Digital Commons Network^™

Organizational Climate, Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict And Nurse Faculty Work Balance: Influence On Organizational Commitment And Turnover Intention, Denise K. Gormley

Dissertations

The mission for faculty in university and college settings is generally three-part and encompasses teaching, research, and service. Nurse faculty have struggled to balance work and understand the changing views of scholarship. A number of factors affect faculty commitment to the academic organization, and can influence behavior and attitude in the workplace. No research was found that explored the effect of organizational climate, role ambiguity, role conflict, and nurse faculty work role balance on faculty organizational commitment and turnover intention. The purpose of this study was to examine how organizational commitment and turnover intention are influenced by organizational climate, role …

Hopeful Adults With Advanced Stage Cancer: Nature, Influences, Focus, And Patterns Of Hope Over Time, Mary Anne Hales Reynolds

Dissertations

The diagnosis of terminal cancer begins one of the most complex and challenging individual experiences of human life that requires multiple coping responses, one of those being hope. There are limited knowledge and few studies that provide descriptions of hope over time for adults, ages 20-59, with advanced stage cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe hope as defined and experienced by adults with advanced stage cancer, evidencing high levels of hope. This descriptive, longitudinal research study used the technique of methodological triangulation (semistructured interview, Stoner Hope Scale, Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index, Visual Analogue Scales, …

The Relation Of Sick Leave Benefits, Employment Patterns, And Individual Characteristics To Radiation Therapy-Related Fatigue, Patricia Anne Poirier

Dissertations

Fatigue has consistently been found to be the most common and distressing side effect of radiation therapy. This study examined the relation of a specific life-style behavior with many policy and economic implications, participation in the workforce, on radiation therapy-related fatigue. The aims of this longitudinal study were to: describe sick leave benefits available to patients undergoing radiation therapy; examine the relation between sick leave benefits, individual characteristics, and employment patterns in patients undergoing radiation therapy; and examine the relation between employment patterns, individual characteristics, and fatigue in patients receiving radiation therapy. The Conceptual Model of Nursing and Health Policy …

Integrating Patient Safety In Nursing Education: An Analysis Of Pre-Registration Nursing Curricula In Kenya, Nickcy Nyaruai Mbuthia

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent to which patient safety concepts were integrated in the Kenyan pre-registration Bachelor of Science in nursing curriculum, and to understand the issues that influence its delivery in the classroom and clinical settings, with the aim of developing strategies that will enhance the integration of patient safety concepts in the curriculum. In the first phase, a qualitative content analysis of the nursing curriculum documents was performed.

Happy Feet In A Rural Clinic: A Diabetic Foot Education Intervention, Carmencita S. Abood

Dissertations

Rural Healthy People 2010 report indicated that diabetes was more pervasive in non-metropolitan areas than in central cities and more commonplace in the Southeast and the Southwest regions of the United States due to complex set of factors such as low socioeconomic status among many rural residents, a high proportion of racial or ethnic minorities, and aging populations that were predominant in rural areas. The need for innovative, low literacy education material that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a rural clinic is imperative. The purpose of the capstone project was to determine the effectiveness of a patient-centered diabetes …

The Perceptions Of Advocacy Behaviors In End-Of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced And Expert Nurses, Karen W. Thacker

Dissertations

Nurses have difficulty describing the steps of advocacy to guide practice. In order to improve the status of end-of-life care, nurse educators need to be cognizant of the advocate role in nursing practice. The purpose of this comparative descriptive study was to describe nurses' perceptions of advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing practice. The novice to expert process and the seven domains of a caring practice as they relate to advocacy behaviors (Benner, 1984) provided a framework in which the nurse can move towards becoming an effective patient advocate.

Factor Analysis Of Mixed Data (Famd) And Multiple Linear Regression In R, Nestor Pereira

Dissertations

In the previous projects, it has been worked to statistically analysis of the factors to impact the score of the subjects of Mathematics and Portuguese for several groups of the student from secondary school from Portugal.

