Digital Commons Network^™

Relevance And Challenges Of Artificial Intelligence In Nursing Education, Dione Sandiford, Sara Thimmes

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has become prominent in nursing education. The use of AI in nursing education includes virtual reality, AI-based simulations, virtual patients, and ChatGPT. These various uses of AI in the academic setting provide opportunities for nursing students to develop critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, decision-making, and clinical judgment. While this may enhance student learning, and revolutionize nursing education and practice, it also presents challenges and risks. The purpose of this poster presentation is to bring to light the importance of AI in nursing education while stressing the risk that must be considered with its use. …

Gastrointestinal Simulation: A Learning Strategy For Nursing Students, Amy N. Pierce, Pamela K. Thomas, Renee E. Willis

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Implementing high fidelity simulation (HFS) into undergraduate nursing courses allows faculty to evaluate the nursing student’s ability to provide safe care for a client in a realistic, controlled environment. Simulation is a learning strategy that fosters competency-based education (CBE). The CBE model focuses on competency attainment by utilizing learning strategies promoting nursing students’ development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to become a proficient novice nurse.

The simulation experience begins with a pre-briefing session where faculty provide information about the client, orient the nursing students to the HFS equipment, and reiterates that HFS is a safe learning environment. The …

Escape Room: An Interactive Way To Teach Hypertension To Nurse Practitioner Students, Christine Jewell, Marsha Hellend, Patricia Balogh, Nyssa Amato, Donna Martin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Hypertension is a significant comorbidity in the United States. Nurse Practitioners (NP) should be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension to prevent complications for their patients. An escape room provides a fun and interactive way for NP students to learn and build skills (Friedrich et al., 2020). Escape rooms promote engagement, teamwork, and communication, and allow nurses to make mistakes in a safe environment while also building on their leadership skills (Bashir Raja et al., 2022).

Purpose: The purpose of this activity was to increase Nurse Practitioner (NP) students’ knowledge of treating patients with hypertension …

Supporting The Transition To Practice Through An Undergraduate Academic-Practice Partnership, Marilynn Robayo, Kathleen Ennis

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose Statement: Establishment of academic-practice partnerships with multiple local undergraduate nursing programs has led to a more efficacious transition to clinical practice for newly licensed nurses entering the acute care setting.

Background/Objective: Graduate nurses in their first year of practice often feel unprepared for the reality of clinical practice, contributing to burnout, a global phenomenon. Partnering with local nursing programs to develop realistic clinical experiences and tailoring extern programs and first year entry programs for newly hired graduate nurses has helped one medical center increase nurse retention. Goals of the partnership include: 1) providing clinical experiences that help reduce stress …

Engaging Children And Adolescents In Research: Strategies For Effective Recruitment And Retention, Sally Ann Martens, Christine Platt, Taylor Russell, Tanner Wright, Amanda Ball

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Children and adolescents are essential participants in research aimed at understanding their unique health, developmental, and social needs; however, engaging this population presents distinct challenges, including ethical concerns, logistical barriers, communication gaps and retention obstacles(McCabe et al., 2023). Addressing these challenges requires innovative and age-appropriate methodologies, clear and ethical practices, and active collaboration with families and communities to ensure meaningful and sustainable participation.

Objective: This presentation highlights innovative and evidence-based strategies successfully implemented and employed by our research team to meaningfully involve children and adolescents in research, while proactively addressing associated challenges.

Key approaches: Drawing from the researchers’ …

Enhancing Community Health Workers' Knowledge On Childhood Tuberculosis Screening In Nigeria, Rashidat A. Jolaoluwa

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where it disproportionately affects children. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study seeks to enhance the knowledge of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Community Health Extension Worker Students (CHEWs) in screening for childhood TB. Given the urgent need for early detection and intervention, the research focused on equipping CHWs and CHEWs with targeted educational resources. A pretest/posttest design was employed to evaluate changes in knowledge related to childhood TB screening among the participants. Statistical data analysis was conducted to assess improvements and ensure the reliability of …

Understanding Beliefs And Barriers To Seeking Mental Health Care Amongst Immigrant Population, Ujaranne Renee James Onuorah

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Migration to a new country and/or environment with different values, morals, culture, and language are all factors which contribute to the continual rise of mental health disorders in the immigrant population. Understanding the barriers and beliefs of this population from their perspective is imperative to having a positive mental health outcome.

