Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Healthcare Providers In Addressing The Care Needs Of Individuals Who Identify As Lgbtqia+ : A Mixed-Method Study, Seda Karakaya Çataldaş, J. Anneke Rummens, Erin Ziegler, Fahriye Olfaz, Esra Ummak, C. Hürrem Ayhan

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This mixed-methodological study explores the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers (HCPs) and also gathers and analyzes their narrative experiences addressing the care needs of individuals who self-identify as LGBTQIA+. A s ociodemographic form, Knowledge and Practices to Address the Care Needs of LGBTQIA+ Individual Survey, and the Implicit Association T est ( Sexuality IAT and Transpictures IAT) were used as to collect quantitative data from 278 nurses and physicians. S emi-structured in-depth interviews were then held with 15 of these study participants.Quantitative findings revealed slight implicit attitudes favoring heterosexual and cisgender individuals, with education level and personal connections …

Implementing Nurse-Led Late Life Depression Screening In An Acute Care Setting, Kate A. Barba, Shannon Mahoney

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

Aims of the study were: (a) examine the effectiveness of a geriatric-specific depression screening and referral protocol in identifying depression in hospitalized older adults; (b) assess outcomes when a patient screens positive for depression and is referred to a social worker; and (c) evaluate nurses’ perceptions of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the GDS-5 in an acute care setting.

The Effects Of Forest Bathing On Anxiety In Adults: An Integrative Review, Nancyruth Leibold

General Submissions: Non-Traditional Settings and Methods

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of forest bathing on anxiety levels in adults. An abundance of forest bathing research evidence is present in the literature. There are documented physiological and psychological benefits from walking or spending time in forest nature. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the health benefits of forest bathing for humans. In this study, an integrated review of forest bathing specific to the effect on anxiety levels in adults is the focus. A thorough search of six electronic databases (CINAHL, Health and Medical Collection, OVID, Pub Med, Public Health Database, …

Implementation Of A Standardized Protocol For Early Detection Of Coronary Artery Disease, Erika Sosa

DNP and Student Works

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for over 931,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. The growing prevalence of CVD, coupled with increased life expectancy, underscores the need for early detection and intervention to mitigate its impact on patients, families, and society. Timely identification of subclinical heart disease can significantly improve outcomes by allowing earlier implementation of preventive strategies.

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented a primary care–based protocol for the early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) using the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score. The CAC score, a non-invasive imaging modality, …

Association Of Coparenting Relationship With Postpartum Depression And Anxiety In Immigrants Postnatal Women, Salima Sulaiman

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety are growing public and global health concerns, particularly among immigrant populations. In Canada, first-time parents from minority immigrant backgrounds face unique stressors that may heighten their vulnerability to perinatal mental health challenges. While existing research has primarily focused on mothers, limited attention has been given to immigrant fathers and the experiences of both parents as a unit. This study explores the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among South Asian and Middle Eastern immigrant couples in Canada during the postpartum period.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted with immigrant couples who had moved …

Development Of An Intervention For Optimizing Values Discussions Between Patients With An Lvad, Their Family Caregivers, And The Healthcare Team, Avery C. Bechthold, Rachel D. Wells, Colleen K. Mcilvennan, Martha Abshire Saylor, Daniel D. Matlock, Jesse Lejeune, J. Nicholas Odom

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This project aimed to characterize how adults living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and their family/friend caregivers engage in values-centered discussions, with the goal of informing future interventions that promote values-centered communication with the healthcare team.

Developmental Redesign Of A Pediatric Treatment Room, Jennifer Darcy, Sara Mayo

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

The purpose of this study was to improve satisfaction for pediatric patients and their families through the implementation of a developmentally friendly treatment room. The treatment room, on an 18 -bed general medical surgical unit in a Magnet designated, quaternary pediatric hospital, was redesigned in an evidence-based developmental manner.[email protected]

Culturally Competent Mental Health Promotion Program For Adolescent Migrants In Colombia And Panama, Saidy Eliana Arias Murcia, Jose Luis Alvarez, Johanna Carolina Sánchez Castro, Ana María Cano Polanco, María Irene Carrillo Mayanquer, Angela María Orozco Gómez

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this project was to develop a culturally competent mental health promotion for adolescent migrants in Bogotá, Colombia, and Panama City, Panama.

Adapting To Change: Adn Faculty Perspectives About The Future Of Adn Education: A Qualitative Case Study, Linda D. John

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to offer more insight into how the adoption of the BSN as the entry-level for nursing practice affects the future ADN education and what the change means for ADN faculty at multiple programs throughout regions of the United States. Eleven ADN faculty were sampled to acquire their perspective about this phenomenon.

