Digital Commons Network^™

A Phenomenological Study Of Parent Experiences During Transition From Early Intervention To School-Based Services, Kelly F. Gregoire, Halie Mayfield, Jeryl D. Benson, Johnna Estep

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

Importance: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and members of the Early Intervention (EI) to school-based transition should understand the barriers to a successful transition to better advocate for their clients and tailor their involvement in the transition process.

Objective: To explore the lived experience of parents of young children participating in the transition process.

Participants: Fourteen parents of young children (ages 2.5-6 years) with a developmental disability.

Outcomes and Measures: Semi-structured interviews focusing on parent and family experiences with the transition process.

Results: Seven resulting themes emerged from the data representing parent perceptions related to their experience of the system. …

Improving Accuracy Of External Ventricular Drain Care Among Neurosurgical Icu Nurses, Chun-Fang Chang, Shuang-Yu Yang, Lu-Hsin Huang, Ya-Lan Chao

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: External ventricular drain (EVD) care is a vital procedure in neurosurgical ICUs. Improper management may cause severe complications and threaten patient safety. Routine audits revealed multiple deficiencies in EVD care, prompting this improvement project.

Purpose: To enhance EVD care accuracy among ICU nurses through systematic education and evaluation.

Methods: Root cause analysis identified key issues: lengthy training materials, limited teaching aids, and lack of audits. From August 10, 2023, interventions included:

(1) gamified education sessions;
(2) mnemonic cards with concise learning phrases;
(3) virtual reality (VR) simulation for hands-on learning; and
(4) a structured audit and feedback system to …

Barriers And Facilitators To Family Engagement In Critical Care, Brigitte S. Cypress

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Family engagement in care for critically ill patients remains an inconsistent practice and an understudied area of nursing science. Rounds for this study are an interdisciplinary activity conducted at the bedside in partnership with patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals involved in providing the care.

Aim of the Study: We sought to explore and describe the facilitators and barriers to family engagement during patient and family-centered interdisciplinary rounds in the intensive care unit.

Methods: This qualitative exploratory study is part of a multisite experimental study (#Pro2020001614; NCT05449990). We analyzed the narrative data from the qualitative questions added to …

Severe Hypertension In Postpartum: How A Nurse Driven Protocol Can Decrease A Delay In Treatment, Kayleigh Momme

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Severe hypertension in the postpartum period is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, affecting up to 10% of pregnancies. Prompt and standardized treatment of severe blood pressure elevations is critical to prevent complications such as stroke, heart failure, and eclampsia. At the practicum site, delays were identified in administering intravenous (IV) antihypertensive medications due to reliance on resident physicians to give the medication, resulting in inconsistent and prolonged treatment times. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement an evidence-based nurse-driven protocol for administering IV antihypertensives to postpartum patients with severe hypertension, defined as systolic blood …

Wait! Do Longer Wait Times Lead To Preventable Harm?, Jamie L. Warg, Dawn Bowker

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, hospitals have experienced significant increases in Emergency Department (ED) wait times and extended hospitalizations. These delays have led to capacity challenges, with patients often held in the ED due to the unavailability of inpatient beds. Prolonged ED stays may increase the risk of preventable patient harm. As Pak et al. (2021) noted, “wait time estimates are critical for delivering safe, effective care to patients in an emergency department.”

Research Aim: This study aims to examine whether prolonged ED stays (greater than 3 hours) are associated with an increased incidence of preventable patient …

Effects Of Tongue Resistance And Strengthening Exercises In Elderly With Mci: A Double-Blind Rct, Kuei-Ru Chou

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often experience reduced tongue function, resulting in inefficient bolus transport and swallowing difficulties. Tongue resistance exercises (TRE) use isometric or isotonic movements against resistance to enhance tongue strength, while tongue strengthening exercises (TSE) involve repetitive, high-intensity movements to improve tongue pressure and swallowing coordination. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a combined TRE + TSE program on tongue function, swallowing pressure, swallowing performance, and quality of life (QoL) in frail older adults with MCI.