Methodology: A Quality Improvement project was conducted, utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, an inductive thematic analysis and iterative process guided this qualitative project. Data was collected from 12 participants, through a 10 question semi-structured questionnaire, for four months through convenience sampling.

Results: Themes identified were Stigma, Mental Health Literacy …

Transform The Work Environment & Psychological Distress In Nurses: Sustain Health Promotion Behaviors, Hephzibah Sophie Edwin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The healthcare work environment poses numerous stressors contributing to distress¹, and poor health outcomes in nurses^4,5. A critical nursing shortage exists, and it is crucial to explore the work environment, leading to distress symptoms. Coping strategies using health promotion behaviors are essential to restore nurses' health³, which has not been explored well.

Purpose: Examine the work environment - workload and the association with psychological distress, sleep disturbance, and health promotion behaviors in nurses, using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach guided by the job demands-resources framework.

Methods: The Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study …

Educational Program For Primary Care On Reducing Antibiotic Overuse For Upper Respiratory Infections, Adebusola Onwuemene

Biennial Convention (CONV)

With the advent of antibiotics in 1928, the death rate declined (Fleming, 1980; Hoyert et al., 1999). However, antibiotics’ effectiveness led to the notion that antibiotics could be used for various illnesses. Thus, the overuse of antibiotics leaped, causing antibiotic resistance, rising healthcare costs, and increased mortality rates (CDC, 2024). Many research studies identified factors influencing antibiotic overuse for upper respiratory infections (URIs) in primary care, such as primary care providers’ ignorance, and patients’ expectations (Carlsson et al. , 2023; Gidengil et al., 2016). This study aimed to provide an educational program, via the Canva media tool, on reducing the …

Addressing Disrespect In Maternity Care: Case Study From Low- Middle-Income Countries, Arisha Noorddin Khiyani, Sadia Abbas Ali

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Disrespectful maternity care, encompassing abuse, violence, and humiliation, often arises from healthcare providers' actions or systemic deficiencies within healthcare systems. Alarmingly, recent data reveal that nearly 97% of women in Pakistan report experiencing mistreatment during maternity care.¹ This mistreatment, not only violates women's dignity but also discourages them from seeking institutional support for subsequent deliveries, thereby adversely affecting maternal and neonatal health outcomes underscoring critical need for immediate and targeted interventions by healthcare authorities. Addressing this issue is particularly urgent in Pakistan, where maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain among the highest globally. Tackling disrespectful maternity care is essential …

Experiences Of African Immigrant Nurses Transitioning To The American Healthcare System, Chinomso Nwozichi

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: The global nursing shortage has driven a significant migration of African Immigrant nurses (AINs) to the United States. While AINs are essential to the U.S. healthcare workforce, they face considerable challenges, including cultural, professional, and emotional adjustments during their transition.

Methods: This study used a phenomenological approach guided by Ricoeur’s interpretive phenomenology framework to explore the lived experiences of AINs transitioning into the American healthcare system. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the primary investigator’s institution. Nineteen AINs working in various U.S. health institutions were selected through purposive sampling and participated in in-depth, unstructured …

Developing The Ocean Tool: An Instrument To Capture Nurses’ Work In Australian General Practice, Elizabeth Halcomb, Ruth Mursa, Julie Gordon, Susan Randall, Yang Lu, Joan Henderson, Christopher Harrison

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Nurses have been increasingly employed in Australian general practice to address the growing chronic health needs of the community. While it has been reported that funding and challenges in collaborating with doctors have constrained their role¹, there has been limited investigation of this workforce and the tasks these nurses undertake within patient encounters.^2,3

Aim: This paper describes the development of an online tool, as part of a larger project, to capture the professional profile of general practice nurses and explore the nature of their encounters with patients.

