Digital Commons Network^™

The Concept Of Home Care Nursing Workload: Analysis And Significance, Barbara L. Mildon

Dissertations

The concept of home care nursing workload has not been widely studied and no evidence was found that an analysis of the concept had been undertaken. Consequently, there was a knowledge gap regarding the definition and attributes for the concept of home care nursing workload as it is currently experienced. To address that gap, a descriptive, three-phase, mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) study was conducted.

With A Little Help At Home: The Impact Of Romantic Partner Support On Daily Burnout And Workplace Incivility, Matthew Aplin-Houtz

Dissertations

With rude and discourteous encounters in the workplace becoming more common, Workplace incivility (WI) is at an all-time high. As such, workers experience levels of burnout from these negative social interactions. The literature concedes that the results of these interactions lead to mounting burnout, causing negative physical and emotional outcomes at the individual and organizational levels. Considering that the literature also supports that employees have the potential to recover from burnout symptoms through rest, obtaining the perception of control of their circumstances, and cognitive reframing, the time and activities a worker spends at home carry the potential for minimizing burnout …

A Focused Ethnographic Study Of Nurses' Role In The Early Mobilization Program In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Chelsea E. Noone

Dissertations

Early Mobilization (EM) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) is safe and feasible, but there are issues preventing the adoption of EM into clinical practice. The objective of this study was to describe the patient safety concerns and how nurses develop strategies to safely deliver EM to their patients. The second objective was to explore, describe and analyze nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to performing EM, and to identify strategies nurses perceive would assist them to overcome barriers and increase adoption of EM within the PICU. This focused ethnographic study included 15 in-depth interviews with 10 PICU nurses. Data …

Assessment Of The Cultural Competence, Dementia Attitude, And Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Among Tertiary Healthcare Providers, Jo Ann Pelaez-Fisher

Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease has made a significant impact on healthcare delivery in the acute care facilities. Tertiary healthcare providers are challenged by the needs of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease while ensuring safe delivery of technical and specialized care in a fast-paced setting. There have been extensive research on informal caregivers and the consequences of providing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease. Few studies have queried tertiary healthcare providers and the influence of culture, attitude, or knowledge on Alzheimer's disease care. No study to date has investigated the elements of high quality Alzheimer's disease care which include cultural competence, positive attitudes, …

Impact Of Delirium Observation Screening Scale On Identifying Delirium In Hospice Patients, Elsie E. Glasu-Atunuwa

Dissertations

Delirium in the elderly can impact health outcomes, making it essential for healthcare workers to identify and manage delirium early. At the project site, there was no evidence based approach to the early identification of delirium. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Neefjes et al.'s research using the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS) would impact the identification of delirium with provider notification among adult patients in a hospice facility in South Texas over four weeks. Virginia Henderson's need theory and Kurt Lewin's change theory provided the theoretical foundations for the …

Pneumococcal Vaccination In Adult Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Samjhana Thapa

Dissertations

Problem: Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are at risk for exacerbations due to pneumonia which could lead to unwanted outcomes. Despite the existence of evidence regarding phone call reminder usage as a communication strategy about vaccinations as an effective preventive measure that can minimize the likelihood of contracting pneumonia. In a primary care facility in Kentucky, phone call reminders are not being used to promote vaccinations.

Method: This quality improvement (QI) pilot project used a descriptive, comparative, and retrospective design with the aim to increase the pneumococcal vaccination rate by 10% over 3 months by implementing a phone …

Cultural Competence In Nursing School Curricula, Mayra P. Toney

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the benefit of both classroom instruction and an immersive clinical experience for the development of cultural competence skills among student nurses. The 3-D Model for Culturally Congruent Care was the framework used for this quantitative descriptive correlational study. The premise of the model is to draw upon the knowledge that culturally competent care derives from the healthcare provider and client level, an essential factor to the delivery of culturally competent healthcare. A convenience sample of 74 student nurses from two separate cohorts enrolled in a diploma-based program were asked to complete the …

Learning Science: Physical And Life Sciences In Curricula Across U.S. Schools Of Nursing, Valerie C. Sauda

Dissertations

Nursing educators are being challenged to provide curriculum that meets the changing healthcare environment and demand for creative, innovative nurses to assist in transforming healthcare into the future (Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day, 2010; Institute Of Medicine, 2011). The liberal education provided within a baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree program provides a diversity of courses within the curriculum, including courses in the natural, physical, mathematical, and social sciences (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2008). Although nursing programs have included science courses in curriculum since the early 1900s (Nutting & Dock, 1907), there is lack of nursing …

Healthcare Needs And Factors Related To Non-Use/Underutilization Of Veterans Healthcare Administration (Vha) Health Services Entitlements By Post 9/11 Women Veterans, Teresa A. Parsons