Work-Life Balance Across Three Generations In The Workforce: The Nurse Leader's Role And Aonl Competencies, Lakesha O. Mcnair

DNP and Student Works

Work-life balance is fundamental to workforce satisfaction, retention, and overall job performance in healthcare settings. The nursing profession is uniquely impacted by generational differences, as Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials each hold distinct expectations regarding career commitments and personal life integration (McGowan, Connolly, McNulty, & Kearney, 2022).

Enhancing Nurse Empowerment Through Dynamic Xmoocs Using The 4d Developmental Model, Khin Thandar Aung, Rafiza Abdul Razak

Individual Articles

This article presented a novel approach to nursing education through extended Massive Open Online Courses (xMOOCs) designed specifically for registered nurses (RNs). The framework is based on the 4D developmental model established by S. Thiagarajan and Semmel in 1974, which encompasses four phases i.e. define, design, develop and disseminate. This structured model facilitates the creation of dynamic, engaging and productive online learning experiences, enhancing nurses’ professional development. xMOOCs prepare nurses with the skills necessary for lifelong learning, integrating interactive modules and multimedia tools enhanced by adaptive learning technology. This approach contributes to quality patient care by developing the competencies of …

Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Using Role-Play In A Suburban Hospital, Imari S. Horton

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

The purpose of this project is to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates of newborns by developing and implementing a breastfeeding education program for staff nurses in a suburban hospital.

[Excerpt From] Harmony By Design: Navigating Work And Life In Healthcare, Sharon M. Weinstein, Marla J. Vannucci, Katie Boston-Leary

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Harmony by Design: Navigating Work and Life in Healthcare reimagines how we approach well-being in a fast-paced, high-pressure world. Rather than striving for a rigid sense of balance, this book introduces a more flexible and fulfilling concept: harmony. It's about aligning your values, goals, and daily actions to create a life that feels whole and sustainable.

Authors Sharon M. Weinstein, Marla J. Vannucci, and Katie Boston-Leary blend practical tools with thoughtful reflection, drawing from the latest nursing competencies and real-world challenges to help readers manage stress, lead with empathy, and build meaningful careers without sacrificing personal well-being.

What sets this …

Social Support In Hypertension Treatment Adherence: A Qualitative Study In Ghana, Rose Therra Nortey

DNP and Student Works

Background: Hypertension is a leading global public health concern, contributing to 55.6% of annual mortality and affecting nearly one billion individuals worldwide.

Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of social support in treatment adherence of persons living with hypertension.

Method: This study utilized a qualitative research design ensuring methodological rigor and credibility. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted, audio recorded transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Results: Participants primarily relied on companionship and emotional social support to maintain treatment adherence. While immediate blood pressure optimization was not achieved, improvements in overall health …

Implementation Of Cancer Screenings On A Mobile Care Unit, Charlene Ho, Draeh Leblanc

General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials

Purpose: Increase early detection of colorectal and cervical cancers among underserved populations in the Baton Rouge area through a mobile health clinic that provides accessible, no-cost services, including cancer screenings.

Remote Home Blood Pressure Monitoring For Management Of Hypertension, Kathleen M. Oliphant

Dissertations

Remote home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has the potential to improve patient engagement and adherence with the prescribed treatment plan for managing hypertension. This DNP project examined the effects of daily remote BP measurement using transmission of biometric data through a Bluetooth-equipped device paired to participants' smartphones. The clinical management of a chronic condition such as hypertension is a long-term process, but the findings of this DNP project supported the empirical evidence showing that remote BP monitoring improves patient outcomes.

Understanding Healthcare Worker Experiences And Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe)-Related Skin Reactions/Injuries During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Approach, Susan Solmos

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this dissertation study is to examine PPE-related facial skin reactions/injuries and the contextual factors which may contribute to the development of these injuries.

Investigation Of Neuropsychological Symptoms And Changes In Gut Microbiome Physiology As Risk Factors For Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea In Patients With Breast Cancer, Komal P. Singh

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The primary objective of this study was to investigate associations between chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) and gut microbiome characteristics over one cycle of chemotherapy.

Effects Of Dyadic Motivational Interviewing (Mi-Dyad) Program For Improving Activity Participation Of Stroke Survivors And Family Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study, Huanya Mou

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a dyadic motivational interviewing (MI-Dyad) program for stroke survivors and family caregivers (i.e., stroke dyads) (Trial registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2500100532).

