Digital Commons Network^™

Nursing Education And Practice In The Afp: Responding To The Vucad National Security Threats, Darlene Dialogo Flores

Biennial Convention (CONV)

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of healthcare, revealing both the system's strengths and vulnerabilities. This study focuses on the preparedness of the Philippine healthcare workforce, particularly among military and civilian nurses in the AFP, to handle national security threats in a VUCAD environment. It evaluates whether current nursing education equips nurses with the skills needed to face complex challenges. This study emphasizes the need for holistic national security strategies and proposes enhancing nursing education to prepare for 21st-century security challenges, focusing on CBRNE, climate change, cyberattacks, and emerging viruses.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the responsiveness and relevance of …

Developing Interventions To Improve Future Age And Situation Specific Mask Wearing, John Knight, Barbara R. Medvec, Patrick Hammett

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that masks lower a person’s exposure to respiratory infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend situation-specific mask-wearing to protect oneself from COVID-19 variants and other viruses. Yet, the clinical community continues to struggle with targeting interventions to increase the likelihood of mask-wearing when the risk of virus exposure is higher in the post-pandemic environment. In this study, we applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify the attitudes and beliefs influencing mask-wearing and recommend targeted interventions for low-frequency mask wearers in CDC recommended situations.

Methods: We administered a …

A Multi-Patient Sim To Increase Exposure To Diversity And Evaluate Clinical Judgement, Elizabeth Holtel, Gina Herron, Megan Stuffle, Jennifer Remick

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Lack of readiness for practice in newly licensed Registered Nurses (RN) is not a new problem in nursing education. Existing literature demonstrates a preparation-practice gap, lack of practice readiness, and a crisis of competency in newly licensed RN. A large-scale study by Kavanagh and Szweda¹ found that only 20-24% of newly licensed nurses demonstrated acceptable levels of practice readiness. With over 10,000 assessments collected to date, the researchers note a continued decline in practice readiness with 2020 data showing only 9% of newly licensed nurses demonstrating acceptable levels². To address this gap, a multi-patient simulation-based experience (SBE) …

“They Are Having Sex!” Hbcu Students Awareness Of Sexual Risk Associated With Hiv Prevention, Tyesha Karume

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In 2020, 20% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were among individuals aged 13-24 transitional age youth (TAY), with 85% being male and 54% Black/African American (CDC, 2022a). Black/African American TAY acquire HIV at disproportionately higher rates than other ethnic groups (CDC, 2023e). A study of students at Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) revealed that women reported 2-5 sexual partners, while men reported six or more, with up to 55.5% being inconsistent in condom use (Marshall et al., 2020). Despite this, 89% of students believed their sexual behaviors posed little to no HIV risk (Okeke et al., 2021).

This project …

Faculty Advisors Perspectives Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Attrition: A Qualitative Study, Danielle E. Shaver, Jennifer Dunbar Viveiros, Susan Hunter Revell, Christine Ann Devine

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Exploring faculty advisors' perspectives on voluntary attrition is essential to optimize resources and increase the number of nursing graduates. This qualitative study aimed to uncover nursing faculty advisors' perceptions of the extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, and mediators that influence four-year baccalaureate students' decisions to voluntarily leave nursing programs.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design utilized Rubin and Rubin’s (2012) interviewing methodology to solicit narrative accounts from 12 experienced nursing faculty advisors in four-year baccalaureate nursing degree programs.

Results: The semi-structured interviews revealed four intrinsic themes: preparedness, fear, maturity, and personal crisis. Four extrinsic themes emerged: external motivations, interpersonal relationships, program …

Decoding Teen Slang: A Simulation Model For Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education, Kristen M. Vandenberg

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In the rapidly evolving world of teen and young adult slang, staying current with the latest terminology is crucial for healthcare professionals working with this demographic. For providers in psychiatric and mental health fields, an understanding of this evolving language can facilitate improved communication and foster trust, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes.

