Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Testing Of An Explanatory Model Of Registered Nurse Empowerment, Marilyn D. Klakovich

Dissertations

Recent innovations in patient care delivery and nursing governance require an empowered workforce. However, little is known about what combination of organizational, leadership, and personal characteristics maximize the prediction of registered nurse empowerment. The purpose of this study was to develop and test an explanatory model of registered nurse empowerment. The predictor variables included personal characteristics of registered nurses (age, experience, organizational tenure, education, and position level of clinical and/or management responsibility), perceptions of organizational culture, and connective leadership.

Think Like A Teacher: How Reflective Educators Use Multiple Data Sources To Inform Their Practice, Jana Grabarek

Dissertations

Teacher data use has become an increasingly central feature of American education. Messages from the public policy, research, philanthropy, and professional development arenas assert that collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data€”particularly number-based achievement data€”will increase student achievement. in this dissertation, a review of literature exploring the link between data use and achievement yielded mixed results. While increased achievement was slightly more likely when data use involved multiple types of data and/or data use strategies, its effectiveness was not consistently supported, and least apparent when tied to marginalized students. to better understand what effective data use might look like at the micro …

Best Leadership Practices And Actions For Leading A Transition In Curriculum Framework In Secondary Schools, Jennifer Lynn Tyrrell

Dissertations

Instructional leadership is one of the primary responsibilities of administrators within secondary schools. as administrators assume the role of instructional leaders, it is important to note that having the ability to guide a school or district through the process of organizational change is critical. Specifically, within the area of curriculum, change is constantly occurring. This qualitative research study was designed to identify a list of best leadership practices/actions for instructional leaders to use when leading a school or district through the process of changing its framework for curriculum development. the researcher replicated the research of Alexander Carter (2016) who studied …

Identifying The Leadership Skills Needed To Develop The Competencies To Lead In A Postcrisis Organization: A Delphi Study, Paul Turgeon

Dissertations

Purpose: Organizational leaders play a pivotal role in postcrisis activities. There is abundant research in the actions of leaders in a crisis; however, there is limited research regarding the leadership competencies required postcrisis, and a gap remains in knowing which leadership skills are needed postcrisis. The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify the leadership skills needed to promote organizational resilience, to act with integrity, and to possess a learning orientation of organizational leaders in the postcrisis phase.

Methodology: This study used a 3-round Delphi technique to identify the leadership skills that support the possession of the competencies needed …

Strategies Exemplary Female Superintendents Use To Work With The Political Styles Of School Board Members, Leisa Winston

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods study was to identify the political styles of female superintendents and their school board members as perceived by superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify and explain the political strategies female superintendents use to work with the different political styles of board members.

Methodology: This study employed a sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design. The quantitative data were collected through surveys to identify the political styles of superintendents and their board members. The qualitative interview data explored the political strategies used by each superintendent with the different political styles of …

Political Styles And Strategies Used By Exemplary Suburban Unified District Superintendents With Board Members: A Mixed Methods Study, Tammy Blakely

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this thematic, explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to understand the political styles of superintendents and school board members as perceived by superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify and explain the political strategies superintendents use to work with the different political styles of board members.

Methodology: This explanatory sequential mixed methods study research design used data collected from a quantitative survey followed by qualitative data collected using semistructured face-to-face interviews. The data in this study were obtained from 5 exemplary suburban unified superintendents using the 9 political styles framework from …

Exemplary Chief Nurse Executives Leading Through Storytelling, Tricia Kassab

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe how exemplary human resources administrators use storytelling to lead organizations using Denning’s (2011) model. In addition, it was the purpose to understand how they use storytelling to create transformational change. Denning’s The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling highlights eight storytelling narrative patterns: to ignite action, to communicate who you are, to build your brand, to transmit values, to foster collaboration, to share knowledge, to tame the grapevine, and to share vision.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study described the lived experiences of exemplary elementary chief nurse executives in California. The …

Leadership Storytelling: How Elementary School Principals Use Storytelling To Lead And Make Transformational Change, Nicholas Damico

