Digital Commons Network^™

Sigma Nurses Engagement With The Sustainable Development Goals: A Call To Action, Patrick Chiu, Janice E. Hawkins, Mercy N. Mumba

General Webinars

Over the last decade, Sigma chapters have been encouraged to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their strategic and operational plans. In this session, Sigma's Liaisons to the United Nations (UN) will discuss their analysis of Sigma chapter service activities and engagement with the SDGs since being granted consultative status at the UN.

Parents/Caregiver's Health, Stress, And Perceived Caregiver Burden In The Difficult First 3 Months After Their Infant/Child With Special Health Care Needs Is Discharged Home, Carmen Caicedo

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this exploratory study with three time points will examine the physical health, mental health, stress using biomarker levels (salivary cortisol), and perceived caregiver burden of Hispanic, Black, and White parents of an infant/child (birth to 5 years) newly diagnosed with special health care needs (SHCN) over the first three months after discharge home from a NICU or PICU.

The Impact Of A Burn Injury On Family Caregivers Of Adult Burn Survivors, Diana Kidd

Dissertations

The survival rate of burn injuries is over 90 percent. Physical and emotional recovery from a burn injury may be prolonged. Family support is an important component of this recovery. However, little is known about the impact on caregivers. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study is to explore the impact of a burn injury on family caregivers of adult burn survivors. An improved understanding of the stressors, challenges, coping, and involvement of family caregivers in caring for burn survivors will enable clinicians to better assist burn survivors and their family caregivers throughout the recovery process.

Prenatal Yoga Practice In Late Pregnancy And Patterning Of Change In Optimism, Power, And Well-Being, Pamela J. Reis

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore changes in human-environmental field patterning of optimism, power, and well-being over time, in women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy upon completion of a 6-week prenatal yoga program. A descriptive design was used to answer research questions developed according to the Science of Unitary Human Beings theoretical framework: (1) what are the changes in patterning, as observed through the manifestation of optimism, power, and well-being over time, in women before beginning and upon completing a 6-week prenatal yoga program during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and (2) does …

Single-Parent Nursing Students In Associate Degree Nursing Programs: The Social Supports That Buffered Their College-Related Stress And Fostered Their Academic Success, Dawn R. Bunting

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to describe single-parent associate degree nursing students' reports of the social supports that buffered their college-related stress and fostered their academic success. The study was designed to elicit participants' descriptions of the stressors experienced as a result of being a single-parent community college nursing student and the types and sources of support that were helpful in buffering their college-related stress and fostering their academic success.

The conceptual framework used in this case study was House's (1981) model of social support. According to House, social support is defined as "a flow of emotional …

The Lived Experience Of The Novice Nursing Dean: Exploring The Meaning And Significance, Melissa R. Bouws

Dissertations

Deans of nursing hold a unique position for the future of the profession. Few others have the potential to bring about change within the academic setting, or hold such a strong influence on the future of nursing and on our students. Current statistics reveal multiple vacancies in nursing dean positions. Further understanding of how nursing deans begin their role, attain their identity as dean, and successfully execute this important position is needed to recruit and retain strong leaders who have the methods and skills to develop and support the advancement of the nursing profession. Understanding the process of becoming nursing …

Perceptions Of Role Transition Among Nurses Working In Both Clinical And Faculty Positions, Teresa A. Wenner

Dissertations

In response to the current nurse faculty shortage and the anticipated return of a nationwide shortage of Registered nurses (RNs), the use of part-time clinical nurse educators has been increasing. It was not known how nurses experience the work-role transition from clinical expert to part-time clinical faculty member when they subsequently work in both a clinical and an academic setting. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore this population. Research questions were: 1) How do part-time clinical nurse faculty members perceive the work-role transition from clinical expert to clinical instructor when they continue to maintain their …

Effects Of A Nurse-Led Transitional Rehabilitation Programme (4cs-Tburp) For Adult Burn Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jonathan Bayuo

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of a nurse-led transitional rehabilitation programme for adult burn survivors. Quality of life was the primary outcome of interest in this study. The secondary outcomes included sleep, pain, itchiness, scarring, psychological and physical role functioning.

