Digital Commons Network^™

Dnp Student Implementation Of Pc4 Model In A Pregnancy Resource Center To Improve Quality Of Care, Priscilla A. Outlaw

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) play a critical role in supporting women from underserved communities but often struggle to consistently meet clients’ emotional, cultural, and psychological needs. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the impact of implementing the Person-Centered Care and Communication Continuum (PC4) Model—an evidence-based framework designed to enhance respect, communication, and individualized attention in maternal healthcare—on client satisfaction and service engagement at a local PRC.

Guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, this mixed-methods quality-improvement project assessed antenatal client satisfaction and service delivery before and after PC4 implementation. Surveys and structured observations …

Eating Disorders In Male Athletes, Robbie-Lynn C. Puspoky

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the risk of eating disorders in male athletes aged 15-36 years old in high performance sports. Whittmore and Knalf’s integrative review method was followed to address this research aim. Two databases (Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to present and CINAHL) were searched between the years of 2000 and 2023. Suitability for inclusion was assessed, and data were extracted and analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Three themes were identified and reflect the risk of eating disorders in male athletes in high performance sports between the ages …

Innovative Pedagogy Engaging Nursing Students In Health Promotion Interventions And Research, Mary Murphy-Smith, Zepure Samawi

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: To present an innovative pedagogy for promoting population health through student nurse teaching and application of the research process.

Participants: 34 undergraduate pre-licensure nursing students participated and completed an innovative teaching project impacting the health on the communities they served.

Methods:

The innovative pedagogy and implementation process included -

1. Collaborate and engage with community clinical partners to assess health promotion and teaching needs.

2. Develop the health teaching projects reflective of the learning objectives using evidenced based resources.

3. Implement the health promotion innovation projects.

4. Evaluate the impact of the health promotion project.

5. Apply the research …

Dysphagia Strain Sensor For Swallowing And Volume Status Assessment In Heart Failure, Juvel-Lou P. Velasco

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Dysphagia often appears days before conventional volume overload indicators, suggesting it may be an earlier marker for impending volume overload. The The Massey Bedside Swallow Screen and videofluoroscopic swallow studies are standard dysphagia diagnostic tools, but are limited by subjectivity and resource availability, respectively. The Dysphagia Strain Sensor (DSS) offers objective assessment and easier accessibility. This study assessed the feasibility of the DSS in detecting dysphagia and evaluating volume status in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods: An exploratory feasibility enrolled 15 HF patients aged 18 years and older, classified as New York Heart Association Functional Class II to III, …

Musculoskeletal Disorders, Care Burden, And Sarcopenia: A Preliminary Study On Family Caregivers, Shu-Yuan Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Family caregivers bear a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which may precipitate sarcopenia and care burden. This study hypothesizes that the occurrence of MSDs may be related to caregiver burden and sarcopenia among middle-aged and older family caregivers.

Study Purposes: (1) To investigate the incidence of MSDs, sarcopenia, and the level of care burden among middle-aged and older family caregivers; (2) To identify the correlations between MSDs, sarcopenia, and care burden.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. Family caregivers who received services from the Caregivers Association or home care services and met the inclusion criteria, including …

Effect Of A Pressure Injury Prevention Bundle On Compliance And Staff Attitudes In A Medical Icu, Elizabeth L. Woods

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are considered preventable yet remain prevalent in intensive care units (ICUs), where critically ill patients face increased risk due to immobility, hemodynamic instability, and complex care needs. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate whether implementing a pressure injury prevention bundle (TEAMS) would improve compliance with preventive measures and staff attitudes toward HAPI prevention in a medical ICU.

