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The Lived Experience Of Becoming A Professional Nurse For Associate Degree Nursing Graduates: A Phenomenological Study, Jean L. Hershey

Dissertations

This qualitative study used a hermeneutic phenomenological design to investigate the lived experience of becoming a professional nurse for associate degree nursing graduates. The study looked specifically at the process of acquiring a professional identity for associate degree nursing graduates. The theoretical frameworks of structural functionalism and reference group theory provided the lens which guided the study. Structural functionalism is a sociological perspective describing how groups reproduce themselves by creating members whose behaviors and values correspond to the established group norms. A reference group is the social group which an individual uses to define attitudes, beliefs, and values which the …

Senior Nursing Students' Perception Of Faculty Caring And The Caring Milieu In Two Associate Degree Nursing Programs, Martha A. Desmond

Dissertations

Caring, according to Jean Watson (1979), is the "core" and "essence" of nursing. The link between wisdom (knowledge) and caring can be achieved for the faculty member, according to Berkowitz (2011), if more attention is paid to the learning environment, role modeling, interactional practices, and professional development of the teaching staff. To do so, it will be critical for faculty to model caring as the core value and precept of nursing (Li et al., 2013) as well as create a caring environment (milieu) for students to replicate when they become professional nurses.

A gap was identified in the literature review …

Alert Driven Rescue: Do In-Hospital Sepsis Interventions Following An Advanced Early Warning System Alert Differ Substantially Between Decedents And Survivors?, Daniel T. Linnen

Dissertations

Patients with worsening sepsis on general hospital wards are at high risk for clinical deterioration, unplanned admission to the intensive care unit, and death. Many hospitals have begun to employ early warning systems (EWSs) to alert nurses and providers that a patient is predicted to deteriorate. Multiple papers in the rapid response team (RRT) and sepsis literature describe typical problems leading to an EWS alert (e.g., systemic inflammatory response syndrome, low blood pressure) as well recommended interventions such as intravenous fluid bolus, antibiotics, and transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite the evidence base, it remains unclear which actions …

Exploring Higher Rates Of Breastfeeding Among Civilian Military Wives: A Mixed Methods Study, Nicole Ann Ringo

Dissertations

As compared to the U.S. general postpartum population, civilian military wives (CMWs) encounter unique challenges that can impede their ability to breastfeed, including geographic replacement and physical and emotional challenges. Yet despite these challenges, CMWs demonstrate higher rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in the U.S. postpartum population as a whole.

The purpose of this study was to explore factors contributing to the high rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration among CMWs and to determine what might be learned from these factors for intervention design for the broader population of postpartum mothers.

Determining The Needs Of Fathers Of Premature Neonates, Linda Ann Merritt

Dissertations

In order to practice true family-centered care in the NICU setting, a nurse needs to understand the perceptions and concerns of both parents of the neonate. Although research is emerging on fathers' perceptions and experiences, researchers have not examined fathers' needs with respect to sociodemographic factors and gestational age of neonates. The purpose of this study was to determine the needs of NICU fathers and if these needs differed based on sociodemographic factors and gestational age of neonates.

Following The Yellow Brick Road: The Lived Journey Of Nurses Becoming Nurse Practitioners, Kathleen Theresa Ogle

Dissertations

In this phenomenological study, I explore the lived experiences of registered nurses who become nurse practitioners. Text for this study comes from narrative sources such as reflective writings, one-on-one conversations, and group conversations with seven new nurse practitioners.

The guiding question for this inquiry is: "What is the lived journey of nurses who become nurse practitioners?" Phenomenological philosophers such as Heidegger, Gadamer, and Casey guide this work. Other authors are drawn upon for grounding the study and to draw out the phenomenon for examination. The six research activities of van Manen (2003) provide the methodological framework for the research.

The Role Social Capital Plays In The Psychological Capital Of Registered Nurses Experiencing Second Victim Syndrome, Teresa-Lynn Hinkley

Dissertations

This study used an ex-post facto survey for data collection and structural equation modeling for data analysis to explore the combined relationship of psychological capital and social capital on the severity of second victim syndrome experienced by registered nurses. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following research question "To what extent does the relationship between psychological capital and social capital combine to predict the severity of SVS experienced by registered nurses following a precipitating event?" A second research question, aimed at explicating the relationships between the subconstructs of the three constructs of interest was "What are the relationships between …

Hypoglycemia Management In The Tnpatient Setting: Protocol Education For The Registered Nurse, Sarah Firmin

