Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Professional Development And Education, Christine A. Frederick

Masters Theses

Nursing is a profession. It is important for nurses to know what impacts professional development. Educational preparation plays a large role in professional development.

Data were originally collected in 1995 through a survey of nurses from one chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The survey was sent to 544 members to determine their scores on professional development. The current study conducted a re-analysis of that data to determine if a relationship existed between professional development and education.

This thesis was based on Leddy and Pepper’s (1993) theory of professional development modified from Eric Erikson’s eight stages of the life cycle. …

The Effect Of Discharge Intervention Provided By An Advanced Practice Nurse On The Post-Discharge Self-Care Agency Of Clients Admitted With Congestive Heart Failure, Theresa Dawson

Masters Theses

This study used a quasi-experimental design using a two-group comparison to evaluate the effects of advanced practice nurse interventions on client compliance to self-care regimens (diet, meds, and established appointments). The conceptual framework was based upon Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model.

This study used the premise of Ashby's (1988) "Self-Care Outcome Measurement" tool to ascertain the frequency of the clients'performance of self-care activities. The frequency was measured using a 4-point summated rating scale. The study site was a 400 bed acute care hospital in Southcentral Michigan. The convenience sample of 10 adult clients with congestive heart failure were interviewed by phone …

Behavioral And Emotional Indicators Of Sexual Abuse: A Comparison With Physically Abused And Non-Abused Children, Janine L. Post-Anderle

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to identify behavioral and emotional symptoms among hospitalized children who were 1)sexually abused 2)physically abused 3)non-abused, and non-hospitalized non-abused children.

Information about children between the ages of 6 and 12 was obtained through a retrospective analysis of 120 closed records from two different child psychiatric hospitals. A convenience sample of 40 parents with non-hospitalized children was used to obtain data about non-hospitalized non-abused children.

The “Child Behavior/Emotion Checklist”, developed by the author, was used to collect data regarding symptoms exhibited by children. Results indicated no difference in symptoms among the hospitalized groups of children. …

Hiv/Aids Patients' Perceptions Of Nurse Caring Behaviors, Jennifer Lynn Jordahl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine which nurse caring behaviors HIV/AIDS patient's perceived as most important. Subjects were recruited from an HIV/AIDS clinic in a large Midwestern city. Twenty-three subjects completed Cronin and Harrison (1988) Caring Behaviors Assessment (CBA) along with a patient demographic questionnaire and an open ended question asking, "Is there anything else a nurse could do to make you feel care for or about? If so what?".

Results of this study suggest that HIV/AIDS patients perceive expressive nurse caring behaviors, such as, listening to the patient, treating the patient with respect, and knowing when …

Patient Participation In Decision-Making Regarding Post-Operative Ambulation: How It Affects Patient Outcomes, Martha Ann Ruble

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation on ambulation behaviors, occurrence of post operative complications, and overall satisfaction for patients undergoing bowel surgery. A convenience sample consisted of 39 subjects, aged 20-80, who underwent bowel surgery at a 300-bed medical center in a midwest metropolitan area.

An active negotiated approach to encourage patient participation in decision-making regarding post-operative ambulation was utilized for subjects in the experimental group (n = 19). It was hypothesized that subjects in the experimental group would ambulate farther and more frequently, would experience fewer post-operative …

Is There A Link Between Hardiness And Burnout In Critical Care Nurses?, Cindy Bilisko

Masters Theses

Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that function as a resource in coping with stress. Hardiness has been linked with less burnout among various groups. This study was done to determine if there was a relationship between hardiness and the incidence of burnout in critical care nurses. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine this relationship. Critical care nurses at three hospitals in the Grand Rapids area were surveyed using the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals, the Cognitive Hardiness Scale, and a demographics questionnaire. Data were tested using Pearson’s correlation and simple regression. The hypothesis “hardiness in …

Adolescents' Perceived Reasons For Choosing Abstinence Or The Use Or Non-Use Of A Condom During Sexual Intercourse, Susan L. Vrobel

Masters Theses

Adolescents’ perceptions of reasons for abstinence, safer sex, and unsafe sex were investigated. The study used a descriptive design, with a questionnaire administered to 82 Midwestern ninth grade students enrolled in a school health class. From a written scenario describing a couple who are sexually attracted to each other, students were asked to identify reasons the couple might choose to abstain from, or use or not use a condom if they chose to have, sexual intercourse. This study supported earlier research by Keller et al. (1996) which identified four factors perceived by adolescents as contributing to sexual behavior; social norms, …

