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Staff Education On Standardized Suicide Risk Assessment In An Outpatient Clinic For Behavioral Health, Fanta Haja Cabah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide risk assessment is a high-priority nursing safety responsibility in outpatient behavioral health. The practice gap was a variation in nurses’ knowledge of validated suicide screening, direct inquiry, risk escalation, referral, and related documentation expectations working in an outpatient behavioral health clinic located on the Eastern Atlantic Coast. To address this problem, I developed, implemented, and evaluated a staff education program on a standardized suicide risk assessment. The practice question focused on whether staff knowledge increased following participation in the education program. Ten nursing staff members participated in a 60-minute education program. Pretest and posttest questionnaires included 20 multiple-choice questions. …

Optimizing Advanced Ehr And Enhanced Data-Sharing And Reporting In Rural Health Clinics, Adaeze Honesta Duru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rural clinics continue to face several barriers in utilizing advanced electronic health record (EHR) features, including interoperability, data sharing, and care coordination. The purpose of this integrative review was to investigate strategies to overcome barriers to the use of advanced EHRs and enhance data-sharing and reporting capabilities in rural clinics. The review question emphasized viable strategies for overcoming barriers to advanced EHR utilization and enhancing data-sharing and reporting capabilities in rural clinics. The consolidated framework for implementation research provided a conceptual model for understanding the various facets of EHR optimization. A literature search initially resulted in 135 relevant articles. After …

Staff Education On Teach- Back Communication Method For Psychiatric Nursing Staff, Adanma Violet Ebere

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Patient education delivered without a standardized communication protocol for patients with serious mental illness (SMI), especially for those who face disproportionate health literacy deficits, cognitive challenges, and stigma, may increase the risk of medication misunderstanding and non-adherence. An outpatient psychiatric practice lacked a standardized patient education protocol. This quality improvement staff education initiative equipped all clinical nursing staff with the 5Ts for Teach Back framework, an evidence-based, five-step method endorsed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), The Joint Commission (TJC), and the American Hospital Association (AHA), and grounded with evidence in 13 sources at Levels I …

Beyond Boundaries: Unlocking Positive Social Change Through Shared Expertise, Sigifredo Castell Britton

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Societal progress thrives through the dynamic interplay of diverse disciplines, each contributing unique insights to advance positive change. Interdisciplinary collaboration plays a crucial role in addressing complex social challenges by combining the strengths of various fields. This article explores the historical evolution, theoretical foundations, and practical applications of interdisciplinary collaboration to foster positive social change. The discussion provides definitions of key terms, such as societal progress and positive social change, within distinct ideological and contextual frameworks. It makes use of these to clarify the direction of positive change in different societal settings. Historical and contemporary examples, such as Bolivia’s social …

Navigating Trauma And Scarcity: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Well-Being Among Black Adult Males In Ohio Valley, Devron Demont Hobbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adult males in resource-scarce Ohio Valley communities have historically experienced trauma that disrupted their well-being. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, grounded in developmental trauma disorder (DTD) theory, was to explore how Black adult males understood and sustained well-being while living with DTD in resource-scarce environments. The participants comprised six Black adult males who resided in Ohio Valley communities and experienced trauma during childhood and adulthood. Data were collected through confidential, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five themes emerged: healing through connection and role-modeling, historical and systemic trauma as a daily barrier, navigating …

Personal Experiences With Remarkable Outcomes Of Stage 4 Cancer: A Phenomenological Study, Gail Firman Porter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prayer as a source of improved physical outcomes for individuals with medically diagnosed Stage 4 cancer has not been thoroughly addressed in recent academic literature, despite an increase in individual reporting within nonacademic sources.. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals in the United States who experienced remarkable healing from Stage 4 cancer after receiving Christian prayer for healing. Using the biopsychosocial-spiritual model as the conceptual framework, this study investigated the lived experiences of participants regarding their decision to seek prayer to heal their Stage 4 cancer, and its subsequent effects on their …

Staff Education To Enhance Clinical Staff Knowledge Of Medication Adherence Strategies In Bipolar Disorder, George Niyi Ojewale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder is a significant contributor to relapse, hospitalization, and functional decline. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) staff education project addressed a practice gap at the project site involving inconsistent clinician knowledge and absence of a standardized approach to adherence education. The practice-focused question for this project was: How does implementing an evidence-based staff educational program improve clinical staff knowledge in supporting medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder? The purpose of this project was to implement a structured, evidence-based educational intervention to improve clinician knowledge related to medication adherence strategies. The intervention consisted of a …

