Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Providers' Education Of Patients In The Management Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Ruby A. Akuffo

Dissertations

Approximately 29.1 million individuals of all ages in the United States are affected by diabetes, amounting to 9.3% of the entire population (Adjei Boakye et al., 2018). Much research has been completed and is ongoing on type 2 diabetes mellitus. Numerous resources, including education in different languages, medications, and peer support, are available for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, patients may not be able to fully access these resources to manage the condition (Schillinger, Bullock, & Herman, 2022). The purpose of this evidence-based project was twofold: to increase provider education of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and …

Improving Nurse's Documentation In The Emergency Department, Jacqueline N. Wright-Cole

Dissertations

The appropriate documentation and effective hand-off communications are essential components for attaining and maintaining the continuity of quality care for patients in the emergency department. Despite global efforts and standards geared towards improving the accuracy and function of documentation, the issue of incomplete documentation and hand-off communication persist in the local emergency department. Incomplete documentation and handoff communications have been regarded as key factors of delayed patient care as well as discontinuation of care in the clinical setting. A detailed study conducted for evaluating the effectiveness and benefits of the Institute Healthcare Improvement SBAR guideline as a checklist on nurses' …

Using Personal Power To Overcome Self-Sabotage, Kelli Jakubik

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this sequential, explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe personal power tactics that California female school superintendents employ to overcome the four identified self-sabotaging behaviors from the self-sabotaging framework adapted from Lerner (2012) and Ryder and Briles (2003). Methodology: This sequential, explanatory mixed methods study identified and described the power tactics that eight female superintendents in a Southern California public school used to overcome the top four self-sabotaging behaviors: thinking too small, fear and worrying, holding back, and not taking time for reflection. Purposeful and convenience sampling was used to identify the participants. The …

The Use Of Personal Disruption Strategies By Female Executives In The Property Management Industry For Career Advancement, Lorri Oliver

Dissertations

Purpose: This explanatory mixed-method study aimed to identify and describe the perceived impact of Johnson and Mohr’s (2019) five disruptive career skills on female property managers’ advancement to executive leadership positions.

Methodology: This mixed method study identified and described the impact of the disruptive behaviors of eight female executives in the property management industry across the United States. The researcher gained a transparent view of female property management executives using quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Findings: Females who challenge and influence authority are more likely to challenge authority figures by providing indisputable facts and using influence tactics. Females are typically …

Licensed Nurse/Certified Nurse Aide Collaboration In The Nursing Home, Cynthia Beynon

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore how collaboration is perceived and experienced by the licensed nurse (LN) and the certified nurse aide (CNA) in the nursing home (NH) setting. Understanding perspectives and patterns in the process of LN/CNA collaboration is critical in the quest to secure safe, quality care delivery for NH residents.

Evidence Based Practice Among Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, Stephen Van Roper

Dissertations

This study describes primary care nurse practitioner (PCNP) beliefs in, knowledge, implementation and utilization of evidence based practice (EBP). Research questions answered are:

1. What are the levels of belief, implementation, knowledge and utilization of EBP among PCNPs?

2. Is there a relationship with PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice), belief, knowledge, implementation and utilization of EBP?

3. Do PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice) and scores on belief, knowledge and implementation influence EBP utilization?

Phenomenological Study On Adaptive Leadership During Times Of Great Change And Opportunity As Perceived By California Public School Superintendents In Los Angeles County School Districts, Darrin Deknikker

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe strategies used by superintendents of California public school districts in Los Angeles County to build an adaptive capacity based on the five key characteristics of adaptive leadership by Heifetz et al. (2009).

Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of superintendents serving in public school districts in Los Angeles County. Purposeful, convenience sampling was used to identify 10 participants who met the study’s criteria. The semi-structured, open-ended interview protocol was developed by a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors. Data collected from …

Life After Emancipation: A Phenomenological Study Of Emancipated Foster Youth And Their Lived Experiences, Felecia Gray

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of the current phenomenological study was to identify and describe the perceptions of emancipated foster youth (EFY) regarding the factors that have impacted their successful transition into adulthood. The secondary purpose of this study was to describe the measures EFY considers essential for a successful transition from foster care to independent living.