In this project will be interested in finding a model, hypothetically multiple linear regression, to predict the final score, dependent variable G3, of the student according to some features divide into two groups. One group, analyses the features or predictors which impact in the final score more related to the performance of the students, means variables like study time or past failures. The second …

Exploring Student And Faculty Perceptions Regarding The Availability Of On-Campus Counseling Services, Stephen Wade Baker

Dissertations

This study sought to explore undergraduate and faculty perceptions about oncampus counseling services. On-campus counseling services for clarification purposes, could be understood as a behavioral health service used by undergraduate students to discuss and address identified personal issues during a semester-based academic school year. The data was collected via a written response survey and it was administered at a private Midwestern university throughout the spring, summer, and fall traditional undergraduate semesters of 2018. The study looked to understand students’ perceptions on the overall need and functionality of the current counseling services promoted at their university. Furthermore, faculty interviews were conducted …

Culture Care Values, Beliefs And Practices Observed In Empowerment Of American Indian Community Health Representatives, Elizabeth A. Tyree

Dissertations

The World Health Organization (WHO) primary health care model emphasizes intervention at the home and family level, partnerships with the community, collaboration with lay community health workers, and prevention. Thus, the model has significance for nursing. Among the population groups in the United States, American Indians show the greatest disparity from the norm in access to health care and outcomes of care.* This study addresses the primary health care principle of community involvement in health using an empowerment model, with a participatory action research approach, informed by the ethnonursing method of Madeleine Leininger. The population of interest is American Indian …

Cardiovascular Knowledge, Beliefs And Healthcare Practices Of The Amish In Northern Indiana, Deborah R. Gillum

Dissertations

The Amish are a conservative ethno-religious Christian subculture who are doubling in number every 14 years. There are now more than 249,000 located in 28 states and Ontario, Canada. To our knowledge, no previous study has examined cardiovascular disease (CVD) knowledge and preventive healthcare practices among this socially and technologically isolated population.

Cardiovascular knowledge, beliefs, and healthcare practices among northern Indiana Amish were explored using Leininger's Culture Care Diversity and Universality as a guiding theoretical framework. Sample. Data was obtained from an Amish settlement located in northern Indiana.

Barriers To Prenatal Care In Low-Income Women, Lynne Porter Lewallen

Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to: investigate barriers to prenatal care, both structural and psychosocial; test the Pender Health Promotion Model and the Triandis Model of Social Behavior to determine their effectiveness in predicting utilization of prenatal care; and document behaviors women perform during pregnancy to stay healthy.

Therapeutic Strategies, Health Status And Quality Of Life Among Persons With Asthma: A Meta-Analysis, Catherine B. Bailey

Dissertations

Asthma is a major health problem that affects approximately 17 million people in the United States. Unique circumstances associated with a patient's health status have made evaluations of the management of asthma difficult. The purposes of the study were to assemble information on therapeutic strategies, health status factors and Quality of Life among persons with asthma and make empirical generalizations about the selected variables from a universe of studies. This meta-analytical investigation consisted of fifteen subject studies that used experimental strategies and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire on asthmatic subjects. Four research questions asked: (a) What are the substantive …

Factors Associated With Behavioral Symptoms In Persons With Dementia Residing In Assisted Living, Julie L. Ellis

Dissertations

Factors associated with behavioral symptoms among persons with dementia residing in assisted living were investigated in this study using a descriptive, correlational design with a cross-sectional methodology. The purposes of the research were to (a) describe the extent of pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, function and behavioral symptoms in a sample of residents with dementia in assisted living and (b) identify the relationship between the of factors pain, depression, co-morbid conditions, and function to the extent of behavioral symptoms in the sample.

White (Non-Hispanic) Nurse Practitioner Student Perceptions Of Hispanic Patients, Rose Iris Gonzalez

Dissertations

As the United States continues to become increasingly more diverse, the health care industry must adjust and develop improved strategies for the effective provision of health care services to all. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States. This population (ethnic group) faces many challenges to receiving adequate health care including: stereotyping by health professionals; language and cultural barriers; limited access to health care; and a lack of trust in the current health care system. Hispanic patients are frequently met by predominantly White (non-Hispanic) health care practitioners, who bring their own set of biases and …

Developing A Scale To Measure Responses Of Clients With Actual Or Potential Myocardial Infarctions, Karen Rae Robinson

Dissertations

An assumption in Modeling and Role-Modeling theory is that meeting instinctive needs promotes growth and development across the life span (Erickson, Tomlin, & Swain, 1988). The need for object attachments is one type of need. Loss of an attachment results in the grief process with denial and shock as the first stage. For the coronary client, an acute episode of chest pain may threaten the loss of an attachment object (one's heart function). Determining a coronary client's level of denial is important data and is needed before the nurse can develop individualized interventions to facilitate the client's adaptation. The purpose …

