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Extubation Readiness Test In A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Mary K. Holyoke

Dissertations

Extubation Readiness Test in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Problem: The lack of standard extubation readiness tests (ERTs), that are practiced in pediatric ICUs to monitor extubation readiness, clinicians have the difficult task of weighing the risk versus benefit of extubation. ERTs can aid clinicians in deciphering patients ready to be successfully extubated and have shown to decrease length of mechanical ventilation and decrease extubation failures.

Methods: The quality improvement (QI) project utilized a descriptive observational design to assess the effects of the implementation of an ERT in a pediatric cardiac ICU. This project used a convenience sample …

Self-Care, Resilience, Self-Compassion, And Burnout In Doctoral Nursing Students: An Exploratory Needs Assessment, Logan Justice

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: In the United States, one in three nurses experience symptoms of burnout, and doctoral nursing students are additionally challenged to juggle multiple school, work, and life demands (Reith, 2018; Woo et al., 2020). The purpose of this project was to explore the current self-care practices of doctoral nursing students to understand how self-care relates to resilience and burnout.

Methods: This exploratory needs assessment utilized a convenience sample of Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) nursing students at a medium sized midwestern university. An electronic data collection survey was constructed to assess student self-care practices, …

Effect Of Confusion Assessment Scores On Identifying Delirium In Intensive Care Patients, Kayla Jacobs

Dissertations

Delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients can lead to increased length of stay in the hospital, increased risk of complications, increased polypharmacy, family distress and increased rate of mortality (Vasilevskis et al., 2018). Research has shown that addressing modifiable risk factors can improve survival rate by up to 15%, and routine screening for delirium in ICU patients leads to decreased patient anxiety, reduced in-hospital mortality, early recognition, and treatment of delirium (Krewulak et al., 2021 ; Vasilevskis et al., 2018). This quality improvement project used evidence-based intervention to increase accurate documentation of the confusion assessment method in the ICU …

Physical And Psychological Effects Of Qigong Exercise In Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Exploratory Study, Pei-Shiun Chang

Dissertations

Older adults need exercise programs that correspond to age-related changes. Qigong exercise, a type of Chinese traditional medicine exercise, is a gentle low-impact exercise and is safe for older adults. Qigong interventions have resulted in improved psychological well-being, muscle strength, flexibility and balance in Asian adults with chronic conditions. However, little data are available on the effects of Qigong exercise on older adults' health in the United States. The purpose of the study was to explore feasibility, adherence, and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week Qigong exercise intervention in community-dwelling older adults in the United States.

(Post)Modern Asymmetry: Calibrating The Adult Education Philosophy And Practices Of Faculty Teaching Interdisciplinary Studies In The Community College, Jeremy Dennis

Dissertations

In adult education, the term interdisciplinarity is often treated as an agent for transforming teaching, learning, and research. This appreciation of the concept proliferates despite the fact that its actualization often supports competing interpretations and practices. Many adult educators are unaware of the distinctions made among instrumental, conceptual, and critical interdisciplinarity and the philosophical traditions employed to legitimate their different trajectories. To address these concerns and others, scholars such as Lattuca (2001) have advanced a postmodern conceptualization of interdisciplinarity and introduced a supporting theoretical framework to clarify its character and modes of operation. However, she omitted community college faculty from …

Spirituality, Religiosity, And Perceived Ability To Provide Spiritual Care In Nursing Students, Shannon O'Connell-Persaud

Dissertations

The objective of this study was to explore nursing students' spirituality, religiosity, and perceived ability to provide spiritual care.

Determinants Of Spiritual Well-Being In Adults Newly Diagnosed With Heart Failure: Primary Palliative Care Applied, Valerie Joy Smith

Dissertations

Guided by Roy's Adaptation Model (Roy, 2009) and using a descriptive, correlational, comparative design, sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, race, marital status, income), coping, primary palliative care (PPC, spiritual needs, social support, decision-making [DM] engagement, psychological support, PPC information and education provision, goals of care discussion, and care coordination across settings and times), spiritual well-being (SWB), and advance directive (AD) completion in response to living with a HF diagnosis within the previous 12 months were described and the potential relationships and differences between the variables explored.