Dissertations

Women are the fastest growing population in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), but only in recent history. U.S. military shift to an All-Volunteer Force (AVF) in 1973 resulted in a dramatic spike in women serving in the military. During the transition from active military to Veteran status, Veterans are eligible to apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for benefits, including healthcare. In 2020, the VA estimated that over two million Women Veterans (WV) were living. The VA estimates the percentage of WV will rise to over 18% of all Veterans by 2046. In a report to Congress …

Exploring Relationships Between Psychological Capital And Perceived Stress Among Newly Graduated Nurses, Rita J. Jarvis-Isaac

Dissertations

Stress among the newly graduated nurses has been linked to physical and emotional distress, high turnover rates, and the quality of patient care. Psychological capital is a positive state of mind that consists of four components (hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism). Higher levels of psychological capital have been linked to improvements in the work environment, and the psychological and emotional state of nurses. Despite the extensive work of researchers exploring psychological capital among nurses, its relationship to stress among new graduate nurses has not been well studied. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between …

The Lived Experience Of Older Nepalese Women With Urinary Incontinence, Somi Panday

Dissertations

Urinary incontinence (UI) poses a significant challenge for women across different cultures, as their diverse perceptions of UI impact their decision-making and choices, which are influenced by personal beliefs and preferences. Although research on women's experiences with urinary incontinence has shown substantial progress, encompassing various cultural contexts, more studies are still needed to examine cultural factors and employ the framework of transcultural nursing theory. Additionally, limited research has explored the experiences of older women with urinary incontinence in Nepal. This descriptive phenomenological study aims to explore the lived experience of older Nepalese women dealing with urinary incontinence. By applying the …

It Is What It Is...Enduring The Never-Ending: The Lived Experiences Of Parenting Adult Children With Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities, Siri Gurunam Kaur Khalsa

Dissertations

The parental home is the predominant place of residence for adults with developmental disabilities/ intellectual disabilities (DD/ID) (Heller et al., 2007). More than 75% of the adult population with DD/ID, living in the US, continue to have their basic needs provided by parents (Williamson & Perkins, 2014). This is based on the estimated statistic of 1.0 to 1.58% of the entire U.S. adult population has a developmental disability (Anderson et al., 2019; Fox et al., 2015). About 2.9 million adults with DD/ID live with a parent 55 years (Byun et al, 2006), with more than 25% of these parents older …

Feasibility Of A Telehealth-Delivered Breathing Intervention For Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Aubree Carlson

Dissertations

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating chronic lung disease that affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States (US), with 30,000 to 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Dyspnea is experienced by 90% of patients with IPF and is correlated with reduced quality of life, anxiety, depression, and decreased survival time in this patient population. Breathing management techniques such as pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing can reduce perceived dyspnea, however this symptom management strategy is not readily taught to patients outside of inpatient hospital settings and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, the latter of which only being accessed by 3% of …

The Nursing Process And Allegations Of Malpractice Against Perinatal Registered Nurses In Florida, Genifer Jones Johnson

Dissertations

The nursing process as a foundation of professional nursing practice organizes care around the components of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation as required for professional registered nurses by the Florida Nurse Practice Act. Nurses who fail to comply with the Nurse Practice Act risk poor outcomes for their clients, disciplinary action from the State regulatory body, and legal action from the clients. This study was an examination of litigation claims against professional registered nurses in Florida who practice perinatal nursing seeking to identify and categorize allegations of negligence within the components of the nursing process. The expectation of this …

The Perceived Level Of Self-Efficacy Of Direct Care Staff Who Complete Person-Centered Care Dementia Training In Long-Term Care Setting, Tammy B. Retalic

Dissertations

Education that enables direct care workers to provide person-centered care approaches to older adults with dementia is necessary to optimize quality of life and reduce unnecessary antipsychotic medication use in long-term care settings. A quasi-experimental repeated measure project design evaluated the effectiveness of a dementia training program (one of several interventions implemented to reduce antipsychotic medication rates) by measuring the perceived level of self-efficacy before the training, immediately after the training and four to six weeks after completing the training.

