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Caring For A Family Member With Dementia: Collectivism And Individualism As Predictors Of Caregiver Burden, Christina Wawrowski

Dissertations

Caregiver burden, often associated with physical, emotional, and financial strain, is a significant concern for family members who are providing care to their loved ones. This study involved exploring the experiences of serving as a caregiver to a family member with dementia to better understand the relationship of collectivistic and individualistic orientations with perceived caregiver burden, while considering the level of social support and dementia severity. The research involved a quantitative approach, administering the Individualism and Collectivism Scale (Cultural Orientation Scale), the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the Functional Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic survey …

Exploring Psychology Graduate Students’ Desire And Ability To Discuss Their Personal Trauma History With Clinical Supervisors, Madeleine Lane

Dissertations

Inspired by the archetype of the “wounded healer,” described by Carl Jung as a psychologist who enters the field with psychological wounds of their own, and the prevalence of such wounded healers in the mental health field today, this study aimed to explore clinical psychology doctoral students’ experiences of self-disclosure of their personal trauma history, a specific type of psychological wound, in clinical supervision. The goal was to explore whether and how students’ trauma history is discussed in clinical supervision; the importance of such discussions for students’ professional and personal development; and the impact of having or not having …

Studies On Molecular And Morphological Evolution And Biogeography Of Squids, Abigail M. Pratt

Dissertations

The cephalopod clade Decapodiformes consists of Spirulida (ram’s horn squid), Sepiolida (bobtail squids), Sepiida (cuttlefishes), Myopsida (inshore squids), and Oegopsida (oceanic squids). While many unanswered questions remain regarding this clade, a thorough examination requires a multi-level taxonomic approach due to uneven data coverage within. This dissertation explores a diverse set of topics in decapodiform evolution and biogeography with a hierarchical approach, starting with the “superorder” Decapodiformes, moving to the “order” Oegopsida, and finally zooming in to the family level with Pyroteuthidae. addressing four main questions: 1) Does RNA editing affect the use of transcriptomics in cephalopod phylogenetics? 2) What is …

Examining Novice Teacher’S Perspectives On Mentoring Programs And Their Influence On Attrition, Lakeisha Ector

Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the perspectives of novice teachers on mentoring programs and their influence on attrition. Mentoring programs present opportunities for skilled educators to teach, sponsor, encourage and advise novices, improving their personal and professional development. The research determines whether mentoring and induction programs strengthen teacher efficacy and their influence on attrition rates. The study is rooted in constructivism, which seeks to develop an understanding and knowledge of individuals through their experiences and reflection. The research employs an inductive and deductive approach, facilitating pattern and theme identification. The study involves nine participants – novice teachers – from Martin-Ellison County …

Respiratory Treatments In Post-Covid Patients To Improve Physical Activity, Pamela Tarver

Dissertations

A significant number of individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID) developed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), causing respiratory dysfunction which led to decreased functional capacity. This project aimed to evaluate the project site's archival data for post-COVID patients to determine whether respiratory treatments improved physical activity, as evidenced by the results of the pre and post 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels. The Donabedian quality model was utilized to evaluate the resources, the interventions, and the outcomes of post-COVID patients.

Implementing A Tai Chi Exercise Program To Prevent Falls In Long-Term Care, Angela F. Miles

Dissertations

Falls can be a frequent occurrence in older adults residing in long-term care facilities. At the project site there was no systematic process to impact falls, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Li et al.'s research utilizing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) exercise in conjunction with the current fall risk assessment would impact fall rates among older adults over a 12-week period in an urban Georgia long term care facility. Betty Neuman's systems theory and Kurt Lewin's change model provided the scientific underpinnings …

Beyond The Classroom Walls: Examining Educational And Social Outcomes Of Cross-Curricular Peer Observation In Secondary Schools, Jacinda Miller

Dissertations

This qualitative case study involved a sample of middle school teachers participating in a cross-curricular peer observation of teaching (POT) program. The study aimed to explore the experiences of these teachers in the POT program, focusing on its impact on teaching pedagogy and partner relationships. Data collection methods included a demographic questionnaire, writing prompts, feedback forms, observation of feedback meetings, interviews, and a researcher journal. The findings demonstrated that cross-curricular peer observations are perceived as an effective form of professional development among this group of middle school teachers, benefiting both the observer and the observed. Participants acquired and implemented new …

Emailed Prompt Package To Increase Alternative School Educators’ Use Of Behavior Specific Praise, Chelsea Johnson

