Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing The Efficacy Of Two Inclusivity Interventions On Willingness To Invest In Female- Versus Male-Led Stem And Non-Stem Companies, Alicia Macchione

Dissertations

A notable gender asymmetry has been historically prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Recent work has shown how gender-inclusive advertisements can increase women’s interest in pursuing these fields as indexed by college course enrollment, which could occur through reminders of moral and pragmatic utilities of gender inclusivity. This dissertation extended prior work by determining if inclusivity priming can be leveraged to facilitate financial investment in hypothetical STEM and non-STEM companies led by either a male or female CEO. Participants were first primed with a statement describing the pragmatic utility of gender inclusivity in STEM, a moral statement …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring Conflict Transformational Strategies Used By Exemplar Student Support Service Leaders In K-12 Public Education To Achieve Common Ground And Breakthrough Results, Amber Ramirez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological conceptual replication study was to discover and describe how exemplary student support service leaders establish common ground and produce breakthrough results by using the six domains of conflict transformation.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological conceptual replication study discovered and described the use of conflict transformation domains to resolve conflict, establish common ground, and produce breakthrough results as perceived by student support service leaders in K-12 public schools in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California. The research was part of a thematic team of six peer researchers and five faculty advisors who developed a semistructured …

Gottman Processes And Couple Outcomes While Navigating Infertility, Clayton Brigance

Dissertations

Infertility remains one of the most difficult relational contexts for couples. However, some research suggests that some couples actually increase their overall satisfaction in their relationship through infertility due to a deeply shared emotional experience. To the knowledge of the author of this dissertation, no studies exist which explain how couples arrive at their relational outcomes through the experience of infertility. These studies within this dissertation add to the present literature by explaining how couples may arrive at their relational outcome through the lens of Gottman Method Couple Therapy (GMCT). For both studies presented here, 902 participants were recruited through …

Level 2 And Level 3 Patients In A 5-Level Triage System: Factors Related To Acuity Assignment And Trajectory Of The Emergency Department Experience, Roxanne O. Garbez

Dissertations

Clinical decision making in the emergency department (ED) can have a significant impact on patient safety and health care outcomes. One type of clinical decision making is the process of emergency department triage. Within the context of the 5-level Emergency Severity Index triage system, it is not known what factors influence patient assignment by the triage nurse to ESI acuity levels 2 and 3. To increase the validity of patient assignment to levels 2 and 3, more explicit criteria are needed.

Purposes: (1) Describe factors that influence triage nurse assignment of patients to level 2 and level 3; (2) Examine …

A Study Of Nurses' Experiences With Behaviors That Compromise A Healthy Work Environment In The Hospital Setting, Connie K. Schultz

Dissertations

The existence of disruptive behaviors in the hospital setting has been shown to affect the communication and collaboration between healthcare professionals. This study explored nurses' experiences with behaviors that compromise a healthy work environment. The data collection was accomplished through semi-structured interviews and review of organizational documents. The results of the analysis concluded that there existed a low incidence of disruptive behaviors in the selected organization. Themes were determined that reflected inconsistencies in the nurses' practice environment that contributed to the presence of disruptive behaviors. Inconsistency in communication and collaboration, in holding colleagues accountable, and the lack of visibility of …

Impacting African American Student Achievement In The Middle School Stem Classroom By Teaching Mathematics Through Arts Integration And Design Thinking, Robert Lippert, Tjuannia R. Seals

Dissertations

Middle school is a transitional period in which many students experience content-specific teachers, travel between classrooms, and explore extracurricular activity options for the first time. Historically, African American middle school students have not fared well in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) on standardized assessments, performing significantly below their Caucasian counterparts in mathematics and science. From the beginning of their academic careers, a lack of access to quality teachers, excessive use of direct instruction strategies, and a lack of resources in their school communities, contribute to their overall apathy towards the subject matter and factor into their underperformance. As a …

Perceptions Of Undergraduate Nursing Students On Racism And Racial Disparities In Maternal Health, Monika Costa