Methodology: This qualitative study identified and described the lived experiences of 12 emancipated foster youth from Los Angeles County, California. Respondents were purposively chosen based on specific criteria. Data were collected, and themes were formed with regard to five characteristics of the emerging adulthood theoretical …

Understanding Advanced Practice Nurses In Anesthesiology, Bradley Nielson

Dissertations

Determine the practice authority and professional legitimacy of safe and competent anesthesia administration, particularly the necessity of physician anesthesiologist oversight of certified registered nurse anesthesiologists and anesthesiologist assistants, necessitating the exploration of the education and background experiences that establish the diverse expertise and competencies among these anesthesia professionals.

Personal Disruption Strategies Used By Latina Superintendents For Career Advancement, Dina Hernandez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe the perceived impact of Johnson and Mohr’s (2013) five disruptive career skills on Latina superintendents’ advancement to an executive leadership position.

Methodology: Using an explanatory mixed methods approach, this research studied the experiences of eight Latina superintendents in California. Data was gathered through a combination of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Quantitative data involved collecting responses and calculating mean scores, while qualitative data was gathered through semi structured interviews. Combining quantitative and qualitative data allowed for an in-depth evaluation and the development of themes from survey …

Implementing Clinical Practice Guideline To Impact Postpartum Hemorrhage Among Immediate Postpartum Mothers, Teresa C. Okolo

Dissertations

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) can lead to untoward conditions in mothers following childbirth. At the project site there was no accurate method for measuring blood loss, resulting in the early identification of PPH, so an evidence-based solution was sought. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Quantitative Blood Loss (QBL) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) would impact blood loss within two hours post-delivery among mothers with a vaginal or cesarean delivery in an urban hospital in New York over four weeks. Kristen Swanson's theory of caring …

A Design Thinking Mixed Methods Study On Learned Empathy Through Multicultural Education, Samanantha Webb

Dissertations

The dissertation in practice focused on addressing the issue of inadequate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) competencies among teachers in a Title I school. The problem of practice emerged within the context of an increasingly diverse educational landscape, necessitating educators to possess robust DEI skills. The proposed solution was a professional development (PD) program, crafted using a design thinking approach, which included an asynchronous learning module supplemented by a book study. The comprehensive PD program was aimed at enhancing the teachers' understanding and application of DEI principles, making the prototype relevant to the demands of multicultural education in today’s diverse …

A Design-Based, Mixed Methodology Study On Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices Among Speech-Language Pathologists In A Midwestern School District, Sarah E. Schmid

Dissertations

As autism diagnosis increased (Maenner et al., 2023; Wright, 2017), autistic individuals increasingly advocated for services aligned with a neurodiversity perspective (Jordan, 2010; Leadbitter et al., 2021). Using a human centric, design-based approach, the researcher identified a lack of alignment between the emerging preferences of the autistic community and the services speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in a large, suburban special education school district felt competent in providing. Some SLPs in the district reported a lack of knowledge and training about the neurodiversity movement and felt further training on the topic was needed. Once the knowledge gap was identified, the researcher worked …

Adaptive Inter-Vehicular Collaboration For Level 5 Autonomous Driving, Sumbal Malik

Dissertations

The evolution of sensor technologies, mobile networks, and artificial intelligence has significantly expanded the horizons of various sectors, notably in autonomous driving. According to the World Health Organization, over 1.3 million people succumb to traffic accidents annually, predominantly due to human negligence. Complex urban environments, characterized by mixed traffic flow involving Human Driven Vehicles and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, intricate traffic patterns, frequent lane changes, and slow speeds, face escalating challenges related to traffic accidents and congestion. These challenges lead to wasted time, increased fuel consumption, and heightened pollution emission levels. Hence, the development of a safe and robust version …

Provider Review: Evaluating Individual Criteria To Support Cannabis Use Disorder, Nique Pichette

Dissertations

Evaluating Individual Criteria to Support Cannabis Use Disorder Diagnosis is an exploratory qualitative survey pilot study aimed to evaluate the current criteria for diagnosing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) by utilizing the DSM-V (2013) criteria and current research to establish an inclusive assessment of cannabis use. The Cannabis Assessment Reliability and Validity Evaluation (CARVE) provides a single, uniform data source as a cohesive and functional tool which can assess for appropriate and inappropriate cannabis use. Study participants were limited to healthcare providers licensed to diagnose CUD. The study aimed to answer the following research questions: 1) Could inappropriate and appropriate cannabis …

