Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Shangshou Daoyin Qigong On Sleep Quality In Patients With Schizophrenia, Kuei-Hua Chang, Jun-Dai Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Shangshou Daoyin Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, in improving sleep quality among patients with schizophrenia. Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent in this population and has a substantial impact on daily functioning and quality of life. The study sought to provide evidence for a safe, non-pharmacological nursing intervention applicable in psychiatric settings.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted in the chronic rehabilitation wards of a psychiatric teaching hospital in central Taiwan. Seventy-four inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were purposively sampled and divided into an experimental group (n = 37) and a control …

Peer Support Helps Improve Postpartum Depression, Alison M. Chab, Lyndsi Hall

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Postpartum depression has become more prevalent in recent years, negatively impacting infant/mother bonding, infant development, and maternal well-being. Women in rural communities often face limited access to mental health services and supportive services. The purpose of this project was to promote emotional well-being by implementing structured peer support programs to reduce depressive symptoms among postpartum women in rural communities.

Intervention: Postpartum women at a Midwest rural community hospital were invited to participate in a virtual peer support group offered once weekly for four weeks. The intervention took place between hospital discharge and the six-week postpartum follow-up appointment, with the …

Improving Self-Efficacy For Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Rural Community Setting, Amanda Tyma

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self-management can be challenging for individuals living in rural communities due to limited access to education and healthcare resources. Poor T2DM self-management may contribute to decreased self-efficacy and increased risk of complications. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a four-week community-based T2DM education program on participant self-efficacy related to diabetes management. The intervention consisted of four weekly educational sessions held at a senior center in a rural community. Each session included 30 minutes of didactic education, followed by a 15-minute interactive group activity. Weekly topics included T2DM overview, physical activity, …

Hypertension Management And Addressing Health Equity, Jenny Uguru

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Worldwide, 1.28 billion adults between 30-79 years of age have Hypertension (HTN) (WHO, 2023). HTN is the most common medical diagnosis in the U.S. and individuals with social, economic, and cultural factors have higher prevalence and poor control of their ability to self-manage the disease (Ware, Chidume, & Chou, 2023). HTN has the highest risk for mortality related to cardiovascular disease (Cheng et al., 2022). Care coordination and CHWs provide resources, especially those related to social determinants of health (SDOH), and can improve patient engagement and support improved quality of care (Ibe et al., 2021). SDOH increases the prevalence …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Kimberly Abraham

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare education and clinical practice, yet many registered nurses returning to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have limited experience with AI literacy, ethical application, and informatics integration.

Purpose: To address this gap, faculty developed an innovative, asynchronous assignment within an online RN to BSN program to enhance students’ digital literacy, confidence, and ethical awareness in applying AI responsibly to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and critical thinking.

Methods: Students used a free version of ChatGPT and (1) developed a clinical PICO(T) question; (2) used AI to generate five keywords and summarize best …

Global Partnerships As Catalysts For Reciprocal Mentoring In Nursing: A Scoping Review, Michele J. Upvall, Adelais Markaki, Shelby L. Garner, Elizabeth E. Fildes, Jerry J. Ouner, Debra Hain, Courtney Sullivan, Allison Walsh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Despite a global increase in the number of nurses, disparities persist in educational preparation and distribution across regions and countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025). Distribution gaps are projected to be most severe in the Global South (WHO, 2024).

