Digital Commons Network^™

Demographic Factors And Hrqol In Younger Persons With An Ostomy And Ibd, Caitlin Werther

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As of 2020, in the United States, over one million individuals have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with 10% requiring intestinal ostomy formation.1,2 Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) can be impacted by the presence of an ostomy.3 IBD is typically diagnosed in young adults, presenting unique social and psychological concerns if an ostomy is required for treatment.4,5 This study determines if demographic factors are related to HRQOL in young adults living with an ostomy and IBD.

A convenience sample of participants was recruited from online support groups, collecting demographic data in 2018. HRQOL was measured using the Health Days Core Module. …

Building Decolonial Nursing Curricula To Address Disparities In Indigenous Health, Nicole Ashley Thomas, Brenda Owen, Anne Ersig, Bram Wispelwey, Lisa C. Bratske

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Social and health inequities and inequalities are rising all over the world (Smith, 2012; McGibbon, et. al., 2014; Chinn, et. al., 2018). Nursing students should therefore be educated to understand the multifaceted factors creating health inequities. The lack of nursing courses highlighting the effects of colonization, environmental justice, upstream structural and social determinants of health, globalization, and state violence must be addressed. Colonization, broadly speaking, characterizes the Eurocentric project to “civilize” the rest of the world utilizing various forms of violence (McGibbon, et. al., 2014). The persistent and ongoing reproduction and recurrence of colonialism, enacting cycles of disenfranchisement and oppression, …

Improving Hospital 30-Day Readmission Rates Through Post-Discharge Follow-Up Phone Calls, Maureen R. Wright

DNP and Student Works

Background: Thirty-day hospital readmissions compromise patient safety, increase mortality risk, and impose financial penalties on hospitals. Ineffective discharge education and care transitions leave patients vulnerable after discharge. Evidence shows that post-discharge follow-up calls within 24–72 hours can identify risks early and reduce preventable readmissions.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to reduce 30-day hospital readmission rates by implementing post-discharge follow-up telephone calls guided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit.

Methods: Registered nurses conducted structured follow-up calls within 24–72 hours of discharge from the medical-surgical unit, reviewing health status, medications, appointments, …

Sepsis Recovery In Home Health Care: Perspectives On Patient Education From Nurses And Patients, Elaine Sang

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign advocates for sepsis survivors to receive patient education during post-acute care, including home health care (HHC), to empower their self-care. Patient education is a key component of HHC. This qualitative study will:

1. Characterize the self-care self-efficacy and knowledge regarding sepsis and its aftercare management among sepsis survivors recently discharged from hospitals and currently receiving HHC.
2. Identify materials, content, mode of delivery, facilitators and barriers encountered, and strategies used by HHC nurses when delivering sepsis patient education.
3. Describe barriers and facilitators influencing sepsis survivors' receipt and knowledge of sepsis aftercare management within HHC.

Ien Ready Toolkit A Global Health Advocacy Action Plan For Ethical Nurse Migration, Paul S. Biluan

Global Advocacy

Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are essential to global health systems, yet they continue to face exploitation, discrimination, and unethical recruitment practices during migration. The IEN Ready Toolkit is a strategic, education-based intervention developed to equip IENs with critical knowledge on ethical recruitment, legal labor rights, contract red flags, and available support resources. Informed by global standards from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO), and International Council of Nurses (ICN), the toolkit is designed as a mobile-compatible, self-paced course offering continuing education (CE) credits. Developed through an iterative, culturally sensitive process, the toolkit is co-informed by IENs and …

Merid-Eq: Multimodal Early Risk Identification For Home Healthcare Equity In Infection Risks, Zidu Xu, Jiyoun Song, Shuang Zhou, Danielle Scharp, Mollie Hobensack, Jingjing Shang, Maxim Topaz