Workplace Loneliness And The Impact Of Social Connections In Distributed Teams, Belkys Stallings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace loneliness is a growing organizational challenge as the rise of distributed teams reshapes opportunities for social connection and engagement. Business leaders need to understand this challenge because it is associated with reduced belonging, lower job satisfaction, diminished productivity, and increased turnover intentions. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the extent to which distributed team environments (remote, hybrid, or flexible) impacted workplace loneliness and whether social connectedness moderated this relationship. Social exchange theory, self-determination theory, and Weiss’s concept of loneliness grounded this study. The participants comprised 84 adults working full-time in distributed team environments across the …

Socioeconomic Determinants Of Malaria Infection Among Pregnant Women In Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa, Arnold Akosah Muluh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria during pregnancy is a significant public health issue in Cameroon, affecting maternal health and birth outcomes. Despite preventive measures, disparities exist among socioeconomic groups and between urban and rural areas. The study was guided by the social-ecological model and explored how socioeconomic factors and geographic location influence malaria infection in pregnant women. Specifically, the impact of wealth index, maternal education, and healthcare access on infection rates, considering maternal age, parity, and residence, was examined. Quantitative data from the Cameroon DHS Phase 8 were used (N=1204). The sample included pregnant women with valid malaria test results. Chi-Square tests and binary …

The Relative Strength Of Compulsive Reward-Driven Eating, Weight Self-Efficacy, And Physical Appearance Comparison In Predicting Feelings Of Self-Worth, Kathleen Rowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Psychology and Community Services This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Kathleen Rowe has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Hedy Dexter, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Medha Talpade, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2026

Reducing Inpatient Falls Through Staff Education, Courage Duin Chiangeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient falls remain a major patient safety concern, particularly among hospitalized stroke patients who are at increased risk because of impaired mobility, neurological deficits, and cognitive changes. The inpatient stroke unit selected for this quality improvement project consistently reported the highest fall rates within the hospital system, highlighting the need for evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this project was to determine whether a structured fall-prevention education program incorporating evidence-based practices and the 4Ps of purposeful rounding (pain, potty, position, and possessions) would improve staff knowledge, increase compliance with fallprevention practices, and reduce patient falls over a 2-month period. Guided by …

Staff Education To Strengthen Patient Counseling For Recurrent Uti Prevention In Middle-Aged And Older Women In A Low-Income Community Clinic, Linda Osamede Isidienu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was a practice-focused quality improvement (QI) staff education initiative designed to address recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) among middle-aged and older women receiving care in a low-income community clinic. Recurrent UTIs are associated with increased antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance, and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education program could improve provider knowledge related to patient counseling on UTI prevention. Twenty nurses and medical assistants participated in the intervention, which included education on evidence-based prevention strategies, counseling techniques for low health literacy populations, and …

Effective Strategies To Increase Employee Engagement Within Small And Medium Enterprise (Sme) Remote Workforces, Marion Catherine Hulse-Lawlor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of remote work environments has created challenges for small and medium enterprise (SME) healthcare leaders who must sustain workforce productivity while increasing employee engagement. Declining employee engagement affects not only productivity but also organizational effectiveness and profitability. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore the effective strategies that some leaders of remote SME healthcare workforces use to improve employee engagement. Using engagement theory as the conceptual lens to guide the research project, six purposefully sampled United States business leaders who demonstrated successful engagement practices within remote SME healthcare workforces were studied. …

Inclusive Leadership And Employee Engagement In Multigenerational Nigeria’S Public Sector, Monday Kohwo Unurhiere

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective leadership continues to engender disengaged employees whose work ethics contribute to inefficient and ineffective public service delivery across several African countries. The specific research problem is the inadequacy of knowledge about leadership behaviors that foster a sense of being valued among employees of different generational cohorts, leading to intellectual, social, and emotional engagement at work. The purpose of this quantitative correlational cross-sectional study was to investigate the influence of inclusive leadership (openness, availability, and accessibility) on employee engagement (intellectual, social, and affective) in the multigenerational Nigerian public sector. The theoretical framework included the constructs of inclusive leadership, employee engagement, …

How Non-Secular Leaders In Culturally Homogeneous Faith-Based Organizations Understand And Experience Cultural Intelligence Training, Marlon Anthony Ayers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past five decades, shifts in U.S. immigration policy, demographic change, and civil rights reforms have increased cultural diversity across the U.S. workforce, while many faith based leaders lack the cultural intelligence (CQ) needed to navigate diverse interactions effectively. Non secular leaders in culturally homogeneous faith based organizations (FBOs) need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of challenges associated with cross-cultural engagement, organizational effectiveness, and community inclusion. The specific research problem is that it is unknown how non-secular leaders in culturally homogeneous FBOs understand and experience the challenges of managing cultural diversity in the absence of CQ …