The Impact Of Collaboration, Problem Solving, And Creativity On Computer Programming Education For Middle School Girls, Amanda Meek

Dissertations

Despite high scores and abilities, girls lose interest in science and math throughout middle school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the computer science research field will grow 19% by 2026; however, only 18% of the bachelor’s degrees in computer science are earned by women in the United States (ComputerScience.org, 2021). New technology and inventions are being created without the benefit of more diverse perspectives and input from females. There is a need to engage girls and maintain their interest throughout middle school and beyond. Additional research needs to be conducted about the impact and best practices …

Developing A Professional Working Theory Through Critical Reflection, Fiona Timmins

Dissertations

In keeping with the University guidelines and current literature on the topic this portfolio is an intense and personal document that resembles an autobiography of my professional life. Reflection and analysis form key components of the portfolio development. The task of demonstrating coherence and continuity between publications and projects is an inherent challenge of the portfolio route. I developed this portfolio as a collection of evidence of both the products and processes of learning that attests to my personal and professional development and achievement. The products are demonstrated within my two main projects (Timmins 2002 page 131, Timmins 2005 page …

The Impact Of Offense Type, Race, And Disclosure On Perceptions Of Employability: Can Bias Towards Hiring A Person With A Criminal History Be Mitigated?, Rheanna Lee Standridge

Dissertations

Individuals with a prior criminal history experience many barriers in the reintegration process, including their ability to gain stable employment. Finding employment for this population is especially important in reducing potential of recidivism. However, research has demonstrated that returning residents experience negative attitudes from employers which are exacerbated by pre-existing stereotypes. Because returning residents are often stereotyped, research suggests that the fear of finding employment is confounded by how they disclose their criminal history to hiring managers. Further, previous research suggests that hiring decisions are impacted by not only offender status, but also by their offense type and race. Although …

Development And Psychometric Performance Of The Family Willingness For Caregiving Scale (Fwcs), Cindy A. Wilk

Dissertations

Family members and close friends of ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation often sit helpless at the bedside. Participation in care of their loved one may improve adaptation to the stressful situation and better prepare them for caregiving after discharge. The primary aim of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Family Willingness for Caregiving Scale (FWCS). The impetus for scale development was the lack of a valid instrument to measure caregiver willingness of family members for the ICU patient. The Facilitated Sensemaking Model (FSM) and adapted Psychosocial Assessment Model (PAM) provided the theoretical foundation for …

Effectiveness Of Simulation-Based Case Studies In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Kesha T. Becnel

Dissertations

An ever-changing healthcare landscape requires today's nurses to have a solid foundation in knowledge and clinical judgment to provide safe care to patients. Nurse educators must implement teaching strategies that help develop the knowledge and clinical judgment that nursing students will need upon graduation and entry into healthcare. Simulation-based experiences have been shown to help develop clinical judgment when used as part of a clinical practicum. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of simulation-based experiences as a classroom teaching strategy.

Debriefing For Meaningful Learning: Fostering Development Of Clinical Reasoning Through Simulation, Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst

Dissertations

There is a critical need for faculty, a shortage of clinical sites, and an emphasis on quality and safety initiatives that drive increasing use of simulation in nursing education. Debriefing is an essential component of simulation, yet faculty are not consistently prepared to facilitate it such that meaningful learning, demonstrated through clinical reasoning, occurs from the experience. The purpose of this exploratory, quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test study was to discover the effect of the use of a simulation teaching strategy, Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML), on the development of clinical reasoning in nursing students.

Family Dining: Food And Drink In The Sopranos – A Gastrocritical Approach, Lisa Davies

Dissertations

This thesis uses gastrocriticism to explore food and drink in the 86 episodes of the long-form narrative HBO television series The Sopranos. Gastrocriticism is an emerging branch of literary criticism that draws on scholarship from a range of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology and cultural studies. A deeper understanding of the series was gained by using a structured framework of enquiry to explore narrative, setting, characterisation and genre through the lens of food and foodways. The Sopranos is a story of an Italian-American crime family and food is abundant in the series and bound up with the identity of …

Student Engagement And The Impact Of Successful Completion In A Virtual Alternative Program, Nicole Almiria Davis

Dissertations

The focus of this study was to examine the correlation between student engagement and successful completion of online alternative courses during the summer session from June 2022 through July 2022. The research questions focused on the difference in engagement levels between students who completed the course and those who did not complete the course. The study was motivated by the growing importance of alternative online programming in education. This study also aimed to fill gaps in existing research that failed to directly connect student engagement to the success of online programs. The findings provide valuable insights for school leaders, teachers, …

Moving Forward With Music To Promote Student Growth: A Mixed Methods Study With 9th-Grade Algebra 1 Students, Willie Mae Dean

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate what effect music had on student achievement and student behavior during independent practice time for 9th-grade Algebra 1 students. Benchmark assessments from the participating district, a focus group of six students, and four in-person teacher interviews provided the data for this study. The beginning-of-year Galileo Algebra 1 benchmark assessment was used as a baseline for the study. Algebra 1 teachers were asked to participate in one of three ways, to play teacher-selected music, to allow students to listen to their own music, or allow no music to be played during …

Trust, Levels Of Functioning, And The Plc Process In A Midwest Middle School: A Case Study, Nancy Fuchs

Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the connections between professional learning communities (PLCs), trust, and targeted interventions to promote increased functioning within adult groups. In contemporary education environments, collaborative efforts and shared decision-making became integral to achieving organizational goals. However, adult groups faced challenges such as communication breakdowns, conflicts, and lack of cohesion, impeding collective efficacy.