Improving Patient Outcomes Through Understanding Belonging, Wendy Morgan, Maggie Hubbell

General Webinars

Gain a deep understanding of belonging and the motivation and knowledge to change behaviors to improve patient outcomes. Engage in thought provoking activities that will give you deeper insights into the origins and impacts of bias, and identify steps you can take to create belonging in your life and in your work.

Utilizing The Expectancy Theory As A Predictor Of Student Academic Success On The Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Examination, Kelli D. Whittington

Dissertations

This study researches the relationship between motivation and academic success by utilizing the concepts of Vroom's Expectancy Theory: Valence, Expectancy, and Instrumentality. In order to quantify motivation, the Valence, Instrumentality, Expectancy, and Motivation Score (VIEMS) was used. The population assessed consisted of 375 nurse assistant students in the state of Illinois. The self-reported survey tool was evaluated to assess the constructs of Vroom's Expectancy Theory, thus investigating their motivation level. This level was then compared to their performance on the Illinois Nurse Assistant Training Competency Examination.

Nurse-Policymaker Process Improvements: Legislative Action Interest Group Participation In Policymaking, Brooke Newman

Dissertations

Governmental officials influenced health care decision-making rather than dialoguing with nurses, which was a call to action for Doctor of Nursing Practice leaders to mitigate the legislative governance process problem. The local professional nursing organization, action coalition, and I aimed to disrupt the systemic nursing practice problem, identifying the Future of Nursing (2020-2030) report recommendations at the legislative advocacy forums. For members of professional nursing organizations and action coalitions in California (P), will a Legislative Action Interest Group (LAIG) bi-weekly forum (I) compared to no policy participation forum (C) improve nurse policy participation by 10 % (O) over 8 weeks …

Quality Of Life: The Dyad Of Caregivers And Lung Transplant Candidates, Cheryl A. Lefaiver

Dissertations

Informal caregivers are essential members of the healthcare team providing care, valued at over $250 billion each year, to millions of individuals who require assistance with health and daily care. It is important to examine caregiver QOL within various patient populations including lung transplantation, when patients' illness necessitates both acute and chronic care. Patients assigned to the transplant waiting list are required to have an identified caregiver, so nurses need to be informed about the patient-caregiver dyad, and their QOL. The study of caregiver QOL is important to enhance nursing knowledge and design nursing interventions that support caregiver-candidate dyads during …

Engaging With Politics, Policy, & Policymaking: Opportunities And Challenges For Sigma Members Worldwide, Enrique Castro-Sanchez, Roya Haghiri-Vijeh, Brooke Newman, Michael J. Polacek

General Webinars

The webinar will explore the interests and skills of nurses in political decision-making and discuss opportunities to increase the minimal involvement of nurses in legislative policymaking and how to best foster more nurse engagement as policymakers, political stakeholders, and activists. The panel aims to dialogue with participants, providing education regarding the next steps and implications for practice improvement(s).

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Translation Of The Functional, Communicative, And Critical Health Literacy (Fcchl) Questionnaire, Carli Zegers

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Aim 1: Cross-culturally translate the FCCHL tool into Spanish using appropriate methods inclusive of language and culture.

Aim 2: Assess the validity of the Spanish-FCCHL (S-FCCHL) tool with native-Spanish speakers.

A Framework For Achieving The National Plan For Health Workforce Well-Being Recommendations, Ernest J. Grant, Christine Pabico

Group: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Before the SARS-CoV-2 virus hit the shores of the US in February 2020, there were already deep concerns regarding the overwhelming demands placed on healthcare workers. No one could have anticipated the additional challenging impact COVID-19 would have on healthcare workers and the healthcare system. As organizations such as the American Nurses Association and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) continued to monitor the rapid changes associated with the spread of the virus, it became evident that its toll greatly affected members of the healthcare team. Multiple surveys and self-reports from healthcare workers at all levels reflected feelings of overwhelming …

Inner Resources (Sense Of Coherence, Hope, And Spiritual Perspective) As Predictors Of Psychological Well-Being In African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Lynette M. Richardson Gibson

Dissertations

No studies have been found on the psychological effects of applying sense of coherence, hope, and spiritual perspective by African American (AA) breast cancer survivors. These variables have each been positively associated with psychological well-being. Although AA women are exposed to major life stressors such as breast cancer, many continue to have high levels of psychological well-being. The reasons for this are unknown.