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Annually, three million people in the U.S. receive home healthcare (HHC). Aging-related deterioration, surgical history, and suboptimal home-disinfection practices increase infection risk, which accounts for over 40% of HHC-related hospital or emergency transfers. Critical indicators—such as clinical signs, procedures, and home-hygiene factors—are documented in narrative HHC notes. Converting these unstructured texts into actionable cues requires efficient automation that fits agencies’ limited computing capacity and evolving patient needs. Prior work shows clinicians value context-rich indicators (e.g., “wound deterioration: right thigh with large exudate drainage”) (1). While large language models excel at such tasks, they require extensive resources. Smaller LLMs may offer …

Nurse-Led Advocacy For Hiv And Hepatitis C: A Socioecological Approach Across Israel And The Philippines, Wedad M. Ashkar, James Montegrico

Global Advocacy

Background: HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) remain global public health challenges, with millions of people still undiagnosed or untreated. Nurses play a critical role in combating stigma and leading advocacy interventions in diverse cultural contexts. In Israel and the Philippines, nurses are addressing infectious disease care using multi-level strategies informed by local epidemiology and global health goals.

Purpose: This project aimed to identify, implement, and evaluate nurse-led advocacy strategies to reduce stigma and improve education, community engagement, and policy development around HIV and HCV in both Israel and the Philippines.

Methods: A socioecological model guided the development of …

The Role Of The Global Nursing Workforce In Health System Resilience During Disasters, Katherine Kruger

Global Advocacy

Background: Climate change and resulting impacts will be the largest global health threats of the 21st century. The global nursing workforce is critical to the resilience of health systems, especially in the face of climate-induced disasters. Nurses are the largest health workforce globally, representing more than 50% of the healthcare workforce, and are most frequently on the front lines of disaster events as clinicians, leaders, and advocates. Despite this, there remains a lack of objective evidence surrounding the unique contributions nurses make in preserving population health during disasters.

Objectives: This presentation will demonstrate the relationship between the global nursing workforce …

An Action Plan For Global Advocacy: First Aid And Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation As A Pillar In Disaster Health Preparedness, Nurul'ain Ahayalimudin

Global Advocacy

Despite increasing global investments in disaster risk reduction, the integration of First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training into national and community disaster preparedness strategies remains inadequate. This presentation outlines an urgent call to action for inclusive, culturally responsive, and community-accessible First Aid and CPR training—particularly targeting underserved, linguistically diverse, and geographically isolated populations. Systemic barriers such as cost, lack of trained instructors, cultural mismatches, and policy gaps limit equitable access to lifesaving skills.

This advocacy initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 …

Global Advocacy For Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias, Modupe F. Akintomide, Amy Reid

Global Advocacy

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias represent a growing public health challenge, significantly impacting individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide. The increasing prevalence highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to improve care and support for those affected, in alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on health and well-being, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for sustainable development.

Aim: To improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their care partners through a multifaceted advocacy approach.

Methods: …

Equity In Every Beat: Advancing Women’S Heart Health Through Early Identification, Education, And Partnerships, Cristy Ellen Jomoc, Patricia Etheridge

Global Advocacy

Equity in Every Beat: Advancing Women’s Heart Health through Early Identification, Education, and Partnerships is a global advocacy initiative addressing disparities in cardiovascular care among women.

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women worldwide, yet it is frequently underrecognized and undertreated due to implicit bias, misdiagnosis, and barriers to care. With one in three women globally succumbing to heart disease, there is an urgent need for improved early detection and intervention. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), focusing on empowering …

How Can We Reduce Mental Health Disparities In Rural Areas?, Brenda Kinyumu

Global Advocacy

On a regular day, rural areas face a shortage of healthcare providers (Physicians) and have limited access to healthcare for their physical illness. Adding mental health to the equation complicates the situation. Different communities have distinct needs, thus requiring solutions tailored for each community. It is crucial to assess the specific needs of each community and customize interventions accordingly. 1/5 of the rural population, which is roughly 6.5 million people, suffer from mental health illness (Morales et al., 2020). According to the Mental Health America website, the Rural suicide rate is 18.3 &20.5 per 100,0000 compared to the urban rate …

