Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year

Articles 1321 - 1350 of 19539

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Reflective Parenting, Psychological Needs, And Parental Interpretation Of Children’S Negative Emotions, Julia Pappas Jan 2026

Reflective Parenting, Psychological Needs, And Parental Interpretation Of Children’S Negative Emotions, Julia Pappas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents’ ability to understand and respond effectively to children’s negative emotions plays a critical role in children’s emotional development and regulation. However, it remains unclear whether parents interpret negative emotions as potential signals of underlying psychological needs. Based in the conceptual framework of parental reflective functioning and basic psychological needs theory, and grounded in interpretivist- constructivist paradigm, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how parents interpret children’s negative emotions and how their meaning-making processes relate to basic psychological needs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children between ages 3 and 9 years old (N = …


Strategies Leaders In Structured Alternative Academic Environments Use To Improve Resource Management, Operational Efficiency, And Program Sustainability, Sean D. Clark Jan 2026

Strategies Leaders In Structured Alternative Academic Environments Use To Improve Resource Management, Operational Efficiency, And Program Sustainability, Sean D. Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of structured alternative academic environments often struggle to sustain operations because of limited resources, fragmented leadership, and high staff turnover. This business problem is important to leaders of structured alternative academic environments because ineffective resource management and operational inefficiencies threaten program sustainability and continuity of services for at-risk student populations. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies leaders in structured alternative academic environments use to improve resource management, operational efficiency, and program sustainability. The participants were six leaders from structured alternative academic programs in southeastern New Mexico. Data were …


Leadership Strategies Used By Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resource Providers To Support Entrepreneurial Success, Sarah Niehaus Jan 2026

Leadership Strategies Used By Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resource Providers To Support Entrepreneurial Success, Sarah Niehaus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure to collaborate effectively within entrepreneurial ecosystems remains a significant concern for leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations. Without clear, actionable collaboration strategies, these leaders may struggle to support entrepreneurial success and make informed decisions that enhance financial performance. Grounded in Mockler’s complex adaptive systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies some leaders within entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations use to collaborate in a manner that supports entrepreneurial success. Participants included seven leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations located in the Midwest United States with successful experiences using such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured …


An Assessment Of New Employee Training In A U.S. Government Agency, Kisaana Fernanders Jan 2026

An Assessment Of New Employee Training In A U.S. Government Agency, Kisaana Fernanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study evaluated the utility of a newly developed employee training initiative within a U.S. government disaster recovery agency. The purpose of the professional administrative study was to examine the existing training architecture and recommend improvements aligned with the agency’s mission. A general qualitative approach was employed, using interviews and surveys with government personnel to elicit their perceptions of the training’s effectiveness. The research aimed to identify key elements to incorporate into a revised employee training program, with the goal of enhancing disaster response readiness and policy implementation. It also sought to recommend strategies for continuous improvement. The study was …


Implementation Of Structured Nursing Leadership Rounding To Improve Hospital Policy Adherence, Irma Rose Maize Jan 2026

Implementation Of Structured Nursing Leadership Rounding To Improve Hospital Policy Adherence, Irma Rose Maize

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Variability in nursing policy compliance contributes to inconsistent clinical practice and compromises the delivery of standardized care. Limited leadership presence, support, and accountability have been identified as significant contributors to this practice gap. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on educating nurse leaders about the importance and benefits of consistent unit-based leadership rounding as a strategy to support frontline nurses and reinforce policy adherence. A structured leadership rounding checklist was developed to guide purposeful, consistent check-ins with nursing staff, facilitating real-time support and identification of barriers to practice. Implementation of the checklist promoted increased leadership accessibility, improved communication, and …


Strategies To Reduce The Physician Documentation Burden In Adult Primary Care, Glenda Cascalla Jan 2026

Strategies To Reduce The Physician Documentation Burden In Adult Primary Care, Glenda Cascalla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Primary care physicians face high rates of burnout, with electronic health record (EHR) documentation identified ass a significant contributing factor. EHR systems consume substantial physician time, diverting attention from meaningful patient interactions toward administrative tasks and increasing documentation burden. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate best practices for minimizing the documentation burden on primary care providers. The review question centered on how best practices can be implemented by healthcare administrators to reduce the physician documentation burden in primary care. This integrative review used the sociotechnical systems theory framework to identify and evaluate effective strategies to alleviate …