Implementing Screening To Assess Readiness To Change In Overweight And Obese Patients At A Patient-Centered Medical Home, Jarrod Edward Gant

Dissertations

Obesity is at epidemic levels within the United States (U.S.), but the Southern U.S. has some of the most obese states. Mississippi (MS) is the most obese state in the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2018). Factors such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, cultural influences, and socioeconomic status contribute to the state's citizens being overweight and obese. Contributing to the state's obesity is the fact that MS has more people living in poverty than any other state (Center for American Progress [CAP], 2018). Lacking the ability to afford healthy foods and the ability to afford quality healthcare adds to the state's …

The Impact Of A Competitive Healthcare Environment On Cost And Quality, Maureen E. Buckley

Dissertations

A descriptive longitudinal (1988-1993) case study design, with the Resource Dependence Theory as the conceptual framework, was used to investigate the effect of a competitive health care market on the cost and quality of hospital care. The secluded geographic area in which the three study hospitals were located served to minimize the influence of additional competitors. The Resource Dependence theory emphasizes the adaptation of an organization to changes in the environment or competitive market.

Using Lifestyle Educational Intervention To Decrease Blood Pressure Reading Amongst African American Adults, Catherine Madu

Dissertations

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a global epidemic and a major public health challenge in the United States. Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal failure. The disease disproportionately affects African Americans (AAs) and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this ethnic group. Effective management of hypertension decreases complications from the disease. The purpose of the clinical scholarly project (CSP) was to decrease blood pressure readings amongst AA adults, ages 18 to 65 years old using educational intervention on lifestyle modifications. A convenience sampling of 20 AA (n = 20) adult participants was …

Exploring How Philippine American Nonprofit Leaders Build Trust With Their Staff And Volunteers, Dominic Fernando Laureano

Dissertations

Purpose: Although a considerable amount of literature exists regarding leadership and trust, little research focuses on Philippine American nonprofit organizations and their leadership. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Philippine American nonprofit leaders build trust with staff and volunteers using the five domains of competency, consistency, concern, candor, and connection.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study collected data via semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and review of artifacts. The study sample was comprised of 10 Philippine American nonprofit leaders from Southern California. Weisman’s Trust Model served at the theoretical framework of the study and guided data collection and …

Using Pbis Frameworks In Elementary Schools To Decrease Chronic Absenteeism, Joe Nelson

Dissertations

This basic qualitative study examined the beliefs and attitudes of selected faculty in three southern region schools that had been identified by several government agencies as having severe chronic attendance problems. Twelve educators who work closely with the daily Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program were individually interviewed and re-interviewed until reaching a significant point where no new knowledge could be derived. The goal of the study was to explore the essence of the teachers’ experiences when using the PBIS practices in order to increase school attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. The purpose of the study was to fully …

The Economic Impacts Of Casino Gaming In Mississippi: Local, Regional, National And International Considerations, Janelle Townes

Dissertations

Casino development and the proliferation of the casino gaming industry has centered on the prevailing issue of economic impact. The purpose of this study was to determine what impact casinos in Mississippi have on the economy of the host communities. In this quantitative descriptive research study, the primary employment, tourism and revenue data were gathered from records provided by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to test the level of change that occurred in the host communities of Mississippi casinos between 2000 and 2015, a period when Mississippi communities experienced severe economic crises due in part to natural diseasters and economic recession. …

Strategic Hiring And Research Productivity At U.S. Research Universities, David S. Mooneyhan

Dissertations

Research universities provide new knowledge that advance technology and links the United States’ science and knowledge system with the world (Altbach, 2011). Public research universities play a significant role in regional and national economic development. Universities rely on funding from multiple sources to operate effectively. However, in recent years, public research universities in the United States have experienced declines in state funding (Hyman & Jacobs, 2010; Webber, 2017).

To offset declines in funding, public research universities may seek to increase research productivity through the hiring of faculty to address strategic institutional research goals. Strategic hiring is one approach used by …

The Antimicrobial Activity And Cellular Targets Of Plant Derived Aldehydes And Degradable Pro-Antimicrobial Networks In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Yetunde Adewunmi

Dissertations

Essential oils (EOs) are plant-derived products that have been long exploited for their antimicrobial activities in medicine, agriculture, and food preservation. EOs represent a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics due to the broad-range antimicrobial activity, low toxicity to human commensal bacteria, and the capacity to kill microorganisms without promoting resistance. Despite the progress in the understanding of the biological activity of EOs, many aspects of their mode of action remain inconclusive. The overarching aim of this work was to address these gaps by studying molecular interactions between antimicrobial plant aldehydes and the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We initiated …

