Digital Commons Network^™

The Mitigation Of In-Group And Outgroup Biases: Understanding The Perceptions Of Educators On The Contact Approach Theory, Brigitte Blazys

Dissertations

The contact approach theory was introduced in the 1950s, by Allport, as a method to mitigate biases. Since then, many DEI practitioners in the United States have formed alliances to create a social justice movement to combat racism, prejudice, and biases in our society. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted in the contact approach theory as these biases, initially observed as in-group and outgroup biases, originate in the early years of life. To begin to fill this gap in the literature, the purpose of this study was to better understand and identify to what extent, if any, prekindergarten through third …

The Effects Of Career Commitment, Distress, And Persistence On Academic Success Among Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Kimberly D. Kennel

Dissertations

The ability of students, specifically in higher education environments, to persist is a critical determinant of academic success. Student success is especially precarious within programs of nursing, where curricula include clinical, laboratory, and didactic content. Identifying and describing the barriers and facilitators to nursing student persistence provides a blueprint to appropriately use financial and human resources as well as determine the effect student demographic variables has on desiring, attending, or benefiting from persistence interventions. The outcome of this study can guide the deployment of institutional resources to provide persistence-based interventions that are evidence-based. Framed by Tinto's Theory of Student Departure, …

Improving Pediatric Nurses Knowledge About Palliative Care Services, Marilia M. Rivera

Dissertations

Palliative care knowledge is important for nursing staff caring for children with life-threatening and debilitating illness because it can provide comfort-based interventions to optimize their quality of life. Nurses in pediatric settings can support the patient and family by providing education and evaluate patients who can benefit from palliative care services. If nurses do not have the palliative care education to support this comfort care process, the quality of life for children with life-threatening and debilitating illness may be affected. The purpose of this DNP project was to educate pediatric nurses about pediatric palliative care standards. The educational program resulted …

Constructing The Process Of Healthcare Decision-Making By Adolescent Athletes Post Sport-Related Concussion, Jeanette Faith Green

Dissertations

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is associated with short- and long-term health consequences. Current recommendations require immediate removal of an athlete suspected of injury, relying symptom self-reporting. Many SRC are unreported resulting in continued play despite symptoms, a risk for subsequent injury. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore influential factors and pivotal decision points within the process of health decision-making (DM) of adolescent athletes post-SRC. Twelve semistructured interviews were conducted with predominantly white high school athletes. Grounded theory methodology was used to examine salient concepts within athletes' DM process. Data were coded and analyzed using dimensional analysis with explanatory model …

The Correlation Between Peer Support And Quality Of Life Of Nurses, Kim Diane Rose Maryniak

Dissertations

Nurses can experience stress and perceived traumatic events during their career. This distress in the workplace can affect the quality of life of nurses. Exposure to perceived distressing events may lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder, patient errors or poor outcomes, horizontal violence or even nurses leaving the profession. Peer support is a strategy which has been explored to increase defensive lines and improve coping. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to examine if a relationship exists between the use of peer support, as conceptualized within the framework of the Neuman System Model, and the quality …

Understanding The Benefits Of Latino Giving Circles: An Emancipatory Research Study, Adriana Loson-Ceballos

Dissertations

This dissertation shows how Latino giving circle members understand their philanthropy and how participation affects their well-being, civic engagement, and philanthropic activities by focusing on giving circles’ composition, members’ goals, and perceived benefits. I used an emancipatory research paradigm with Latino-focused critical race theory, LatCrit, to study the Latino Giving Circle Network (LGCN). A survey was used for data collection, and research platicas were employed in the survey’s analysis; both were selected and designed centering Latinos to overcome challenges in researching Latinos.

Demographic findings reveal a range of Latino experiences. Sixty-six percent reported Mexican ancestry, compared to 83% of California …

Exploring Perceptions About American Theological Institutions In Preparing Worship Pastors For Service, Phillip Sandifer

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes the current and historical information available, highlighting the issues and considerations, regarding Worship Pastors in conservative evangelical churches and the preparatory work for service offered by theological educational institutions and that which is expected by their prospective employers. Stakeholders for this research are aspiring Worship Pastors, Churches (their prospective employers), and conservative, evangelical theological educational institutions.