Methods: A prospective, double-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (n = 89; mean …

Effects Of A Mobile Web-Based Video Patient Education Program On Anesthesia And Recovery, Sinjung Jung, Eun-Hyun Lee, Chun-Ja Kim, Ji Yea Lee

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Purpose: Patients awaiting surgery often experience fear and anxiety related to limited information about surgery, concern about not waking up from anesthesia, uncertainty, surgical outcomes, and postoperative pain [1-3]. Preoperative education has been shown to improve these psychological problems [4, 5], and video-based education in particular is increasingly recognized as an effective teaching tool [1]. However, most preoperative education interventions primarily focus on the surgery itself, and rarely directly address major anesthesia-related issues, such as anesthesia safety or postoperative pain [6]. Therefore, in this study, we developed a mobile web-based video education program on general anesthesia and recovery, …

The Effect Of Shangshou Daoyin Qigong On Sleep Quality In Patients With Schizophrenia, Kuei-Hua Chang, Jun-Dai Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Shangshou Daoyin Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, in improving sleep quality among patients with schizophrenia. Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent in this population and has a substantial impact on daily functioning and quality of life. The study sought to provide evidence for a safe, non-pharmacological nursing intervention applicable in psychiatric settings.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted in the chronic rehabilitation wards of a psychiatric teaching hospital in central Taiwan. Seventy-four inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were purposively sampled and divided into an experimental group (n = 37) and a control …

Exploring A Facile Elisa-Based Method For Detecting Antibody Aggregates, Kaitlyn N. Shaw

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Purpose: Immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) is the primary structural platform for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Highly concentrated (>100 mg/mL) mAb formulations are increasingly used to extend drug action but are susceptible to protein denaturation and irreversible aggregation due to physical and chemical stresses, including temperature and pH changes. Aggregation can reduce drug potency and increase immunogenicity, creating challenges for the quality and safety of biologic products. This study aimed to develop and validate a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective method for detecting protein aggregation in IgG solutions.

Methods: Human plasma-derived IgG was reconstituted in phosphate-buffered saline (0.001–0.02 mg/mL) and exposed to …

See-Judge-Act In The Age Of Viral Violence: Moral Agency, Praxis, And Social Media, Thomas Elias

Graduate Student Research Symposium

More and more, young adults are encountering war and violence through an unrelenting stream of social media images and videos: bombed apartment blocks, civilians fleeing airstrikes, and acts of political violence. Psychological research links exposure to unfiltered depictions of war with heightened trauma symptoms. In the age of social media, people undergo the moral processes online in response to war, terror, and injustice. While these platforms amplify global awareness, they also strain the capacities of moral agents to see clearly, judge responsibly, and act meaningfully. Drawing on Catholic social thought, digital ethics, and psychological research, this project explores how viral …

Awareness Of The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Among Healthcare Providers Caring For Older Adults, Anannya Pushkarna, Melanie Turk

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Introduction:

Prediabetes is a prevalent condition among older adults and represents a crucial opportunity where early interventions can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lifestyle modifications are first-line management. The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), a 12-month lifestyle change program initiated in 2018, is fully covered by Medicare, yet uptake remains limited. This study assessed healthcare providers’ beliefs about prediabetes and awareness of the MDPP.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was administered electronically to a national sample of physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs). Questions addressed beliefs about prediabetes, barriers to care, and knowledge/awareness of the …

Women’S Peace Agency: Reading Africae Munus In The Framework Of Emilie Townes’ Womanist Ethics And The Cultural Production Of Evil, Leonard N. Zifac

Graduate Student Research Symposium

This paper employs Emilie M. Townes's womanist ethical framework—particularly her concept of the "cultural production of evil"—to critically examine Pope Benedict XVI's post-synodal exhortation Africae Munus (2011) and its treatment of African women's agency in peacebuilding. While Africae Munus calls the Church in Africa to serve reconciliation, justice, and peace, and acknowledges women's dignity and contributions to family and community life, the document largely confines women's roles to maternal, supportive, and domestic spheres without adequately challenging the patriarchal structures that systematically marginalize women from strategic leadership and formal peace processes. Drawing on Townes's analysis of how cultural narratives, religious discourse, …

Uncovering The Path To Diagnosis Among Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Mini-Study, Jeffrey D. Whitaker, Rick Zoucha, Melissa Kalarchian

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often persists into adulthood, yet many adults are first diagnosed only after years of functional strain, compensation, and alternative explanations for their difficulties. Purpose: This study explored how adults first diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood described navigating the process of obtaining a formal diagnosis. Methods: A constructivist grounded theory mini-study was conducted with seven adults, ages 27 to 43, who reported receiving their first formal ADHD diagnosis at age 18 or later. Participants completed semi-structured Zoom interviews focused on early experiences, symptom interpretation, help-seeking, and formal assessment. Data were analyzed using initial, focused, and theoretical …

Hypertension Management And Addressing Health Equity, Jenny Uguru

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Worldwide, 1.28 billion adults between 30-79 years of age have Hypertension (HTN) (WHO, 2023). HTN is the most common medical diagnosis in the U.S. and individuals with social, economic, and cultural factors have higher prevalence and poor control of their ability to self-manage the disease (Ware, Chidume, & Chou, 2023). HTN has the highest risk for mortality related to cardiovascular disease (Cheng et al., 2022). Care coordination and CHWs provide resources, especially those related to social determinants of health (SDOH), and can improve patient engagement and support improved quality of care (Ibe et al., 2021). SDOH increases the prevalence …

When We Feel Maxed Out: Increasing Human Capacity Across Four Domains, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The experience of being “maxed out” reflects depletion across emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational domains that collectively determine human capacity. Nurses frequently encounter this state in themselves, colleagues, and patients, where exhaustion and stress diminish coping and resilience. Emerging evidence demonstrates that recovery requires more than time or reduced workload; deliberate engagement in evidence-based practices produces measurable improvement across domains.