Methods: A pre-post intervention design was conducted in a 17-bed medical ICU at a tertiary academic hospital. The TEAMS bundle included five components: Turn teams, Education, daily Assessments, a multidisciplinary approach, and daily Skin care. The …

Sugary Beverages And The Rise Of Chronic Disease Among Hispanic Women, Jailene Lemus Hurtado, Natalia Andrea Villegas Rodriguez

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and a major source of morbidity among Hispanics in the U.S. (1,2). Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are known to be associated with an increased risk of CVD, diabetes and obesity (3,4). However, there is a lack of information concerning SSB consumption patterns and perceptions of related health risks among Hispanic women in the U.S. This study aims to investigate SSB consumption patterns and perceptions among Hispanic women.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 40 fluent Spanish-speaking Hispanic women ages 18 to 44 from North Carolina who participated in a …

Social Frailty In Asia: A Scoping Review Of Interventions, Gaps, And Priorities, Julienne Ivan Dagondon Soberano, Jed Montayre

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: Social frailty (SF) is a multidimensional state of social vulnerability linked to adverse outcomes in older adults. Asia’s rapidly aging population poses challenges for health systems, particularly in addressing SF-related conditions. This scoping review aimed to describe existing SF interventions in Asian countries, assess evidence volume and characteristics, and identify research gaps.

Methods: A systematic search of eight databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) identified English-language studies published from January 2020 to September 2025. The review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Interventions were synthesized across the care continuum (prevention, …

Healthy Eating Habits And Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes In A Marginal Urban Community Of Lima, Peru, Maria Del Rosario Rodas Ordonez, Sheyla Alexa Valentina Carbonel Almerco

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: The growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Peru, particularly in urban-marginal districts such as Villa El Salvador, underscores the need to strengthen prevention strategies within primary healthcare. This study aimed to determine the association between healthy eating habits and the estimated risk of developing T2DM among adults living in a community of Lima Sur.

Methods: A quantitative, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 adults aged 18–59 years. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and data were collected through structured surveys, anthropometric measurements, and home visits. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) was used to estimate …

Towards Textile Templating In Mycofabrication: Knitted Structures As Substrate And Scaffold, Romy Kaiser, Elise Elsacker, Martyn Robertson, Ben Bridgens, Jane Scott

Textile Intersections Conference Series

This study investigates the potential of knitted textiles as both substrate and three-dimensional scaffold for mycofabrication, contributing to the development of textile templating approaches in biofabrication. While textiles are commonly used as reinforcement in mycelium-based composites, their role as active, designable interfaces for growth remains underexplored. Two experimental approaches using Ganoderma lucidum were conducted: seeding-based inoculation and liquid-state fermentation. The first evaluated fibre substrates (namely acrylic, wool, cotton, and linen) on mycelial colonisation. Cellulosic fibres, particularly cotton and linen, supported more integrated and extensive growth, while wool enabled limited surface expansion and acrylic showed minimal colonisation. Overall, low biomass shows …

Optimizing Research To Practice Translation Time Through The Mountain Model: A Delphi Study, Jayne Jennings Dunlap, Julee Waldrop, Staci Reynolds

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: The Mountain Model (MM) is the first published framework to merge evidence-based practice and quality improvement (EBPQI) paradigms. The primary focus of the framework is to guide practitioners in healthcare and related settings with translating research for sustained practice improvements. The nurse-led MM is in use and being cited in the literature, however the efficacy of the MM is anecdotal and is not yet supported by empirical evidence for its validity.

Design: A Delphi study of currently practicing evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) experts spanning eight patient-facing disciplines in healthcare was conducted in September and October 2025 …

Ai-Enabled Nudging For Nursing-Led Prevention And Health Equity, Pattama S. Ulrich, Katherine M. Pallas, Michael Joseph Dino, Jean W. Davis

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Health systems face escalating burdens from physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which disproportionately affect socioeconomically and clinically susceptible populations [1], [2]. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI), digital health technologies, and wearable devices are increasingly shaping health decision making and behavior change interventions [3], [4]. Nudge theory, grounded in behavioral economics, offers a noncoercive approach to influencing behavior through choice architecture while preserving individual autonomy [5], [6]. As AI enables nudges to become more personalized and scalable, conceptual clarity is needed to guide ethical, nurse-led applications that advance prevention and health equity [7], [8].