Caribbean Early Childhood Educators, Primary Educators, And Student Teachers' Perceptions Of Visual Literacy And Visual Images Across The Curriculum, Monica Yvonne Hines-Graham Jan 2026

Caribbean Early Childhood Educators, Primary Educators, And Student Teachers' Perceptions Of Visual Literacy And Visual Images Across The Curriculum, Monica Yvonne Hines-Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is the gap in knowledge about the integration and evaluation of visual literacy and visual images across the curriculum of early childhood educators, primary educators, and student teachers, despite it being a requirement for teachers in the Caribbean education system. Grounded in Hall and Hord’s concerns-based adoption model, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of early childhood educators, primary educators, and student teachers with the integration and evaluation of visual literacy and visual images across the curriculum. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews with 12 participants from …


Community And Individual Risk Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes: Ca, Md, And Oh, [2017-2021]., Kadiatu Banjoko Jan 2026

Community And Individual Risk Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes: Ca, Md, And Oh, [2017-2021]., Kadiatu Banjoko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are unsuccessful treatment outcomes with Tuberculosis (TB) disease, although effective therapies exist. This study aimed to identify predictors of unsuccessful treatment using the socioecological model. A quantitative cross-sectional study and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to measure the associations between long-term care (LTC), homelessness, correctional facility, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), diabetes, excess alcohol, illicit drug use, and TB treatment outcomes of death, lost to follow-up, and treatment refusal. The sample consisted of 7,589 individuals aged 15 and older with pulmonary TB between 2017 and 2021, residing in California, Ohio, and Maryland. Findings indicated a correlation between community factors …


Paternal Filicide In The Context Of Divorce And Child Custody, Andrea Chase Jan 2026

Paternal Filicide In The Context Of Divorce And Child Custody, Andrea Chase

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study examined the troubling intersection of parental separation, domestic violence and paternal filicide, issues that profoundly challenge societal and legal frameworks. Although domestic violence and marital dissolution are recognized risk factors for child maltreatment, their role in paternal filicide, specifically when motivated by parental separation, has been understudied. Using a purposeful and criterion-based sampling strategy, cases were drawn from the Center for Judicial Excellence database of children murdered during divorce, parental separation, and child custody disputes. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 113 biological fathers responsible for the deaths of 263 children …


Implementing Emotional Intelligence To Enhance Leadership Abilities In A Skilled Nursing Home, Nkechi Amaechina Jan 2026

Implementing Emotional Intelligence To Enhance Leadership Abilities In A Skilled Nursing Home, Nkechi Amaechina

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To meet dynamic changes in healthcare, effective leadership is necessary. A major problem with effective leadership is the lack of emotional intelligence (EI). The purpose of this integrative review is to identify strategies that enhance skilled nursing home leadership abilities using EI. The Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory was used, supported by Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)Theory. LMX theory explains that leaders-members relationships affect an organization while CAS theory describes healthcare industry as ever-changing. The review question (RQ) that guided this integrative review is: what best EI strategies can be implemented to enhance leadership abilities in a skilled nursing home? Twenty-six articles …


Teaching Staff About Pressure Ulcers, Ann Maria Stewart Jan 2026

Teaching Staff About Pressure Ulcers, Ann Maria Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pressure ulcers are local injuries to the skin and underlying tissue primarily caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or shear forces. These preventable complications are prevalent among immobile patients and can lead to poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Despite the availability of evidence-based prevention strategies, significant gaps in practice continue due to limited staff knowledge, ineffective communication systems, and inconsistent implementation of established guidelines. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on enhancing nursing staff knowledge through an evidence-based educational strategy designed to educate staff on strategies for preventing pressure ulcers. The education program included a PowerPoint presentation …


Unpacking Domestic Violence Intervention Programs, Lauren Pagan Jan 2026

Unpacking Domestic Violence Intervention Programs, Lauren Pagan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence is a public health concern and most existing literature has focused on service delivery for victims, opposed to interventions for perpetrators. The Duluth model is the most common model guiding groups for perpetrators, yet results on its effectiveness have been inconsistent and unclear. Counselors and counselor educators lack the empirical support needed to effectively apply the Duluth model while working with the people who abuse. The purpose of this qualitative, existential–phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of participants in Duluth Model-based, domestic violence intervention programs (DVIPs). Guided by existential–phenomenological theory, this study addressed the research question: …


K-8 School Administrators' Implementation Of Positive Behavior Intervention And Support Systems To Reduce Out-Of-School Suspensions In A Southeastern U.S. School District, Chantell H. Walker Jan 2026