Closing The Gap: A Global Advocacy Campaign To Promote Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In Pregnancy, Marin Strong

Global Advocacy

Background: The risk of HIV acquisition is doubled during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant periods, and over one-third of vertical transmission of HIV (from mother to baby) is attributable to acute maternal HIV acquisition. Since 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a safe, effective prevention tool for pregnant and postpartum women at high risk for HIV acquisition. However, per the 2018-2019 Global Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Policy Survey, only 43% of WHO member states have policies in place aligned with supporting HIV PrEP in pregnancy. It is a critical time …

Photobiomodulation (Pbm) For Mucositis In Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (Hsct) - Implementing The Evidence & Discovering New Knowledge, Annette Isozaki

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this study is to implement intraoral PBMT into practice and compare patient outcomes to historical controls with no PBMT. Secondary objectives aim to reduce pain, xerostomia, and taste changes and examine the potential cost benefits of using PBMT. An exploratory aim will examine RN operator and patient perceptions and acceptability of the PBMT.

Using An Adapted Cancer & Work Model To Describe Return-To-Work In Nurses With Cancer: An Exploratory Study, Kai-Lin You

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The aims of this study were: (1) Primary aim: To describe work limitations in nurses diagnosed with cancer and potential associated factors, including health-related quality of life, cancer-related symptoms, and cancer-specific distress. (2) Exploratory aim: To describe the associations between work limitations and work outcomes.

Hospital Chaplains Integration Within Interprofessional Healthcare Teams To Improve Patient Outcomes, Sarah Low, Lucia Florindez, Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth, Bernice Coleman, Jason Weiner, Christina Shu, Linda Y. Kim

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: While spiritual care is considered vital to the holistic care of patients, healthcare systems often fail to fully understand, value, and utilize chaplaincy expertise.¹ Despite a growing body of research demonstrating the impact of chaplaincy on improved patient outcomes^2,3 chaplains often report feeling their roles are not well understood by patients or staff and do not feel well integrated into the interprofessional healthcare team.^4,5 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of chaplains in improving patient experience and health outcomes, emphasizing the need to better understand factors that foster their integration into the interprofessional healthcare team. …

The Effectiveness Of Resiliency Programs In Mitigating Burnout Among Nurses In Acute Care Settings, Amarachi Eke-Okoro, Viji George

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Nursing burnout is a significant problem with far-reaching consequences. High levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and reduced job satisfaction among nurses contribute to poor patient outcomes, increased medical errors, and high turnover rates. There is a high prevalence of burnout among nurse executives, consequences of which include extreme stress, emotional anguish, and a desire to quit, which points to a larger problem with burnout affecting the nursing profession (Martin et al., 2023). Fostering resilience among nurses can help to mitigate these outcomes by enhancing physical, mental, and social health through building purpose, positive emotions, and effective stress management. Resilience …

Charting Burden And Burnout, Kelsey Elizabeth Alloo

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nurses enter about 600-800 data points per 12-hour shift, an average of one data point every 1.11 minutes (Gesner et al., 2022). The nurse burnout rate of 38% is 10% higher than the national average and the cost of turnover equates to over $40,000 per bedside nurse (Gesner et al., 2022; Melnick et al., 2021). As evidenced by these key numbers, charting burden and burnout are significant in the nursing workforce, which is the largest population in the healthcare workforce (Gesner et al., 2022). Assessing and analyzing charting burden is a relatively new concept having just been researched and published …

Nurses' Practice Environments, Burnout, And Mental Health In Northwestern Ontario, Ainsley Miller, Vicki L. Kristman, Mannila Sandhu

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background/objective: An estimated one-tenth of nurses worldwide are said to be suffering from severe burnout¹. The high prevalence of burnout is concerning as a Canadian survey determined that nurses with high levels of burnout were 17 times more likely to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, 43 times more likely to screen positive for major depressive disorder, 25 times more likely to screen positive for generalized anxiety disorder, and 23 times more likely to screen positive for panic disorder than participants who reported no burnout². A common precipitating factor associated with nurses’ burnout and mental health …

