Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Identification Of Older Adult Financial Exploitation Using The Oafem Screening Tool, Paige N. Horvath, J’Andra Antisdel, Lori J. Pajakowski

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Older adult financial exploitation is a growing public health concern that frequently goes unrecognized in healthcare settings. Financial exploitation can result in significant financial loss, psychological distress, and decreased quality of life for vulnerable older adults. Primary care settings represent an important opportunity for early detection; however, routine screening for financial exploitation is rarely incorporated into standard patient assessments. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to evaluate whether implementation of the Older Adult Financial Exploitation Measure (OAFEM) screening tool increases identification of older adults at risk for financial exploitation in a community-based primary care clinic. The guiding PICOT …

Impact Of Simulation-Based Ebp Training On Outcomes And Confidence In Newly Licensed Nurses, Karrie A. Youngs

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The transition from nursing student to newly licensed registered nurse represents a vulnerable period in professional practice. During this time, nurses must apply evidence-based practice (EBP) while managing complex patient care. Traditional hospital orientation programs often rely on didactic instruction and preceptorship, which may not fully prepare new nurses for fast-paced clinical environments. Simulation-based education has emerged as an experiential strategy that bridges the theory–practice gap through realistic clinical scenarios, guided debriefing, and competency-based evaluation. This literature review examines quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of structured simulation-based EBP training in improving clinical outcomes and confidence among newly licensed nurses.

A …

Utilizing The Health Belief Model To Explore Mental Health Help-Seeking In Chaldean Adults, Dali Majeed

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Since the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003, three-fourths of the Chaldean population fled the country, seeking refuge from persecution, resulting in a Chaldean diaspora with hundreds of thousands dispersed outside Iraq. Michigan is home to approximately 160,000 Chaldean people, the highest concentration in the U.S. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a growing concern, yet are likely underreported due to community stigmas and cultural beliefs, leading to unhealthy coping behavior and delayed mental health treatment. While evidence supports a high incidence of mental health illnesses among the Arab population, literature assessing the Chaldean population remains understudied. …

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 …

Examining Covid-19 Vaccination Attitudes And Behaviors Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, Nicele Catherine Medel Arana

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As COVID-19 transitions into endemic management, understanding vaccination behaviors and beliefs among nursing students is critical given nurses’ roles in patient education and vaccine advocacy. This descriptive, cross-sectional study examined COVID-19 vaccination attitudes, booster uptake, infection history, and advocacy confidence among undergraduate Bachelor of Science nursing students at a public urban college. Forty-six students across three cohorts completed an anonymous online survey informed by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) following institutional review board (IRB) approval (IRB #2025-0805-York). Findings demonstrated near-universal completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccine series, contrasted by lower booster uptake. A majority …

Virtually Real. The Great Kimberley Wilderness And The Construction Of Indigenous Heritage, Martin Porr, Laura Mayer

Talking Heads Seminar Series

Australia’s significant rock art is part of contemporary Aboriginal culture and is of importance to a national and international community with interests in heritage, art, and culture. However, this heritage is often contested and subject to cross-cultural misunderstandings, threatening the preservation of its tangible and intangible components. Over the last decades, cultural tourism has been one of the globally most significant areas of economic development and growth. In Australia, the demand for ‘Aboriginal tourism experiences’ is increasing as well. The Federal Government and State Governments continue to focus on Aboriginal tourism as a strategy for economic development and social improvement. …

Social Determinants Of Health: Beliefs About Healthcare As A Right Or A Privilege, Dianne Mcadams-Jones

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing education nationwide has integrated Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) into curricula to prepare future healthcare providers to address inequities and improve outcomes. While understanding SDoH is essential for equitable care, nurses’ own beliefs—shaped by personal experiences and environments—can influence practice behaviors and perpetuate disparities (Egede, Walker & Williams, 2024). This qualitative descriptive pilot study explored perceptions of healthcare as a right or privilege, examining how personal beliefs intersect with SDoH and bad science which ultimately impact healthcare outcomes (Bandura, 1971). Using an unstructured survey distributed via email, 110 responses were received, with 64 healthcare professionals and first responders included …

Leveraging Collaboratory Community Assessments To Strategically Guide Service-Learning Projects, Judy L. Gregg

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The Association of American Colleges and Universities supports high impact practices including service-learning, global learning, research, and collaborative projects resulting in a university participating in a Collaboratory Community Assessment in order to strengthen an established partnership in a remote indigenous village in Guyana.