In addition to the literature review, this qualitative phenomenological study involved interviews of 15 church Executive Pastors, 1 Pastor, 2 Worship Pastors, and the Director of a professional organization that consults Executive Pastors nationwide. Also examined were current curriculums of …

Barriers To Physical Activity Among Asian Indian Women In The United States, Anjana Mathews

Dissertations

Asian Indian women have a higher prevalence of cardio-metabolic diseases compared to women from other ethnicities and Asian Indian men in the United States. This is due to the lower level of physical activity behaviors among this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived barriers to physical activity among Asian Indian women living in the United States. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory and the research design used was qualitative ethnographic approach. Participants were recruited from 2 Christian churches in Southern California using purposive and snowballing sampling strategies. Fifteen participants …

Facilitating Student Learning In The Acute Care Setting: Nursing Faculty Perspectives, Elizabeth A. Flott

Dissertations

Nursing education programs are experiencing many trends impacting the preparation of students including a nursing faculty shortage and a lack of quality clinical sites. In addition, literature is finding new nurse graduates unprepared when entering practice, lacking the required critical thinking, delegation, and prioritization skills necessary to provide safe care. Due to these findings, national nursing organizations and leaders are urging nursing education programs to implement solutions and reverse these trends to ensure students are prepared for demands of the current healthcare system.

To improve the structure of clinical education in this country, gaining faculty perspectives regarding experiences while facilitating …

The Global Rise Of Online Devices, Cyber Crime And Cyber Defense: Enhancing Ethical Actions, Counter Measures, Cyber Strategy, And Approaches, Naresh Kshetri

Dissertations

The rise of online devices, online users, online shopping, online gaming, and online teaching has ultimately given rise to online attacks and online crimes. As cases of COVID-19 seem to increase day by day, so do online crimes and attacks (as many sectors and organizations went 100% online). Technological advancements and cyber warfare already generated many ethical issues, as internet users increasingly need ethical cyber defense strategies.

Individual internet users have challenges on their end; and on the other end, nation states (some secretly, some openly), are investing in robot weapons and autonomous weapons systems (AWS). New technologies have combined …

Qualitative Analysis Of Older Adults' Experiences With Sepsis, Rebecca D. Hancock

Dissertations

Atypical symptoms, multiple co-morbidities and a lack of public awareness make it difficult for older adults to know when to seek help for sepsis. Diagnosis delays contribute to older adults' higher sepsis mortality rates. This research describes patients' and caregivers' experiences with the symptom appraisal process, self-management strategies, provider-nurse-patient interactions, and barriers when seeking sepsis care.

Heart-Led Behaviors Of Exemplary Unified School District Superintendents, Sepideh Yeoh

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how exemplary K-12 school district superintendents lead from the heart using Mark Crowley’s four principles (building a highly engaged team, connecting on a personal level, maximizing employee potential, and valuing and honoring achievements) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations.

Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological inquiry methodology to study the behaviors of eight exemplary K-12 school district superintendents in Southern California. Open-ended semistructured interviews were conducted utilizing a virtual platform. Responses from interviews in conjunction with observations and appropriate artifacts including, meeting agendas, memos, and newsletters provided …

Compassion Fatigue, Resilience, And Intent To Stay: A Quantitative Study Among Nurse Educators, Brenda Fay Ulmen

Dissertations

Replenishing and sustaining the number of registered nurses needed to meet the demands of the United States healthcare system is an increasing struggle for nursing schools across the country. The nurse educator shortage has resulted in nursing schools being filled to capacity, requiring educators to work extended hours in understaffed environments. Although nurse educators are deeply committed to the students they mentor and serve, the increasing demands of the multifaceted role may lead to symptoms of compassion fatigue. The problem under investigation in this study is that nurse educators may be leaving their positions in academia due to high levels …

Factors That Impact Black Nurses' Leadership Opportunities In Higher-Education, Tamara Bland

Dissertations

Lack of Black women represented in higher education among nursing faculty is a challenge that affects the profession of nursing. The presence of barriers to Black nursing faculty has been documented in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers to Black nurse leaders that results in their underrepresentation in academia in the State of Illinois. Leadership opportunities was the dependent variable used to measure faculty achievement for attaining positions in higher education or nursing administrator roles. The independent variables where the various barriers: racism, financial disparity, self-efficacy, mentoring, and financial disparities.

This mixed method, explanatory …

Examining The Effects Of Teacher Induction & Support On New Teacher Retention In Urban Schools, Nellie Poe

Dissertations

Teacher retention is a serious concern in our country and around the world. Current teacher shortages result from fewer students entering education programs while high numbers of teachers choose to leave the profession. Ultimately, the most significant impact of the lack of highly qualified teachers is on our students who do not have the opportunity to receive an equitable education.

The project included two iterations of interventions to provide teachers who were new to an elementary school currently in the bottom 5% of the state with support to build self-efficacy with instructional strategies and classroom management. The first iteration focused …

How Exemplary Black Women Leaders Use Influence To Achieve Extraordinary Results, Catrena Elliott

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe how exemplary Black women business leaders (BWBL) influence employees through personal motivation, personal ability, social motivation, social ability, structural motivation, and structural ability.