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe

how exemplary elementary school principals use storytelling to lead organizations

using Denning’s (2011) model. In addition, it was the purpose to understand how

exemplary elementary school principals use storytelling to create transformational

change in organizations. Denning’s The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling highlights eight storytelling narrative patterns:

• Storytelling to ignite action and implement new ideas
• Storytelling to build trust
• Storytelling to build brand
• Storytelling to transmit organizational values
• Storytelling to foster collaboration
• Storytelling to share knowledge
• Storytelling to neutralize rumor
• Storytelling to share your vision

Methodology: This …

Exemplary Human Resources Administrators Leading Through Storytelling, Colleen Slattery

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe how exemplary human resources administrators use storytelling to lead organizations using Denning’s (2011) model. In addition, it was the purpose to understand how they use storytelling to create transformational change. Denning’s The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling highlights eight storytelling narrative patterns: to ignite action and implement new ideas, build trust, build your organizations’ brand, transmit organizational values, foster collaboration, share knowledge, neutralize rumor, and create and share vision.

Methodology: This phenomenological qualitative study described the lived experiences of exemplary human resources administrators in Northern California. The researcher was …

Strategies Exemplary High School District Superintendents Use To Work With The Political Styles Of School Board Members, Jeffrey Tooker

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand the political styles of high school district superintendents and school board members as perceived by superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify the political strategies high school district superintendents use to work with the different political styles of board members. Methodology: Through an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design, an electronic survey was utilized to collect quantitative data. Following quantitative data collection, in-depth qualitative data was collected through one-on-one interviews with exemplary high school district superintendents in California. The results of the quantitative survey data …

Strategies Exemplary Unified School District Superintendents Use To Work With The Political Styles Of School Board Members, Bradley Tooker

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was to identify the political styles of superintendents and school board members as perceived by unified school district superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose to identify and explain the political strategies unified school district superintendents use to work with the different political styles of school board members.

Methodology: This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study analyzed quantitative surveys to identify the political styles of superintendents and school board members and qualitative interviews to identify political strategies using a political styles framework.

Findings: The major strategies exemplary unified district superintendents used to work …

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.

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 …

Teacher Evaluation Practices And Policy Implications: Effective Strategies For Changing Instruction, Scott Grens

Dissertations

This study is a program evaluation of the effectiveness of teacher evaluation practices in a small suburban elementary school district in Illinois from 2017-2019. The primary research question explored in this program evaluation is whether and to what extent the teacher evaluation process is changing teacher practices in Washington School District 25. Employing a qualitative research methodology, with data gathered from teacher interviews, school administrator interviews, and document analysis, this study identified several key components to the improvement of instructional practices for teachers. Policy implications and recommendations highlight the importance of the following: a common instructional framework, staff involvement in …

An Evaluation Of A Stem Magnet Program That Utilizes Project-Based Learning To Improve Student Achievement, Leshea Boromei Serrano

Dissertations

This evaluation of a secondary level STEM Magnet program that implements Project Based Learning (PBL) analyzes three areas of study, Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Game Design and the relationship to student achievement. The three areas of study provide the platform for a STEM-PBL learning methodology that is geared towards stimulating student academic interest through STEM activities intentionally developed and implemented in a cross-curricular framework that applies multiple content standards to solve real-world community issues. Students have the opportunity to develop the needed 21^st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical-thinking and problem solving with the ultimate outcome of generating a …

An Evaluation Of A Sixth Grade Intensive Mathematics Program And Impacts On Student Achievement, Tammy Dery

Dissertations

The purpose of thisevaluation is to analyze anIntensive Math program’s quality and design, as well as, address the impact of the program to determine whether the intensive mathematics class, and the use of computer-based support,impacts student achievement. The program design incorporates a two-prong model of teacher-directed and computer-based intervention. The relationship of the intensive mathematics curriculum implemented with struggling learners and closing the mathematics achievement gap are evaluated through the analyses of student data, the quality of implementation and program usability and teacher and teacher leader perspectives. The findings indicate that small groups and individualized attention for students is vital …