This study introduces a simulation model specifically designed for nurse practitioner students in a psychiatric mental health program, aiming to bridge the communication gap between providers and young clients. Grounded in a conceptual framework of cultural competence and communication theory, the simulation seeks to improve student understanding of adolescent …

Postgraduation Ngn Preparation Lived Experiences Of Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates, Kristy P. Ludy

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore baccalaureate nursing graduates’ lived experiences of preparing for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) after graduation.

Background and Problem: The American Nurses Association (ANA) projects that by 2030, there will be approximately 194,000 nurse vacancies (American Nurses Association, 2023). Nursing programs must adequately prepare students for practice and to be successful on the licensure examination to address the nursing shortage. The newer licensure examination format of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) evaluates clinical judgment, an essential aspect of decision-making in patient care. (Nunn-Ellison et al., 2020). With the implementation of the NGN, …

Promote A Healthy Learning Environment By Responding To Transition To Practice Safety Concerns, Julie Miller, Sara Grieshop

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The ECRI recognized transition to practice (TTP) as 2024’s top patient safety concern. Challenges newly licensed nurses (NLNs) face during TTP and orientation (TTP/O) include: developing competence in managing patient care complexities and integrating into interprofessional teams. Job satisfaction, retention rates, nurse well-being, and patient outcomes are affected by the TTP/O periods.

Purpose: Our goal is to support NLNs with TTP challenges. A TTP/O pathway including nurse competencies with measurable performance outcomes (POs) and essential knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), and digital knowledge assessment tools was developed and implemented.

Methodology: A staged orientation to assess overall competency and a …

Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Through Early Initiation, Camille Chua

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Exclusive breastfeeding can be challenging to maintain. At the project site there was an inconsistent process for breastfeeding support, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if or to what degree the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Step Four would impact exclusive breastfeeding rates (EBFRs) when compared to current practice among adult postpartum patients in an acute care hospital in Southern California over four weeks. Nola Pender’s middle-range nursing theory utilizing the health promotion model (HPM), and Kurt Lewin’s change theory provided …

Peer-To-Peer Transitional Coaching Program, Jennifer Marie Carpenter, Susan J. Owens, Khristina Grimm

Biennial Convention (CONV)

High nurse turnover is an international concern that exacerbates the nursing shortage, and this shortage impacts patient outcomes, quality of care, patient satisfaction with care and job satisfaction for employees (Bae, 2023; Winter et al., 2020). According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (2023), 193,100 openings for Registered Nurses (RN) are expected each year, over the next decade. In 2023, the national turnover rate for hospital-based nurses was 22.5%, and the RN vacancy rate was 15.7% (NSI Nursing Solutions Inc., 2023). Even more alarming is the suggestion that first year registered nurse turnover within hospitals, far exceed all …

Perceived Impacts Of Self-Care Strategies To Reduce Stress In First-Year Bsn Students, Valerie Pauli

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Research identifies considerable stress among students enrolled in nursing programs. Coloring is known to de-stress; therefore, students experience lowered anxiety and stress levels. The purpose of this study was to (1) explore the impacts of mindful coloring on reducing perceived stress of first-year baccalaureate nursing students and (2) explore the students' insights into effective self-care and stress management approaches formed during their first semester in the nursing program (N=29).

Methods: This study applied a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, design. A convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students attending a four-year Midwest university was used. The mindful coloring intervention included participants engaging in …

Generational Differences Among Nurse Leaders And The Development Of Nurse Leader Role Competence, Hephzibah Sophie Edwin, Cassandra Lawrence

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Nurse leaders practice under extreme stressors and poor organizational support decreases their job satisfaction, increasing their intention to quit^1,5. As nurse leaders’ role continues to expand, it is crucial to enhance their role competence through comprehensive training and ongoing support for their successful transition ^2,4.

Purpose: Nurse leaders differ in their competence based on experience and generational diversity. This study is about the development of a leadership academy to promote nurse leader development, and retention through ongoing training, while also targeting generational differences in building nurse leader-role competence.