K-8 School Administrators' Implementation Of Positive Behavior Intervention And Support Systems To Reduce Out-Of-School Suspensions In A Southeastern U.S. School District, Chantell H. Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that the implementation of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) has not resulted in a consistent reduction in the use of out-of-school suspensions as a disciplinary consequence in K–8 schools in a Southeastern U.S. school district. Grounded in Horner and Sugai’s PBIS, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore K–8 school administrators’ perceptions of their implementation of PBIS in a Southeastern U.S. school district. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with three principals and three assistant principals in the local school district. Thematic analysis using inductive …


Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake And Continuation Among 15-24-Year-Old Women In Mulago, Uganda, Dithan Kiragga Jan 2026

Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake And Continuation Among 15-24-Year-Old Women In Mulago, Uganda, Dithan Kiragga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Young women in Uganda face disproportionately high HIV risk compared to the general population. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstrates proven effectiveness, poor uptake and nonadherence limit its potential impact. This study examined the relationship between perceived HIV susceptibility, PrEP benefits, behavioral risk factors, service delivery models, and PrEP uptake and continuity among young women aged 15–24 in Uganda, guided by the health belief model. Data were ed from surveillance records at Mulago National Referral Hospital’s STI clinic from January 2024 to September 2025. Of N=23,765 young women screened (median age 21 years; 98.9% single or separated; 48.7% with primary education), …


The Lived Experience Of Gay Men In The Generation Jones Cohort, Thomas Stacy Helton Jan 2026

The Lived Experience Of Gay Men In The Generation Jones Cohort, Thomas Stacy Helton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Existing research lacks examination of the interplay between life histories and gay identities within the Generation Jones cohort, hindering our understanding of how individuals navigated the challenges of aging Specifically, we lack understanding of how identity formation, stigma, and historical trauma in light of sociocultural events—including the criminalization of homosexuality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the rise of digital connectivity—shaped self-concept, relationships, and resilience. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of gay men in the Generation Jones cohort, defined as those born between 1954 and 1965. Grounded in social identity theory, it asked how gay men in this cohort …


Strategies Financial Institutions Use To Mitigate Security Breaches For Mobile Customers, Steven F. Knese Jan 2026

Strategies Financial Institutions Use To Mitigate Security Breaches For Mobile Customers, Steven F. Knese

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mobile fraud attack rates are increasing rapidly. Financial institutions, cybersecurity managers, and regulators need effective strategies to reduce consumer financial harm and operational risk. Grounded in the cybernetics model, this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry identified the cybersecurity strategies that cybersecurity professionals use at financial institutions to mitigate data breaches for mobile customers accessing financial data. Data were collected from five cybersecurity professionals through semistructured interviews and from publicly available documents and guidance issued by financial institutions and standards bodies. Six significant themes emerged from thematic analysis: implementing multifactor authentication, deploying virtual private networks (VPNs), delivering user education, promoting regular account monitoring, …


Polypharmacy In The Geriatric Population, Colleen Laflamme Jan 2026

Polypharmacy In The Geriatric Population, Colleen Laflamme

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The project entailed the development and review of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for reducing polypharmacy in the geriatric patient population. Polypharmacy is associated with increased risk of adverse drug events (ADEs) such as drug-drug interactions, poor adherence to pharmacotherapy, and increased risk of falls. Additionally, polypharmacy tends to increase high hospitalization rates and emergency department (ED) visits. From a nursing practice perspective, polypharmacy worsens patient outcomes and increases nurses’ workload and healthcare costs for patients. The purpose of this project was to develop a CPG with evidence based recommendations on how to reduce polypharmacy among older adults. The practice-focused …


Staff Education On The Use Of Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment (Sbirt) For The Identification And Management Of Excessive Alcohol Use, Vivienne Tsopndou Nkengafac Jan 2026

Staff Education On The Use Of Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment (Sbirt) For The Identification And Management Of Excessive Alcohol Use, Vivienne Tsopndou Nkengafac

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The project was a practice-focused quality improvement project endeavor aimed at augmenting staff utilization of an evidence-based screening instrument for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The problem under study in an outpatient behavioral health setting stemmed from insufficient staff understanding and poor implementation of established screening and intervention protocols, heightening the risk of under identification and ineffective management of AUD. Resolving this issue is crucial in nursing practice because nurses play a pivotal role in early identification, brief intervention, referral to treatment, and fair care provision for patients with substance problems. The project was centered on the following practice-focused question: …