An Evaluation Of School Culture And Its Impact On Student Achievement, Jeremy Johns-Klein

Dissertations

The purpose of this evaluation was to examine if a school’s culture impacts student academic achievement due to initial low attainment on state assessments and low graduation rates. The data collected provides both quantitative and qualitative information using a teacher survey, a teacher focus group, administrator interviews, and school achievement data. The results of the study indicate a need for stronger trust between teachers and administrators, increased professional development to support teaching and learning, and improved partnerships with the parents/guardians of the students. An additional result is that the school’s culture for learning can impact the achievement levels of the …

Exploring Wheelchair Service Delivery In A Dedicated Seating Department, Cara E. Masselink

Dissertations

This study is a series of three studies aimed at exploring wheelchair service delivery in a department of physical and occupational therapists dedicated to wheelchair seating. The three studies utilized a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical documentation written by the practicing clinicians between 2007 and 2017. The first study aimed to describe the wheelchair and accessory recommendations made in the 11-year period, in relationship to age and gender. The majority of recommendations in the dedicated seating department were for complex wheelchairs. The results indicated the ratio between standard and complex power mobility devices and four complexities of cushions changed, …

Benchmarking Nurse Sensitive Quality Patient Outcomes Across The Continuum Of Care, Carla G. Clark

Dissertations

The impact health care delivery changes have on nursing and subsequently on the health of individuals, families, and the community are unknown to the nursing profession as well as the public. Delineation of patient outcomes sensitive to nursing care and their benchmarks would enable the nursing profession to evaluate system changes being implemented. Establishing targets for patient outcomes will provide facilities with benchmarks to measure themselves against. The purposes of this study were first, to identify if the nurse sensitive patient outcomes identified by the AAN expert panel are appropriate and second, to establish benchmarks for these outcomes that are …

Development Of An Instrument To Measure Quality Of Nurses' Worklife, Beth A. Brooks

Dissertations

This study reports the development process and factor structure of a questionnaire to measure quality of nursing work life for registered nurses in hospital settings. Included is information on item generation, content validation, initial pilot testing, and results from the full study.

Leading For Excellence: Leadership Behaviors That Cultivate A High-Achieving School Environment, Kristen Belknap

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods study was to determine the degree of importance for the 12-step principles proposed by Harvey et al. (2014) to create a K–12 school environment that fosters high student achievement as perceived by public school elementary principals. A secondary purpose was to explore and describe the leadership strategies for implementing the 12-step principles proposed by Harvey et al. to create a K–12 school environment that fosters high student achievement as perceived by public school elementary principals.

Methodology: An explanatory mixed-methods study was completed to examine the degree of importance each of the 12 leadership …

California Expert Principals’ Identification Of The Best Strategies For The Implementation Of A Transition From A Traditional Grading And Reporting System To A Standards-Based Grading And Reporting System: A Delphi Study, Sean Redmond

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this policy Delphi study was to identify the strategies California K-12 expert principals deem necessary for the implementation of a transition from a traditional grading and reporting system to a standards-based grading and reporting system, utilizing a panel of expert principals to rate the importance of the identified strategies and to recommend the best methods of implementing the five most important strategies.

Methodology: The Delphi method was utilized in this study. An expert panel of California K-12 principals was assembled, and three rounds of electronic surveys were administered. The first-round results identified strategies for implementing a …

Influence Of Career Services On Time To Undergraduate Degree Completion, Courtney Taylor

Dissertations

A national concern exists surrounding the value and quality of American higher education, as well as the extended time required to complete an undergraduate degree. Extending the time-to-degree completion costs students in tuition, room, board, and most importantly, missed career opportunities. More than 60% of students fail to graduate within four years, delaying entry to the labor market and increasing costs associated with a college degree (Bound, Lovenheim, & Turner, 2012; National Center for Education Statistics, 2017).