The study critically analyzed the theoretical foundations of PLCs and the potential to foster professional growth and collaboration. PLCs were characterized by ongoing learning, reflective dialogue, and a shared commitment to improvement. By providing a structured framework, PLCs offered opportunities for individuals to engage in meaningful interactions, …

Does Convenience Come With A Price? The Impact Of Remote Testimony On Expert Credibility And Decision-Making, Ashley Jones

Dissertations

Legal cases involving expert testimony, especially by forensic mental health professionals, is increasingly relying on remote testimony to reduce associated costs and increase availability of such services. There is some evidence to show that expert testimony delivered via videoconference (VC) is comparable to expert testimony delivered in person; however, the most compelling evidence for this claim is unpublished. Other evidence across disciplines showed relative comparability between VC and in-person modalities across various types of outcomes. Based on both unpublished and published findings, this study tested the hypothesis that minimal differences in measures of expert credibility, efficacy, and weight assigned to …

Racial Differences In The Strong Black Woman Schema And Its Relationship To Health Behaviors And Perseverance, Raegan Bishop

Dissertations

Black women face a number of poor health outcomes, with 50% of Black women 20 years and older suffering from cardiovascular disease, and a diabetes incidence rate that is almost double that of White women. Health behaviors like physical activity, diet, and stress management can assist in reducing the onset and worsening of these diseases. However, Black women are less likely to engage in these behaviors compared to women of other races. Additionally, even when Black women do engage in positive health behaviors, they see fewer positive results than White women. One potential influencer in the complex relationship that Black …

Psychological Needs Satisfaction In Teaching: A Mixed Methods Analysis On The Impact Of Evaluation Systems On Teacher Intrinsic Motivational Outcomes Using Self-Determination Theory, Matt Gaglio

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between psychological need satisfaction, motivational regulators, and intrinsic motivational outcomes regarding teacher evaluation systems related to the self-determination theory. The study consisted of 144 participants from two school districts and 18 school buildings. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling showed that psychological need satisfaction positively predicted autonomous motivation and in turn, positively predicted enjoyment and pressure, while also negatively predicting value. Psychological need satisfaction also negatively predicted controlled motivation with autonomy and competence, but positively predicted relatedness. Controlled motivation positively predicted enjoyment, but negatively predicted pressure and value. Twenty …

Hippocampal Volume And The Detection Of Mild Cognitive Impairment In An Older Adult Population: Assessing Performance On Cognitive Screeners Administered In-Person And Electronically, Kristen Fabrizi

Dissertations

The present study investigated how performance on in-person and electronic neuropsychological assessment measures predicted subcortical hippocampal volume and cognitive decline consistent with mild cognitive impairment. It was hypothesized that the Montreal Cognitive Assessment would display better predictive strength than the Cogstate Brief Battery when evaluating subcortical hippocampal volume measured via structural magnetic resonance imaging. It was further hypothesized that the Montreal Cognitive Assessment would be more sensitive to predicting group membership to the diagnostic classification of mild cognitive impairment compared to the Cogstate Brief Battery. The sample included 445 older adult participants selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 3. …

Foster Parent Knowledge And The Need For Information - Sharing Technology, Amy Lynne Averbuch

Dissertations

In 2023, the United States child welfare system suffers from disorganization, role ambiguity, and deficient transparency. With 12 contempt of court strikes for the system’s Director in 2022, it is clear why child welfare actors are unable to successfully perform. Foster parents, a key stakeholder in the proper care of children, report being unable to successfully perform because they are raising children with significant needs and trauma while having to locate and navigate child welfare system laws, policies, and procedures on their own. The purpose of this research project was to 1 ) identify whether foster parents know who is …

Near-Ir Spectroscopic Analysis Of The Primary Volatile Composition Of Long And Short-Period Comets, Younas Khan