Dissertations

Hypoglycemia in the hospital setting is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and an increased length of stay. In the clinical setting for this quality improvement project, there is an emergency standing order for the presentation of hypoglycemia. The purpose of the order is to direct the registered nurse to utilize specific measures when patient presentations are emergent. The literature review for this project provided an overview of quality improvement projects which had a focus on the care of patients with hypoglycemia. This project had the following specific aims: nurse knowledge related to diabetes and the treatment of hypoglycemia will increase, …

Predictors Of Quality Of Life In Thai Adults With Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease, Warissara Sorat

Dissertations

The incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing worldwide. Persons with CKD constitute a large population with a high prevalence of morbidity and mortality in Thailand. Treatment of CKD generally involves a multidisciplinary team and requires a comprehensive assessment and aggressive treatment plan to improve the health status of persons with CKD to slow the disease progression. This study aimed to examine factors that influence quality of life among Thai adults with early-stage CKD and test the constructs of a complex model identifying individual and family factors, knowledge, depression, and self-efficacy related to self-management behavior and quality …

Qualitative Exploration Of Perceptions Of Nursing Undergraduates Regarding Family Care At End-Of-Life, Penny A. Alt-Gehrman

Dissertations

Family care at end-of-life is delivered by nurses and includes communication and explanations, providing emotional support for the family, creating an environment in which death occurs with dignity, providing privacy, facilitating visitation, and honoring and meeting cultural and personal family values (Beckstrand et al., 2011; Bloomer et al., 2013; Cronin et al., 2015; Heidari & Norouzadeh, 2014).

There appears to be a gap in the empirical evidence and literature on this topic. Regarding the knowledge and comfort of student nurses, and subsequently nurses, in family care at the end-of-life, there is disparity. To determine what must be taught to nursing …

A Basic Qualitative Exploration Into The Academic Persistence Of Minority Nursing Students In Minority Nursing Programs, Marta S. Coleman

Dissertations

The academic persistence of minority nursing students has become a healthcare concern due to health disparities in minority groups. Evidence suggests that receiving healthcare from healthcare providers of the same ethnic or cultural background as the population served reduces health disparities, increases positive health outcomes, and decreases overall healthcare costs. Unlike previous studies of minority nursing students' persistence, this study was conducted solely in minority nursing programs. The problem addressed in this basic qualitative study was that a significant number of minority nursing students were not persisting to graduation in minority nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Forgiveness On Nurses' Capacity For Compassion Satisfaction, Anne D. Troy

Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), forgiveness and compassion satisfaction in nurses. In addition, the study sought to determine the impact of forgiveness, as a moderator on the relationship of adverse childhood experiences and compassion satisfaction. Lastly, this study explored which demographic characteristics serve as predictors of forgiveness and compassion satisfaction in a select population of nurses.

Quality Remediation Programs Lead To Successful Learning, Katherine T. Ralph

Dissertations

The mission of nursing programs is to prepare as many students as possible to pass the first-time attempt on the National Council Licensure Examination- RN (NCLEX-RN®). If a school's first-time pass rate drops below 80%, the school is at risk of being closed by the State Board of Nursing. Furthermore, a student's ability to work as a registered nurse (RN) depends on passing the NCLEX-RN®, and the overall impact on our nation's health due to the current nursing shortage.

The purpose of this study was to examine the policies and strategies used in nursing programs to increase NCLEX-RN® first-time attempt …

The Lived Experience Of Traumatic Amputation For Haitian Adults, Margarett Alexandre

Dissertations

Amputation of a limb is a traumatic and disabling condition that impacts the lives of people worldwide. Trauma remains the leading cause of major limb amputation, second only to Diabetes Mellitus and dysvascular complications (Ziegler-Graham, MacKenzie, Ephraim, Travison, & Bookmeyer, 2008). Little is known about the experience of traumatic amputation for Haitian Adults, therefore this study was to understand the lived experience of traumatic amputation in Haiti. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experience of traumatic amputations as talked about by adults who suffered an amputation because of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Novice And Advanced Beginner Nurse's Experiences Caring For Patients And Their Families At The End-Of-Life, Bethany A. Nasser

Dissertations

Nurses are the primary healthcare professionals that spend the most time caring for seriously ill patients. Nurses have a responsibility to care for patients at the end of their lives, to relieve pain, and promote dignity so that patients can experience a peaceful death. As our elderly population grows and chronic health problems increase, there is a need to teach nurses and nursing students End-of-Life Care (EOLC). New nurses must be properly prepared to provide sensitive, quality care to dying patients and their families. Nursing students do not have opportunities during clinical training to care for patients that are dying, …

Celiac Disease: Examination Of Executive Function And Social Phobia Among Female College-Aged Students, Jacqueline M. Arnone

