Digital Commons Network^™

Person-Centred Caring Towards Improvement Of Diabetic Foot Care Compliance In Rural Primary Health Care, Kwazulu-Natal, Anné Joubert

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This study aims to identify how registered nurses could achieve person-centred caring to improve diabetic foot care compliance in the rural primary healthcare context in KwaZulu-Natal.

Cervical Cancer Screening Barriers And Facilitators For Sexual And Gender Minorities: A Community Engaged Feasibility Approach, Mollie Aleshire

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purposes of this study were to identify barriers and facilitators to CCS among SGMs and to obtain key stakeholders' perspectives on strategies to facilitate increased CCS among these populations.

Home And Community-Based Service Utilization Patterns For Seniors With Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias, Margaret E. Saari

Dissertations

Half a million Canadians are living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Approximately half these individuals live in the community, supported by informal caregivers. In this population, utilization of formal services is low and patterns of utilization are not well understood. Previous studies examining predictors of service use have examined services in isolation however, often multiple services are utilized, with little coordination between services.

The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of the community-based services utilized concurrently by seniors with dementia and their caregivers.

The Impact Of Teach-Back Method On Hospital Readmissions, Rebel L. Heasley

Dissertations

Excessive healthcare costs resulted in the advent of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, where hospitals incur financial penalties for high readmission rates. This suburban hospital reported readmission rates of 10.38% in 2020 and 9.03% in 2021, much higher than the desired Vizient national benchmark of 6.83% or the twenty-fifth percentile. A literature review revealed that using the teach-back method alone or with other discharge activities can reduce hospital readmissions. This project tackled the quality
issue of high readmission rates by addressing patient education at discharge. The quality improvement project translated the use of the …

Unintended Consequences Of A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Redesign From Open-Bay To Single Family Rooms, Stephanie Teixeira-Poit, Bonnie Fields, Frances Kendrick, Marjorie Jenkins, Frances Dorich, Susan Jones, Candace Matthews, Serena Lowe, Vannessa Gharbi

General Submissions: Presentations (Oral and Poster)

With over 400,000 preterm births in the US annually, neonatal intensive care units (NICUS) are critical to providing high quality care and ensuring optimal health outcomes for preterm neonates. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a NICU design transition from open-bay (multiple newborns, one room) to single family rooms (SFRs).

Sit Less, Move More: A National Study Of Physical-Activity Behavior And Cancer, Stella O. Nwogugu

Dissertations

Physical activity is associated with lower risks of cancer, the second leading cause of death among Americans. Yet, sedentary behavior is the prevailing lifestyle for about 80% of American adults. Additionally, cancer survivors remain significantly inactive, even though physical activity has been shown to decrease risk of cancer and cancer recurrence, improve tolerance of cancer therapy, and reduce mortality. This research explores the relative impact of personal agency, social support, and key demographic variables on physical-activity behavior for a national sample of adults as well as how these relationships differ for cancer survivors and their counterparts.

Telehealth Implementation At A Spinal Cord Injury Clinic Within One Veteran Affairs Medical Center In Pennsylvania, Kristina Tait

Dissertations

Patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) often require follow-up care from a specialized provider to help reduce complications. The project sited noted that poor follow-up attendance was due to the distance the patients were from the specialty site and sought an evidence-based approach to manage follow-ups. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) A Toolkit for Building and Growing a Sustainable Telehealth Program in Your Practice would improve attendance rates for follow-up appointments among SCI patients.

Experiences Of Students In Degree-Seeking Proprietary Nursing Programs In South Florida, Yvanessa Georges

Dissertations

Students of proprietary programs perform significantly lower in the NCLEX than students of other programs. This is more significant in the state of Florida where the NCLEX pass rate is below the national average. Although the discrepancy in the first-time pass rates is well documented in the statistics, the reason for this is unclear, and there is paucity in the literature addressing this phenomenon.

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of nursing students attending degree-seeking proprietary programs in South Florida.