Evaluation Of The Community Living Adaptation Scale, Jane M. Morris

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the CLAS. Seventy-three subjects participated from mental health case management agencies. The reliability coefficient for internal consistency o f the CLAS was .82. CLAS was compared to the Global Assessment of Functioning scale using the Pearson’s correlation. Convergent validity was significant to the .36 level indicating a significant relationship at the .01 level. The Self Profile Scale (SPS) was developed by this researcher as a parallel scale to compare the client’s perceptions to the case manager perceptions regarding functional status level. Item to item comparison of the CLAS and SPS indicated similar …

The Relationship Of Selected Health Beliefs And Exercise Adherence 6-12 Weeks Post Cardiac Event, Kristi L. Bianconi

Masters Theses

The hypothesis tested in this study was: Perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy of individuals who are adherent to a cardiac exercise program will differ from individuals who are non-adherent. The study was a descriptive, correlational design using the Health Belief Model. Data were collected from 25 subjects, recruited from a private cardiology practice who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program 6 to 12 weeks post hospitalization for a coronary event, defined as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty or stenting, or coronary artery bypass grafting.

Measurement of subject’s responses to perceived benefits, barriers and self-efficacy were collected through mailed questionnaires. …

Psychiatric Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Social Support, Elizabeth V.L. Howell

Masters Theses

This study investigated psychiatric nurses’ perceptions of their social support while working in a public psychiatric hospital. A descriptive correlational research design using a mailed self-administered questionnaire was employed for this study. Data collection and measurement of the phenomenon of perceived social support was done using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1995). The sample consisted of 57 registered nurses who had been employed for at least six months.

Data analyses consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, percentages, and range of scores for perceived social support. Results indicated emotional support (affect and affirmation) rated the highest among …

A Comparison Between Emergency Nursing Stress And Completion Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Sheryl L. Veurink-Balicki

Masters Theses

A descriptive, retrospective, correlational study design was used to determine emergency nurses’ perceptions of stress before and after completion of the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). A sample of 93 randomly chosen emergency nurses completed the Modified Clinical Stress Questionnaire.

Using the paired t-test, differences were found between the before and after mean scores on stress, threat, and challenge (p < .01). Scores were lower after ENPC for stress and threat, but higher for challenge. The t-test was used to compare the mean scores of nurses with and without certification in emergency nursing. The only significant difference between the two groups was on the threat score after ENPC, with the certified group reporting lower perception of threat (t = -2.40, p = .02). Overall, lower perception of stress was reported in all groups following ENPC.

Medication Administration In Schools, Stephanie A. Painter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe current practice of medication administration to children during school attendance in a district in Michigan. Information was collected by an audit of the policy and procedure manuals and medication records to assess a number of variables. It was found that 213 doses of medications were administered in 8 schools (enrollment 6,000) on the day of the study. Most of these were administered by nurses (40.8%) and secretaries (12.2%). While 25 different medications were administered, the medication most frequently administered was methylphenidate (60%). Medications were administered orally, per inhaler, nebulizer, topically or injected. …

Correlates Of Symptom Distress In Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, And Fluorouracil, Denise J. Bakker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between symptom distress and health locus of control, perception of illness, perception of treatment efficacy, and social support in breast cancer patients receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and flourouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. A prospective descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of women (N = 33) with breast cancer was assessed using five measurement tools: the Symptom Distress Scale (McCorkle & Young, 1978), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978), the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1981), and two …

The Effect Prone Positioning Has Upon The Oxygen Ratio Of Ventilated Children, Mary Schira

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prone positioning on oxygen ratios for ventilated children. A retrospective research design was implemented to study the effect that changing ventilated children from the supine position to the prone position had upon their oxygen ratio two hours after the intervention. Twenty-three ventilated children admitted to an eight bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Southwest Nfichigan between January 1998 and July 1998 and were proned, had their medical records reviewed. Data analysis using a T-test for paired samples was performed to compare oxygen ratios just prior to proning and …

Health Care Workers' Compliance With Glove Use And Variables That Influence Health Care Workers' Compliance With Glove Use, Angela C. Wallen-Counterman

Masters Theses

This study examined health care workers' compliance with glove use and variables that influence health care workers' compliance with glove use. A descriptive correlational design using a questionnaire given to health care workers in a long term care facility was employed for this study. The sample consisted of 28 health care workers who worked at the long term care facility. A modified Survey of Health Care Workers Use of Gloves (Henry, Maki, & Campbell,1992) was used to collect the data.