Dissertations

This study compares traditional age female college students (18-25) diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) to age matched controls on measurements of executive function (EF) and social phobia (SP). Although previous research in this area has been mixed, a preponderance of the evidence from these studies suggests that CD impacts cognitive functioning as a whole; executive functioning in particular. However, most of the literature in this area focuses on age groups outside of the normal traditional college age range. No research to date has examined executive functioning or social phobia among 18-25-year-old female college students with CD. Bronfenbrenner's Bio-Ecological Systems Theory …

Firearm Injuries In Maryland, 2005-2014: Trends, Recidivism, And Costs, Paul A. Thurman

Dissertations

Violent injuries related to firearms are common in the U.S., whether accidental or intentional. Restrictions on use of Federal dollars for research on injury prevention involving firearms has limited our knowledge of how firearm injury impacts the health care system. The objectives of this study are to characterize firearm injuries (FI) in Maryland, quantify recidivism, and to describe hospital treatment and their associated costs for Maryland.

ED and inpatient hospital records utilizing E codes consistent with FI were linked across visits to create unique cases from 2005-2014. Recidivism was defined as any subsequent ED visit or hospitalization for FI. The …

Elderly Partners' Lived Experience Of Bladder And/Or Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis Living With A Ostomy, Dinah R. Herrick

Dissertations

Bladder and colorectal cancer (CRC) are two of the most aggressive types of cancer with treatment creating physical and psychosocial comorbidities that affect the quality of life of patients affected by the disease. Numerous studies have been conducted about the experiences and needs of people who have had a bladder and/or CRC diagnosis, surgical intervention, and an ostomy, but studies about the experiences of the elderly partners are negligible. Specifically, the older adult (65-84 years old) group was found to be essentially unstudied with only 10 (0.51%) known 75- to 84-year old participants included in relevant studies that involved 1,750 …

American Association Of Diabetes Educators 7 Intervention In Managing Type 2 Diabetes In Older Home Health Patients, Anne N. Ohakosim

Dissertations

Management of chronic disease pathologies requires the patient to have the ability to understand and manage their care. This may be especially challenging in the aging population caring for themselves at home. The home care agency noted the patients had a knowledge deficit regarding T2DM self-management of blood glucose levels. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of the American Association of Diabetes Educators 7(AADE7) diabetes self-management program improved glucose levels and diabetic management knowledge among adult diabetic home health patients aged 65 and older. The project took place in northwestern Illinois …

Best Teaching Practices For Providing Culturally Sensitive And Inclusive Nursing Education: Nurse Educators' Perspectives, Christine L. Sommers

Dissertations

This paper explored problem-based learning and cultural diversity, critical thinking and clinical judgment and cultural diversity, and nurse educators' perceptions of implementing culturally diverse and inclusive nursing education. The results of this exploration are presented in three articles (Chapters 2-4). In Chapter 2, a synthesis of literature regarding strategies for problem-based learning with culturally diverse students was described. Studies in nursing literature have not specifically focused on the needs of culturally diverse students when implementing problem-based learning. Nurse educators need to consider their own culture and their students' culture when implementing problem-based learning. They also need to dialogue together about …

Nurse Family Member Perceptions Of Patient Death And Nursing Care After Withdrawal Of Life-Sustaining Treatment, Deena M. Drake

Dissertations

This pilot study explored nurse family member perceptions of nursing care and patient quality of death and dying during and after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment within Intensive Care Units (ICU).

The Feasibility Of Using A Theory-Based, Online Delivery Microlearning System To Educate Nurse Practitioners About Clinical Skin Examination For Melanoma, Delaney Baker Stratton

Dissertations

The purpose was to explore the feasibility of delivering and developing an evidence-based intervention to educate PCNPs about comprehensive CSE for MM. Aim 1 was to develop three evidence-based, brief skin cancer videos with content on comprehensive CSE skills (risk assessment, head-to-toe skin examination, skin lesion assessment) that are suitable for online, theory-based delivery to PNCPs in various formats. Aim 2 was to determine enrollment and retention rates, intervention adherence, and acceptability and usability of the intervention following completion of the one-week intervention. The exploratory aim was to explore preliminary associations among information, motivation and behavior skills for CSE behavior …

Exploring The Homeless Persons Perception Of Living In A Long-Term Care Facility, Janice X. Woods

Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of homeless persons admitted to a nursing home facility. Originally, the study was to explore their understanding of and their experience with advance health care planning; coincidently, the participants were more open to their experience of living in a long-term care facility.

