotional assessments, and evaluations of rounds efficacy. Rounds outcomes were evaluated via chart reviews, and reports of nurse satisfaction/retention. Improvement implementation strategy: …

Nursing Students Abroad: Understanding Global Health Through Partnership In Australia, Amy Nagorski Johnson

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Problem: Community health experiences do not always facilitate student recognition of responsibility to the community and society at large when their view of the world has not been challenged. Many of our students have little experience outside of the Middle Atlantic region of the United States, and even fewer have traveled outside of the United States. To challenge this view, students are taken abroad to examine global health.

Method: This project takes students on a global experience of community service learning in Cairns, Australia. They work with aboriginal people through a partnership with the Base Hospital to complete a population …

Where The Personal And Professional Self Meet: Understanding Nurses' Lived Experiences Of Adoption, Karen J. Foli, Roberta Schweitzer

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Problem: Nurses render care to members of the adoption triad: the birth parents, adoptive parents and the child. Yet, understanding nurses' perceptions of and interactions with members of the adoption triad (AT) have not been explored.

Purpose: To explore the lived experiences of nurses and the care rendered to the AT in various clinical settings using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.

Methods/Analysis: At the completion of a web based quantitative survey, participants were invited to add text about their own experiences in caring for the AT. From these responses, coding was conducted and themes revealed via Colaizzi's qualitative method. Reflexive notes …

International Nursing Leadership Development: A Shared Service Learning Partnership, Sharon Elizabeth Metcalfe

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: This abstract describes a nursing educational program using service-learning presentations for international leadership development. Practicing nurses and students from three university schools of nursing and two hospitals located in the United Kingdom, collaborated in an educational partnership with a school of nursing from the southeastern United States during the years 2005-2010.

Methods: Visiting nurses from the United States and nurses from the United Kingdom collaboratively presented service-learning topics of mutual global health interest onsite at hospitals and university campuses in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Results: Through this structured process of delivering international presentations and facilitating discussions, nurses had the …

Transformational Leadership:Â Perceptions Of Finnish Nursing Staff, Tarja Kvist, Katri Vehvilainen-Julkunen, Merja Miettinen

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: To describe how transformational are Finnish nursing leaders perceived by nursing staff and find differences in their perceptions by background variables.

Methods: The web based survey was conducted in 2010 using a total sample of 1500 nursing staff (RN, LPN, radiographers, laboratory nurses, physiotherapistists e.g.) in five study hospitals. The instrument was developed based on the large literature review by researchers and the pilot study was made in 2007 and tested in 2008. Data were analyzed with SPSS 14.0 for Windows program. Frequency and percentage distribution were used for data description. Based on the explorative factor analysis, five mean …

The Life-Space Mobility As An Expression Of The Mode Of Interdependence Of Functionality In Older Adults, Juana Edith Cruz-Quevedo, Maria De Los Angeles Villarreal-Reyna, Bertha Cecilia Salazar, Esther C. Gallegos

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: To test the effect of a muscular strength exercise program of muscular strength in older adults based on the Roy's adaptation model as an expression of the mode of interdependence of functionality in older adults.

Methods: A repeated measures quasi-experimental design with two groups, an experimental (n = 22) and a control group (n = 19) was used. Experimental conditions were: a 12-week exercise program to increase muscular strength using Thera-band elastic bands. The program is focused primarily on the lower extremities; it had three 1-hour sessions per week at a moderate intensity. Outcome variables were: Muscular strength, perceived …

Integrating Cultural Humility Within The Core Competencies Of The Global Nurse Consultant: An Exemplar From Botswana, Marcee Radakovich, Michele J. Upvall

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Core competencies for global nurse consultants include seven domains: client context, accountability, ethical practice, legal practice, service provision, communication, and continuing competence (World Health Professions Alliance, 2007). However, the underlying precept for successful global consulting, cultural humility, has largely been ignored. The purpose of this presentation is to integrate the concept of cultural humility within the core competencies of the global nurse consultant.

Methods: A case study approach demonstrates the significance of cultural humility as an underlying process in developing core competencies for global nurse consultants. A new hospital was recently constructed in Botswana, providing the context for integration …

Immersion In Service Learning Offers A Leadership Focus For Today's Nursing Student, Kathleen M. Lamaute

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Cultivating leadership skills in undergraduate nursing is the bedrock of the future of nursing. Today's nursing student's schedules are busy; they attend classes while holding many other responsibilities. Service learning encompasses many aspects of nursing leadership. It incorporates practice, economics, environment and health care policy. It empowers students to step out of their comfort zone and explore reality.

