Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

Nurse Coaching And Power As Knowing Participation In Change In The Process Of Health Patterning, Shirley J. Conrad

Dissertations

The purpose was to study the results Professional Certified Nurse Coaches (PCNCs) potentially have in mutually patterning the human energy field toward a higher wave frequency pattern of power as measured by the power as knowing participation in change tool and reflected in the narrative pattern profiles obtained from in-depth interviews. Participants were nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Barrett's (1986, 2020) power as knowing participation in change theory an explanatory convergent parallel mixed method using a single group with repeated measures (pre/post) and qualitative directed content analysis was used. A method for apprehending pandimensional awareness of unity and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Magnet Journey: Understanding The Role Of Unit Culture In Evidence-Based Practice Adoption, Kim Schippits

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify salient cognitive beliefs and cultural assumptions that affect the emergence and maintenance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the hospital setting.

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 …

Investigating The Impact Of Nonenzymatic Lysine Acetylation On The Function Of The Bacterial Ribosome, Sarah Caldwell Feid

Dissertations

An under-investigated target of lysine acetylation is the bacterial ribosome. Although lysine acetylations on the ribosome are common and conversed in diverse bacterial species, little work has been done to understand how lysine acetylation affects the bacterial ribosome. The goal of this work is to determine if lysine acetylation has functional impact on the bacterial ribosome. I have identified in vitro and in vivo effects of nonenzymatic, AcP-dependent lysine acetylation on translation and the ribosome. In vitro acetylation of transcription-translation reactions causes a translation-specific defect that is unaffected by the addition of the CobB deacetylase. This suggests certain AcP-sensitive residues …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

The Lived Experience Of Registered Nurse Reiki Practitioners: A Phenomenologic Study Using Computer Mediated Communication, Wendy J. Waldspurger Robb

Dissertations

The use of complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) has increased over recent years with healthcare consumers spending billions of healthcare dollars on a variety of CAM therapies. Reiki is an energy-based CAM therapy that is derived from the ancient practices of Tibetan monks. Proponents of Reiki believe that the unblocking or redistribution of the body's natural energy facilitates the body's ability to self-heal.

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of registered nurses who administer Reiki treatments to themselves and/or others. This study used computer-mediated communication to collect the research data from registered nurse Reiki practitioners …

Why We Work: Exploring The Relationships Between Work Rewards, Burnout, And Intention To Leave For Professional Nurses, Jacqueline Christianson

Dissertations

Nurse burnout leads to attrition from hospital nursing positions and the nursing profession prior to typical retirement age. Yet some nurses choose to stay despite burnout. Previous research indicates that nurses stay due to the rewards they receive from work but the relationships between different types of work rewards, work-related burnout, and intention to leave are poorly described. The ability to implement or execute altruistic behaviors may also represent an under-recognized work reward. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between work rewards, work-related burnout, and intention to leave nursing positions and the nursing profession and …

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 …

The Transition From Lpn To Rn: Perceptions Of Lpns Considering The Transition, Deborah S. Adelman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived facilitators and barriers to the transition from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN), as identified by LPNs. A sample of 1,000 Illinois LPNs was surveyed using a list of 25 actual facilitators and barriers identified from the literature. Subjects were asked to identify factors as facilitators, barriers, or no influence. The null hypothesis was: The frequency of ratings of perceived facilitators and barriers to the transition from LPN to RN will not be greater than that expected by chance, in either the negative or the positive direction. Research questions …

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, …

The Relationship Between Self Reflection And Clinical Decision Making Skills In Undergraduate Nursing Students Enrolled In A Health Assessment Course, Joan Richards

Dissertations

Nurses' decision-making abilities and clinical judgment skills impact their patients' lives and are critical to their survival rates. Although new nurse graduates are expected to have these skills, they do not enter into their new practice with this ability. (Hart et al, 2013; Thompson, Aitken, Doran & Dowding, 2013; Bussard, 2014; Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day, 2009). Reflective journaling is a teaching strategy identified to help students develop clinical judgment and decision-making skills and its practice have been associated with improved clinical decision making. (Lasater & Nielsen, 2009, Tanner, 2006; Wainwright et al, 2010; Goethals, deCasterle & Gastmans, 2012; Lavoie, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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), …

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 …

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 …