Mentorship has emerged as a global, transformative strategy for developing and retaining nurses and midwives across the career continuum (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). However, there is a growing need to shift from traditional mentorship models to reciprocal mentorship with nurses and midwives from the Global South and Global North sharing ideas, resources, and power structures, promoting …

Digital Empowerment For South Asian Immigrants: An Intervention For Metabolic Syndrome (Desi-Mets), Amir U. Islam, Sharon Wexler, Lin Drury, Jeffery A. Stahl

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: South Asian immigrants (SAIs) in the US have a disproportionately high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), leading to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Increased waist circumference and early-onset heart disease further potentiate health disparities, underscoring the need for culturally tailored interventions. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have been recognized for their potential to effectively support lifestyle modifications in minority populations, including SAIs, by providing accessible and culturally tailored health management solutions.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored digital health intervention (CT-mHealth) in reducing MetS among SAIs in Hudson Valley, …

Adolescent With Pediatric Liver Transplantation: The Perspectives Of Quality Of Life And Self-Care, Ya-Hui Chang, Bih-Shya Gau, Ming-Chih Ho, Jia-Feng Wu, Hsiao-Ling Yang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Significance: Many children with end-stage liver disease have their lives extended by liver transplantation, growing into adolescence and even adulthood. Therefore, it is important to understand the long-term health outcomes of liver transplantation and provide relevant assistance during this developmental process. However, there is a lack of domestic research on the long-term and comprehensive health outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation, and less attention is paid to the children's own self-care ability and development.

Objective: To understand the attributes, health-related quality of life, and chronic disease self-care ability of adolescents who have received liver transplantation in early childhood and …

The Development Of The Theory Of Sociocultural Determinants In Breast Cancer Screening, Corvette Vanessia Yacoob, Indra Hershorin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Breast cancer is a disease that strikes women globally every 14 seconds, making it a global health issue. It is among the most common cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black women face disproportionately higher mortality, underscoring the need for early, equitable screening.

Purpose: To explore the key factors shaping breast cancer screening habits among Caribbean-American Women of African ancestry. The study developed a substantive theory of sociocultural determinants to address and improve early and equitable breast cancer screening methods.

Philosophical underpinnings, including constructivism, pragmatism, and symbolic interactionism, guided the …

Predicting Telemedicine Patient Visit No-Shows: Discovering An Actionable Patient Risk Model, Barbara R. Medvec, John D. Knight

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The objectives of this project were to evaluate a large healthcare system’s telemedicine no-show risk model, assessing accuracy in identifying (1) high-risk for no-show patients and (2) refinements to the model that would improve the prediction accuracy and ease of use. The original model factors—Portal Activation, Last Portal Log-In < 90 days, E-Check-In < 90 days, E-Check-In for Visit Completed, and Last Video Visit—showed limited predictive power, making the model challenging to apply in practice. Leadership seeks a more accurate and streamlined model to support targeted interventions aimed at reducing no-shows.

A literature review revealed limited evidence on predictive scoring models for telemedicine visit no-shows. We analyzed 525,333 telemedicine appointments from 30 clinics between 2021 and 2024. Using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, we: (1) assessed no-show rates by risk score; (2) calculated standardized Z scores for model factors; and (3) …

Reality Check: Nursing Graduates' Transition To Practice And Implications For Curriculum Development, Catherine A. Stubin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing workforce instability has intensified due to worsening work conditions and increasing demands on nurses. Burnout disproportionately affects younger nurses and is strongly linked to early-career attrition (Labrague et al., 2025), with nearly 15% of newly licensed registered nurses leaving within their first year and over 30% within two years (AACN, 2024; NLN, 2022). Addressing burnout is vital not only for nurse retention but also for maintaining mental health and ensuring high-quality patient care (Li et al., 2024; Shah et al., 2021).

The purpose of this study was to examine nursing alumni perceptions of how effectively their undergraduate curriculum at …

When We Feel Maxed Out: Increasing Human Capacity Across Four Domains, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The experience of being “maxed out” reflects depletion across emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational domains that collectively determine human capacity. Nurses frequently encounter this state in themselves, colleagues, and patients, where exhaustion and stress diminish coping and resilience. Emerging evidence demonstrates that recovery requires more than time or reduced workload; deliberate engagement in evidence-based practices produces measurable improvement across domains.