Dissertations

Alternative school educators are often placed in alternative education settings with minimal training or support to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom. To combat this, school-based consultation may be provided to assist alternative school educators with classroom management strategies. However, face-to-face consultation may be limited due to the numerous responsibilities placed on school-based consultants. Behavior specific praise (BSP) is a strategy that is recommended, but often provided at low rates. To address these barriers, previous literature has examined the use of emailed prompts to increase treatment integrity, feasibility, and acceptability of a variety of evidence-based interventions. A concurrent multiple baseline …

A Comparison Of Instructor Audio-Video With Text-Based Feedback Versus Text-Based Feedback Alone On Students' Perceptions Of Community Of Inquiry Among Rn-To-Bsn Online Students, Marie K. Lindley

Dissertations

In order to meet the healthcare needs of the US population, Registered Nurses (RNs), with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, are needed. This descriptive posttest study, with independent samples, examined the use of audio-video with text-based feedback versus text-based only feedback on student's perceptions of the community of inquiry (COI) among RN-BSN online students (n=125), enrolled in one course at one university. The COI survey performed reliably with Cronbach's alpha .94 on the pretest and .98 on the posttest. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups on the pretest for teaching presence (p=.31), …

Perspectives Of An Automotive Technician And Automotive Technician Educator: An Autoethnography, Christopher E. Reynolds Sr.

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore automotive technician and automotive technician educator’s obstacles and expectations they faced during their educational and occupational endeavors. Constructivism and social constructivism were used as theoretical frameworks. Autoethnography was the selected qualitative research method. Using an interpretive process, several convergent topics were identified: education encouraging professional interests, professional obstacles, challenging normalcies, training and educating automotive technicians, the drive for professional certification, bridging the gap between industry and education, experience, patience, and exposure.

Several methods are recommended to help future automotive technicians and automotive technician educators overcome obstacles they might face, which include the …

An Analysis Of Teachers’ Viewpoints From Public, Private, And Charter Schools On Effective Lesson Planning And Instruction, Samone Smith

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perspectives of elementary school educators in St. Louis, Missouri, regarding impactful lesson planning and instruction across public, charter, and private school settings. Drawing on existing literature and empirical data, the study seeks to unveil the approaches and perceptions teachers hold towards lesson planning, shedding light on essential characteristics for effective teaching. The introductory chapter sets the stage by presenting the significance and purpose of the study, framing research questions, and outlining the methodology. The following chapters explore the theories, review the literature, and analyze collected data to help us understand lesson planning practices in modern education. …

Depression Screenings In Older Adult Primary Care Patients: A Pilot Study, Karissa A. Rodriguez

Dissertations

Depression is a profound problem among people of all ages, but it is especially prevalent in older adults aged 65 and older. Identification and diagnosis of depression are obtained through screenings.

This project aimed to increase the frequency of depression screenings at all primary care office visits and analyze the agreement between the depression screening tools, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), when assessing depression in older adult primary care patients ages 65 and older. Theoretical Framework: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is a problem-solving model used to create change and adapt to a project's needs. …

The Development And Testing Of An Instrument To Measure Perceptions Of Body Art Among Nurse Educators And Nursing Students, Deana M. Nunes

Dissertations

Increasing diversity in the nursing workforce is a national priority to better care for a diverse patient population and minimize healthcare disparities. Nurse educators teach students to practice with compassion and respect, recognizing the dignity, worth, individual choice, and unique attributes of all patients. Perceptions of nursing professionalism are heavily influenced by appearance. Many nursing programs restrict visible body art in their dress code policies based on long-held notions and negative stereotypes of individuals with body art. Shouldn't nursing students who choose to have body art receive the same respect and lack of judgment? A better understanding of nurse educators' …

Exploring Students' Perceptions And Experiences Of Faculty Caring In The Undergraduate Classroom In A Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Sheila M. Garilli

Dissertations

Academic nurse educators' use of caring attributes in the classroom could impact students' educational journey. Educators are leaders who should model caring behaviors toward their students. This role modeling will empower students to demonstrate these caring behaviors toward their patients. A literature review discovered a gap surrounding the study of faculty caring in the classroom. This research study explored students' perceptions and experiences of faculty caring in the undergraduate classroom in two traditional baccalaureate nursing programs. This study utilized a qualitative descriptive method with purposeful sampling and in-person recruitment at two universities in a Northeastern state in the United States. …