Methods: This project was instituted with the mission …

Nurses' Contributions To Zero Hunger: An Integrative Review, Janice Evans Hawkins, Beth Tremblay, Roy E. Brown

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Hunger, or food insecurity, is a growing problem globally and contributes to disproportionally higher mortality and morbidity rates, particularly within vulnerable populations. As frontline healthcare workers, the daily work of nurses is critical to meeting social and environmental needs of health, such as hunger. Yet, to date, there is no comprehensive review of the literature that examines nurse-involved research related to food insecurity.

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize findings of nurse-involved observational and interventional studies that address food insecurity.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of multiple databases for peer-reviewed literature from inception through …

Awareness Of Non-Verbal Communication For Safety In Mental Health Nursing Students, Sheryl Cornelius

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Preparing nursing students for clinical in the Mental/Behavioral Health field is always challenging. Students are often fearful of the experience which narrows their opportunities for learning in the clinical setting. One pre-licensure baccalaureate program in the South East United States (SE US) sought to elay some of those fears through preparation techniques before the clinical experience. One of the techniques was an increase in the awareness of Non-Verbal Communication in clients as to allow the student to be prepared for potential violence.

The students were first given a pre-clinical questionaire to see where their baseline was with knowledge and attitudes …

Quality Of Life Of Young Adults Living With Chronic Kidney Disease At A Tertiary Hospital In Ghana, Gloria Achempim-Ansong, Menford Owusu Ampohah, Ramatu Tanko Adams

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Globally, Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent (10-13% of the population), irreversible, progressive, and associated with higher cardiovascular risk. The diagnosis of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is still a death sentence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Ghana, some patients with moderate to advanced CKD eventually progress to end-stage renal disease and have poor quality of life (QOL). Attempts to lower the morbidity and mortality of kidney disease may be thwarted by rising economic and health inequities, migration, demographic change, unsafe working conditions, environmental risks, natural disasters, and pollution. Young adults perform worse than younger adolescents do or older …

Lgbt Healthcare Access Experiences - “I Had A Doctor Who Literally Tried To Kill Me", Austin Nation

Biennial Convention (CONV)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to: (a) explore the current experiences and needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population when accessing healthcare services. LGBT individuals are known to experience adverse situations when accessing health care services.

METHODS: Qualitative focus groups were conducted with members of the LGBT community utilizing a cross-sectional convenience sample from two organizations serving the LGBT community. Analysis was done to examine themes and to look for differences and similarities within and between LGBT sub-populations.

RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the analysis including: issues accessing LGBT providers, need for LGBT competency and …

Impact Of A Design Thinking Workshop On Students' Knowledge, Confidence, And Perceived Benefits, Janice Evans Hawkins, Beth Tremblay, Robert Joseph Hawkins

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Design Thinking is gaining recognition as an innovative and creative approach to problem solving. Though nurse leaders need problem solving tools to address health care challenges, Design Thinking concepts are not commonly taught in nursing education. To introduce graduate level nursing students to Design Thinking, we held an educational activity focused on this content as part of required coursework.

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to describe and compare outcomes of a Design Thinking educational activity on students' perceived knowledge, confidence, and benefits to nursing practice.

Methods: Graduate level nursing students participated in a 3-hour educational activity. After …

The Nurses Climate Challenge For Sigma Chapters: Our Calling ~ Our Climate!, Daria Waszak, Kathy Burlingame, Michelle Dephillips, Kelly A. Kuhns, Michelle Y. Gilbert

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: As a trusted voice, nurses are in an opportune position to advocate for climate action and its related impacts on health. However, many curricula lack focus on the effects of climate change on health. The Nurses Climate Challenge, a campaign of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) and Healthcare Without Harm, was launched in 2018 to provide turnkey resources for nurses to influence climate and health. Connecting Sigma and this important initiative creates an opportunity to amplify to more than 600 chapters and 100,000 nurse members globally - across homes, nursing schools and healthcare organizations across the …

Empowering Nursing Education With Generative Ai And Freire’S Critical Pedagogy, Kechi Iheduru-Anderson, Chimezie Agomoh, Julia U. Ugorji

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: This abstract explores integrating Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, with Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy in nursing education. It aims to demonstrate how this intersection can foster critical thinking, student empowerment, and ethical awareness, ultimately transforming the way nurses are educated.