This paper introduces a multidimensional framework for human capacity and synthesizes recent findings linking mindfulness, cognitive training, physical conditioning, and social connection with improved well-being. The review identifies five common misconceptions that obstruct recovery—beliefs that time alone restores capacity, that …

Perceived Cognitive Function And Continuous Glucose Monitor Use In Older Adults: A Qualitative Study, Heather E. Cuevas, Jeeyeon Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

CGM is used to examine glucose data against reports of diabetes self-management (DMSM) behaviors, allowing characterization of biobehavioral processes.¹ The inclusion of DMSM behaviors is crucial to a full understanding of the relationships between glucose variability and cognitive function.^2,3 Unfortunately, only a few trials have evaluated the effectiveness of CGM in older adults with T2DM.^4,5 Because older adults with T2DM are a heterogeneous group with variable functional and cognitive abilities, clinicians must consider whether each patient can use CGM and which CGM device that best fits patients' needs. The purpose of this project was to investigate how …

Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation On Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Care Of The Dying, Meredith Joyner

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care is a vital yet often underemphasized component of nursing education. Limited clinical opportunities to engage with dying patients can leave nursing students unprepared to provide compassionate care. High-fidelity simulation provides an evidence-based, immersive learning environment that allows students to practice communication, decision-making, and emotional responses in a safe setting.

Research Question/Aims: This study aimed to determine whether participation in a high-fidelity simulation focused on EOL care would improve nursing students’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients. It was hypothesized that simulation participation would positively impact student attitudes as measured by a validated instrument.

Methods: A quantitative …

Graduate Nursing Faculty Work And Wellbeing Survey: Pilot Study Of Dual-Role Faculty, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Burnout among nursing faculty continues to threaten workforce sustainability and academic program stability. Dual academic–clinical faculty experience compounded demands that heighten burnout risk and reduce job satisfaction. Despite recognition of these challenges, limited instruments specifically examine wellbeing in this group. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and initial psychometric properties of the Graduate Nursing Faculty Work and Wellbeing Survey (GNFWWS), designed to assess burnout, job satisfaction, and perceived institutional support among graduate nursing faculty with concurrent academic and clinical practice roles. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources framework, the cross-sectional pilot was implemented at a large academic medical center in the …

Current & Future Priorities In Canadian Pre-Licensure Nursing Education On Care For People With Idd, Anna Don, Janet Mccabe

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Using existing literature the audience will be oriented to the current state of pre-licensure nursing education about People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), review priorities identified by People with IDD and nurses, and finally suggest a course for the future nursing education about the care of People with IDD.

The findings of a recent scoping review of international pre-licensure nursing education [1] demonstrated that most education related to people with IDD was episodic at best. More recently a Canadian Delphi study was conducted in which People with IDD and nurses identified priorities for nursing education [2]. Using the current …

Advancing Learning Disability Nursing Education In Scotland, Sam Abdulla, Natasha Spassiani, Amanda Woodrow, Jacqueline Taylor, Valerie Houghton, Kyle Buchan

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Across the UK, applications to undergraduate nursing programmes, especially Learning Disability (LD) Nursing have declined significantly (Royal College of Nursing, 2021), resulting in under-recruitment and, in some regions, the closure of LD Nursing programmes (Royal College of Nursing, 2024). This shortage of specialist LD Nurses risks worsening health inequalities for people with LD (House of Commons, 2024). NHS Education Scotland (2023) identified LD Nursing as a workforce priority, highlighting the need for innovation to attract new nurses and maintain high-quality, person-centred care. For those entering programmes, access to varied and appropriate placements remains a challenge due to reduced post-COVID capacity, …

From Burden To Support: Validating An Ai-Based Dementia Care Voice Assistant App, Modupe Akintomide, Xinyue Zhang, Divya Iyer, Madison Ellison, Sumaya Tamenne

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The prevalence of behavioral symptoms, such as wandering and agitation, in over 90% of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (Pw-ADRD), with approximately 83% residing in home-based settings [1-3], underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to support informal caregivers. These caregivers are essential for maintaining quality care for Pw-ADRD, yet they frequently encounter substantial challenges in managing behavioral symptoms [4], revealing a significant gap in available resources and support systems.