Early Atopic Dermatitis And Risk Of Later Autism Spectrum Disorders, Annissa Courtney Heslope-Mathieu Jan 2026

Early Atopic Dermatitis And Risk Of Later Autism Spectrum Disorders, Annissa Courtney Heslope-Mathieu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 10-20% of children in the United States, and emerging evidence suggests potential links between early immune dysregulation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited research has examined whether early AD serves as a specific risk factor for later ASD diagnosis. Guided by life course theory, the purpose of this study was to examine whether AD diagnosed within the first two years of life predicts later diagnosis of ASD among U.S. children younger than five years. A secondary analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study was conducted using a retrospective cohort design. The sample included 2,949 …


Staff Education To Improve Diabetes Management Knowledge For Primary Healthcare Providers, Helen Njoku Jan 2026

Staff Education To Improve Diabetes Management Knowledge For Primary Healthcare Providers, Helen Njoku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I developed this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project to improve primary healthcare providers’ knowledge of diabetes management. Given the vital role nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians play in patient education, chronic illness management, and care coordination, this issue must be addressed within nursing practice. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Among primary healthcare providers, does implementing a structured diabetes education training program, compared to the current standard practice, improve provider knowledge in diabetes management? The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a targeted education intervention session. As analytical strategies, I employed expert …


Staff Education To Address Workplace Violence Against Staff, Julie Ann Childers Jan 2026

Staff Education To Address Workplace Violence Against Staff, Julie Ann Childers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, the primary focus was on addressing knowledge of workplace bullying within the hospital setting. The project involved developing and implementing an educational program to raise awareness, prevent workplace bullying, and effectively respond to it among healthcare staff. Workplace bullying harms physical and emotional well-being, reduces productivity, increases absenteeism, and increases turnover. The practice-focused question was as follows: In a hospital setting, does implementing a workplace violence (WPV) prevention education program for healthcare workers lead to increased knowledge of WPV incidents, awareness, and management among staff? Using evidence-based strategies and resources, the DNP …


Black Educated Women's Experience With Relationship Formation After Intimate Partner Violence, Jeannette Aris Thompson-Beckford Jan 2026

Black Educated Women's Experience With Relationship Formation After Intimate Partner Violence, Jeannette Aris Thompson-Beckford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at disproportionately high rates, yet most research has focused on those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, overlooking how educated Black women navigate relationships after IPV. While extensive studies have examined the health consequences of IPV among Black women, less attention has been given to their experiences with intimacy, trust, and partner selection post-IPV. Additionally, existing research on relationship formation after IPV has largely centered on other racial groups, leaving the unique challenges faced by Black educated women underexplored. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Black, educated women describe their experiences …


Mental Health Provider Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy Following Prison Budget Reductions, Angela Frankland Jan 2026

Mental Health Provider Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy Following Prison Budget Reductions, Angela Frankland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout rates for mental health workers are impacted due to budget restrictions in treatment programs. Fiscal challenges and their impact on the experiences of mental health providers have yet to be explored within correctional settings. There is a lack of research concerning mental health professional’s self-efficacy beliefs when providing treatment services to inmates. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore mental health professional’s self-efficacy beliefs in correctional systems with context towards diminishing fiscal resources. Self-efficacy theory and prison rehabilitation management theory are the theoretical frameworks used as the foundation for this study. The research question was designed …


Perspectives Of Current And Former Kindergarten Teachers Regarding The Role Of Play-Based Learning Practices, Breann Nicole Crocker Jan 2026

Perspectives Of Current And Former Kindergarten Teachers Regarding The Role Of Play-Based Learning Practices, Breann Nicole Crocker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increase in standards-based curriculum in kindergarten has led to uncertainty about the use play-based learning to teach to benchmark standards. The problem that was addressed through this study is that the role of play-based learning in the study state new kindergarten (SSNK) curriculum to teach benchmark standards has not been evaluated. Grounded in Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore kindergarten teachers’ perspectives of the role of play-based learning practices in teaching to state learning benchmarks after being trained in (SSNK) curriculum. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight kindergarten …


Need For A Psychiatric Facility To Develop A Clinical Practice Guideline On Self-Care To Give To Patients Upon Discharge, Judith Agwu Jan 2026