Methods: Initial drafts of the tool were …

Faculty Attitudes Toward Preparing Bsn Students For Practice In Hospital And Non-Hospital Settings, Lisa Victoria Radley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The ongoing nursing shortage, worsened in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in increasing concerns about future deficits in the nursing workforce. Changes in nursing education have been recommended to ensure the next generation of nurses are willing and prepared to meet the needs of an ageing population. Nursing faculty have important roles in the education and mentoring of students to prepare them to care for diverse populations in a variety of practice settings. Understanding faculty attitudes about these changes and whether there are long-held beliefs or ‘sacred cow’ practices that may be challenged is an essential first …

Disability Prevalence And Accommodation In Us Bsn Programs: Equity In Nursing Education, Vanessa Kay Cameron, Brandy Jackson, Lisa M. Meeks, Sabrina Ali Jamal-Eddine, Jaclyn M. Bandell, Anna Maria Valdez, Vera Kunte, Linda Morrow

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In the pursuit of global health equity, ensuring equal access to the nursing profession for students with disabilities is essential. Despite progress in disability inclusion in medical education, foundational data on disabled nursing students remains scarce. This study, completed by Access in Nursing, addresses this gap by quantifying disability prevalence and accommodations among students in U.S. traditional prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Through a cross-sectional design, national data were collected between April and July 2024 from 19 nursing programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Through adapted questionnaires, data were gathered on disability prevalence, types, and …

International Ethics Collaborative: Exploring Global Healthcare Ethics With Prelicensure Students​, Kimberly Hodges

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Ethics and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are nursing concepts in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials for professional nursing education (AACN, 2021). Faculty desired the opportunity to guide prelicensure students in developing a deeper understanding of global healthcare ethics issues.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics directs nurses to practice with compassion for every person and promote health by incorporating social justice in nursing practice (ANA, 2015). Ethical analysis in nursing is linked to patient care quality and individual moral agency (Barlow et al., 2018). When exploring global healthcare issues, providing ethical frameworks to guide student reflections …

A Reflection On The Use Of Telehealth To Improve Treatment Adherence And Healthcare Utilization, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Tianyi Wang, Sarret Seng, Bassema Abufarsakh, Zainab Almogheer, Jarrah Al-Kayed, Pooja Bhattarai, Holly Stith, Andrew Makowski

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: As the largest payor of mental health services in the U.S., Medicaid is a responsive mechanism for the approximately 48% of people with mental illnesses (PMI) insured by this payor source (Adelmann, 2003). The 2010 expansion of Medicaid services in the U.S. improved coverage for specialized mental healthcare treatment (Blunt et al., 2020; Breslau et al., 2020), but several barriers persist in mental healthcare among Medicaid beneficiaries. Yet, telehealth services are crucial in responding to the access, adherence, and appointment keeping needs of Medicaid beneficiaries (Adepoju et al., 2022; Creedon et al., 2020; McBain et al., 2023).

Purpose …

Trauma-Informed Care In Oncology, Susan K. Lee, Kevin R. Clark

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Trauma-informed care (TIC) refers to the widespread impact of trauma on patients, focusing on safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration. Oncology patients are particularly vulnerable to trauma due to the emotional and physical distress associated with cancer diagnoses and treatments. This literature review examined the role of TIC in oncology, emphasizing its effects on patient outcomes, healthcare provider practices, and challenges in implementation.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Studies published from 2018 to 2024 were selected from PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Keywords included "trauma-informed care," "oncology," "patient outcomes," and "interdisciplinary collaboration". A total of 10 studies …

Newly Graduated Registered Nurses Evolving Identity Of Social Justice: A Novel Middle-Range Theory, Mary Erin Hoying, Karen J. Foli, Vicki Simpson, Dongjuan Xu

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Nursing has long been rooted in social justice, with many pioneering figures advocating for health equity in marginalized communities (Pittman, 2019; Thurman, 2017). The 31% attrition rate among New Graduate Registered Nurses (NGRNs), many of whom leave within their first year, may reflect moral distress faced in environments where equity is not prioritized (ANA, 2015; Epstein et al., 2020; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). There is a pressing need for a stronger focus on preparing NGRNs to incorporate social justice into practice to improve community health outcomes.