Methodology: This phenomenological study research design identified and explored how 10 exemplary BWBL who have achieved extraordinary results influence employees through personal motivation, social motivation, structural motivation, personal ability, social ability, and structural ability. Participants were selected from exemplary BWBL in Southern California and Northern California who fulfilled the study’s requirements. Interviews, observations, and artifacts were used to gather data. To identify study findings, data …

Variables That Influence Student Nurse Progression During Sophomore Year In A Traditional Bsn Program, Connie Mcfadden-Chase

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to discover variables that influence student progression during the sophomore year in a traditional bachelor of science in nursing program. Research exists to identify factors that will predict the retention of students or will contribute to students' success. Tinto's model on student retention was the framework for this study with constructivist grounded theory as the methodology to unravel the data and discover new meanings. The results of the study align with Tinto's model and illustrates the importance of faculty and peer relationships in conjunction with guidance in navigating the particularities of nursing coursework and …

The Relationship Between The Perceptions Of Implicit Rationing Of Nursing Care And Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Style Among Direct-Care Nurses, Hazel Linda Blizzard

Dissertations

Implicit rationing of nursing care and emotionally intelligent leadership style of nurse managers has been found to contribute to patient outcomes. No studies had been done prior to this study to examine possible links between implicit rationing of nursing care and emotionally intelligent leadership style of nurse leaders on a hospital unit. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey design study was to examine relationships between amounts of perceived implicit rationing of nursing care and perceptions of emotionally intelligent leadership style of nurse leaders on the acute-care hospital unit.

The Lived Experience Of Newly Qualified Registered Nurse First Assistants (Rnfa) Who Have Transitioned To The Hospital Operating Room Setting: A Phenomenological Perspective, Susan Lynch

Dissertations

There is increased use of RNFAs as assistants to surgeons in surgery. It is estimated that RNFAs comprise as many as 54% of the non-physician assistants who provide patient care during the surgical event in the operating room setting (Patterson, 2012). There are research studies that focus on transitions of graduates from nursing programs but a lack of research on transitions of RNFAs to the surgical environment following education.

This qualitative interpretive hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experience of newly qualified RNFAs who have transitioned to the hospital operating room surgical setting. The purpose of the study was to …

Handoff Communication Among Senior Nursing Students: A Phenomenological Study, Juanita Hanley-Gumbs

Dissertations

Despite discussions in health care regarding poor communication and its link to patient safety, it was revealed in the literature that many student nurses are inadequately prepared to conduct handoff communication. Student nurses have difficulty in this area due to limited or no experience with the handoff process, which jeopardizes patient safety. The purpose of this research study was to understand how senior nursing students make meaning of their lived experiences with handoff communication. The guiding research question for this study is: How do senior nursing students make meaning of their lived experiences with handoff communication during the change-of-shift report …

The Critical Factors Influencing The Attitudes And Behaviors Of Nurses Caring For Patients With Substance Use Disorders, Suzan Blacher

Dissertations

Nursing is known to be an ethical and caring practice discipline, yet there is some evidence that nurses may have negative attitudes and behaviors towards persons with substance use disorders. Few nurses realize these undesirable attitudes and behaviors negatively impact the very patients they are caring for (Can & Tanriverdi, 2015). These attitudes and behaviors are also considered unprofessional and may place nurses in violation of the Nursing Code of Ethics (American Nurses Association, 2015).

The purpose of this qualitative constructivist grounded theory study is to develop a middle-range theory explicating the process of nurses caring for Substance Use Disorder …

Understanding The Meaning Of The Lived Experience Of Adolescents In Treatment For Cancer, Dianne Fochtman

Dissertations

The increased intensity and complexity of cancer treatment has an impact on the lives of the adolescents undergoing such treatments. Living with cancer is a distinct experience for them which include physical, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions. The cancer experience comprises more than the measurement of symptom occurrence, frequency, duration and severity, or the ratings of quality of life. The meanings of the lived experience from the adolescent's perspective and self-report can give a more accurate, holistic picture of the nature and scope of the experience. Practitioners need to know and understand the meaning of the experience from the adolescent's …

Examination Of The Informed Consent Process As Experienced By Patients Who Underwent De Novo Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt, Chemoembolization Or Radioembolization Procedure, Marsha A. Hughes-Gay