This descriptive study tested which variables in the Gibson Model of Inner Resources© were significant predictors of levels of psychological well-being in AA breast cancer survivors. One hundred and sixty-two AA breast cancer survivors completed the Abbreviated …

Elucidation Of Tacit Knowledge That Supports The Practice Of An Expert Nurse Based On The Ram, Satsuki Obama, Tsuyako Hidaka, Shizuko Tanigaki

General Submissions: Presentations (Oral and Poster)

This study aims to elucidate tacit knowledge that underpins the nursing practice of the expert nurse who implements the Roy Adaptation Model.

The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Therapies For Pain In Fibromyalgia, Jennifer Helms

Dissertations

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition that is not well understood. Many available medications and treatments currently prescribed for fibromyalgia have shown only limited success for pain control. Thus many FMS patients are choosing available complementary and alternative therapies (also called complementary and alternative medicine, or "CAM") for pain control. The term complementary refers to therapies that are used in conjunction with conventional medicine, while the term alternative refers to treatments that replace traditional therapies.

The purpose of this study was to explore the use and perceived effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies for pain in FMS. The …

My Journey As An Emerging Nursing Education Leader - One Scholar's Journey Through The Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy, Jennifer L. Taylor

Biennial Convention (CONV)

To convey leadership growth of the scholar during NFLA. Leading an accelerated BSN faculty team through integrative team teaching implementation illustrated multiple ways the scholar’s leadership skills improved team performance. Team teaching project enhanced student learning and engagement in classroom, fostered collaboration and integration of expertise within faculty team.

Implementation Of The Massachusetts Policy On Youth Sport-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries: Perceptions Of Key Personnel At Massachusetts Public And Charter Schools, Gretchen A. Kilbourne

Dissertations

The major purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive, and explanatory survey research was to assess key school personnel's perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of implementation of the Massachusetts (MA) policy on youth sport-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) to guide, inform, and increase awareness of implementation of this policy.

A Historical Overview Of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society Of Nursing, 1922-1979, Rebecca Ellen Thomas Markel

Dissertations

Sigma Theta Tau was founded in 1922 by six students at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, Indianapolis, Indiana. The name was chosen using the initials of the Greek words, STORGA, THAROS, TIME, meaning Love, Courage, and Honor. Sigma Theta Tau was organized to encourage and recognize superior scholarship and leadership achievement at the undergraduate and graduate levels in nursing.

The problem of this study was to write a historical overview of Sigma Theta Tau and to develop guidelines for use by chapter historians in writing histories and maintaining archives. The primary concern of this study was the growth …

Middle Eastern And North African Immigrant Parents Caring For Obese Children: A Phenomenlogical Inquiry, Sadeg Aldolaim

Dissertations

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century in the United States and worldwide. Several studies show that children with migrant backgrounds are more likely to be at risk of becoming obese. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of physical diseases and cognitive academic deficits in children and adolescents. The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population is one of the fastest-growing immigrant population groups in the United States. However, there are no studies exploring parental involvement in childhood obesity prevention programs among the MENA immigrant population.

The purpose of this qualitative …

Relevance Of Pain Management Outcomes In Veterans, Cynthia A. Mccormack

Dissertations

Despite well-publicized guidelines, acute pain remains a significant problem for medical inpatients, including veterans. Registered nurse staff plays a key role in inpatient pain management: they assess pain, coordinate and administer pain medication and evaluate its effectiveness. The nursing shortage has prompted study of nurse staffing and nurse education as key structures in those outcomes defined as sensitive to nursing, including pain management. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which nurse staffing and nurse education predict five specific pain management outcomes. A cross-sectional design was used to examine the effects of nurse staffing defined as …