To address this gap, we developed a prototype for an AI-based Dementia Care Voice Assistant (AI-DECAVA), powered by a large language model (LLM). The system is designed to …

Leveraging Ai-Driven Financial Resource Identification In Dementia Caregiving-Development Phase, Modupe Akintomide, Xinyue Zhang, Divya Iyer

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Informal dementia caregiving imposes a substantial financial burden on families, compounded by systemic factors such as insurance coverage gaps, prohibitive long-term care costs, and the administrative complexity of navigating public and private benefit programs [1-2].

To address this challenge, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven application designed to streamline access to financial resources. The system is built on a curated dataset that links multidimensional caregiver profiles with relevant financial support programs. Profiles, encoded as input feature vectors, are derived from structured questionnaire responses capturing variables such as employment status, weekly caregiving hours, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and insurance coverage. Each profile …

Closing The Gap: Canadian Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Competencies And Training Needs In Idd, Lin Li, Yona Lunsky, Anupam Thakur, Soumya Mishra, Nagyeong Kim, Gurmanpreet Kaur

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face persistent health inequities, including higher morbidity, premature mortality, and increased healthcare use [1–3]. These disparities are intensified by limited provider training and confidence in caring for this population [4,5], underscoring the need to strengthen nursing education in IDD. This study examined Canadian undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes, competencies, and training needs related to IDD.

Methods: From May-August 2025, a 28-item anonymous online survey was distributed through nursing programs and nursing student societies across Canada. The survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, self-perceived skills, exposure to IDD in coursework and clinical settings, and preferred learning …

Fostering Integration Of Idd Concepts Into Nursing Curriculums In The United States, Cecily L. Betz, Joyce Carolyn Graff

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Curriculum content pertaining to the lifespan needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is not evident in nursing programs in the United States (US) despite national statistics that indicate 17% of the U.S. population are identified as having IDD [1-3]. Beginning with the Kennedy Administration in the 1960s, the U.S. federal government has made significant investments to improve services for the IDD population through the establishment of interdisciplinary educational networks, such as the University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) [2]. For nurses interested in IDD specialty …

Ai-Powered Gamified Extended Reality Training For Dementia Care Competence In Healthcare Students, Modupe Akintomide, Joy Li, Toi-Ann Kingsby, Dandre Williamson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The development of dementia care competence among healthcare students remains limited by the scarcity of experiential training opportunities for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms [1]. Traditional curricula often fail to provide sufficient, high-fidelity practice for the complex, emotionally charged interactions characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) care [2].

To address this gap, we developed an AI-powered, Gamified Extended Reality (XR) Dementia Behavioral Training App. This immersive platform simulates authentic caregiving encounters with persons living with ADRD. It employs an AI-generated animated patient agent and integrates adaptive difficulty scaling within clinically relevant, scenario-based modules to mirror the complexity of …

Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship In Pediatric Acute Otitis Media Management In Urgent Care Settings, Madison Haines, Gina Crudden

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a leading cause of pediatric antibiotic prescribing in urgent care (UC) settings. Despite guidelines recommending watchful waiting, inappropriate prescribing persists, contributing to increased antimicrobial resistance and healthcare costs. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship through provider education and clinical decision-making support tools.

Intervention: Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the 30-day intervention was implemented across Midwestern UC centers. The intervention involved asynchronous provider education focused on evidence-based prescribing, watchful waiting strategies, and caregiver communication.