This work conceptually examines …

Community Strengths: A Global Partnership To Support Children With Disabilities In Ghana, Christine Rae Platt, Michael Thomas, Brandon Thatcher, Ashlee Johnson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: To conduct a community-based needs assessment with Ghanaian caregivers of children with disabilities and collaboratively develop strategies to address identified gaps.

Methods: A community-based participatory action research approach, between a U.S. university’s global health initiative and the Africa Interdisciplinary Research Group, was used to engage Ghanaian community members including mothers from a cerebral palsy support group, a schoolteacher, a school board representative, pediatric and community health nurses, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, an orphanage caregiver, and a reverend overseeing the orphanage. Data were collected through focus groups or individual interviews. Thematic analysis identified core themes reflecting needs and community strengths, …

The Influence Of Garden Interventions On Consumer Survivors' Food Security: An Integrative Review, Robin D. Coatsworth-Puspoky, Elsabeth Jensen, Betty Edwards, Mabeth Placido, Robbie-Lynn Coatsworth Puspoky, Rae-Anna Puspoky

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Psychiatric consumer/survivors (PC/Ss) are at risk of not having access to enough food and food of sufficient quality due to being on low and fixed incomes (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2023). Adequate amounts of nutritious foods are necessary for health and well-being (Smith et al., 2023). Gardening may be used by PC/S organizations to improve access to and quality of food, health, and healing.

Purpose: To synthesize and evaluate primary empirical evidence related to PC/Ss experiences with garden interventions and how strategies influence health and well-being.

Research Design: An integrative review methodology (Whittemore & Knafl, 2005) will be …

Ngo & Us/Kenyan Academic Multidisciplinary Teams Mitigate Climate Health Impacts For Hiv+ Women, Laura L. Van Auker, Stephen J. Cavanagh, Janet Meda, Charleen Singh, Miriam Carole Atieno Wagoro, Mariana Omenda

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This reports a 25-year case demonstration of a Kenyan-based NGO founded by an American RN in response to the life-threats for HIV+ widows and their children in Kenya. Initially providing AIDS medication, food, shelter and structured skills training for economic development and support for keeping their children in school, the program now provides interdisciplinary care by the program primary physician and social worker, agronomist and community support from program graduates. Long-standing academic partnership with a US University models APRN team-based care medical volunteers, later adding Kenyan University nursing faculty and students for mobile medical camps. Health data collection/analytics supports improved …

Co-Design The “Foryou” Mhealth Survivorship Program With Colorectal Cancer Survivors, Do Pham Nhat Vi, Nguyen Thi Que Tran, Hoang Thi Xuan Huong, Zhou Shishuang, Wong Cho Lee

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Despite advancements in early detection and treatment that have improved colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates, post-treatment experiences often leave unmet needs that affect health-related quality of life. There is a pressing need for scalable approaches to provide care support for survivors who have completed primary treatment. This study aimed to involve CRC survivors and healthcare professionals in designing a mobile app named FORYOU. The co-design methodology employed a collaborative, user-centred approach to app development. Over 8 weeks, four user-centred design (UCD) sessions were conducted with five CRC survivors (end-users), four survivorship professionals, and one IT expert. Four essential design features …

Factors Influencing Physical Activity Post-Hospitalization In Cardiac Patients Reporting Hopelessness, Eleanor Rivera, Lola Coke, Nathan Tintle, Madison Goodyke, Anna Luong, Susan Dunn

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Lack of physical activity (PA) is a major health risk factor, associated with high burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) [1]. Increasing PA demonstrates health benefits but meeting PA guidelines is difficult for patients with IHD. Furthermore, patients with IHD who experience hopelessness, a negative outlook and sense of helplessness about the future [2], may face additional barriers in meeting PA guidelines. This study used a qualitative approach to explore the self-reported barriers and motivating factors to meeting PA goals for patients with IHD.

Methods: The Heart Up! Study was an RCT testing a 6-week motivational intervention in individuals …

Nurse Self-Care And Resilience On 12-Hour Shifts: A Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation, Timothy C. Ortiz, Werayuth Srithumsuk, Kattiya Podimuang, Wendy Campos, Merita Geo, Pinthusorn Pattayakorn

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This evidence-based quality improvement project is aimed to implement and evaluate a self-care resilience program designed to improve work-life balance and self-care management for bedside nurses working 12-hour shifts in an acute care hospital. High rates of burnout and turnover among this population threaten both nurse health and patient care quality.