Lived Experiences Of Clinical Research Nurses: Competence And Expectations, Janine A. Kampelman

Dissertations

Currently, no specific nurse-credentialing certification exists in clinical research leading nurses to avoid certification or to obtain a certification below their current role and educational scope of practice. Although essential to the field, the clinical research nurse (CRN) is practicing with informal educational training and without formal scopes or standards of practice guiding her or his work in a clinical research setting. Knowing how clinical research nurses learn to perform clinical research practices will help identify experiences which enhance professional development leading to competence. Conceivably, learning experiences from this study can be used to formalize education for clinical research nurses …

Stroke Survivors' And Informal Caregivers' Perceptions Of Depressive Symptoms After Stroke: A Mixed-Methods Sequential Explanatory Study, Tanya L. Breckenridge-Trotter

Dissertations

Poststroke depression (PSD) is a frequently occurring complication of stroke that affects up to 30% of all stroke survivors in the first 24 months after stroke. PSD has been correlated with increases in hospital length of stay and hospital costs, increased physical morbidity and mortality, the risk for recurrent stroke at one year, decreased functional outcome, decreased cognitive function, and decreased quality of life post stroke. Estimates are >50% stroke survivors with depressive symptoms are left untreated due to lack of recognition. Moreover, depression in family caregivers of stroke survivors may negatively influence stroke recovery and stroke survivor quality of …

Exploring Nurse Faculty Decisions Related To Virtual Simulation During A Global Pandemic: A Quantitative Descriptive Study, Karen Braccialarghe

Dissertations

This research evaluates academic nurse faculty' decisions while implementing virtual simulation as a teaching method before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary purposes of this study were to explore nurse faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of virtual simulation, the barriers and challenges faced while implementing virtual simulation, and perceived effectiveness of student learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic while utilizing virtual simulation. A survey, the Virtual Simulation Implementation Evaluation Tool (Braccialarghe, 2021) was developed by the researcher to answer the research questions. The tool was sent to nine simulation experts to rate content validity.

A convenience sample of nurse faculty …

Effect Of An Rn-Facilitated Post Discharge Phone Call Hf Self-Management Strategy, Vivia O. Haye

Dissertations

Heart Failure (HF) is associated with substantial financial challenges resulting in exorbitant yearly costs, and frequent readmits to the emergency department. Post-discharge HF self-management is crucial to improve client outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, project was to examine whether the implementation of an RN-facilitated post-discharge phone call that focused on HF self-management strategies reduced return emergency department (ED) visits within 72 hours in an urban South Florida hospital. Orem's self-care theory and the Meleis transition model were used for their success in managing chronic illnesses such as HF. Both examined if an RN facilitated post-discharge telephone call that …

What’S The Big Fat Deal?: The Experience Of Fat Students In College, Andrea Marie Melrose

Dissertations

Weight-based discrimination is considered the last acceptable form of discrimination in the United States. Fat bias and stigma are present in healthcare, employment, and education. This dissertation study explores the experiences of fat students on college campuses, examining their experiences of anti-fat bias and discrimination. Additionally, this study explores policy and practice implications for improving the experiences of fat college students and supporting body diversity on campus. This dissertation has four overarching research questions that focus on the following topics: fat students’ experiences of weight-based stigma and discrimination in college, the limitations of physical space on college campuses, perceptions of …

A Quantitative Study Of Perceived Fitness And Nutrition Levels Of Secondary Educators In Relation To Their Overall Job Satisfaction Program At A Private Midwestern University, Jessica Arico

Dissertations

The profession of education traditionally embodies an idea of educating children on math, science, social studies, and English along with other elective course areas. In recent decades, however, the burnout rates and mental health of educators have become a subject of media attention and the basis for many new professional development programs. The one element wholly ignored in this space is the physiological wellbeing of educators and the impact physical health has on mental health and job satisfaction. This study set out to provide a baseline for beginning the discussion and future research on the physiological impact on educators and …

Differences In Internalized Weight Stigma And The Treatment Of Clients In Larger Bodies Among Mental Health And Medical Professionals, Alexis Dosal

Dissertations

Weight is a complex interaction of several factors, including genetics, environment, adverse childhood experiences, culture, physiology, and emotional circumstances (Hale, 2019). By solely considering the categories of food consumption and individual activity, the belief of personal responsibility and controllability is perpetuated, which may lead to intentional or unintentional harm within interpersonal interactions and throughout medical services (Nutter et al., 2020). Weight bias refers to “stereotypes, negative attitudes, and discriminatory behavior toward individuals with larger bodies” (Nutter et al., 2020). Weight bias can be displayed as discomfort around those in larger bodies, holding beliefs that fat people are lazy or unattractive, …

If You Don’T Live By The Sea, You Won’T Talk About Sailing: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach Of The Polish Immigrant Experience In Chicago And The Acculturation Of Racial Beliefs, Monica Zabinski

Dissertations

There has been a steady increase in research and focus on defining and understanding racism and the role it plays in the ongoing inequality and inequity between individuals of White descent and individuals who are Black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). However, little research has focused on what changes with racial beliefs when individuals immigrate between various countries where racism, discrimination, and racial beliefs may appear differently. Our objective was to increase our understanding of how the acculturation process may impact or change racial beliefs over time. Our research sought participants of Polish descent in the Chicagoland area and …