Methods: An alternative elective immersion course design was offered for undergraduate nursing students to experience community service learning within the context of the homeless population in a post Katrina disaster environment. The course was offered during Spring break so students could …

Fitsteps For Life: Improving Qol For Persons With Cancer Through A Community-Based Exercise Program, Barbara K. Haas, Gary Kimmel

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Exercise has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the lives of persons with cancer. Most studies have been limited to early stage disease or have been conducted over a short time frame. Exercise maintenance, difficult in any population, is complicated by the presence of a life-threatening illness. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on the quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time.

Methods: Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory was used to guide this longitudinal, quasi-experimental study conducted from 2006-2011. Participants were referred by their physician to …

Predictors Of Body Fat Redistribution In Persons Living With Hiv/Aids, Kenn M. Kirksey, Mary Jane Hamilton, Adama Brown, Elizabeth F. Sefcik

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: HIV disease and antiretroviral treatments can be accompanied by intense physical and psychological symptoms, including body fat redistribution. Lipodystrophy is often associated with increased illness perception and stigmatization. Amelioration of the anthropomorphic and metabolic changes, through provider-directed or self-care measures, can be challenging and often results in reduced medication adherence and impacts quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of HIV-related lipodystrophic symptoms based upon a team-generated conceptual model exploring associations between personal characteristics, resources, illness perception and severity, and changes in symptoms, adherence and quality of life.

Methods: This study was a sub-analysis …

Effectiveness Of Cell Phones With Digital Picture Capability And Mypyramid Tracker For Measurement Of Fruit/Vegetable Consumption, Joann D. Long, Brent Shriver, Dean Culpepper, Laurel Littlefield, Carol Boswell, Gina Kuenzi, Toby Rogers, Gary Estep

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Inadequate fruit/vegetable intake is linked to the leading causes of global mortality and rise in obesity (World Health Organization, 2009). Traditional dietary assessment methods have limited sensitivity in detecting changes in fruit/vegetable consumption. Advances in mobile technologies may reduce reporting burden while enhancing effectiveness of fruit/vegetable recording, warrenting further study. The purpose of this project was to test the effectiveness of a technology-based method of dietary assessment for fruit/vegetables using cell phones with digital picture capability, for memory prompt in conjunction with MyPyramidtracker.gov website.

Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated measures design was used. The research questions were: 1) What is …

Factors Affecting Nurse Migration For Nursing Leaders To Consider To Improve Nurse Retention, Sheila Cameron, Michelle A. Freeman, Barat J. Wolfe, Dale Lynn Rajacich

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Migration of nurses continues to concern global nursing leaders in this time of nursing shortage (Kingma, 2008). The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing nurse migration in a sample of Canadian nurses in an attempt to determine what influenced their decisions about working in Ontario or Michigan.

Design: This was a cross-sectional, exploratory study conducted with nurses living in Ontario who either worked in Ontario or commuted daily to Michigan.

Methods: Nurses were recruited through the nursing registries in Ontario and Michigan and completed a mailed questionnaire exploring several selected stressors, including staffing adequacy, safety, commute …

National Standardize Specialty Exams Improve Predictive Exit Exam Scores And Nclex-Rnâ® Success, Elizabeth Zweighaft, Pamela Willson

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Nurse Educators search for strategies to identify at-risk students early in the educational process with the intention of identifying knowledge gaps and providing remediation to improve student success on the NCLEX-RN examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Elsevier/HESI Specialty Exams used throughout the curriculum has on the HESI Exit Exam and NCLEX-RN student performance.

Methods: A random matched (2:1) stratified sample of 63 schools using predictive exit exams alone (n=20; 1,458 students) or schools using both specialty and exit exams (n=43; 2,332 students) were analyzed. Nursing students were enrolled in 26 BSN, 31 …

Developing Future Leaders Through Electronic Mentoring Program, Annette P. Parker

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: One of the issues with Kappa Tau Chapter is retaining new inductees after the first year of membership. Kappa Tau addressed this issue by engaging new inductees in the mission and vision of chapter through an e- mentorship with a board member. E-mentoring is a relationship developed between a protegee and mentor through the use of electronic communications like e-mail. It is anticipated that both groups will have positive experiences and remain committed to the nursing profession and Kappa Tau Chapter.