Purpose: NGRNs undergo significant professional and personal transformations during …

Promoting Collaborative Practice: Interprofessional Education Synergy, Amanda Hudgins, Janice Evans Hawkins, Michelle Thompson, Tom Campbell, Tammy Speerhas, Corrin Gillis

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Interprofessional collaboration among health providers is essential to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Because team-based care is the expected practice among healthcare providers, interprofessional education (IPE) experiences are essential for achieving the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare the future healthcare workforce. Interprofessional education, once considered an elective option, is now a curricular requirement of healthcare programs. The purpose of this presentation is to share an effective interprofessional education model that is easily accessible and attainable, improves learning outcomes, and meets curricular requirements across different healthcare professions.

Methods: Students from multiple healthcare disciplines (Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech …

Becoming A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Sane), Marivic B. Torregosa

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of nurses on their journey before and after becoming a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE).

Design: A qualitative descriptive research design was used in this study.

Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted among ten nurses who completed SANE training from a medically underserved community.

Findings: Perceptions of being valued and supported and program rigor influenced trainees’ commitment to complete the SANE program. Misconceptions about the role changed as trainees were immersed in the training. Being isolated and underutilized from the health care delivery system and the broader …

An Academic-Practice Partnership: A Patient Care Technician Program Advancing Careers In Health Care, Diane Shea, Dympna O'Carroll, Rebecca White, Karina Yotts

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The Patient Care Technician (PCT) pipeline program was developed to address a shortage in unlicensed personnel and provide a pathway for incumbent staff to complete an entry-level clinical training program in an academic and healthcare setting. Optimizing a clinical academic affiliation, the college created a tailor-made program to address the unique requirements of the acute care setting. Eight of the eleven students were multi lingual learners, and all had tenure at the hospital as valued and reliable employees. Students completed six days in lecture, skills lab, and simulation and five days orienting to hospital-specific education. Clinical instructors, known to …

Navigating The Future: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives On Cobot Integration In Hospitals, Amanda Spence, Kellie Patterson, Stephanie Rogers, Paige Merring, Wendy Bassett, Stephanie Roth, Sanaz Taherzadeh, Susan Smith Birkhoff, Briana Abernathy, Hannah Rackie, Erin Mitchell, Morgan Tallo

Biennial Convention (CONV)

There is growing interest in the implementation of delivery robots in healthcare, yet a lack of understanding remains regarding frontline clinicians’ views on the implementation of these robots. Limited research exists addressing the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of staff following the integration of delivery robots into clinical practice. Gaining insight into staff perspectives is essential for the effective integration and optimization of robots in healthcare settings.

This study aims to explore the perceptions of healthcare workers after the implementation of delivery robots within a large tertiary care hospital setting.

Guided by Bowden’s feasibility framework, a mixed methods design with a …

Enablers Towards Men's Engagement At Child Welfare Clinics In Ghana, Veronica Adwoa Agyare, Lillian Akorfa Ohene, Luke Laari, Lydia Aziato

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Globally, male involvement in Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Care is a concept envisaged to improve children's and women's wellbeing (Angusubalakshmi et al., 2023; Nambile Cumber et al., 2024). Men are encouraged to be involved in prenatal care through to Wellbaby Clinics (WBC), also called Child Welfare Clinics (CWC). Most African countries have aligned to this concept as a strategy (Lusambili et al., 2021) to help attain Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing for All Ages by 2030 due to men’s role as providers and decision makers in family settings. In Ghana, some men are engaged in their …

Exploring Lived Experiences Of Significant Others As Caregivers To Partners With Spinal Cord Injury, Lisa A. Lumley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

According to the World Health Organization, 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide have suffered a spinal cord injury. Significant others may become caregivers responsible for meeting the needs of the dependent partner. The focus of this study is on significant other caregivers’ experiences providing care for partners after a spinal cord injury.