Investigating The Differences Between Neuropsychological And Physiological Markers In A Ptsd-Only Group Among Vietnam Veterans, Ashtan Madsen

Dissertations

Individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have demonstrated extinction-resistant symptoms and long-lasting impacts on the brain’s functional activity (Krystal et al., 2017; Stark et al., 2015). PTSD illustrates a strong relationship with cognitive functioning, and research has found lower parietal and hippocampal volume and deterioration in brain function and structure, resulting in executive dysfunction, attentional deficits, mood dysregulation, and memory difficulties (Krystal et al., 2017; Stark et al., 2015; Weiner et al. 2017). Sleep has been investigated to better understand its contribution to AD pathologies as well as its impact on PTSD treatment and prognosis. Although sleep’s functions are …

Impact Of Physical Inactivity On Glucose Metabolism And Skeletal Muscle Secretions In Healthy Trained Rats And Potential Counteracting Effect Of Exercise And Protocatechuic Acid, Hira Shakoor

Dissertations

Modern societies have significantly transformed people's lifestyles, leading to a substantial increase in physical inactivity, which concerns 23% of adults and 81% of adolescents worldwide. Physical inactivity is a major factor contributing to the emergence of chronic diseases, most prominently Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), which exhibits a high prevalence in many countries. T2D is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to cells’ responsiveness to insulin. The shift towards inactivity likely occurred more rapidly than the genome's capacity to adapt, resulting in the metabolic dysfunctions underlying the development of T2D. Skeletal muscle is crucial in the onset of these metabolic …

Predicting Nurse Faculty Intent To Stay: A Quantitative Study Of Contributing Factors And Their Influence, Erica Frost

Dissertations

The United States faces a shortage of nursing faculty members, impacting the nation's ability to meet the demand for more nurses in the workforce. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predicted nurse faculty members' intent to stay in academe. Dozens of factors were identified in the literature and grouped using Herzberg's (1966) motivation-hygiene theory of job satisfaction. An online questionnaire was administered to 402 full-time prelicensure baccalaureate nursing faculty in the United States. The survey measured personal, job, and organizational factors including demographics, emotional intelligence, resilience, educational preparation, self-efficacy, mentoring and orientation, interpersonal relationships, and satisfaction …

Examining Abu Dhabi And Dubai Teachers’ Confidence In Using High-Leverage Practices To Meet The Needs Of Students With Special Educational Needs And Disabilities, Amani Ahmed Abdalla

Dissertations

Research indicates that teachers’ confidence level significantly influences the adoption and successful implementation of research-based and high-leverage practices (HLPs). The purpose of this study was five-fold: a) examine Abu Dhabi and Dubai teachers' confidence level in using the HLPs to meet the needs of pupils of determination (POD), b) examine the effects of the demographic variables on teachers' confidence in using HLPs, c) understand the influence of the tenets of the HLPs on the instruction andassessment practices, d) understand the influence of demographics variables (teachers’ work location, gender, age, experience, level of teaching, subject, experience teaching POD, professional development (PD), …

Predictors Of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy In Nfl Players: A Meta Analysis Review, Eisha Vora

Dissertations

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that emerges as a result of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury and has been studied within athletes of all sports. Repetitive blows to the brain are associated with many pathological changes and an emergence of tau pathology, all of which can lead to presentation with cognitive dysfunction, behavioral changes, and further motor decline in the later stages. After passing the inclusion criteria, a meta-analysis comprising four articles was computed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 3. Two hypotheses were examined: (a) the earlier the age of exposure to football, the greater the likelihood …

Trauma Mediating The Severity Of Depressive Symptoms In Veterans With Ptsd, Meghan Curtin

Dissertations

Trauma serves as a risk factor for developing both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine trauma type as a mediator in the relationship between gender and severity of depressive symptoms among veterans with PTSD. The literature shows trauma type plays a role in developing PTSD and depressive symptoms. The first hypothesis was that female veterans who met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD would report higher levels of depressive symptoms than their male counterparts. The second hypothesis was that this gender difference would be partly mediated by levels of interpersonal trauma experience. Self-report …

Apoe Risk Disclosure: A Review Of Positive And Negative Outcome, Stacey Rowcliffe

Dissertations

Two of this century’s most significant healthcare challenges are Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, with 40 million people suffering from the diseases. In fact, a conservative estimate projects that both conditions will double every 20 years until 2050. Alzheimer’s disease involves memory impairment, disorientation, confusion, and various problematic behaviors. Presently, no prevention method or cure has been discovered for Alzheimer’s. Mild cognitive impairment typically includes problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment beyond those typical of one’s age. Usually, these symptoms do not interfere with daily activities but do not improve and have been linked with a risk of …