Compassion, Collaboration, And Community Strategies For Staff Well-Being, Donna Leno Gordon, Maria Veronica Nitorreda, Fe Villar Jacolbe, Opal Sinclair Chung

Group: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen, unprecedented challenges to healthcare staff well-being. It also elicited compassion, a sense of community and belonging, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. Kings County is a Level I trauma center, one of the 11 acute care facilities of New York City Health + Hospitals. Designated a Center of Excellence for stroke, diabetes, perinatal care, AIDS, Parkinson disease, behavioral health, and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE), the facility houses 624 certified beds, employs more than 5,000 people, and serves 2.6 million residents of Brooklyn.

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Clinical Readiness Increase With Integration Of Simulation Using Ati-Supported Resources, Kasey L. Trill

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to increase first semester Historically Black College and University (HBCU) nursing student's simulation exposure by 50% using the ATI education platform and measure student perceptions of readiness for clinical rotations. This study addressed the research gap of simulation in beginning nursing courses and the impact on student perceptions of self-efficacy in future clinical rotations and contributes to the larger body of simulation research by answering the following questions:

1. What are student perceptions regarding simulation and clinical readiness?

2. How does exposure to simulation impact student clinical performance outcomes?

3. To what degree does …

Improving Recognition Of Depression Among The Adult Patients In Psychiatric Settings, Jane A. Ferraris

Dissertations

Depression rating scales may improve depressive symptom identification. At the project site, there was no consistent process for determining patients' depressive symptoms, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Dunlop et al.'s research utilizing the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-6 (HAMD-6) would impact the rate of identification of depressive symptoms and referrals to psychology for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) among adult patients.

Exploring Social Determinants Of Health And Vaccine Declination: Pilot Survey Of Adults Within A Safety Net Healthcare System, Nancy Blake, Ferlie Villacorte, John Banawa

General Submissions: Presentations (Oral and Poster)

Viral outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and increasing vaccine hesitancy among populations experiencing health disparities highlight the need to develop strategies to improve vaccine uptake and reduce vaccine declination among U.S. adults especially those most vulnerable.

Male Nursing Students In The Community College And The Struggle To Completion, Geri Brewer

Dissertations

Despite significant contributions to healthcare made by male nurses throughout the centuries, nursing is a female-dominated profession, creating challenges for male nursing students. The problem addressed in this study was that male nursing students experience challenges that impede their success toward completing their urban Midwest community college nursing program. Guided by the nursing undergraduate retention and success model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore male nursing students' perceptions of the challenges they face that impede their success and their recommendations for the supports they need to overcome these challenges within two urban Midwest community college nursing …

Academic Nursing Administrators' Experiences With Social Distancing During Covid-19: A Qualitative Study, Vineta Mitchell

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about many unpredictable challenges requiring flexible and adaptable solutions for higher education, especially in nursing academia. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged nursing academia, including academic nursing administrators (ANAs), to keep staff and students safe while mitigating the spread of the disease. The ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 and the global healthcare crisis of this generation led to the need for social distancing. As the number of deaths increased from the coronavirus, radical changes were adopted in the United States, including social distancing. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated the practical aspects of the practicum in nursing education as they questioned …

Relationship Between Social Support And Stress In Accelerated Nursing Students, Karen L. Bravo

Dissertations

Nursing program attrition rates and retention rates in the first year of professional practice are excessive due to stress. Investigating through this quantitative, correlative research study is due to the lack of information related to accelerated students and stress. Theories framing this study, the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, and Triadic Reciprocal Determinism Theory, posit that the environment, whether internal or external, affects stress reactions. The research questions included relationships of Significant Other Support, Family Support, and Friend Support to Perceived Stress Score in a two-part online survey of 116 United States participants.