The effects of stress from providing care may be detrimental to caregivers' psychological and physical well-being. Psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression in caregivers, is a significant public health issue that affects the quality of life for millions of individuals. There is a lack of studies focusing on …

Responding With Change: Transforming From Content To Competency-Based Education, Charlotte S. Connerton, Theresa Marcotte, Ashley N. Carter, Susan A. Seibert

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Changes in nursing education are underway as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed a shift from a content-driven pedagogy to Competency-Based Education (CBE) (AACN, 2021). This seismic shift in long-held teaching and learning practices is daunting for faculty, however, with intentional design for professional development, faculty can gain knowledge in CBE, confidence in trying new strategies, and adopt a different mindset to embrace CBE (Competency-Based Education Network, 2021; National League for Nursing, 2024; Wittman-Price & Gittings, 2021).

Purpose: Using Roger’s (1962) Diffusion of Innovation theory as a theoretical framework, this quality improvement project aimed to transform …

Managing Newborn Emergencies By Escaping, Angela M. Schooley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Development of clinical judgment skills requires active learning strategies. Escape rooms are a unique teaching methodology to support students’ clinical skills (Woodworth, 2020). Participation in active learning strategies such as escape rooms helps students transfer knowledge to practice (Stringfellow, 2021). Students participating in escape rooms report enhanced knowledge, improved ability to prioritize, and increased ability to synthesize data to guide actions (Kubin, 2020). A concern with using game based learning is the retention of the knowledge (Reinkemeyer et al, 2022, Tavares, 2022). While escape rooms are rated favorably by students, more rigorous research is called for to explore the benefits …

Adolescent Girls’ Uptake Of Prep In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Aggregation Of Mixed Methods Studies, Susanna Aba Abraham, Dorcas Frempomaa Agyare, Benjamin Kofi Anumel, Mustapha Amoadu

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to 25.9 million people living with HIV, with adolescent girls accounting for 63% of new infections [1,2]. These girls face risks compounded by gender-based violence, and limited sexual education [3]. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), estimated to be 99% effective in preventing HIV from intercourse and 77% from injectable drug use, is a promising prevention strategy [4]. Despite its efficacy, PrEP uptake and adherence among adolescent girls in SSA remain low [3]. This meta-aggregative review synthesizes evidence on PrEP uptake, adherence, facilitators, and barriers among adolescent girls, addressing a critical gap in research.

Methods: …

Identifying Gaps Through Fetal Infant Mortality Review, Angela M. Schooley

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In the United States, about 23,000 liveborn babies die before their first birthday (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), October, 2021). Almost an equal number of babies are stillborn (NCFRP, October 2021). Reducing stillbirths and newborn deaths is a global priority. Ensuring all childbearing women and babies receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people is vital to reduce fetal infant deaths (Homer et al, 2020). The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) examines fetal and infant deaths (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), 2024a). FIMR is community owned and action-oriented to …

Sense Of Belongingness In The Nursing Profession: Perception Of Students In A Ghanaian University, Gloria Achempim-Ansong

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The nursing profession is a noble and demanding vocation that requires a deep sense of commitment, compassion, and resilience. Nurses play a pivotal role in providing high-quality care to patients, promoting health and well-being, and serving as advocates for their patients and the healthcare system. However, the journey to becoming a nurse is often fraught with challenges, particularly for undergraduate nursing students who are navigating the complexities of academic and clinical training. Sense of belongingness plays a crucial role in shaping the academic, clinical, and social experiences of undergraduate nursing students.

This study sought to explore the sense of belongingness …

Graphic Narratives On The Us-Mexico Border: Educational Tools To Improve Health Literacy, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Jacob Martinez, Melissa Wholeben

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Using graphic medicine narratives to disseminate health information has emerged as an innovative teaching strategy. Graphic medicine draws on interdisciplinary expertise to communicate complex health information through vibrant imagery and relatable character dialogue using comics or animation. This presentation will discuss three research projects in which graphic narratives were developed in English and Spanish and used to enhance health knowledge among individuals, families, and healthcare providers living on the U.S.-Mexico border. Health topics addressed included brain health promotion, self-care techniques for dementia caregivers, HPV vaccine uptake and cancer prevention, and trauma-informed care strategies for emergency department nurses. This presentation …