Dissertations

The United States has persistent racial inequities in maternal health, with African American women experiencing the highest maternal mortality and morbidity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Structural inequities, racism, implicit and explicit biases, and discrimination contribute to disparities in maternal health outcomes in the United States (Alshusen et al., 2016; Davis, 2019; Institute of Medicine, 2003, Liese et al., 2019, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020). In recent years, racial discrimination and bias have been important topics of discussion. However, very little research has been done about nursing curricular preparedness to address implicit bias and racism …

The Neuroendovascular Procedures In The Cath Lab: An Educational Intervention, Jolly M. Kuruvilla

Dissertations

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. Catheter-based therapies for acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke have emerged as the latest model of care for patients experiencing stroke. Catheterization laboratories are now performing neuroendovascular procedures such as thrombectomy and embolization for stroke; it is critical that nurses assist with cardiac catheterization be proficient in neuroendovascular procedures. The project began with a clinical question: Among nurses practicing in a cath lab, will there be a difference in knowledge level and clinical competencies in preparing and monitoring patients for thrombectomy and embolization (neuroendovascular procedures) before and …

The Effects Of Simulation On Nursing Student Knowledge, Attitudes, And Clinical Preparedness In The Care Of Transgender Clients, Julie Cartney

Dissertations

Nationally, nursing education provides extremely limited coverage of LGBTQIA+ topics and as a result, nursing students lack clinical confidence and knowledge to assess and intervene effectively in this marginalized population. Despite national health goals and organizational calls for health equity, transgender persons continue to experience significant healthcare disparities and barriers in accessing quality health care.

The purpose of this project was to determine if the incorporation of a simulation scenario that features the care of transgender patient would have a positive effect on the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical preparedness of practical nursing students.

Predicting Heart Failure Readmission Using Home Health Clinical Indices, Jamie Murphy

Dissertations

Heart failure is the most rapidly growing cardiovascular disease in the U. S. (Boxer et al., 2010) and is the most common cause for hospital readmission (Fang et al., 2008; Heidenreich et al., 2013; Jencks et al., 2009) with a 30-day readmission rate of 24.8% (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 2012). Currently, many heart failure patients are discharged quickly from the hospital without adequate skills and knowledge to perform self-care tasks. Moreover, home health nurses provide the same care for all heart failure patients and have limited knowledge on what clinical health indicators might affect readmission. As a result, home …

Student Nurses' Perception Of Preceptors' Authentic Leadership Effect On Self-Efficacy, Venise D. Bryan

Dissertations

The study examined the relationship between final year nursing students' perceptions of preceptor authentic leadership and self-efficacy. Nursing students are required to engage in a preceptorship experience at the end of their nursing education for socialisation into the profession and learning consolidation to facilitate optimum transition from student to nurse. Unfortunately, preceptorship has been identified as the most stressful experience that nursing students engage in and poor relations with clinical staff and low competence beliefs to nurse have led to attrition after graduation. To date, a limited number of studies have examined preceptors' leadership style, particularly authentic leadership and student …

Simulation Usage As A Partial Replacement Of Traditional Clinical: A Study Of Administrator And Faculty Perceptions In Practical Nursing Programs In Pennsylvania, Cynthia A. Cornelius

Dissertations

There has been a significant amount of research regarding simulation use in nursing education; however, there is limited research available regarding the replacement of traditional clinical with simulated clinical. This research included a mixed-method design formulated to determine Pennsylvania Practical Nursing Programs' current simulation usage and Pennsylvania Practical Nursing Directors', Assistant Administrators', and Faculty Members' perceptions regarding replacing a portion of traditional clinical with simulated clinical. An 18-item electronic questionnaire was delivered to 309 potential respondents via the Qualtrics electronic survey distribution system, with 191 responding.