Nursing Students' Intention To Work With The Elderly After Graduation: A Qualitative Study, Terri Murabito

Dissertations

America's population is aging. More than one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2030. These numbers are expected to challenge existing healthcare systems. The recruitment and retention of qualified, competent registered nurses (RNs) to care for this vulnerable population have become urgent. However, undergraduate baccalaureate nurses consistently report geriatric nursing as the least preferred clinical area to in work after graduation. To understand how graduating nurses discern their career intentions, a basic qualitative study was undertaken using Ajzen's theory of planned behavior as an underlying theoretical framework. The purpose of the study was to understand and interpret nursing …

Simulation And Improving Clinical Judgment In Prelicensure Nursing Students: A Mixed Method Approach, Lizabeth J. Reents

Dissertations

Simulation has been considered a valid pedagogy for health professionals in education and actual practice. Its proper execution is vital for proper assimilation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the pre-licensure students throughout their curricular journey. High fidelity and multi-patient simulation scenarios were employed for beginner fundamental and advanced senior level nursing students with significant quantitative increases in clinical judgment found between groups using an independent t test and the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). The LCJR is based upon the Tanner's clinical judgment model and has been extensively used throughout the world demonstrating solid reliability and validity. Qualitative responses …

The Experience Of "Doing Well" In Older Nursing Home Residents: Bringing The Past To The Present, Ronald J. Walent

Dissertations

Though discussions of well-being and quality of life for older adults in American nursing homes have flourished over the past decade, relatively few studies have explored these notions from the perspective of older residents themselves. The purpose of this research is to understand experiences and perceptions of "doing well" in older nursing home residents.

Improving The Use Of Advance Care Planning In Assisted Living Facilities, Johnpaul King

Dissertations

Ensuring patients receive care in the fashion they so choose at the end of life should be considered and addressed upon any admission process. The project site noted many unnecessary, repeated emergency room (ER) visits for residents so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quantitative, quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of the Carolina Caring Hospice Agency ACP (CCHAACP) toolkit would impact ACP implementation and reduce ER visits among residents in an assisted living facility (ALF) in Western North Carolina over four weeks. Orem's selfcare theory was the framework of the project. Data was …

The High Obesity Program On Weight For Adults: Integrative Review, Monica Jaramillo

DNP and Student Works

This integrative review is a call to action for all responsible stakeholders to consider implementing an evidence-based intervention to mitigate adult obesity. This review explored the High Obesity Program intervention to address obesity among adults. The scope of this practice problem is as extensive as its negative impact at the individual, local, national, and global levels. Obesity generates an evident burden on global health, well-being, and economies.

Diabetes-Related Distress Experienced By Saudi Adults With Type Two Diabetes Mellitus, Ibtesam Alqahtani

Dissertations

Living with a chronic condition such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and adhering to its complex treatment regimen strongly affect patients' psychological well-being as well as their physical health. Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is a common issue, affecting 40% of DM cases, but it often goes unnoticed and untreated. Despite the high prevalence of DM in the Saudi population, DRD has received little research attention.

This study explored the lived experience of DRD among Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Adults In Vaso-Occlusive Crisis Accessing Healthcare For Pain Management: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Jawhrah Alqahtani

Dissertations

Vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) require frequent utilization of healthcare services by adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). This increases the likelihood of poor care and healthcare disparities. The experiences of SCD patients attempting to access pain management have rarely been examined. An evaluation of these experiences may ease the lifelong suffering of Saudi Arabians affected by SCD.

This study explored the lived experience of Saudi Arabian adults when accessing the healthcare system for pain management in VOC.

Mixed Method - How Do Medical-Surgical Nurses Provide Compassionate Care To Patients In The Face Of Adversity?, Diane D. Kret

Dissertations

Compassion is a quality that is the very essence of nursing. Nurses, as professionals, seek to alleviate suffering. It is through providing compassionate, connected care that nurses can relieve their patients' suffering. In the midst of adversity such as taking care of ill and dying patients, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic, nurses have been challenged with providing compassionate care despite the increased toll that this may have on them. There is evidence that exposure to these events can cause compassion fatigue and burnout. When these signs of compassion fatigue or compassion burnout are not addressed, nurses have decreased job satisfaction …

Virtual Learning To Enhance Non-Technical Nursing Skills: A Basic Qualitative Study, Nicole Murtagh

Dissertations

Nurse educators are currently facing restraints of limited space, time, availability, conflicting schedules, and increased demands on in-person learning experiences. Due to these restraints, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rapid technological increase, nursing educators have been tasked with incorporating virtual learning opportunities into traditionally in-person programs. There is a gap in the literature on the faculty experiences of teaching non-technical skills in a virtual environment. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing faculty in the state who have incorporated education activities into their virtual learning classroom to improve nursing students' non-technical skills.