Investing In Well-Being: The Return On Investment Of Nurse Renewal Retreats, Julie Wild Rose

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already high rates of moral distress, trauma, and burnout among healthcare professionals. To address these challenges, the Nursing and Allied Health Resilience and Well-Being Program partnered with an external organization to offer overnight nurse renewal retreats. These retreats aim to empower nurses to rediscover their passion, purpose, and connection to their profession by providing a safe and nurturing environment for processing difficult experiences.

Methods: This mixed-methods feasibility pilot study was conducted in two hospitals within a 12-hospital system in Washington state. Participants engaged in journaling, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, yoga, self-compassion, and healing circles to …

The Importance Of Workplace Support On Nurse Well-Being And Intention To Stay During The Pandemic, Hyang Baek, Alison Trinkoff

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare sector have further aggravated the ongoing nursing shortage. Consequently, many nurses have opted for early retirement or felt compelled to leave their positions, leading to increased turnover rates during the pandemic. In this light, more sustainable ways need to be explored for nurse retention instead of heavy reliance on temporary nursing agencies to address staffing shortages.

A secondary cross-sectional data analysis of 1063 nurses was conducted using the Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study data collected in 2020-21. Multiple logistic regression explored the moderating effect of workplace support on the relationship …

Enhancing Faculty Confidence In Technology: The Impact Of A Teaching With Technology Committee, J'Andra L. Antisdel, Lori J. Pajakowski, Sue Anderson, Kalie Pead, Ranjan Rohatgi, Karla Bronicki

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

AIMS: This study measures changes in faculty members' confidence in using technology for teaching after the creation of a service committee designed to mentor faculty in technology use within the nursing department. It also assesses the impact of the committee on faculty members' technology skills and teaching practices.

BACKGROUND: Nursing faculty must possess advanced digital literacy to ensure nursing graduates are prepared for advancements in health information technology.1 However, they often face challenges such as time-consuming setups, integration difficulties, and concerns about effectiveness.2,3 The Teaching with Technology Committee (TTC) was established to address these issues by providing mentoring, support, and …

Describing The Impact Of Nursing Courtesy And Friendliness On Patient Satisfaction, Rainavel Anadon Romano, Vimela Moodley, Jennifer De Beer, Emily Heaphy, Mohammed Qabaja, Mashael Bayazeed, Ilona Novotna, Elaine Quadra, Maab Basha, Rehab Alassiri

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

INTRODUCTION: Patient satisfaction in healthcare is significantly influenced by nurse-patient interactions, where attributes like friendliness, courtesy, and effective communication play crucial roles. This study aims to identify specific components of these attributes that enhance patient satisfaction, providing insights for targeted interventions, such as communication training, to improve nurse-patient interactions and overall patient-centered care.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction reflects how content patients feel with the care they receive, aligning their preferences and expectations with the healthcare provided. Nurses, who are pivotal in patient care, can greatly influence this experience. The friendliness and courtesy displayed by nurses not only foster trust but create …

Animal-Assisted Intervention To Increase Nursing Resilience In A Level-1 Trauma Center, Ercele P. Reyes, Paul Micenec, Lynne Marie Flynn, Darlette Garulacan, Luis Salazar

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Trauma nursing is a complex balance of critical care theory and clinical expertise delivered in a stressful, unpredictable environment that challenges a nurse's emotional well-being. Trauma nurses often encounter the end result of society's unmet social determinants of health and systemic inequities precipitating trauma. At Temple University Hospital, trauma nurses care for patients from the most densely populated, poorest, and violent areas in Philadelphia. Temple University Hospital is a level-1 722-bed safety net facility with 36 trauma-related intensive care beds and experienced 2694 trauma alerts in 2023. Historically, nursing is associated with high work-related stress, emotional demands, and workplace …