The Effects Of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring And Hospital Readmission For Hypertensive Patients, Danielle Alston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within this executive summary, the type of project discussed is an organization change project to address a health issue in chronic disease management, which is hypertension. Nearly 116 million American adults are affected by hypertension, which remains a leading force for preventable hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and cardiovascular-related mortality in the United States. Unexpected readmissions due to hypertension create system-wide strains, increased financial burden and decreased patient satisfaction. Hence, the question: In adults with hypertension, does remote home blood pressure monitoring, compared with standard office-based follow-up, reduce the rate of urgent care visits and hospital admissions over a 30-day period? …

The Individual And Combined Effects Of Individualism-Collectivism Orientation And Mental Health Stigma On Perceived Social Support In Firefighters, Emma Schafer Schutte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Repetitive trauma exposure predisposes firefighters to a variety of mental health issues. Despite efforts to expand mental health resources and peer support, stigma remains a significant barrier to formal (professional) and informal (peer) support-seeking within the fire service. According to social influence theory, firefighters may avoid using available support services because they perceive support-seeking as stigmatized by their peers and feel compelled to conform. Research across cultural groups suggests that individualism-collectivism orientation, which defines how individuals assign value to individual or group needs, has nuanced effects on perceptions of social support. However, the interplay of individualism-collectivism orientation, stigma, and perceived …

Mentor Evaluation Of A Black Male Youth Mentoring Program, Kenneth Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was an exploration of how Black male mentors perceived organizational practices, culturally responsive mentoring, relational safety, and systems level barriers shaping their effectiveness and continued participation. The purpose was to examine early mentor-mentee match dissolution and low mentor retention in a nonprofit youth mentoring through the lens of the ecological systems theory and program evaluation framework. The practice-focused research questions were: How do volunteer mentors and program staff perceive the organizational practices and culturally responsive strategies that influence mentor effectiveness and retention in youth mentoring programs, and what organizational and systemic challenges do Black male mentors encounter in …

Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge Regarding Candida Auris, Nkechinyere Ejelonu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a staff education project regarding Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungus recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an urgent global health threat due to its high mortality, environmental persistence, and resistance to common disinfectants. Staff play a crucial role in infection prevention; however, limited awareness and inconsistent knowledge of Candida auris contribute to potential transmission in skilled nursing home settings. The project question was as follows: Among staff members in a skilled nursing facility, does an evidence-based educational intervention improve knowledge of Candida auris infection prevention as compared pre- …

Strategies To Enhance Employee Retention Among Leaders In The U.S. Poultry Processing Industry, Gary Dale Sisson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover remains a persistent challenge in the U.S. poultry processing industry. Leaders in the U.S. poultry processing industry are concerned that high employee turnover increases operating costs, disrupts productivity, and contributes to workforce instability. Grounded in organizational support theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project explored successful strategies that leaders in the U.S. poultry processing industry use to enhance employee retention. The participants were six leaders from poultry processing facilities in the southeastern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and supplemented with workplace observations and organizational records related to retention initiatives and turnover trends. Data were analyzed …

Staff Education To Improve Healthcare Staff Knowledge Of An Electronic Scheduling System In An Intensive Outpatient Program (Iop), Catherine Kinyili

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project aimed to improve staff knowledge of the newly implemented electronic scheduling and booking kiosk system. A transition from a paper-based to an electronic scheduling system led to reduced staff efficiency, communication challenges, scheduling errors, and delays in patient care. An evaluation identified inconsistent staff knowledge of the newly implemented electronic scheduling system. The practice-focused question for the project was: Among healthcare staff in an intensive outpatient program, how does a one-time structured education and training session affect staff knowledge of a new electronic scheduling system? The purpose of this project was to …

Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of Relational Service Behaviors In Nursing Practice, Dadakpoye Tina Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses play a central role in shaping patient experiences through clinical care and relational service behaviors. However, little is known about registered nurses’ perceptions and experiences of relational service behaviors in contemporary health care settings. The purpose of this interpretive description qualitative study was to explore registered nurses’ perceptions and experiences of relational service behaviors and their role in promoting patient-centered care. Herzberg’s two-factor theory provided the conceptual framework for examining how intrinsic motivators and extrinsic workplace factors influence relational engagement. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 registered nurses from diverse clinical practice settings. Interview data were analyzed using Braun …