Professional Counselor's Experience Of Providing Clinical Services While Experiencing Adversity, Cambria Jovanna Mcdonald

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of professional counselors who provided clinical services while undergoing personal adversity. Despite the common belief that counselors are more equipped to handle personal adversity, counselors experience adversity alike others. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was the methodology implemented. Participants in this study consisted of six licensed professional counselors working at various clinical sites who continued to provide counseling services while experiencing an adverse event. Adverse events included the death of a loved one, marital concerns, family crises, divorce, infertility issues, and complex parenting situations. Findings revealed that all participants reported a …

Built Environment And Rural Women: A Case Study Approach, Jeanine E. Gangeness

Dissertations

Obesity is a worldwide concern resulting in disease and disability which disproportionately impacts women and rural populations. Rural women tend to be physically inactive and are at higher risk for obesity. The purpose of this case study was to describe and explain (1) the perceptions of rural women regarding rural built environments conducive to physical activity, and (2) what influences availability, accessibility, acceptability, and maintenance of these built environments for physical activity of rural women.

Exploring The Relationships Between Health Literacy And Hba1c In A Rural Border Region, Stephen Jaime

Dissertations

Aims/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between select sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, individual health literacy levels, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels among Hispanic patients with diabetes living in a rural border region.

Background: The frequency of complications from diabetes can increase as HbA1c levels rise, causing the person with diabetes to be at greater risk for blindness, amputation, or renal failure. Unfortunately, people of Hispanic background are at higher risk of developing diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Many people living in rural towns that border Mexico are of Hispanic background, increasing their risk of developing …

Towards A Servingness Advising Approach: From The Advisors’ Perspective At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Salvador Gomez-Pantoja

Dissertations

Research on student success is replete with studies showing that academic advisors play a vital role in shaping students' achievement, tenacity, and persistence (Hatch & Garcia, 2017; Hunter & White, 2004; Kuh et al., 2005; Kuhn, 2008; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Strayhorn, 2015). Using the multidimensional conceptual framework of servingness in HSIs (Garcia et al., 2019) as a lens, I conducted a collaborative action research study that examined an academic advising model that was recently launched at a large, public, four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of advisors who are part …

Developing An Instrument To Measure Group Dynamics Awareness: A Mixed Methods Study, John Weng

Dissertations

In a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, adaptive leaders are needed more than ever. Based on group relations programs developed by the Tavistock Institute, a pedagogy known as case-in-point has recently been brought to prominence and incorporated into leadership development programs. These methods claim to develop systems thinking and individuals’ leadership capacity with little prior empirical research.

This mixed methods exploratory study explored individual awareness of group dynamics, a key outcome in case-in-point programs, and adaptive leadership theory. The goal was to create an instrument to measure awareness of group dynamics: the Group Dynamics Awareness Questionnaire …

Verbal Abuse, Violence Prevention Climate, And Psychological Safety Among Pediatric Nurses, Donna Bigani

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships among demographic characteristics, verbal abuse, violence prevention climate, and team psychological safety.

Specific Aims: Specific aims were to describe: (1) demographic characteristics, verbal abuse, violence prevention climate, and the perception of team psychological safety by pediatric nurses; (2) relationships among select demographic characteristics, verbal abuse, violence prevention climate, and team psychological safety; and (3) the variance in team psychological safety accounted for by select demographic characteristics, verbal abuse, and violence prevention climate.

Background: Psychological safety is a key element for nursing practice and healthcare teams. Patient and employee safety …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Servant Leadership Characteristics Of Nurse Leaders And The Perception Of Empowerment Among Their Followers, Holly H. Hall

Dissertations

There is a demand for nursing leadership to create a healthy work environment for nursing practice, which is crucial for maintaining an adequate workforce (Shirey, 2006). Rother and Lavizzo-Mourey (2009) predicted that by 2025 the nursing shortage may reach as high as 500,000 U.S. nursing vacancies. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between servant leadership (SL) characteristics of nurse leaders and the perceptions of empowerment among their followers. Servant leadership has emerged as an effective leadership style that prioritizes developing the full potential of followers (Liden, 2013). Current research suggests an empirical link exists between servant …

Increasing Physical Activity In The 65 And Older Population, Misti M. Hollingsworth

Dissertations

The purpose of this DNP project is to increase the physical activity, flexibility, and pain levels of the 65 and over population to comply with the CDC's MVPA of 150 minutes per week through a practice quality improvement project. This change will involve an order for patients to attend a free exercise program, address the medical benefits of PA, address perceived barriers to PA, and provide printed PA written resources including exercises and stretching recommendations for the 65 years of age and older patient population in a Chiropractic office in Southwest Florida.