Background: Generative AI technologies are increasingly used in nursing education to create personalized learning experiences and simulate real-world healthcare scenarios. However, there is a risk of reinforcing passive learning models without a solid pedagogical framework. Freire's critical pedagogy, which emphasizes dialogue, reflection, and praxis (action based on reflection), offers a robust framework to ensure that students remain active …

Interprofessional Team Training: In-Person Or Online, Does The Learning Environment Matter?, William E. Somerall Jr., Allison Shorten, Peter E. Bosworth, Shelly E. Camp, David T. House, Brett E. Shorten, Penni Watts, Tera L. Webb

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Interprofessional education (IPE) prepares students from different health professions to work collaboratively within interprofessional care teams. Based on a post-event survey, this presentation compares student experience and satisfaction with an in-person experience with an online experience.

In the decade before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 4000 graduate and undergraduate students from an urban medical educational institution including nursing, medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, social work, nutrition, pharmacy, occupational therapy, laboratory science, public health, and physician assistants participated in a half-day in-person Interprofessional Team Training (IPTT) event. Following the presentation of a simulated patient in a large auditorium, 15-18 groups of 20-25 …

Early Laser For Burns Scars (Elabs): A Qualitative Exploration, Vanessa Heaslip, Sharon Dochety, Shelley Rhodes, Obioha Ukoumunne, Katie Breheny, Kate Attrill, Jonathon Pleat, Mark P. Brewin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Burns are a global public health issue. Due to improvements in burn management, mortality rates are reducing, resulting in burns being a leading cause of morbidity globally (WHO 2023). Up to 70% of patients develop hypertrophic scars after burns (Finnerty et al., 2016) as well as other associated physical (itching, pain, tightness and limited joint mobility) and psychological complications (low mood, anxiety and PTSD). These complications have a significant impact upon the individual’s quality-of-life which Finnerty et al., (2016) argues is the greatest unmet challenge in burn rehabilitation. Current treatments for burn scar management include moisturisation, silicone gel, pressure therapy, …

Survivors Of Sex Trafficking: Reintegration Into Society, Charrita Ernewein

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: HST is a highly profitable human rights violation. Survivors of sex trafficking experience serious physical and psychological health consequences. Exiting from trafficking is difficult and recidivism is high. Many
survivors of trafficking lack resources as they reintegrate into society.

Aim: Explore the experience of female survivors of sex trafficking as they exited trafficking and reintegrated into society utilizing the survivors’ voice. The survivors’ experience with healthcare providers was also explored.

Methods: Descriptive qualitative study design was utilized to explore the experience of reintegration into society for survivors of HST. Data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The data was …

Reflecting On The Implementation Of The I-Pass Handoff In An Inpatient Gastroenterology Department, Whitney Thornton

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The primary purpose of this project was to utilize a standardized evidence-based handoff using a modified I-PASS handoff for the gastroenterology department in an inpatient setting. The implementation of an evidence-based standardized handoff into a clinical practice is crucial to the success of patient care. According to the Joint Commission, errors in handoff communication are one of the leading factors of sentinel events (Humphrey et al., 2022). Omission of pertinent patient information during hospital handoff communication accounts for almost 30% of medical malpractice errors and lawsuits (Humphrey et al., 2022). Handoff communication can be described as the action of conveying …

Answering The Call For Nurse Leaders: The Direct Entry Msn Program, Catherine C. Razzi

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Entry level Master of Science programs for second degree students have seen a rise in popularity. Pursuing a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing is an excellent option for second degree students, allowing them to fast-track their education by bypassing the traditional BSN and moving directly into a masters program. Initially direct entry programs focused on preparing nurses to practice in advanced specialties, such as Nurse Practitioners. Now, many programs are offering a general MSN degree, rather than an advanced practice degree. Some programs incorporate Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) courses into the program, allowing students to sit for the …