Meaning Of Mentoring For Puerto Rican Diaspora Professionals Seeking Career Advancement, Coralys M. Cedó Negrón

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic/Latino professionals remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions across industries in the United States. Organizational leaders need to understand this concern as a critical indicator of factors that may shape leadership development and career advancement among underrepresented professionals. Grounded in the mentoring model, the purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to understand the meaning of mentoring for Puerto Rican diaspora professionals seeking career advancement in the United States. The participants comprised 10 Puerto Rican professionals living and working in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who had participated in formal or informal mentoring relationships. Data were collected …

From Awareness To Engagement: University Students’ Perceptions Of The Sustainable Development Goals And The Role Of Higher Education Institutions, Ajda Fosner

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study examines how university students perceive the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on their self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and views on the role of institutions in promoting sustainability.

Methods: An online survey was conducted among students in Slovenia.

Results: The results show that most students are aware of the SDGs and support their integration into education, although their personal engagement with sustainability practices is more reserved. Statistical analysis revealed that both the level and field of study significantly influence students’ SDG awareness, with advanced and social science students reporting higher familiarity. Regarding institutional roles, students placed the …

The Experience Of Wellness And Self-Care For Graduating Bsn Students, Jenny Pappas, Terri A. Clark, Tasha Ruffin, Deborah Ellison, Adrienne Wilk, Debra Rose Wilson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The aim of this study was to explore how graduating prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students experience self-care and wellness, with the goal of informing future curriculum development. Nursing students face significant academic, emotional, and sociocultural pressures that heighten vulnerability to burnout. Despite widespread agreement that self-care is a professional expectation, little is known about the students’ experience within demanding programs. Guided by Orem et al.’s (2001) self-care deficit theory, a qualitative study using interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology was used to examine lived experiences of self-care and wellness. Sixteen graduating BSN students participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews. Interviews were …

Strategies For Recruiting Skilled Field Accountants, Gale James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability of accounting leaders to recruit skilled accountants can negatively affect a business's profitability. Chief financial officers and accounting leaders who struggle to recruit accountants are at risk of business instability due to a shortage of skilled applicants. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful strategies accounting firm leaders used to recruit skilled accountants in North Carolina. This research project was grounded in transformational leadership framework and the decision field theory. The participants in this study consisted of five chief financial officers working at accounting firms who were able to recruit accountants. Data were collected …

Strategies For Enhancing Membership Retention In U.S. African American Sororities, Kendra D. Bryant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Member retention remains a challenge for African American sororities. Sorority leaders are concerned because declining retention may weaken organizational sustainability, leadership continuity, and member participation. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore leadership strategies used by African American sorority leaders to enhance member engagement and retention. Participants included six current or former chapter presidents and regional leaders of African American sororities in the United States with successful experience in enhancing member retention. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of publicly available organizational materials. Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis process …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Individuals Who Were Formerly Incarcerated To Determine The Barriers And Facilitators To Successful Reentry Programs In Maryland, Ansu Sawi Momoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to persistently high rates of incarceration and recidivism, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services developed policies and programs geared towards reducing recidivism. Existing literature indicated that successful reentry depends on access to coordinated support services, there was a lack of qualitative studies that explored the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated, specifically in the state of Maryland. The purpose of this generic qualitative research was to understand the reentry process from the perspective of 12 individuals who were formerly incarcerated. Semi structured interviews were used to explore the barriers and facilitators within the re-entry programs …

Effective Employee Retention Strategies Used By Hair Salon Leaders To Sustain Business Operations, Taylor Bynum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee retention challenges continue to affect the operational sustainability of hair salons. Hair salon owners and leaders are concerned about employee retention because it directly affects their ability to sustain business operations. Grounded in Wayne McPhee’s sustainable activity model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies hair salon owners and leaders used to retain employees and sustain business operations. Participants included eight hair salon owners or leaders who had successfully retained employees and sustained business operations for at least 5 years. Data from semistructured interviews with the participants were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step …

Small Business Owner Strategies To Decrease Voluntary Employee Turnover, Darious D. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Voluntary employee turnover remains a significant challenge for small business owners in the car dealership industry. Small business owners are concerned because employee turnover increases recruitment and training costs, disrupts operations, and can reduce profitability. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore effective strategies some small business owners in the car dealership industry use to decrease voluntary employee turnover in North Florida. The participants were three small business owners in the car dealership industry in North Florida who had implemented retention strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with the three …