Method: A convenience sample of 13 participants (12 male, 1 female) at four long-term care facilities in Southern California were interviewed about their perception of advanced health care planning, including the physician's orders for life sustaining treatment (POLST); a consent form required in all nursing homes. …

Associate And Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Students' Knowledge Of The Attitudes Toward Medication Errors And Reporting Medication Errors: Implications For Curriculum Development, Tabatha D. Teal

Dissertations

This paper evaluates senior nursing students' knowledge and attitudes of medication errors and reporting errors. This study was conducted to evaluate a need for improvements to nursing education on these two concepts. This mixed method study was conducted using a modified version of the Medication Administration Error Reporting Survey by Wakefield, Uden-Holman, and Wakefield (2005) and focus group sessions at four nursing programs in the Southern United States. Medication errors continue to be a threat to patient safety and underreporting exists due to the stigma surrounding admitting a mistake. Evaluating nursing students' knowledge and attitudes on these concepts is a …

You’Ve Got Mail: A Sequential Mixed Methods Linguistic Investigation Of Faculty And Advisor Email, Kevin A. Manley

Dissertations

Email is one of the most prolific forms of communication in the world. As colleges and universities move more student experiences online, faculty members and advisors need to understand how to best communicate with students. In an attempt to understand how faculty and advisors write, and, more importantly, how students read, I developed this two-phase mixed methods investigation. In Phase I, I collected nine writing samples from 19 faculty and advisor participants and dissected the samples with Pennebaker Conglomerate’s 2015 Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program. In a transition phase, I leveraged Phase I data to create an instrument …

A Quality Improvement Project: Evaluation Of Teach-Back Training On Medication Adherence In Hypertensive Older Veterans, Chelsea Hall-Mcarthur

Dissertations

Hypertension remains one of the most common yet uncontrolled chronic diseases among older adults. Medication adherence is a vital part in managing uncontrolled hypertension. The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the teach-back method on improving anti-hypertension medication adherence of hypertensive older adult patients age 65 to 75 with at least two uncontrolled blood pressure readings during their most recent clinic visit in the past 6 months. Medication adherence was assessed using the Hill-Bone Medication Adherence Scale (HB-MAS) before and after the intervention. Health literacy scores were also recorded prior to the intervention using …

A Hungarian Exotic Ingredient In Operetta: The Csárdás In Three Settings, Michelle Lange

Dissertations

The inclusion of the Hungarian National dance in Viennese operetta during the height of the genre’s popularity expresses an intricate relationship between two nations in the Austro-Hungarian Empire during a time of immense change. Examining the Hungarian elements of the Csárdás in the compositions of three operettas provides a deeper understanding of Hungarian influence in Viennese operetta culture and performance. While there is a wealth of information on Hungarian folk music, there is a gap in the application of this knowledge within the operetta genre. This document’s primary purpose is to explore the exotic Hungarian musical folk elements found in …

A Quantitative Content Analysis On K-12 Public Education In The News Media: An Analysis Of Word Sentiment And Tone In Different Media From 2015 To 2020, Thomas Butler

Dissertations

The researcher used quantitative content analysis techniques and explored how the media used language, sentiment, and tone, when reporting on United States K-12 public education (USPE) in four different media types and over a five-year period. The researcher used positive and negative word frequencies on stories in four different news media: New York Times (print & online), Huffington Post (online), ABC/NBC broadcast (TV), and Time/ Newsweek magazine (magazine); across a five-year period. The researcher converted positive and negative word frequencies in each news story to an overall tone rating scale from 1 to 5 indicating an overall positive or negative …

Factors Influencing The Recruitment And Hiring Of Early Career Nurse Faculty, Katie Sladky

Dissertations

The nursing faculty and subsequent nursing shortages have plagued the profession for decades with little progress made in altering the trajectory of the problem (AACN, 2005; IOM, 2010; NLN, 2017). Primary influences on the faculty shortage include later entry into faculty roles, the aging of faculty, and early retirements, and a logical solution is to recruit nurses to faculty roles earlier in their careers. The purpose of this study was to examine factors relating to recruitment strategies and hiring practices used by administrators of undergraduate, prelicensure nursing programs for early career nursing faculty. This study contributes new knowledge about administrators' …

Music Listening: An Evidence-Based Approach To Help Manage Postoperative Pain, Tammie Ferguson

Dissertations

The current standard of practice to manage postoperative pain includes the use of opioids. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to evaluate the effectiveness of music listening as an adjuvant to traditional pain management strategies to relieve postoperative pain and to assess the dosage of opioids used to help manage postoperative pain. Kolcaba's Comfort Theory was used to guide this evidence-based project.