Relationship Between Self-Development, Mentorship, And Senior Military Officer Moral Judgment, Garry Thompson

Dissertations

Despite a renewed emphasis on ethics programs across the Department of Defense (DOD) since 2007, the number of senior officer ethical failures increased by 13% from 2015 to 2017 (Copp, 2017). If the trend of ethical failures and misconduct continue, the military faces a further decline in public confidence (DoDOIG, 2017). The 2017 DOD Inspector General report noted the trend of senior leader ethical failures might foster negative public perceptions regarding military leader’s overall dedication, sacrifice, ethics, and character (DoDOIG, 2017).

A review of military literature revealed the importance of mentorship and self-development in professional development; however, gaps between …

Administrative Involvement With Student Discipline And Teacher Morale In Mississippi Schools, Melanie Taylor

Dissertations

Administrative involvement is vital to the success of a school; therefore, the school principal has the authority and responsibility to offer various forms of support to teachers and students that make daily tasks and procedures more efficient and effective. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of administrative involvement in student discipline on teacher morale. This quantitative study explored the relationship between administrative involvement and teacher morale by examining the administrator’s involvement with student discipline accounting for school climate.

Informed by a theoretical framework that includes path-goal theory (House, 1996) and leadership behaviors and traits that are …

Johann Strauss Ii's Die Fledermaus: Historical Background And Conductor's Guide, Jennifer Bruton

Dissertations

Students pursuing graduate degrees in conducting often have aspirations of being high school or college choir or band directors. Others want to lead orchestra programs in educational or professional settings. Sadly, many colleges and universities do not have systems in place that provide avenues for those choosing this career path. The curriculum should go beyond teaching the rudiments of baton technique. Students should receive instruction and practical experience, applying what they have learned. Lab bands and choirs are a helpful tool, but I believe opera programs provide an ideal and essential venue where conductors can not only improve and hone …

The Usage And Impact Of Outpatient Commitment Orders On Suicide And Suicide Attempt Rates In Mississippi, Sam Mauldin

Dissertations

Rates of self-harm and suicide in the United States have not decreased since 1980 and remained relatively constant through the start of the 21^st Century. The most recent data indicate that suicide rates in the United States have risen by about 2% a year from 2006 through 2016, although suicide rates have decreased in other countries during the same timeframe. Finding a viable intervention to slow rates of self-harm and suicide is needed in the United States. The need for closer patient observation has been cited as an underutilized intervention for the reduction of attempts of self-harm and suicide. …

Narcan Can Save Your Loved One: Designing Messages For The Opioid Crisis Using The Extended Parallel Process Model, Braden Bagley

Dissertations

In 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. The opioid epidemic has become widespread because of over prescription and extreme addiction. In recent years, the crisis has become dire because of the staggering annual death toll from overdoses. Although the number of opioid-related deaths has risen, so too have the innovations designed to combat opioid abuse and overdoses. The use of naloxone is a safe and reliable option for treating overdose victims. In fact, many first responders are primarily relying on the medication in such emergencies. This study …

Change Effort Organizational Communication Effectiveness And Work Locus Of Control Influence On Change Fatigue In The Workplace, Kady B. Pietz

Dissertations

Approximately 70% of change management initiatives fail (Beer & Nohria, 2000; Kotter, 2007; Pasmore, 2011; Warner, 2018), and employee reactions to change are critical in forecasting successful change efforts (Connell & Waring, 2002). Predicting and implementing successful change serves as a critical component in addressing failed change. Change fatigue as an employee experience, among other factors, results in adverse outcomes for organizations through change. Addressing contributing factors of change fatigue to avoid the onset of and potentially harmful implications of change fatigue could also improve change management initiatives (Perel, 2015). To better understand how to successfully implement change in organizational …

Winning Public Hearts And Minds: Security And Development Aid In The 21st Century, Mohammad Ashraf

Dissertations

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States, foreign aid has focused on winning public hearts and minds in the aid recipient states as a hedge against insecurity and means to achieve progress in the “war on terror.” Western donors, especially the United States, argue foreign aid is an effective tool to expand government capacity and control over territory, win public hearts and minds, and ultimately mitigate the need and significant military costs of deployment to counter insecurity, extremism, and terrorism in weak, fragile and failing states.

This dissertation uses case studies to explore the …