Numerous studies highlight college student persistence and retention efforts (Goodman, Hurwitz, & Smith, 2017; Hull-Blanks et al., 2005; Tinto, 1987, 2017), a few …

Sexual Minority Identity And Religious Styles: How Sexual Identity Development And Religious Schemata Explain Experiences Of Religious And Spiritual Struggles And Life Satisfaction, Jeffrey Allen Paul

Dissertations

A growing body of research indicates both potentially positive and negative experiences for sexual minorities with religious/spiritual (R/S) experiences. The current study sought to answer calls for larger samples and quantitative research methods at this intersection of identities by investigating the relationships between sexual minority identity development, religious schemata, R/S struggles, and life satisfaction among a sample of sexual minority adults with R/S experiences (N = 655). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the variance explained by sexual identity development factors and religious schemata above and beyond the variance explained by demographic differences when explaining the outcome variables of …

Increasing Nursing Competence And Confidence During Obstetric Emergencies Through Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project, Tram Wallen

Dissertations

Problem: This quality improvement project aimed to improve the knowledge and confidence of the mother/baby nursing staff during postpartum hemorrhages through in situ simulation. PPH is a leading cause of maternal death. Hospitals across the U.S. lack a standard approach to managing obstetric emergencies; the complications of childbirth are often identified too late. Multidisciplinary simulation-based team training has been associated with improved outcomes in obstetrics.

Methods: A convenience sample of 26 registered nurses (RNs) that care for postpartum patients attended a one-hour instructor-led presentation followed by in situ simulations of postpartum hemorrhage. A knowledge assessment and confidence survey were administered …

Examining Opioid Ordering Rates Of Advanced Practice Providers In An Emergency Department, Bridgette Thompson

Dissertations

Problem Opioid abuse has become a major public health issue in America. Many Americans die daily from an opioid overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified prescription drug abuse and overdose as a major health threat.

Methods Descriptive cohort design with a retrospective record review of the number of opioids ordered by the advanced practice provider six weeks before and six weeks after a didactic and simulation educational experience.

Results The total sample was four (N=4). Using the paired samples t test there was no difference (t = 0.65, p = 0.56) between the number …

This Is My Story: Using Patient Personalization Posters To Improve Nurses' Caring Behaviors, Kelly S. Johnson

Dissertations

The critical care environment renders patients unable to share the kind of personal information that illuminates their story outside of the intensive care unit. Therefore, learning about the individuality of this patient population and building caring relationships with them is more difficult than with a fully communicative patient. The aim of this project was to investigate the relationship between the patients' and families' perceptions of caring behaviors and the use of the "This is My Story" poster for critically ill adults. A two-group comparison was done between patients in a surgical intensive care unit who received the "This is My …

Application Of The Transtheoretical Model Of Change To The Smoking Behavior Of Men During Their Partner's Pregnancy, Mary Ellen Tanner

Dissertations

This study describes the smoking behavior and selected characteristics of men during their partner's pregnancy. Constructs of the transtheoretical model of behavior change were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics of these men, to compare their smoking behavior in various stages of change, and to explore the relationship of the smoking behavior of the male partner to that of the pregnant partner. The study used a non-experimental, descriptive correlational design with a self-administered survey tool.

An Evaluation Of The Positive Behavior Intervention Suppot Program At One Elementary School, Nicolette Harris

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This research project examined the effectiveness and perceptions of Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) on student behaviors in a K-5 elementary school. The purpose of this project was to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the PBIS program and to provide valuable feedback to improve and implement the program with fidelity. Research was conducted through interviews and surveys of teachers and administrators, as well as a focus group of teachers on the PBIS committee. The critical issues that were explored are the number of referrals, the areas where infractions occurred the most, and teacher needs. It is my hope …

An Evaluation Of An I-Ready Math Program For 5th Graders In One School District, Tashanda Brown-Cannon

Dissertations

This study evaluated the impact of i-Ready Math instruction on 5^th grade students identified as performing below grade level in mathematics. The participants in this study, administrators and teachers from three Title I schools, answered survey and interview questions to provide their perception on the program’s effectiveness. Equally important, I analyzed student assessment data and online program usage data to ascertain the program’s impact on student achievement. The results of this study revealed a lack of fidelity of implementation of the i-Ready Math program. Based on these findings, I proposed an extension to the teacher contract and a revision …