The Implementation Of A Care And Communication Bundle For End-Of-Life Patients, Brendalee Carty Obiorah

Dissertations

Research studies have noted an improvement in end-of-life (EOL) patient's quality of life (QOL) from hospice. However, little research has been conducted to explore how the involvement of hospice care affects those in an assisted living facility (ALF). The purpose of this quantitative, pre and post-test quasi experimental design DPI project was to see to what degree a relationship exists between the care and communication bundle (independent variable) implementation and QOL (dependent variable) for 20 EOL patients on hospice in an ALF in Central Georgia. Jean Watson theory of caring and the theoretical domains framework (TDF) guided this project. The …

Perceptions Of Graduate Nurse Practitioner Faculty On The Use Of Simulation In Lieu Of Traditional Clinical Hours, Virginia Strong

Dissertations

Simulation in undergraduate nursing curriculum has been identified as an effective and safe substitution for the traditional clinical experience; however, graduate nurse education programs could not substitute clinical hours with simulation-based education. These clinical hours required NP students to provide direct face-to-face patient care. Simulation had wide variability in the number of hours utilized within each specialty. NONPF discussed the use of simulation, as it pertains to the curriculum of the NP student on more than one occasion and concluded its impact on NP education was a potential alternative to traditional clinical experiences. Studies indicated that graduate nursing students enjoy …

Power And Control In Medicine And Nursing - Could Intrinsic Gender Beliefs Impact Interprofessional Education In Pre-Professional Programs?, Catherine Christine Delant

Dissertations

Examination of the power dynamics at work in perpetuating health care hierarchy-related interprofessional collaboration barriers is needed to rationally develop strategies for teaching collaborative skills to health care providers. A mixed-methods study employing critical realist grounded theory examined the implicit beliefs, assumptions and power hierarchies related to gendered perceptions of the professions of nursing and medicine by students of those professions.

How Does Vr Affect Motivation, Engagement, Performance And Student Interest In High School Science?, Ann Marie Carrier

Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of virtual reality (VR) on high school science students' motivation, engagement, performance, and interest in STEM disciplines. Building on Huang et al. (2021), this research replicates and extends their findings, focusing on how different levels of VR immersion influence learning outcomes. The study aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, 123 high school students experienced varying levels of immersive VR via the Titans of Space Plus app on Meta Quest 2 headsets and desktop computers. Study population included 55% males, 45% minorities, and …

Evaluation Of New Graduate Nursing Orentation Program, Elizabeth Arroyo

Dissertations

When a new graduate nurse enters the hospital for the first time the feeling is intense, and intimidation is at an all-time high. The fact that everyone in the unit knows there is a new nurse is worrisome for often the phrase "nurses eat their young" is a thought that overwhelms so many new nurses. The hospital located in central Florida has a 16-week orientation program that has been in effect for three years, but is facing negative results. The job turnover rates in the hospital from new graduate nurses is 70% in just one year (Lindfors & Junttila, 2014). …

Special Education Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Towards Inclusive Education, Mieke Kramer Tavares

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of special education preschool teachers in California regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms. Furthermore, the study examined the self-evaluation of these teachers regarding their abilities to support children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Last, the study aimed to identify additional factors that impact the attitudes of teachers towards including children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms.

Methodology: A mixed methods nonexperimental descriptive, sequential, convergent research design was employed. Data collection tools included surveys (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative). In Phase 1, dependent …

The Impact Of Hourly Safety Rounding On Pediatric Fall Rates, Natalie Doskal-Poe

Dissertations

The Impact of Hourly Safety Rounding on Pediatric Fall Rates

Abstract

Problem: Falls are a common adverse event in the inpatient pediatric setting and are a significant risk to patient safety. Environmental factors, such as unclear pathways, bed rails down, beds in high position, and call lights out of reach, are considered avoidable causes of patient falls. The site’s fall data in a 12-month period from January 2023 to January 2024 showed (n=9) patient falls occurred with (n=5, 55.6%) due to environmental factors. The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) pilot project was to assess the …

The Influence Of Misconceptions On Pedagogical Choices Of Secondary Science Teachers: An Embedded Case Study, Tracey Beyer