The Influence Of Knowledge And Value On Nursing Students' Quality Of Supportive Feedback To Peers, Joni L. Tornwall

Dissertations

Peer review in nursing is an expectation of every registered nurse in the workplace, and it is essential to accountability and self-regulation of practice in the nursing discipline. However, the literature reveals that professional nurses and nursing students feel peer review is not their responsibility. Research has shown that they state they do not have time to do it, and they feel unprepared for and anxious about the process of providing good feedback to peers. Academic nursing programs should be teaching future nurses to participate in peer review and recognize its value to professional nursing practice. Training in peer review …

Faculty Caring Behaviors: A Quantitative Examination From The Ethnically Diverse Student's Perspective, Donna M. Hedges

Dissertations

The increase in patient ethnic diversity in the health care environment has not been mirrored by an increase in ethnic diversity within the nursing profession. There is a need for increased focus on the retention of ethnically diverse nursing students in order to meet the needs of an ethnically diverse patient population. The quality of caring demonstrated by faculty in the faculty - student relationship can have significant influence on the student's successful completion of the nursing program. Faculty understanding of how ethnically diverse students perceive caring faculty behaviors may assist faculty to mitigate attrition of these students. The purpose …

Influence Of Leadership Styles On Expatriate Nurses' Professional Integration In The Uae, Emmah Ncube

Dissertations

Transnational nurse migration has evoked a growing interest in the phenomenon of professional integration of expatriate nurses into their host societies. Despite research connecting employee and organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior to the quality of leadership styles, there remains a lack of research linking professional integration of expatriate nurses to nurse leadership styles in the UAE. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory that would explain how nurse leadership styles and behaviors impacted the professional integration of expatriate nurses into the multicultural work environment of the UAE. The research questions …

Impact Of Telecommuter Status, Manager Leadership Style, Structural Empowerment And Job Satisfaction On Managed Care Nurses' Level Of Engagement, Jessica Varghese

Dissertations

The work environment impacts nurses' level of work engagement. Nurses are working outside of traditional hospital settings and moving into industries such as the managed care arena. This impacts the way work is experienced as many practices such as telecommuting are more prevalent in the managed care setting. The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of telecommuter status, manager leadership style, structural empowerment, and job satisfaction, on nurses' level of engagement in the managed care workplace setting..

Influence Of Learning Style And Learning Flexibility On Clinical Judgment Of Prelicensure Nursing Students Within A Human Patient Computer Simulation Environment, Elizabeth Sharon Robison

Dissertations

Nursing education is experiencing a transition in how students are exposed to clinical situations. Technology, specifically human patient computer simulation, is replacing human exposure in clinical education (Nehring, 2010b). Kaakinen and Arwood (2009) discuss the need to apply learning theories to instructional designs involving simulation for successful learner-centered outcomes. Developing effective teaching strategies using technology to support enhancing student performance outcomes requires a paradigm shift from traditional, clinical-based models.

The purpose of this study was to begin to close research gaps and support development of evidence-based practice in implementing simulation by examining prelicensure nursing students' learning styles and flexibilities relative …

The Impact Of Using Relevant Context On Student Comprehension And Attitude In A Collegiate Introductory Statistics Unit On Probability, Ryan F. Rzeszutko, Jennifer L. Petrie, Dwayne T. James

Dissertations

The typical collegiate introductory statistics course poses significant challenges for students. Many do not fully comprehend key course skills, and it is common for students to exit the class with a neutral or negative attitude toward statistics. To measure the impact of using relevant contextual examples as an instructional strategy during a probability unit, in-class activities were designed to align with areas of interest for participants as identified by a student interest inventory. It was hypothesized that the use of relevant context would create a significant difference in the comprehension or attitude of students enrolled in an introductory statistics course …

Transition Experiences Of Novice Mid-Level Academic Nurse Leaders From Educators To Administrators, Joana Velasquez