Data analysis consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, and range of scores for glove use compliance and variables that influence …

Evaluation Of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Written Examinations, Laura J. Borst

Masters Theses

This study was conducted using a descriptive research design to determine the quality of two Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) written examinations. In addition, the relationship between demographic variables and subjects’ performance on the written examinations was examined. Malcolm Knowles theory of Andragogy provided the Iramework for this study. A convenience sample of 367 subjects was recruited and randomly selected to take either Test A or Test B. The reliability estimates for Test A and Test B were found to be .45 and .54 respectively. Content validity and Item Analysis of test questions were performed. Relationships were found between Test …

Parental Factors Affecting Child Restraint Device Use In Children Ages 3-5 Years, Peggy Sue Meulenberg

Masters Theses

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Although Michigan law requires all children to be restrained, many children remain unrestrained or improperly restrained. The purpose of this study was to determine how preschool children are restrained and to examine where parents obtain information on restraining techniques. A descriptive study utilizing a newly developed questionnaire was performed. The Health Belief Model served as the conceptual framework. A significant relationship was found between parents who wore their seat belts all the time and the child being restrained. Most parents restrained their child by a lap and …

The Effect Of An Environment Modification On Fear Of Falling In Institutionalized Older Persons, Joann L. Munski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of an environmental modification on fear of falling in institutionalized older persons. A pretest-post-test experimental design was used to analyze data collected on 40 residents of a long term care facility. The subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. Fear of falling was measured by Dayhoflf Baird, Bennett, & Backer’s Falling Questionnaire (1994). The experimental group received an environmental modification. The Pull, in their living area for six weeks while the control group did not receive any intervention. T-test and analysis of covariance were used to test …

Evaluation Of A Cardiac Home Care Program, Donna Mayo-Rosa

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiac home care program in promoting self-care through supportive-educative nursing. Orem's self-care model served as the conceptual model for this study. Self-care was measured in this study by evaluating the patient's level of cardiac knowledge and functional ability.

This study was conducted at a home care agency in Midwest Michigan. A convenience sample of seven was obtained from patients admitted to a cardiac home care program following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABO).

A descriptive design with a one group paired t-test was used to analyze the differences …

Correlation Of Emergency Department Nurses' Beliefs About Wife Abuse And The Use Of Carative Factors In Transpersonal Interactions With Abused Wives, Judith A. Baker

Masters Theses

Emergency department nurses from seven general hospitals were surveyed to elicit information on their beliefs about wife abuse (using the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife-Beating) and their self-reported behaviors with clients who may be physically abused. They were asked about beliefs about institutional and peer attitudes toward caring for abused wives. Information on the nurses’ education about and experience with wife abuse was gathered. Data were summarized to provide descriptive statistics regarding beliefs and behaviors. High levels of caring behaviors were reported. Analysis of correlation between beliefs and behaviors was conducted. Significant findings were correlations between caring behaviors and the …

Albert Camus & The Post-Modern Generation, Lisa Ann Tekancic-Salamat

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Expedient Method To Determine Active Zone Depth For Expansive Soils In The St. Louis, Missouri Area, Robert Allen Abbott

Masters Theses

"A laboratory testing program was developed to formulate a relationship which could be used to estimate the active zone depth at a given site with the index properties of the potentially expansive soils at the site. The testing program utilized standard consolidometers to incrementally add moisture to soil specimens to determine a swell versus soil suction index. Tests were performed on laboratory manufactured soil specimens of commercial clay to validate the testing methodology.

A QUATTRO PRO computer spreadsheet was developed to perform the calculations to determine the potential field surface heave for the soils tested provided they were at a …

Statistical Analysis Of Structural Response Via A Quadratic Regression Model, Mahesh Balasubramanian

Masters Theses

"Described herein is the development of an efficient capability to analyze the statistics of structural responses given a description of the statistics of the input, or design, variables. In the application of interest, inputs and outputs are related through a very large finite element model. The finite element model is approximated here by a second-order hyper-surface. Developed for the quadratic relationship are expressions for response means, standard deviations and correlation coefficients. The analysis allows correlated and uncorrelated input variables, and admissible input variable distributions are normal, log-normal and Weibull.