Methods: Guided by the principles in "Self-Care for New and Student Nurses" (Fontaine et al.), an 8-week program was developed and piloted with 50 medical-surgical nurses. The multi-component intervention included: (1) structured education on mindfulness, sleep hygiene, and nutrition; (2) skill-building workshops in paced breathing and micro-movements for …

Lifestyle Intervention: Effects On Glycemic Control And Medication Reduction In Type Ii Diabetes, Karlen E. Luthy, Sydney Smith, Christine Rae Platt, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Neil E. Peterson, Janessa Johnson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DMII) is a condition that affects millions of people every year and, while preventable, remains one of the top causes of death and disability in the United States. Typical treatment for DMII is focused on using pharmacological measures to lower and maintain hemoglobin A1C in a healthy range. Providers in a family practice clinic established a lifestyle change program to assist patients to reduce their A1C while also reducing the number of diabetic medications they take. The program was intended to improve metabolic health without relying solely on pharmacotherapy. The program encourages a low carb …

Championing Change: Igniting Innovation In Age-Friendly Care, Tru P. Byrnes, Amanda Gregory, Carolyn Lehman, Karrie Love, Kathleen Mescall, Gretchen Simon, Shelby Whitlow

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The goal was to enhance nurses’ knowledge and confidence in delivering person-centered, age-friendly care by introducing the 4Ms framework and interdisciplinary approaches to geriatric health through a dynamic conference with expert speakers and entertaining skits designed to engage and educate.

The aging population in the U.S. is growing rapidly, accounts for 40% of hospilized patients.(1) With aging, individuals often experience a combination of physiologic and pathophysiologic changes, which can lead to chronic illnesses.(2) Nearly 64% of those aged 65 and older have at least two chronic conditions.(3) However, nurses often lack geriatric expertise. Equipping nurses with education and resources fosters …

Counting My Nutrition (Cmn) Improved Appalachian Third Graders’ Nutrition Knowledge, But Had Little Effect On Food Attitudes And Dietary Intake: A Pilot Study, Julia Peter

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This study evaluates whether a 10-week school-based, math-integrated nutrition education curriculum improves the nutrition knowledge, food attitudes, and dietary intake of Appalachian third-graders in order to support their long-term health.

A Culture Of Connection: Understanding Gendered Experiences Of Food Insecurity In Appalachian Ohio, Phoebe Giordano

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

Through a series of interviews, this thesis seeks to understand the intersecting impacts of place and gender on the ability of Appalachian women to retain food access and maintain household food security, with an emphasis on the role of community organizing and traditional food practices in Appalachian culture.

Efficiency Of Medicaid, Wic, And Home Visiting Implementation: A County-Level Dea Of Infant Mortality Reduction In Ohio (2023), Olivia Kaiser

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

To identify where program implementation must improve to achieve equitable infant mortality reduction in Ohio, this data envelopment analysis compares each county’s efficiency to the most effective county in using Medicaid, WIC, and Home Visiting resources to reduce infant mortality in 2023.

Mapping Food Insecurity In Appalachian Ohio: A Spatial Analysis For Policy And Community Action, Christian Swart

Student Research and Creative Activity Expo

This project aims to identify areas in Appalachian Ohio where residents may lack access to fresh, affordable foods, to inform future research or policy intervention.

Building Research Infrastructure To Advance Recruitment And Retention Of Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Elidia V. Tafoya, Keith Henri Salvado, Latanya Dean, Pamela Josue, Briana Williams, Grissel Hernandez, Neera Ahuja

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

We assessed current strategies and built an infrastructure informed by historical studies demonstrating effective engagement of diverse participants to improve recruitment. Our objective was to increase enrollment of an inpatient health equity study experiencing food insecurity and diabetes mellitus (DM). This scalable model focused on supporting clinical integration for the development of a long-term, sustainable nutrition program.