Dissertations

Comets are among the most well-preserved objects that formed in the protosolar nebula ∼4.5 Gyr ago. Hence, they are important for understanding various aspects of the formation, evolution, and habitability of the solar system. Multiple primary volatiles (molecules directly sublimating into the coma from the nucleus) emit via rovibrational transitions in the near-IR, providing opportunities to calculate their abundances. To date, only ∼50 comets have been characterized for their primary volatiles, with the short-period Jupiter-family comets (JFCs) being significantly underrepresented. In contrast, hundreds of comets have been sampled at optical/UV wavelengths, primarily for the composition of daughter species, leading to …

Understanding The Structure And Dynamics Of Conjugated Polymers By Deuteration And Neutron Scattering, Zhiqiang Cao

Dissertations

Semiconducting conjugated polymers (CPs) open opportunities to develop a new generation of lightweight, printable, low-cost, deformable, and large-area electronic devices. CPs are characterized by complex chain dynamics and heterogeneous molecular structure with large degrees of conformational freedom.

Chain conformation (i.e., chain rigidity and local backbone planarity) dictates the delocalized electron cloud along the polymer backbone which greatly influences the optical and electronic properties of conjugated polymers. For the first time, we indicate that using variable-temperature scattering and spectroscopy characterizations allows confirmation of the single-chain state to measure the molecular chain conformations. We found a critical role of side chains and …

Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Experiences With Online Case-Based Learning (Cbl) During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jessica Verplaetse

Dissertations

In spring 2020, in-person learning for nursing students was canceled in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. All courses, including clinical courses, abruptly transitioned to online formats. A significant gap in the literature exists regarding baccalaureate (BSN) nursing students' experiences with online learning during this timeframe. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore BSN students' experiences with online learning during the spring 2020 semester.

Social Spaces, Places, And Substance Use In Shaping Queer Identities, Alessandra Milagros Early

Dissertations

Research has suggested that queer people may be more likely than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts to use substances. Largely, these higher rates are commonly explained through frameworks of victimization or (ab)use that render substance use as a form of coping or inherently problematic. While some queer people do use substances to cope, the social spaces, places, and contexts in which use often occurs are often obscured or ignored. More recently, contemporary queer criminologists have explored queer substance use and have considered how it is intimately linked to social space, place, identity formation, and community building. This dissertation draws from queer …

Vicarious Learning And Perceived Self-Efficacy Among Pre-Licensure Nursing Students During Pediatric End-Of-Life Situations, Stephanie Clark

Dissertations

Despite decades of acknowledgement among nursing academics and organizations, end-of-life (EOL) nursing education is significantly lacking. Insufficient EOL care education leaves nursing students feeling ill-prepared to adequately care for clients and their loved ones at EOL. Though the literature reveals a recent increase in didactic and simulation-related EOL education sporadically being integrated into nursing curricula, minimal research addresses important topics of pediatric EOL care and provision of therapeutic communication, considered critical to EOL care. End-of-life clinical experiences, particularly in pediatrics, are limited for pre-licensure nursing students. Though effective, simulations can be costly and timely to execute, are restricted by limited …

Online Education: Benefits And Challenges For Refugee Students, Roza Badritdinova

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Currently, only 3% of refugees are pursuing higher education opportunities compared to the 37% higher education participation rate globally. There is an urgent need for quality academic work to leave behind the endless descriptive accounts of refugee life and move toward identifying effective strategies and successful solutions that could facilitate the integration of refugees into higher education. Technology has proffered some hope in providing access to public education for marginalized populations. This study looked specifically at how one online education organization attempts to address refugee education and multiple barriers that prevent the majority of the world’s university-age refugee youth …

The Relationships Between And Among Parental Perceptions Of Family-Centered Care, Parental Beliefs, And Parental Stress In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Kelly Keefe-Marcoux

Dissertations

Children hospitalized for critical care require increasingly complex and technical care, which can be very stressful for parents. Awareness of the importance of parents' role while their child is receiving critical care is vital to deliver care within a family-centered philosophy that is mutually beneficial to parents and nurses. This descriptive correlational study examined the relationships between and among parental perception of Family-Centered Care (FCC) nursing practices, parental beliefs regarding their role and their hospitalized child, and parental stress during their child's admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This study utilized the Family-Centered Care theoretical framework to examine …

Evaluating Middle School English Language Learners’ Science And Literacy Proficiency, Yasemin Ozkaya

Dissertations

The academic success and English proficiency of ELL students are receiving more attention as a result of the growing number of ELL students and the demand for accountability and assessment in education. It is widely accepted that ELL students struggle on state standardized tests because they lack the cognitive academic language abilities needed to succeed on extensive subject evaluations (Thakkar, 2013). According to Abedi and Dietel, ELLs' academic performance lags behind that of other segments of population, and the attainment gap reduces only slightly over time (2004).

The NWEA archival data of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who attended …