Acute Medical Surgical Peer Mentor Program, Stephanie Kaye Edwards, Caley Thurgood, Brooklyn Kate Bailey, Scott S. Christensen

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: New nurses experience stress and challenges transitioning from student to nurse (Crismon et al., 2021). Peer mentor programs provide emotional support for new graduate nurses during this time, helping to promote clinical competency, confidence, job satisfaction, and retention (Bowers, 2022; Maroone, 2023; Vidal & Olley, 2021). Despite the benefits, peer mentor initiatives are not widely adopted in healthcare settings (Reebals et al., 2021). Our program filled that gap by boosting morale and confidence by creating an emotionally supportive environment.

Methods: Mentor leaders (n=3) sought evidence-based sources and consulted with organizational wellness experts. The leaders trained senior nurses (n=12) in …

The Retention Of Nurses In The Post-Covid-19 Era, Cherry Park

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the nursing workforce, with reports of workforce shortages estimated at 100,000 RNs nationwide. And Georgia is a state the retention of nurses is an ongoing concern. While there is a robust literature that describes the workforce factors that contribute to nurse burnout and intention to leave and citing high rates of turnovers, little is known about the factors that contribute to nurse retention and intent to stay. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of nurses reporting lower rates of burnout.

Methods: The analysis leverages data from the 2022 …

Safe Nurse Staffing For Scotland: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Eileen T. Lake

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Amid a global nurse staffing crisis, the project is designed to describe the baseline nursing standards adherence, nurse staffing, and work environments in hospitals before the April 2024 implementation of Scotland’s Safe Staffing Act 2019. Quantifying the variation is important to evaluate the Law’s subsequent implementation (whether hospitals meet standards) and impact (whether standards improve quality and safety). The results will aid policymakers by providing baseline data from Scotland before the Law is implemented and an informative exemplar for states and countries globally as many government authorities consider nurse staffing legislation.

Thriving Through Transition: Innovative Resilience Training For New Nurses, Christene Annette Taylor

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The transition from academic settings to professional nursing practice is a critical period marked by high stress and a heightened risk of burnout for newly licensed nurses. This study introduces an innovative Resilience Training Program designed to address these challenges and foster a healthier work environment. Uniquely grounded in Transition Shock Theory, the program focuses on building psychological resilience, providing newly licensed nurses with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in high-pressure settings.

Employing a quantitative quasi-experimental one-group pre-and-post design, the study assessed resilience using the CD-RISC 10 scale. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in resilience scores post-intervention, …

Supply Waste Reduction Workgroup: A Go Green Initiative, Aswathy Nair, Givenchy Victorio, Durga Basnet, Shani Pinky

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Previous studies report that the healthcare industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation and intensive care units (ICUs) are a major generator of waste (Barbariol, 2023). Many ICU staff and support staff personnels have expressed frustration over extra supplies being brought into the room and later discarded. The “GreenICU” aims to reduce the million-pound contribution of medical waste to our landfills.

Method: "GreenICU” focused on four key areas. First, an ICU green team was formed, consisting of PCAs and nurses from day and night shifts. Forming a team is crucial for gathering input, making recommendations, and ensuring the sustainability of …

Calm The Bone! Transforming Orthopedic Clinics Into Thriving Work Environments With Code Lavender, Tania Mae Golo-Atkin, Jodie Mae Bernardino Shiba, Daniel A. Colllins, Danica Jane Austero Calayag

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

BACKGROUND: Gibson et al. 1 first used “Code lavender” to describe part of a bereavement program for NICUs. Since then, code lavender evolved initially to caregiver and health care provider support to now mental health well-being for nurses as part of efforts to decrease nursing burn out. 2 Several hospitals have trialed or implemented a variation of a code lavender program; however, the majority of these focus on inpatient staff and the emergency department. 3–5 There is a dearth of literature about using code lavender in outpatient or ambulatory care settings in general. The purpose of this presentation is to …