Dissertations

The shortage of academic nurse leaders (ANLs) is imminent and creates a crisis for the nursing profession. Nurse educators commonly assume leadership roles with minimal preparation and training. However, few research studies have explored the transition of nursing faculty to ANLs. Consequently, several aspects of transitioning from educator to administrator have remained unknown. The purpose of this generic qualitative research was to explore the experiences of novice mid-level ANLs who transitioned from educators to academic administrators, identify the facilitators and barriers to the transition process, and describe the indicators of a successful role transition. The primary research question that guided …

The Relationship Between Staff Nurses' Perceptions Of Nurse Manager Caring Behaviors And Their Perception Of Exposure To Workplace Bullying Within Multiple Healthcare Settings, Lynda D. Olender

Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between staff nurses' perception of nurse manager caring behaviors and their perceived exposure to workplace bullying within multiple healthcare settings. It was based on the theoretical position that caring promotes reciprocal caring and healing for each other and for the larger universe as informed by Watson's theory of human caring (1979, 2006, 2008). Results indicated a statistically significant, negative, linear relationship between the CFS-CM and the NAQ-R (r = -.534, p < .001), meaning that as staff nurses' perceptions of their nurse manager caring increased, their perception of exposure to negative acts (meeting the definition of workplace bullying) significantly decreased. The sample consisted of primarily older, more experienced, staff nurses who worked 10 years or longer within their work environment. Data analysis also revealed that staff nurses who were females and those who worked in Medical/Surgical settings were significantly more likely to perceive their managers as caring (p < .05 respectively) and that a high workload significantly influenced the staff nurses perception of exposure to workplace bullying (p < .05). In view of the predicted nursing shortages as baby-boomer nurses retire at the same time the demand for health care is rising (AACN, 2009), these findings highlight the importance of caring leadership for the health and availability of nurses at the bedside, and may lead to shifting work priorities for nurse managers. Study findings may also foster the design and implementation of a caring curriculum and caring competencies applicable for the nurse managers' role either within nursing academic or clinical settings.

The Role Of County Offices Of Education In Supporting District Superintendent Effectiveness, Carol Tomeo

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this parallel comparative Delphi study was to first identify the services provided by the County Office of Education (COE) to district superintendents that ensured their successful job performance from the perspective of both county superintendents/designees and district superintendents. Additionally, it sought to rate the importance of the identified services, identify the best methods of providing those services, and identify the rationale for each service provider method from both perspectives. The final purpose was to compare the results from both groups to determine alignment and efficacy.

Methodology: This study used a parallel comparative Delphi method that consisted …

A Phenomenological Study: The Perceived Impact Of The Intersectional Barriers Created By Gender And Race On African American Female's Advancement To A K-12 Central Office Leadership Position, Mariyon Thompson

Dissertations

Purpose: This phenomenological study aimed to explore the perceived impact of the intersectional barriers created by gender and race on African American females' advancement to a K-12 central office leadership position. The second purpose of this study was to identify strategies African American females leverage to overcome barriers due to intersectionality while advancing to a K-12 central office leadership position.

Methodology: This qualitative research study employed a phenomenological approach to describe the lived experiences of eight African American women leaders employed in K-12 central office leadership positions in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Data collection included an interview protocol of …

Lived Experiences And Insight On Development Of Emotional Intelligence In Professional Nursing Practice, Jennifer L. Jessen

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, experiential narrative study was to examine how emotional intelligence is applied in clinical nursing practice and how a nurse develops those skills in professional practice using a qualitative, experiential narrative design. The selected research participant was asked to verify her emotional quotient (EQ) score with the MSCEIT emotional intelligence test and participate in repeated interviews detailing the major events, patients, coworkers, mentors, and support systems in her life from her first experiences in healthcare to the present. Evidence of emotional intelligence (EI) was identified in her stories and applied to the Salovey and Mayer model …

Being Multicultural In The Workplace, Fiorella Morales

Dissertations

As the workforce becomes increasingly diverse and organizations elevate their efforts to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), it is critical to engage in a deeper investigation of the experiences of multicultural individuals at work. In this qualitative study, nine multicultural individuals were interviewed using a sociological lens to gain their perspective on the relationship between their identity and their work experiences. The primary research questions that guided this study were: (a) how do multicultural individuals influence the workplace? In turn, (b) how do their workplace experiences affect their identity and sense of self? Data was coded and …

Emotional Intelligence And Empathy Of Nursing Students In An Immersive Capstone Clinical Course, Michelle L. Finch

Dissertations

Today's baccalaureate nursing students need to be prepared to care for patients in an ever-changing, high acuity environment. Many programs offer a capstone immersive clinical experience. However, the benefits of this experience have not been fully explored, and the effect on patient care is unknown.