This randomized control study included patients with a history of DM. The nursing research team screened patients using the validated, Hunger Vital Sign™ tool to assess for food insecurity. Using an evidence-based multifactorial approach, the implementation plan uses best practices to support socioeconomic …

Usa-Kenyan Primary Care Teams Offer Phq-9 And Gad-7 Screening For Hiv+ Women In Kenya, Janet Meda, Laura L. Van Auker, Stephen J. Cavanagh, Miriam Carole Atieno Wagoro, Mariana Omenda

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: As HIV treatment advances in sub-Saharan Africa, care for women living with HIV (WLWH) shifted from acute AIDS management to chronic disease care, with need to integrate mental health and HIV services. In low-resource settings comorbidities and antiretroviral (ARV) side effects can heighten anxiety and depression. Anemia, diabetes, hypertension, malaria, and ARV-related fatigue, pain, and neuropathy complicate diagnosis and treatment. Mental health screening in primary care improves identification and supports better outcomes. Rural and urban WLWH face different barriers and resources, emphasizing context-specific approaches. Expanding nursing education and advanced nursing roles may help reduce gaps in integrated care.

Objectives: …

Chemical Effects Of Microplastics On Photochemistry In A Coral-Associated Zooxanthella, Meghan A. Hennings, Matz Indergard, John E. Parkinson

OneUSF Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Coral bleaching is the process by which corals lose their symbiotic microalgae in response to stressful conditions. These photosymbionts, known as zooxanthellae, give corals their color and sustain host growth through mutualistic nutritional exchange. Bleaching events are becoming more common and severe, driving research into coral conservation and the resilience of each partner in the symbiosis. Yet it is unknown how certain pollutants, such as microplastics, may affect bleaching outcomes. Previous research in our laboratory has demonstrated that the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics inhibits bleaching recovery in sea anemones (a coral model), but it remains unclear whether the …

Immigration Stress And Inequities Driving Diabetes Distress In Hispanic Adults: A Scoping Review, Rachell Nguyen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Hispanic adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-occurring mental health conditions. These disparities are intensified by immigration-related stress, acculturation challenges, and minority stress, all of which contribute to heightened diabetes distress and reduced self-management capacity.

Purpose: This scoping review examined how immigration stressors, acculturation processes, and minority stress influence diabetes distress and mental health outcomes among Hispanic adults with T2DM.

Methods: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step scoping review framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (OVID), and ScienceDirect identified studies published between 2015 and …

Interprofessional Team Approach To Analyzing Food Scarcity Using Value Stream Analysis, Janet Brown

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Food insecurity is a public health concern (Pereira, 2021), and 13.5 % of households in the United States experienced food insecurity during 2023 (Rabbitt et al, 2024). Older adults (age 65+) are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, which can cause serious consequences for their health and well-being (Alyward et al., 2020). Utilization of community-based resources can reduce food insecurity (Alyward et al., 2020). Value Stream Analysis (VSA), a tool traditionally applied in manufacturing and industry, has translated to healthcare settings and significantly improved operational performance (Aloga, 2025). VSA reveals waste, overlap, and hidden capacity when applied to a process …

The Effects Of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation On The Inspiratory Muscle Metaboreflex In Young Healthy Adults, Sabrina Ehrenfort, Riley Dienna, Ben Kerns, Hannah Lyons, Rachel Phillips

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Increased work of breathing (Wb) triggers the inspiratory muscle metaboreflex, which elevates systemic blood pressure in response to diaphragmatic fatigue. To counteract this, dietary nitrate could act as a source of nitric oxide, which is known to improve muscle power and efficiency (Jones et al., 2018). This study examines the hypothesis that acute nitrate supplementation would attenuate this response. Utilizing the KH2 device from PowerBreathe, 20 healthy participants (mean age: 21.1 ± 2.5 years; range: 18–30 years) underwent a resistive breathing task (RBT) for a total of three minutes at 60% of their maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). All 20 participants …