[Excerpt From] Evidence-Informed Health Policy (2nd Ed., Rev.), Jacqueline M. Loversidge, Joyce Zurmehly

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

What happens in health policy at local, state, and federal levels directly affects patients, nurses, and nursing practice. Some healthcare professionals, though, are intimidated by the complex and often nonlinear policy process or simply don’t know how to take the first step toward implementing policy change. In the second edition of Evidence-Informed Health Policy, authors Jacqueline M. Loversidge and Joyce Zurmehly demystify health policymaking and equip nurses and other healthcare professionals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate the first of many steps into health policy. This book translates the EBP language of clinical decision-making into an evidence-informed health …

Impact Of Unmet Needs The Health Outcomes Of Cancer Patients And Their Family Caregivers (Fcs) In Uganda, Joshua Muliira

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The study aimed to identify the unmet needs that impact the health outcomes of cancer patients and their FCs in Uganda as an initial step in developing a nurse-led supportive care intervention program.

Factors Affecting Integration Of The Nurse Practitioner Workforce Into Health Systems: A Delphi Consensus Study, Joshua Porat-Dahlerbruch, Rebecca Clark, Brandon Dutchess, Nancy P. Blumenthal, Moriah E. Ellen

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

Research has documented the positive impact of the nurse practitioner workforce on patient and system outcomes in multiple countries. Achieving these outcomes relies on successfully integrating the workforce into the health system. Research has reported negative effects of integration barriers on the ability for nurse practitioners to improve outcomes. Barriers include scope of practice restrictions, organizational climates inconducive to nurse practitioner care, and lacking mentorship. To design efficacious policies, organizational and national policy decision-makers require knowledge of the factors affecting the integration of this human resource into care settings. No research has synthesized these factors into an easily understandable and …

Developing A Nurse Practitioner Integration Model, Joshua Porat-Dahlerbruch

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Purpose of study:

1. To reach expert consensus on an inventory of factors affecting the integration of nurse practitioners into the health system.

2. To understand the ways in which integration affects NP ability to reduce health disparities.

Emotional Intelligence Development In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Andrea Sartain, Haley Strickland

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This cross-sectional comparison aimed to examine the emotional intelligence scores of junior and senior baccalaureate nursing students using the Emotional Intelligence framework (Salovey & Mayer, 1990).

The specific aim was to answer the question: Are there differences in emotional intelligence scores between junior and senior nursing students?

Does Lifetime Stress Influence Chemotherapy Symptoms In Women From Different Racial And Ethnic Groups?, Jemmie Hoang

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

We hypothesize women with cancer who identify as a racial and/or ethnic minority will endorse a multitude of lifetime stressors contributing to high symptom(s) severity and burden. This study will be among the first studies to comprehensively describe cumulative life stressors, and its potential influence on cancer symptom burden among racial and/or ethnic minority women with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy. Our study will provide further evidence of the importance of screening for life stressor events that may impact chemotherapy symptom experience.

Analysis Of Medication Adherence Outcomes In Adult Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Using Real-World Emr Data, Naomi Cazeau

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective chart review of adult allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients to evaluate the impact of social support on the incidence of medication errors over time after controlling for potential confounding variables.

The Impact Of Multimorbidities On Social Determinants Of Health On Select Hospital-Acquired Conditions In The Older Adult Population Across An Academic Health System: A Pilot Study, Barbara Delmore

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

The purpose of this research study was to identify social determinants of health (SDoH) & multi-morbidities associated with hospital-acquired falls & pressure injuries (PrIs)in line with Age-Friendly & High Reliability Organizations (HRO) principles.

Improving Patient Experience During Bone Marrow Biopsy/Aspiration (Bmba), Anne M. Delengowski

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

Bone marrow biopsies (BMBA) are frequent, distressing occurrences for hematological cancer patients. Literature suggests that a variety of interventions may decrease pain or anxiety.

• Room décor changes

• Music and visual imagery as environmental changes (EC)

• Guided meditation

• Virtual reality (VR) distraction therapy

• Lidocaine is the routine option for pain relief, but it is not effective at completely anesthetizing the marrow cavity.

• Nonpharmacologic interventions need to be explored.

Identification Of Factors Related To Falls In Neutropenic Hematologic Malignancy Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant Or Induction Chemotherapy: An Exploratory Retrospective Study, Danielle Pollock

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

The primary objective of this study is to identify factors predictive of falls in oncology patients admitted for stem cell transplant, induction or re-induction chemotherapy.

Development Of A Tailored Digital Health Psychoeducational Intervention For Individuals With Inherited Pancreatic Cancer Risk, Meghan L. Underhill

General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials

The primary aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the acceptability of targeted digital health psychoeducational materials for individuals with a high risk for pancreatic cancer.