The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a change in levels of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and empathy in senior students who completed a capstone immersive clinical experience in the final semester of a baccalaureate nursing program.

Adherence To Antihypertensive Medications Among African Americans Adults, Obiageli Obah-Mbanefo

Dissertations

Purpose: To describe adherence to antihypertensive medications among African Americans adults aged 35 to 65 years in south Los Angeles.

Study Aims: Aim 1: Describe patient sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education, insurance, employment, living arrangement and income), clinical factors (history of current depressive symptoms, comorbidities, comorbidity Charlson score and number of comorbidities), health literacy level, and medication adherence to hypertension (HTN) medications. Aim 2: Describe the relationships between sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, health literacy level, and medication adherence. Aim 3: Compare medication adherence between patients with high health literacy level, low possible health literacy, and low health literacy level.

Background: …

Sepsis Early Recognition And Response: Education And Simulation To Increase Knowledge And Confidence In Associate Degree Nursing Students, Susan G. Bryant

Dissertations

Sepsis kills more than 250,000 people every year in the United States. Immediate treatment is crucial for best patient outcomes but sepsis can be challenging to identify. Nurses may miss signs of sepsis and delay life-saving treatment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether an instructional presentation on introduction to sepsis followed by a high fidelity sepsis simulation scenario would improve knowledge and confidence in early recognition of and response to signs of sepsis for final semester associate degree nursing (ADN) students. Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model was used as the theoretical framework for this project. The …

Impact Of Authentic Leadership On Team Psychological Safety As Mediated By Relationship Quality, Mechelle J. Plasse

Dissertations

Leadership is a dynamic process with a far-reaching impact. Leadership is the process of guiding a group of individuals towards the achievement of a common goal. Healthcare leaderships looks to guide staff towards the common goal of positive patient outcomes. The literature has demonstrated that staff outcomes related to the health of their work environment can impact patient outcomes. A contributor to the health of the work environment is the relational tone of the unit; this tone is partly shaped by the skill and philosophy of the leader. Relational dynamics can influence several processes, including psychological safety which is a …

An Exploration Of Hispanic Female Principals’ Career Advancement Through The Lens Of Intersectionality, Natalie Baptiste

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceived impact of barriers created by the intersection of gender and ethnicity on the advancement of Hispanic females to the K-12 principalship. A second purpose of this study was to identify strategies Hispanic females leverage to overcome barriers due to intersectionality while advancing to the K-12 school principalship.

Methodology: This qualitative research study employed a phenomenological approach to describe the lived experiences of nine Hispanic female principals serving in public K-12 schools in Orange and Riverside counties in California. Data collection included an interview protocol of 13 …

A Phenomenological Study Of How Exemplary Elementary Principals Perceive The Five Practices Of The Infinite Mindset Inspire The Achievement Of Extraordinary Results, Jeff Heilig

Dissertations

Purpose. This phenomenological study aimed to explore and describe the perceived impact of the infinite mindset and its five essential practices on exemplary elementary principals to inspire the achievement of extraordinary results. A further purpose was to understand the organizational supports and barriers exemplary leaders perceive affect the development of an infinite mindset.

Methodology. This study explored and described the perceived impact of the infinite mindset on inspiring extraordinary results as perceived by exemplary elementary principals in south Los Angeles County. A thematic team of eight peer researchers and four faculty advisors collaboratively developed the semistructured interview protocol used in …