Preventing Aggression In A Pediatric Inpatient Unit: A Best Practice Implementation Project, Johnna C. Riddick

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: In pediatric settings, there has been an increase in patients with mental health problems, who experience aggressive and threatening behavior toward the clinical care staff. Without proper policies, education, and means to identify patient triggers for aggressive behavior, nurses are unable to safely care for these children and are at risk of being injured during aggressive outbursts. The objective of this project was to promote evidence-based practices regarding the prevention and management of aggression in hospitalized pediatric patients in medical-surgical units.

Methods: Using the JBI Evidence Implementation framework, this project sought to optimize compliance with best practices for early …

I Have An Idea, Now What? Guiding Nurses To Transform Ideas Into Impact Through Ebp Fellowships, Kaci Rainey

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: A large academic health system identified a critical need for an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Fellowship to enhance nurses’ ability to integrate research into clinical practice. This initiative empowers nurses to drive and sustain EBP changes, improve patient outcomes, and advance nursing practice.

Relevance/Significance: EBP Fellowships empower nurses to overcome barriers to EBP knowledge, implementation, and evaluation. Tackling these challenges requires a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy from healthcare organizations. Nurse leaders have embraced EBP Fellowships to boost EBP capacity in a meaningful and impactful way. Fellowships are an innovative, forward-thinking approach to the development of mentors and clinical nurses, fostering a …

The Ecological Self In Nurse Educators: A Concept Analysis From A Humanizing Lens, Vhothusa Edward Matahela

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The 21st-century climate crisis necessitates a rethinking of the values and beliefs that have escalated environmental degradation (Gardiner, 2011). This presentation explores the concept of the Ecological Self, emphasizing the deep interconnection between individuals and their environment, as a framework for addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation (Bragg, 1996). Although the Ecological Self is highly relevant, its application within nursing education remains underexplored. Nurse educators, who play a crucial role in shaping future professionals, can influence climate change initiatives through this lens.

This presentation aims to clarify the concept of the Ecological Self in nurse educators by examining its attributes, …

Nurses' Propensity For Spiritual Care: A Nationwide Study Conducted In Oman, Joshua K. Muliira, Eilean R. Lazarus, Omar Al-Zaabi

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Epidemiologic and demographic transitions have led to increased prevalence of chronic diseases requiring management in tertiary hospitals of countries like Oman. Many patients with chronic diseases have a high symptom burden, require frequent hospitalizations, and take multiple medications and other therapies, and all these lead to emotional and spiritual challenges. Nurses caring for such patients should provide spiritual care to ensure patient centered cared and attainment of holistic health.

Purpose: We aimed to describe how frequently registered nurses in Oman provide spiritual care therapeutic interventions.

Methods: The study used cross-sectional design and the Nurse Spiritual Care Therapeutics Scale (NSCTS) …

Influence Of Social Media On Mothers’ Decision-Making Regarding Vaccinations, Wendy M. Patterson

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This study involved determining why mothers hesitate to vaccinate their children and where they get their information about vaccinations. This descriptive qualitative study guided by the health belief model explored the influence social media has on mothers’ perceived barriers to vaccinating their children. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, and one-on-one audio interviews were conducted via Zoom or in person with 19 participants. Participants were mothers 19 or older, had children between zero and 18, made medical decisions for their children who resided in their household, and sought information about vaccinations via healthcare providers, social media platforms, friends, or family. …

Transformative Learning In Nursing Education: Student Experiences In Kenya, Bethany Ann Murray

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of prelicensure, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students following a two-week education abroad experience in Kenya. This study is framed by the work of Mezirow, whose theory of transformative education states that individuals experience transformative changes throughout their lives as a process of shifting attitudes, assumptions and expectations to become more inclusive and open to change. These changes are developmentally expected and necessary for adult growth and maturation (Mezirow, 2008). Data were obtained through written narrations at one month following the program. Analysis was done using narrative inquiry methods. …