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the informed consent (IC) procedure as it was experienced by patients who had undergone a de novo transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), chemoembolization (TACE), or radioembolization (TARE) procedure in an Interventional Radiology (IR) Department. The three main study aims and a fourth exploratory aim are as follows: (1) Describe how patients who underwent a de novo TIPS, TACE, or TARE procedure in an IR Department described the IC procedure; (2) Describe what information patients who underwent a de novo TIPS, TACE, or TARE procedure in an IR Department recalled being told during …

The Relationships Among Emotion Regulation, Role Stress, And Psychological Distress In Surrogate Decision Makers Of The Chronically Critically Ill Patients, Mary Njalian Variath

Dissertations

Advancement in technologies has contributed to patients surviving critical illness, but continuing to live with chronically critically ill conditions. A majority of such patients experience transient or persistent states of decisional impairment requiring family members or authorized surrogate decision makers to render treatment decisions. Abrupt transition to the surrogate decision maker role often evokes heightened stress. Research shows that emotion regulation can help manage situational stress.

To examine the associations among emotion regulation, role stress, and psychological distress in surrogate decision makers of chronically critically ill patients in intensive care units.

Exploring Health Literacy In The Acute Care Setting In A Rural Border Region, Shiloh A. Williams

Dissertations

Health literacy is important to ensuring patients have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to actively participate as a member of their own healthcare team. Patients with low health literacy are at increased risk for poor outcomes and limited participation in decisions affecting their health or treatment plan. Using the Social Ecological Model (SEM) as a framework, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between medical-surgical registered nurses, medical-surgical patients and the registered nurse's (RN) assessment of their patient's health literacy of those who live in a ruralborder region. The study's sample consisted of 84 pairs of …

Intervention Effects Of A Cognitive Behavioral Skills Building Program On Newly Licensed Registered Nurses, Marlene Sampson

Dissertations

The well-being of healthcare clinicians is considered a national crisis. Healthcare clinicians, including nurses, have higher rates of substance abuse, depression and suicide than the national average. Depression and poor health in nurses are linked to medical errors and patient dissatisfaction. Ninety-one percent of NLRNs report high stress levels resulting in stress-related illness, absenteeism and burnout. In 2017, the National Academy of Medicine launched the Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being to develop evidence-based solutions to reduce this public health epidemic. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based skills building program entitled …

Condom Use Among Urban African American Adolescent Females, Jaquetta M. Reeves

Dissertations

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the most common global health problems, having a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. The CDC estimates that approximately 20 million new infections occur each year in the U.S., and almost half of them are among adolescents age 15-24. Despite government initiatives on STI prevention programs for adolescents, there is dearth of knowledge regarding the lack of condom use among adolescent high school students, especially concerning African American females who live in urban areas.

The purpose of this research was to explore attitudes towards condoms, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control …

American Nursing Faculty's Experiences With International, Ell, And Esl Nursing Students In Bsn Degree Programs, Rosalynn Williams Thyssen

Dissertations

This basic qualitative dissertation research study addressed the question of how American nursing faculty describe their experiences with international, English language learner (ELL), and English as a second language (ESL) baccalaureate degree nursing students. There is a call to increase the number of diverse nursing graduates to meet the need of a globalized nursing profession.

Delineating The Exocytic Fusion Machinery Required For Mast Cell Exocytosis, Pratikshya Adhikari

Dissertations

Mast cells undergo exocytosis to release a wide array of inflammatory mediators by utilizing membrane fusion proteins-SNAREs (soluble-N-ethyl-maleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) along with essential regulatory Munc18 and Munc13 proteins. Accumulating evidence in mast cell biology suggests the existence of distinct pools of mast cell mediators. However, the precise mechanism underlying the release of each mast cell mediator is not clear. To determine whether different exocytic machineries are required for differential mediator release, I used reconstitution to investigate the differential role of Munc18s in fusion machinery regulation. Munc18a and Munc18c stimulated VAMP2 and VAMP3-mediated lipid mixing, whereas Munc18b only …

The Impact Of Health Literacy, Culture And Psychological Factors On The Pap Testing Behaviors Of African Immigrant Women In The United States, Joycelyn Cudjoe

Dissertations

African immigrant (AI) women have low Pap testing rates. Limited health literacy is a barrier to cancer screening among racial/ethnic minority populations. Sources and types of health information can shape health literacy. However, how health literacy, sources and types of health information along with cultural and psychosocial correlates impact the Pap testing behaviors of AI women remains unknown.

To examine how sources and types of health information impact health literacy and health information exchange, and in turn, how health literacy, culture and psychosocial (cancer knowledge, self-efficacy, decisional balance, cultural beliefs) factors influence the Pap testing behaviors of AI women.