Relationship Of Vulnerability To Coercive Control And Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Among Latinas, Susan D. Watson

Dissertations

IPV is the most common cause of violence-related injury to women in the United States and greater than one-third of all female homicide victims in the U.S. were killed by the victims' husband or partner. Nationally, intimate partner violence (IPV) has been identified as a public health issue, and internationally gender inequality is the number one human rights issue. In addition to risk factors identified among multicultural samples, characteristics that increase Latina vulnerability to IPV may relate to the specific cultural scripts between partners that are expected and supported within Latino culture.

Adolescent Females' Perceptions Of The Dating Experience, Sharyl E. Toscano

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature and characteristics of adolescent females' dating relationships, including any experiences of abuse. The research question to be answered was what are the characteristics of adolescent dating relationships? Answering this research question, using grounded theory methods, contributes to nursing knowledge about adolescent women's perceptions of factors and influences that foster non-abusive relationships and those factors and influences that support abusive relationships. The many health problems existing as the result of violence are of concern to nursing. Knowledge about dating violence in the adolescent population is limited and based mostly on findings …

A Correlational Study On Spiritual And Religious Well-Being, Social Determinants Of Health, And Self-Efficacy For Appropriate Medication Use Among African American Women With Hypertension, Tracie L. Augusta

Dissertations

African American (AA) women are disproportionately affected by hypertension and are less likely to adhere to their medication regimen when compared to White and Hispanic women. Very little is known about social factors associated with medication adherence among AA women. Spiritual well-being (SWB), religious well-being (RWB), and social determinants of health (SDOH) may be associated with self-efficacy for appropriate medication use (SEAM).

The purpose of the study is to: (1) examine the relationships among SDOH, namely age, education level, household income, and marital and insurance status, and SWB and RWB; (2) examine the relationships between SDOH and SEAM; and (3) …

Voices From The Frontier: Stories Of Nurse Practitioners Working In Remote Settings, Lynn Jakobs

Dissertations

Frontier communities are the most sparsely populated and geographically remote areas in the United States. Residents of these communities often lack access to healthcare resources of any kind. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are more likely than physicians to practice in these areas and provide a vital link in the frontier healthcare safety net.

This narrative inquiry into the practice experiences of frontier NPs informs the discipline of nursing regarding the significant contribution frontier NP practice makes to the delivery of frontier healthcare. This inquiry creates a repository of stories upon which nurse leaders, health care policy makers, and nurse educators interested …

A Quantitative And Qualitative Inquiry Into Moral Distress, Compassion Fatigue, Medication Error, And Critical Care Nursing, Jeanne Maiden

Dissertations

A correlational embedded mixed method design was used for this study. A purposive sample of 205 critical care nurses (CCNs) provided quantitative data for the study. A focus group interview of five CCNs provided the qualitative data. The Moral Distress Scale (MDS), Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and Medication Administration Error (MAE) Scale and demographics form were used to measure quantitative data.

The Relationships Among Unit Culture, Work Stress, Compassion Fatigue And Sense Of Wellbeing In Operating Room Nurses In Level One Or Two Trauma Centers, Evelyn A. Dogbey

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among unit culture, work stress, compassion fatigue, and sense of wellbeing in operating room (OR) nurses employed in level one and two trauma centers. Wellbeing was measured by two components, mental and physical. Several studies (Coeling, 1992; Hawkins & Kratsch, 2004; Seago, 1996; Waters, 2004; Wesorick, 2002) have documented the characteristics of organizational culture or organizational subcultures (nursing units) and the negative impact the culture has on individual wellbeing of nurses and the quality of patient care. This descriptive correlational study was guided by the Culture-Work-Health model (Peterson & Wilson, …