Need For A Psychiatric Facility To Develop A Clinical Practice Guideline On Self-Care To Give To Patients Upon Discharge, Judith Agwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The project is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the need for a psychiatric facility to develop a CPG on self-care to give to patients upon discharge. The practice problem was a healthcare facility did not have guidelines to educate patients on self-care upon discharge. Addressing the problem within nursing practice can promote self-care practices and improve overall health outcomes for patients with mental illnesses. The practice-focused question that guided this project was: will a CPG potentially increase self-care among discharged patients? The purpose of the study was to develop a CPG on self-care for …


Racial Identity, Student Engagement, Student Satisfaction, And Persistence In African American Students Attending Predominately White Institutions, Antoinette Drakeford Jan 2026

Racial Identity, Student Engagement, Student Satisfaction, And Persistence In African American Students Attending Predominately White Institutions, Antoinette Drakeford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American college students attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs), such as Old Dominion University, face challenges, including experiences with microaggressions and limited engagement opportunities, which may affect their persistence. The purpose of this study was to examine whether racial identity and microaggressions moderate the relationship between student engagement, satisfaction, and persistence among African American students at a PWI. Cross’s theory of nigrescence served as the theoretical framework for understanding African American racial identity development. A quantitative, non-experimental design was employed. Data were collected from 50 African American undergraduate students using standardized instruments measuring racial identity, microaggressions, engagement, satisfaction, and persistence. …


Postdischarge Pediatric Mortality In Nigeria For Children Under 5 Years Of Age, Philomina Nwaugo Chukwudike Jan 2026

Postdischarge Pediatric Mortality In Nigeria For Children Under 5 Years Of Age, Philomina Nwaugo Chukwudike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child mortality has remained a public health issue that is prevalent among families living in Nigeria and low- and middle-income countries. Factors associated with post-discharge pediatric mortality among children under 5 have not been explored. The study involved examining associations between timely individual follow-up visits, availability of healthcare facilities for follow-up care, and likelihood of post-discharge mortality among children under 5 while adjusting for household income, geographical location, mothers’ age, and mothers’ education. The theoretical framework was the social ecological model. Data were generated from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. A sample size of N=21,671 was used to determine …


Students’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Technology In Rural Elementary Schools, Evadney Moncrieffe - Jumpp Jan 2026

Students’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Technology In Rural Elementary Schools, Evadney Moncrieffe - Jumpp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rapid technological advancements have transformed educational experiences, optimizing learning outcomes while providing interesting experiences to learners and educators. More insight was needed on how students perceive learning via technology, as this information can shape how teachers implement technology, especially in rural elementary schools. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the perceptions of students in rural areas between Grades 1–5 regarding the increased use of technology education. The research questions concerned how students in rural elementary schools perceive (a) the use of technology in education and (b) the quality of the teaching–learning process when using or mediating technological …


Fire Service Leadership Cost-Effective Strategies To Reduce Sudden Cardiac Death, Kathryn Marie Bernardo-Preston Jan 2026

Fire Service Leadership Cost-Effective Strategies To Reduce Sudden Cardiac Death, Kathryn Marie Bernardo-Preston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract A high incidence of on-duty firefighter sudden cardiac death (SCD) results in increased costs and decreased organizational performance. Fire department leaders are concerned about the financial burden of SCDs as they put strain on departmental budgets and subsequently limit operational readiness. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore how fire department leaders used cost-effective strategies to reduce SCD episodes among on-duty firefighters. Participants comprised six fire department leaders located on the East Coast of the United States who had successfully implemented strategies to minimize firefighter SCD. Data were collected using …


Faculty Perceptions Of Student Use Of Critical Thinking And Clinical Judgment In Prelicensure Alternative Pediatric Clinical Education, Vanessa Lee Lugo Jan 2026

Faculty Perceptions Of Student Use Of Critical Thinking And Clinical Judgment In Prelicensure Alternative Pediatric Clinical Education, Vanessa Lee Lugo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Both the changing healthcare environment and diverse pediatric care needs highlight the importance of exploring nontraditional clinical placements for entry-level pediatric nursing students to assess their critical thinking (CT) and clinical judgment (CJ). Many graduates are unprepared for pediatric care, creating safety risks and gaps in meeting children’s healthcare needs. The purpose of this study, guided by communities of practice theory, was to explore faculty experiences with and perceptions of CT and CJ use at alternative pediatric clinical sites for prelicensure undergraduate students in the Northeastern United States. Eleven nursing faculty with recent experience working in nontraditional pediatric sites and …