Methods: All new inductees were sent a personalized e-mail welcoming them to Kappa Tau and asking that they …

Coaching Toward Career Persistence: A Global Collaborative Strategy To Build Capacity Worldwide, Helen F. Hodges, Ann C. Keeley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Recent reports from the US describe new graduate first year attrition continues at 60-70% with substantial loss to institutions financially, intellectually, and via risk management. With an interest to educate nurses who know how to stay in nursing, investigators explored student blogging as a means to analyze nursing students' developing professional resilience and persistence behaviors during practicum courses. The study is based on findings from previously published works of professional resilience in new nurses, and a theory of career persistence in nurses.

Method: Following IRB approval and informed consent, a purposive sample of prelicensure students yielded 35 participants who …

Making Key Clinical Assessment Tools Accessible For Global Nursing Practice, Lucia Gonzales, Rose Mary Gee, Anne Floyd Koci

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Taking up a global leadership role by providing hands-on nursing on international medical missions, inspires one to enhance giving and leading to yet another level. It is proposed that research incorporated into nursing science be shared with our healthcare colleagues in the Philippines and Ukraine. The purpose of this research is to prepare brief assessment tools for use in global populations. Assessment tools have provided valuable insights into our patients' health outcomes following nursing interventions, and in uncovering underlying reasons for complex symptomology. The KOCI Marginality Index-5 assesses marginality that is significantly positively correlated with anxiety and depression. Additionally, …

International Nursing Education Partnership For Care Of An Aging Population: Simulation And Clinical Judgment Development, Elizabeth Johnson, Kay E. Hodson-Carlton, Kathie Lasater, Linda Siktberg, Nancy L. Dillard, Stephanie Sideras, Ronnie Meechan

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The aging worldwide population challenges educators to train larger numbers of health care leaders skilled in geriatric care (World Health Organization). Although clinical simulation is used internationally to educate future nursing leaders, evidence linking simulation and clinical judgment is lacking. For nurses, clinical judgment development is critical to meeting the WHO challenge. The purpose of this international multi-site study was to determine the effect of expert role modeling on students' clinical judgment in the care of a simulated geriatric patient.

Methods: A three-part unfolding clinical simulation of a geriatric patient with a hip fracture was implemented at four diverse …

My Health Companionâ©: A Low-Tech Personal Health Record, Clarann Weinert

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose is to report the evaluation of a low-tech personal health record, My Health Companion (MHC), designed to assist in tracking, maintaining, and appropriately communicating health information.

Background: The conceptual basis for the MHC is the growing understanding of healthy literacy in health promotion and illness management. A key component of overall health literacy is management of health information which can be enhanced with the use of a personal health record (PHR). The content areas for the MHC include standard health history data and information to provide insight into the impact of illness on one's life style.

Description: …

Developing Excitement For Political Activism, Michelle Ficca

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to identify strategies for infusing information related to health care systems and health policy into BSN and MSN curricula. The IOM report specifically calls for nurses to have higher education and to be better prepared to deal with a complex society. To ensure the delivery of safe, patient-centered care across settings, the nursing education system must be improved. Patient needs have become more complicated, and nurses need to attain requisite competencies to deliver high-quality care. These competencies include leadership, health policy, system improvement, research and evidence-based practice, and teamwork and collaboration, as well …

Creating A Relationship-Based Learning Community In A College Of Nursing, Ann O'Sullivan, Marianne M. Schmitt

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement strategies to improve employee and student satisfaction at a Midwest, single purpose College of Nursing.

Methods: Creating a healthy work environment is essential to a successful academic program. The college believes that positive relationships with colleagues and students are vital to create and maintain a healthy work environment. However, in February, 2008 employee satisfaction scores dropped from 95% to 88%. Student satisfaction was also below the expected level for the college: 77% in the Fall of 2008 and 75% in Fall of 2007. A team of faculty and staff were challenged …

The Assistant Manager As A Leader For Community Health Nursing In Pakistan, Saleema A. Gulzar, Michele J. Upvall

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: There are few leadership roles in community health nursing in Pakistan. However, leadership is essential if the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be realized. The Aga Khan Development Network, Pakistan (AKDN, P) is one organization developing the leadership skills of community health nurses through creation of the assistant manager role. The purpose of this presentation is to examine the role of the assistant manager, identifying strengths and challenges inherent to this new role.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviewing was completed. Thirteen key informants with extensive experience in community health and AKDN, P …