While most service learning project goals are established by the host, collaboratory projects can improve service-learning outcomes through a community engagement pedagogy that combines learning goals and community service in ways that enhance both student growth and the public good. Collaboratory projects are high-impact practices where teaching, service, and scholarship overlap.

In Fall 2023, a one credit …

Virtual Reality Pedagogy To Improve Clinical Judgment And Work-Readiness: An Integrative Review, Maria Hurd

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aims: To appraise the literature examining the impact of virtual reality (VR) on the development of clinical judgment and work readiness in undergraduate nursing students.

Background: Preparing nursing students for safe entry into practice remains challenging due to limited clinical placements and increasing expectations for competence. VR simulation provides immersive, repeatable pedagogical experiences that support clinical reasoning and decision-making [1,2]; however, its effectiveness in developing work readiness remains unclear.

Methods: PubMed and CINAHL were searched for studies examining VR-based pedagogical approaches and outcomes related to clinical judgment and work readiness. Of 216 articles identified, 193 were screened after duplicates were …

Learning, Unlearning And Transformation: Recommendations For A Successful Workplace Integration, Archana Paul

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The process of learning, unlearning, re-learning, and ultimately transformation is a fundamental aspect of personal and professional growth. Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) bring extensive knowledge, skills, and experience to their practice areas. However, they must undergo a process of change to assimilate, adapt, and practice competently as a nurse. Despite the existence of some studies exploring IENs' transition into their workplace, there is a significant scarcity of focus on their experiences of relinquishing old habits, beliefs, and ideas to acquire new or alternative knowledge and skills, which ultimately facilitate transformation. It is crucial to recognize the significance of this …

Designing A Leadership Development Program To Operationalize Transformational Leadership Principles, Nicole E. Roebuck

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

There are many leadership development programs, but only a few focus on nurses' unique perspectives. The project site had leadership development programs for aspiring nurse leaders, a leadership core for newly appointed nurse leaders, and executive coaching for executive-level nurse leadership. A need was identified for a leadership development program focused on nurse managers. This project designed, implemented, and evaluated a leadership development program for nurse managers to apply the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. The project goal was to increase nurse manager application of the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership to operationalize transformational leadership principles and foster Joy in …

Creating And Implementing Multinational Research Collaborations In Nursing, Allison P. Squires

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As a profession, nursing possesses a unique body of knowledge that guides our practice and service delivery. The creation of our knowledge comes from the production of research using the scientific method and involves both creating local knowledge reflective of local practices as well as contributing to the global evidence to inform clinical practice and policy. The COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the need for strengthening research capacity in nursing, especially in countries where it is nascent or a relatively recent phenomenon. Strengthening research capacity in nursing and healthcare more broadly is also a key goal of the World Health Organization's …

Assessing Bse Knowledge And Practice Among Female Undergraduates In Oyo, Nigeria, Esther Oluwatoyin Famutimi, Phoebe O. Ayandokun

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Breast cancer is a major global health burden and the most common malignancy among women in Nigeria. Early detection through Breast Self-Examination (BSE) remains a cost-effective method for reducing mortality, especially in low-resource settings. Despite high awareness levels, many young women lack adequate knowledge and regular practice of BSE. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge and practice of BSE among female undergraduate students in two tertiary institutions in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study population comprised female undergraduates from Atiba University and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo. A multistage sampling technique …

Measuring Stress Of Nurse Caregiving In The Nicu: Development Of Measure To Inform Practice, Debra Brandon

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are exposed to a variety of stressors based on their health condition and length of hospital stay. Stress has also been associated with negative neurodevelopmental outcomes.¹ Cumulative measures of NICU stress exist.² Yet, stress caused by specific nurse caregiving activities are poorly understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to categorize the intrusiveness of nurse caregiving activities to inform “clustered nurse caregiving” with a goal of minimizing cumulative stress experienced by infants in the NICU.

Methods and Results: Assessment of intrusiveness was developed in 3 Phases. In Phase …

App Led-Pocus Education: Survey Findings On Barriers, Facilitators, And Adoption, Al-Zada Aguilar

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers immediate clinical insight, but turning exposure into everyday practice requires more than a single course. Over four years of APP-led, interprofessional training (2021-2025), we used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand what helped, what hindered, and what our participants needed. Findings came directly from post-course and follow-up surveys.