Measures: Primary outcomes included provider confidence in implementing watchful waiting and perceived adherence to clinical guidelines, measured via pre- …

Increasing Patient Education On Obesity, Claire Maddux, Linda Hughes

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Obesity is a prevalent and undertreated chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, yet patient education and engagement in treatment remain limited in primary care. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, theory-driven educational handout in improving patient knowledge, self-awareness, and readiness to engage in obesity-related care. The intervention was implemented in a Midwestern primary care clinic and targeted adult patients with a body mass index of 30 or greater. Participants were provided with an educational handout and completed pre- and post-handout tests assessing knowledge of obesity etiology, risks, and treatment options, as well …

Advance Care Planning Education In The Community, Haley R. Monhollon, Margaret E. Kinney

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Primary care providers are the best individuals to have advance care planning (ACP) conversations with patients due to their familiarity and knowledge of the patient’s health history, but the shortage of these providers and the limited time per visit to educate and help the patient make decisions limits their ability to hold these conversations. Community education sessions have been found to not only increase knowledge but also influence and change behavior. The purpose of this study was to hold community education sessions regarding ACP and advance directives (AD) to increase patient knowledge and increase the number of individuals who plan …

[Excerpt From] The Nurse Manager's Guide To Budgeting & Finance, 4th Edition, Annmarie Papa

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Nurses focus on the art and science of caregiving, so stepping into a nurse manager role brings new challenges—especially when it comes to the economic reality of patient-staffing ratios, budgets, reports, accounting, and financial decision-making. Acronyms such as FTEs and ADCs can feel like a foreign language, but thankfully, this book is here to help. The Nurse Manager’s Guide to Budgeting and Finance, 4th Edition, provides real-world tools, tips, and strategies nurses need to manage resources wisely, support their team, and keep their unit on track in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. In this practical, on-the-job handbook, author AnnMarie Papa …

Early Identification Of Skin Breakdown In The Medical-Surgical Setting, Brandi S. Paul, Kathryn Justice, Nic Money

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) remain a significant patient safety concern in acute care settings. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to reduce HAPI rates through a multidisciplinary intervention focused on the early identification of high-risk patients and improved adherence to pressure injury prevention practices.

Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, this quality improvement project was implemented over eight weeks on one medical-surgical unit at two southeastern U.S. hospitals. Adult patients with Braden scores ≤14 were identified as high risk. Nurses initiated the Pink Paper Initiative (PPI), which included visual bedside reminders, multidisciplinary checklists, …

Implementation Of A Follow-Up Call To Improve Glp-1 Medication Compliance, Hanna Weitzman-Flanigan

DNP and Student Works

Background: Obesity is a major driver of healthcare spending in the United States. GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective for weight management; however, high rates of early discontinuation reduce both clinical and economic value.

Methods: A pre–post quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led follow-up call at four weeks.

Results: Adherence improved significantly (p=0.009), weight decreased by 10 pounds (p=0.023), and estimated annual savings per patient were $6,472, contingent on sustained long-term adherence. Total estimated project savings were $80,141.

Conclusion: Nurse-led follow-up calls are a high-value intervention supporting economic sustainability.

Improving Workplace Satisfaction And Staff Retention Among Nurses In A Staffing Resource Pool, Amy Harper, Amy Roscher

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

This quality improvement project assessed how simple engagement strategies impacted job satisfaction and retention rates among resource nurses. Results showed exceedingly positive feedback, improved satisfaction, and a remarkable decrease in turnover. Findings suggest simple, low-cost interventions can enhance connection and retention among staffing resource nurses.

Task Sharing Of Tele-Mental Health Interventions In Primary Care: Formative Assessment Using Implementation Science, Frances Chu

Dissertations

Primary care frequently cares for patients with mental health concerns. Tele-mental health (TMH) interventions are becoming used as alternatives to the traditional methods of mental health care delivery. However, implementation of these interventions has met with uneven implementation success. Task sharing is a care model that trains less specialized health care workers to perform tasks typically done by specialized health care workers. Few studies have examined the combination of Task sharing and TMH intervention for the management of mental conditions. This dissertation project utilized implementation science methodology for formative assessment of task sharing of TMH interventions. The goals of the …