Obesity And The University Environment: Assessment Of The Campus And Intervention In The Student Health Services, Tina L. Ortiz

Dissertations

One of the most substantial challenges facing colleges and universities today remains the creation of a healthy campus environment. With more than one-third of college students classified as overweight or obese by body-mass index (BMI) and the known negative health consequences associated with obesity, campuses have a deliberate responsibility to help mitigate this sobering statistic. A significant movement from The American College Health Association (ACHA) to address campus health, Healthy Campus 2020 (HC2020), provides a framework to support campuses in improving the health of their students, staff, and faculty. This project first sought to assess, explore and understand one campus …

Organizational Factors As Barriers To Racially And Ethnically Diverse Nursing Students, Janine Lynn Johnson

Dissertations

Increasing the nursing profession's diverse make up is thought to improve health disparities. To improve this diversity, it is essential for nursing students from diverse backgrounds to be successful in nursing school. The purpose of this phenomenological study using critical race theory for the framework was to discover racially and ethnically diverse students' perceptions related to organizational factors impacting their success in an undergraduate nursing program. Organizational factors included the policies and practices at the course, department, and institutional levels. The aim of this study was to determine how nurse educators and schools of nursing can increase the diversity among …

Caregiver Burden And Its Relationship To Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Spouses Of Coronary Artery Bypass Patients, Margo A. Halm

Dissertations

With today's aging population and short hospitalizations, patients recovering after coronary artery bypass (CAB) surgery rely on family assistance, usually from their spouse. While caregiving may be meaningful, this experience may be stressful. Very little is known about caregiver burden after CAB surgery. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the correlates of caregiver burden in the first year after CAB surgery and its relationship to spousal health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes.

Updates To The Inacsl Standards Of Best Practice: The Debriefing Process, Sharon Decker, Guillaume Alinier, Scott Crawford, Randy Gordon, Deborah Jenkins, Cheryl Wilson

General Submissions: Presentations (Oral and Poster)

Debriefing is a key component of all simulation-based educational (SBE) activities and is an activity for which myriad approaches and models have been developed and implemented (Oriot & Alinier, 2018). To improve SBE practice in general, the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) provides the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice, an evidence-based framework to guide simulation design, implementation, debriefing, evaluation, and research (INACSL Standards Committee et al., 2021). Originally published in 2011, periodic revisions to these standards are necessary as the use of simulation in healthcare and education expands and the debriefing process evolves. This presentation …

Domestic Violence Screening By Nurses In The Primary Care Setting, Karen Hetzel

Dissertations

Domestic violence is one of the most important health care issues in the United States. One of every four women is a victim of domestic violence each year and thirty-one percent of women have a lifetime prevalence of domestic violence. Since most women receive their health care in primary care settings, nurses can play a critical role in decreasing the cycle of violence through screening and intervention.

Taking A Break: How Rest Breaks Can Reduce Acute Fatigue During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Knar Sagherian

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The overall purpose was to evaluate the effect of rest breaks during work hours on reducing COVID-19 work strain among hospital nurses.

The project was conducted using a cross-sectional design among hospital nurses via online survey across the United States. Our specific aims were to:

1) Identify for the first time in a large sample the characteristics (e.g., type, duration, content, and context) of rest breaks taken by nurses during 12-hour shifts.

2) Determine the characteristics of rest breaks that best reduce acute fatigue and how these differ between nurses who care for patients with COVID-19 and those who do …

Health-Care Seeking Behaviors Of Puerto Ricans With Diabetes Mellitus Who Live In South Florida: An Exploratory Study, Laura N. Gonzalez

Dissertations

Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States (U.S.) and have the worst access to health care of any ethnic group. The chronic disease of diabetes is twice as common in adult Latinos as in non-Latino whites, and the risk of death related to diabetes is twofold. Reasons for this disparity have yet to be clearly identified. This study had two purposes: 1) to explore cultural beliefs regarding health-care seeking behaviors in Puerto Ricans with diabetes who live in South Florida; and 2) to examine Puerto Ricans' perceptions about their health-care providers. The cultural phenomena of interest …