Facilitators. Learners consistently described progress when teaching matched how ultrasound is actually used at the bedside. Shared language, step-by-step scanning, and reviewing real cases helped them connect image acquisition to clinical decisions. Psychological safety was another major driver. Being able to ask questions, try, fail, and …

Flexible Scheduling: Pathway To Building Sustainable Nursing Workforce: A New Zealand Context, Adetoun Adebimpe Oyekunle

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Hospital nurses frequently work long and irregular shifts, exposing them to high fatigue and stress that undermine wellbeing and retention. Rigid rosters limit autonomy, erode work-life balance, and contribute to turnover. In New Zealand, the situation is intensified by chronic workforce shortages, an ageing nursing population, and rising reliance on internationally qualified nurses. Flexible scheduling and shift choice, which give nurses greater control over when and how they work, may offer an effective strategy to reduce fatigue,increase job satisfaction, and improve retention.

Aim: To explore how flexible scheduling and shift choice affect fatigue, job satisfaction, and retention among nurses …

Fear Of Progression And Associated Factors In Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Mixed-Methods Study, Hongxia Liu

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) frequently develop excessive fear regarding disease recurrence and progression, which substantially affects their health. The Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM) offers a useful framework to explain how these recipients perceive, process, and respond to such health threats.

Objective: To develop and validate a model of fear of progression (FoP) in kidney transplant recipients, analyzing its influencing factors; and to identify contextual factors associated with this fear as well as recipients’ lived experiences.

Design: A convergent mixed-methods design was employed in this study.

Settings: Kidney transplant follow-up centers at three tertiary hospitals in Beijing, Hunan, and …

Creating Space For Grief: A Bereavement Support Initiative In Critical Care, Donna Nguyen, Morgan Curnell

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: To examine current bereavement practices in critical care through a scoping review and identify evidence-based strategies to support families and nursing staff during and after end-of-life events. This review highlights gaps, facilitators, and opportunities for nurse-led approaches to strengthen compassionate, consistent bereavement care.

Background: In ICUs, bereavement extends beyond families to nurses who frequently experience emotional and moral distress after patient death. Despite evidence supporting structured bereavement interventions, practices remain inconsistent, culturally variable, and often lacking clear guidance for frontline nurses. A synthesis of current literature is needed to inform standardized, grief-informed practices that benefit both families and staff. …

The Future Starts Here: Stay Rounds For Meaningful Nurse Engagement And Job Satisfaction, Shelly L. Brody

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for the workforce, leading  to high turnover. Leaders worked on engaging employees and creating a culture that encourages retention. The global nursing workforce totals 27.9 million, with about 5.9 million vacancies. "Stay Rounds" is an innovative strategy to improve nursing retention in healthcare institutions, focusing on preventing burnout and turnover by fostering a supportive work environment.

Purpose: The project aims to enhance employee retention and engagement through a comprehensive process that involves conducting Stay Round Interviews with employees, ultimately leading to a reduction and reduction in turnover rates.

Methods: The project was carried out …

Leading The Charge In Advanced Competency: Through Muta/Guta Training In Graduate Nursing Education, Janice Ketcham Williams

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Graduate nursing education is undergoing a significant transformation as academic institutions are required to prepare their learners to meet the evolving needs of a complex healthcare system. This requires them to be prepared to care for patients with diverse healthcare needs, while also meeting the expectations of nursing regulatory and accrediting organizations. One of these requirements is the transition toward competency-based education. This transition to competency-based education requires faculty to employ pedagogical approaches that demonstrate consistent, measurable development of clinical knowledge, skill acquisition, and professional attitudes. Research has validated the effectiveness of incorporating diverse simulation experiences throughout the curriculum as …

Implementing Loneliness Screening To Impact Referrals To A Community Health Liaison, Debra Garee

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Loneliness can be a common and harmful problem many people of all ages face. At the practice site, there was no screen to identify lonely patients who would benefit from connection to community resources. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if the translation of Mullen et al.’s research utilizing the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Three-Item Loneliness Scale would impact referrals to a community health liaison among adults. The project was piloted in a rural Ohio community health center over eight weeks. The project's theoretical foundations were Betty Neuman’s systems model and John Kotter’s change …

Strengthening Self-Efficacy To Reduce The Confidence–Performance Gap In Nursing Skill Execution, Efrat Danino

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

A persistent gap between nurses’ perceived confidence and their actual performance of clinical skills poses risks to patient safety, quality of care, and workforce preparedness. The purpose of this study was to examine how internal factors—particularly self-efficacy and perceived ability—and external factors, including departmental climate and gender, influence the execution of core nursing procedures.