The Effects Of Resilience And Optimism In Maternal Role Attainment After Six To Twelve Months Postpartum In Women Hospitalized For Pregnancy Complications, Marianne Allen

Dissertations

Each year in the US, approximately 1,200,000 pregnant women are hospitalized on bed rest with the intent to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, antepartum bed rest is not benign and may contribute to physical debilitation, postpartum depression (PPD), impaired maternal role attainment (MRA), and altered maternal-infant attachment. There are gaps in the literature about the effects of resilience, optimism, and PPD on MRA and the effects of resilience and optimism on PPD at six to 12 months postpartum. Although the effects of resilience and optimism have been studied in general adult populations, few studies have considered resilience and optimism as protectors …

Quality Improvement Project To Increase Referrals To Palliative Care For Heart Failure Patients, Stephanie D. Crawford

Dissertations

Palliative care (PC) services include symptom management with advanced care planning (ACP) and establishment of goals of care (GOC) for patients with serious conditions, such as heart failure (HF). Literature demonstrates low hospitalist referrals to PC.

The purpose of this project was to explore if providing evidence-based information and procedural information to hospitalists on ACP and GOC would increase PC referrals for HF patients, providing these patients access to ACP and GOC by the PC team and possibly even reducing 30-day readmissions for these patients.

An Aviation Curriculum For An Urban Diverse School District: The Need And Possibility, Stephanie Kiley

Dissertations

The aviation industry expects over two million new personnel in the next twenty years to ensure safe commercial travel and support long-term growth. However, the industry needs more diversity. This study gathered information from administrators and educators in a large, diverse urban school district to address this issue through questionnaires and focus groups. The study aimed to highlight the need for more aviation-related opportunities. The research questions focused on identifying factors that could support or hinder high school aviation programs, perceptions of educators and administrators on introducing an aviation curriculum, and influences that lead students to choose aviation as a …

Cross-Linguistic Awareness In 90/10 Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Programs, Patricia Mondragón-Doty

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify, describe, and recommend the specific cross-linguistic connection instructional strategies that teachers in TWBI 90/10 programs have found to be most effective for fostering language and literacy development.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study explored how teachers of TWBI 90/10 programs perceived the use of specific cross-linguistic connection instructional strategies to better serve emergent bilingual learners (EBLs) and what implications cross-linguistic connections had on dual language instruction. To determine what best instructional strategies support bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement and cultural competence, in-depth semi structured interviews were conducted. Ten teachers were selected to …

Counseling And Mental Health Awareness In Higher Education Institutions: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Mental Health And How It Affects Degree Completion Among Black Undergraduate College Women, Shaquina D. White, Desirae N. Williams

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Black undergraduate women’s lived experiences with mental health management and pursuance of degree completion. This study used a phenomenological approach, guided by the following research questions: 1) What barriers are Black undergraduate college women facing regarding their accessibility to counseling services on their campus? and 2) How do Black undergraduate college women with mental health issues effectively manage stressful situations while pursuing and completing a college degree? The current literature that examined Black women’s utilization of counseling is limited, especially among Black women enrolled in college. This study aimed to fill …

Understanding Dual Language Teachers' Language Ideologies Using Translanguaging Theory And Pedagogy: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Joseph P. Elliott

Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory, mixed-methods research study was to understand dual language teachers’ language ideologies using a pluralist theory of bilingualism called translanguaging (García et al., 2017). Translanguaging is also a pedagogy that teachers can employ to help emergent bilingual students grow and learn. The research design employed two phases: Phase One used survey research and confirmatory factor analysis to analyze data from 110 dual language teachers across the United States regarding their translanguaging beliefs, attitudes, policies, and practices. Phase Two used one-on-one interview data from three dual language teachers who completed the Phase Two survey. Using these data, …

Health Literacy: The Knowledge And Experiences Of Senior Level Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Catherine M. Cormier

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the health literacy knowledge and experiences of senior level baccalaureate nursing students enrolled at state universities in Louisiana. Three hundred and sixty-one students from eight baccalaureate nursing programs agreed to participate in the study.