Dissertations

This case study, using phenomenography within science disciplines, examines how educators' experiences with misconceptions affect teaching methods in high school physics, chemistry, and biology. Based on constructivist and interpretive theories it highlights that personal experiences shape learning and involve continuously reconstructing knowledge. The shared misconceptions of 13 educators across science disciplines reveal how those experiences influenced both their content knowledge and instructional practices. The findings indicate that educators who openly acknowledge and learn from their past experiences with misconceptions are better equipped to recognize and address gaps in understanding, an asset to furthering student learning. This research highlights the importance …

Stepparenting And Schooling: Challenges, Reconstitutions, And Outsider Perceptions, Christopher Repa

Dissertations

This study examined the challenges stepparents face in schooling their high-school aged children. An analysis of how stepfamily formation can impact this process was also investigated. The sample included 13 families composed of one biological and one non-biological parent with at least one child between the ages of 14 and 18 who was currently attending high school. Stepparents were asked to share their experiences with other family members, the school, and the community as they related to the education of their stepchildren. The primary research focus was to identify difficulties and successes that stepparents encounter as they engage with schools …

Finding The Gut Microbiome Connection To The Risk Of Childhood Obesity Through An Examination Of Gut Microbiota Among Children In Los Angeles, California: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study, Cecille M. Basilio

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between gut microbiota composition and child obesity. The specific aims were to: 1) evaluate the impact of child obesity status on three related outcomes to be assessed by extracting DNA from children's stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: alpha diversity of gut microbiota composition, Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio, and abundance of SCFA-generating gut microbes between obese and non-obese school children; 2) compare the dietary habits and intakes between obese and non-obese school children; and 3) evaluate the association of body mass index differences in gut microbiota composition between obese and …

The Impacts Of Authentic Learning On Student Outcomes, Evan Sheppard, Cameron Conner

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the evolving American education system, emphasizing the role of authentic learning in bridging the gap between schooling and employment, especially in the context of the modern post-pandemic student. Authentic learning, characterized by hands-on activities and real-world applications, is posited as a solution to the skilled labor shortage impacting the economy. This study delves into the history and current practices of authentic learning, examining various programs and strategies implemented in educational settings. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, qualitative data was collected through interviews with recent high school graduates to assess the impact of authentic learning on their post-secondary trajectories. …

Evaluation Of Reported Level Of Clinical Confidence In Student Nurses Using Deliberate Practice, Leslie Kirkwood

Dissertations

Critical thinking and clinical reasoning, which support confidence in clinical decision-making of nurses, are still being developed during pre-licensure education. Nursing faculty in higher education are tasked with the challenge to increase the level of practice undergraduate nursing students experience during their program. The research question guiding this project was what effect does the use of deliberate practice with medication administration have on medical-surgical nursing II students regarding clinical confidence? The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to determine if the use of deliberate practice with nursing students by implementing weekly medication administration simulations would increase the level of …

Health-Promoting Behavior As A Predictor Of Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Faculty Intent To Remain In Academe, Felisa Haywood Smith

Dissertations

The purpose of this predictive study was to identify whether health-promoting behavior, as identified in the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), is a significant predictor for intent to remain in academe teaching in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs among nursing faculty at four-year institutions in the Southern region of the United States. Health-promoting behavior dimensions measured by the HPLP II are physical activity, health responsibility, nutrition, interpersonal relations, spiritual growth, and stress management.

Development And Evaluation Of A Nurse Practitioner-Directed Mindfulness Initiative Among Patients Diagnosed With Generalized Anxiety Disorder In An Outpatient Psychiatric Practice, Keilah B. Ford

Dissertations

This quality improvement project presents the impact of mindfulness intervention, such as guided meditation on anxiety levels in adult patients in a psychiatric outpatient practice.

Identifying Delirium In Hospitalized Patients Using Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, Christina S. Arockiam

Dissertations

Delirium is a sudden brain dysfunction that can affect the mental status of hospitalized adult patients. At the project site, there was no consistent screening tool for delirium, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Heinrich et al.'s research regarding Gaudreau et al.'s Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) would impact the identification of delirium and subsequent provider notification within 30 minutes among adult patients in an acute care hospital in urban California over eight weeks. Virginia Henderson's need theory and the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-based practice to …

Empowering Female Voices In The Ela Classroom, Jacqueline Gurliaccio Vance

Dissertations

This study aims to understand how women’s voices can be empowered in a high school English Language Arts (ELA) class. Through the use of female authors and female protagonists in the classroom texts, this study seeks to understand if implementing female-driven texts enhances female students’ literary experiences, empowers the personal identities of female students, and shapes female students’ perspectives of themselves and their peers. This case study includes female students in twelfth grade AP Literature class.