Limited research has evaluated how self-efficacy and perceived ability translate into consistent performance across diverse clinical environments. Addressing this gap is essential for developing evidence-based strategies that enhance competence, promote safe practice, and strengthen the global nursing workforce.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using validated self-report …

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, …

Participation Drives Learning: Global Engagement Insights From Virtual Simulation, Christi Doherty

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: To determine how behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement predict perceived learning in graduate students using case-based virtual simulation (VS) and to share globally transferable design strategies.

Background: VS places learners in low-risk cases where they make decisions and see consequences, a structure known to promote involvement and deep learning. While evidence in graduate nursing is limited, the engagement mechanisms are relevant internationally and across fields because VS resembles problem-based scenarios, labs, studios, and field-placement preparation used worldwide.

Methods: Secondary analysis of 1,331 U.S. graduate nursing students who completed i-Human Patients® simulations. Engagement was measured with the Online Student Engagement …

The Dimensions Of Mental Illness Stigma And Discrimination Among Nursing Personnel And Lay Persons, Carol Paula Wiseman

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness remain widespread among both lay persons and healthcare professionals, undermining help seeking, recovery, and successful community reintegration for individuals living with mental illness (Agapie et al., 2022; Ahad et al., 2023). The factors which drive mental illness stigma and discrimination (MISAD) are varied, deep seated and often difficult to change (Khalid et al., 2024).

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature and manifestations of mental illness stigma and discrimination across selected participant groups in Trinidad and Tobago, identifying points of convergence and divergence. A secondary aim was to examine how the nursing …

Adaptation Of A Culturally Sensitive Gbv Screening Tool For Pregnant Women In Ghana, Innes Agbenu

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Violence against women and girls is a crucial global health concern. Violence occurring during pregnancy is an alarming global health issue due to increased adverse outcomes on maternal and newborn health. A vital component in the management of gender-based violence (GBV) in pregnancy is the identification of victims. Routine screening during the antenatal period is the most effective approach to identify pregnant women and girls exposed to GBV. Despite this crucial need, evidence suggests that little is done to identify women exposed to violence during pregnancy in Ghana.

Aim: This study aimed to assess gender-based violence screening practices among …

Leveraging Conference Learning Through A Proposal-Driven Approach To Nursing Innovation, Ashley Perry

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Frontline nurses often return from conferences with evidence-based ideas, yet translating these into sustained practice change is limited by factors including resource and process barriers.^1,2 Evidence shows that strategies such as implementation science and structured innovation support improve adoption.^2,3,4,5 In 2024, our hospital noted this gap after funding over 50 nurses to attend conferences where insights were shared but rarely transformed care delivery. To increase impact, we launched a proposal-based model that turns external learning into actionable improvements. Previously, conference attendees shared insights via presentations, a passive approach with few pathways for change.

Our purpose was to introduce …

Advancing Clinical Practice Using Precision Infusion Delivery And Standardized Flushing Protocol, Sudha Saravanan

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Ambulatory infusion centers are required to infuse complex therapies within scheduled chair times while sustaining excellent patient-centered care. This project evaluated how advanced clinical nursing practices can optimize routine infusion workflows by improving drug-volume accuracy and standardizing post-infusion flushing.

Infusion times go beyond expected time when nurses program pumps using manufacturer-stated volumes rather than actual bag volume, which often contains significant overfill [3]. In addition, variation in flushing practices creates inconsistent timed dose delivery and potential drug loss [2,4]. These deviations contribute to prolonged chair time and patient dissatisfaction.

Evidence supports weighed volume accuracy as an essential safeguard for time-dependent …

Motivational Interviewing And Telehealth In Heart Failure Self-Care, Maryam Alharrasi

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Heart failure (HF) remains a global public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Oman. Poor self-care practices are a key contributor to high readmission and mortality rates among HF patients. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a process centered on exploring and resolving ambivalence, with the core motivational processes residing within the individual to facilitate change (Dellafiore et al., 2023). Another study suggests that MI might serve as a novel therapeutic approach for stabilizing and preventing HF by promoting self-care behavioral changes, even in patients with advanced HF and severely reduced ejection fraction (Sakane et al., 2021). Additionally, a …

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 …