In addition to characterizations of response means, standard deviations and correlation …

Kindergarten Schedules: Half-Day, Full-Day, Alternate-Day, Christine Ann Mcgladdery

Masters Theses

Kindergarten schedules have been changing from the widely-used half-day everyday schedule to full-day everyday and full-day alternate-day schedules. This study looks at why these changes have been taking place. It also looks at research of test results of children enrolled in each of the schedules, including longitudinal studies to determine if there is a continuation of benefits gained from a schedule. Parent and teacher attitudes toward the different schedules are researched. Surveys were sent to parents and teachers of Lutheran schools in West Michigan, particularly Our Savior Lutheran School in Grand Rapids, to gather opinions to assist in making a …

The Efficacy Of A T’Ai Chi Intervention On Functional Balance And Walking Speed In The Elderly, Melanie Mckimmy, Sarah Teubert

Masters Theses

This study assessed the efficacy of a T’ai Chi exercise intervention on functional balance and walking speed. Twenty-two volunteer subjects over the age of 65 were included and categorized as near-frail or well elderly, based on their functional status. Subjects randomly selected for the intervention group participated in a 45 minute T’ai Chi group exercise class, bi-weekly for six weeks. Pre- and post-intervention data was on the Berg Balance Scale, and on self-selected and maximum walking speed. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no statistical significant differences between the intervention group and the control group. Likewise, there was no statistical significant …

Barriers To Implementing Inclusion Practices, Sara Ann Sposaro, Julie Mara Lensink

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Qasswide Peer Tutoring On Students’ With Learning Disabilities Basic Reading Skills, Susan Louise Tucek

Masters Theses

The effects that Classwide Peer Tutoring has on students’ with learning disabilities basic reading skill was examined. Classwide Peer Tutoring is a program that allows students to engage more time in actual reading behavior with partner feedback. One instructor implemented Classwide Peer Tutoring for a 4 week period to 11 students who had learning disabilities in the areas of reading and writing. One volunteer was used twice a week to emit tests of the students’ progress. Results of the study indicated that compared to their pretest scores, the post-test scores showed that students made slightly positive improvements in the areas …

The Effect Of Eccentric Fatigue Of The Hamstrings On Knee Joint Proprioception, Kenneth M. Arends, Scott T. Miller, John T. Vandermaas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of eccentric hamstring fatigue on the ability to accurately reproduce different knee joint angles. Thirty-one males and 29 females, 18-40 years old, were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Using the Biodex®, proprioceptive pre-test and post-test measurements were taken having the blindfolded participant replicate predetermined angles of 25°, 45°, and 65°. The control group underwent a passive movement protocol and the treatment underwent a fatigue protocol. Data Analysis was performed using 2-tailed t-test comparing the means of pre-test and post-test angle accuracy measurements for the control and treatment groups. …

Knee Flexion Angle And Its Influence On Vmo:Vl Ratios During Isometric Quadriceps Contraction, Jeffrey P. Hendra, William D. Allan

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a major cause of knee pain and is caused by lateral patellar tracking. Treatment consists of strengthening the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO). While many exercises strengthen the VMO, simultaneous vastus lateralis (VL) strengthening often occurs and patellar malalignment remains. The VMO must, therefore, be strengthened independently or to a greater extent than the VL. Thus, the VMO:VL ratio of activity must be considered rather than VMO activity alone. This study compared isometric knee extension electromyographically at 0, 20, 60, and 90 degree angles to determine which angle produced the greatest VMO:VL ratio of activity. Results …

Relationship Between Sensibility Loss And Performance On The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test In Non-Surgical Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients, Bethany J. Navarre, Elizabeth A. Ware

Masters Theses

The assumed correlation between sensibility loss in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and hand function has not been supported by research. The purpose of this study is to examine this relationship. Thirteen subjects with CTS, no previous hand surgeries, hypothyroidism, or diabetes participated. The Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test was used to assess sensibility and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test was used to assess hand function. No correlations were found between sensibility loss and hand function. Despite a small sample, lack of correlation between sensibility loss in CTS and hand function is significant. It suggests that further research is needed.