This paper introduces a multidimensional framework for human capacity and synthesizes recent findings linking mindfulness, cognitive training, physical conditioning, and social connection with improved well-being. The review identifies five common misconceptions that obstruct recovery—beliefs that time alone restores capacity, that …

Perceived Cognitive Function And Continuous Glucose Monitor Use In Older Adults: A Qualitative Study, Heather E. Cuevas, Jeeyeon Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

CGM is used to examine glucose data against reports of diabetes self-management (DMSM) behaviors, allowing characterization of biobehavioral processes.¹ The inclusion of DMSM behaviors is crucial to a full understanding of the relationships between glucose variability and cognitive function.^2,3 Unfortunately, only a few trials have evaluated the effectiveness of CGM in older adults with T2DM.^4,5 Because older adults with T2DM are a heterogeneous group with variable functional and cognitive abilities, clinicians must consider whether each patient can use CGM and which CGM device that best fits patients' needs. The purpose of this project was to investigate how …

Reality Check: Nursing Graduates' Transition To Practice And Implications For Curriculum Development, Catherine A. Stubin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing workforce instability has intensified due to worsening work conditions and increasing demands on nurses. Burnout disproportionately affects younger nurses and is strongly linked to early-career attrition (Labrague et al., 2025), with nearly 15% of newly licensed registered nurses leaving within their first year and over 30% within two years (AACN, 2024; NLN, 2022). Addressing burnout is vital not only for nurse retention but also for maintaining mental health and ensuring high-quality patient care (Li et al., 2024; Shah et al., 2021).

The purpose of this study was to examine nursing alumni perceptions of how effectively their undergraduate curriculum at …

Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation On Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Care Of The Dying, Meredith Joyner

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care is a vital yet often underemphasized component of nursing education. Limited clinical opportunities to engage with dying patients can leave nursing students unprepared to provide compassionate care. High-fidelity simulation provides an evidence-based, immersive learning environment that allows students to practice communication, decision-making, and emotional responses in a safe setting.

Research Question/Aims: This study aimed to determine whether participation in a high-fidelity simulation focused on EOL care would improve nursing students’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients. It was hypothesized that simulation participation would positively impact student attitudes as measured by a validated instrument.

Methods: A quantitative …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Kimberly Abraham

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare education and clinical practice, yet many registered nurses returning to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have limited experience with AI literacy, ethical application, and informatics integration.

Purpose: To address this gap, faculty developed an innovative, asynchronous assignment within an online RN to BSN program to enhance students’ digital literacy, confidence, and ethical awareness in applying AI responsibly to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and critical thinking.

Methods: Students used a free version of ChatGPT and (1) developed a clinical PICO(T) question; (2) used AI to generate five keywords and summarize best …

Predicting Telemedicine Patient Visit No-Shows: Discovering An Actionable Patient Risk Model, Barbara R. Medvec, John D. Knight

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The objectives of this project were to evaluate a large healthcare system’s telemedicine no-show risk model, assessing accuracy in identifying (1) high-risk for no-show patients and (2) refinements to the model that would improve the prediction accuracy and ease of use. The original model factors—Portal Activation, Last Portal Log-In < 90 days, E-Check-In < 90 days, E-Check-In for Visit Completed, and Last Video Visit—showed limited predictive power, making the model challenging to apply in practice. Leadership seeks a more accurate and streamlined model to support targeted interventions aimed at reducing no-shows.

A literature review revealed limited evidence on predictive scoring models for telemedicine visit no-shows. We analyzed 525,333 telemedicine appointments from 30 clinics between 2021 and 2024. Using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, we: (1) assessed no-show rates by risk score; (2) calculated standardized Z scores for model factors; and (3) …

Global Partnerships As Catalysts For Reciprocal Mentoring In Nursing: A Scoping Review, Michele J. Upvall, Adelais Markaki, Shelby L. Garner, Elizabeth E. Fildes, Jerry J. Ouner, Debra Hain, Courtney Sullivan, Allison Walsh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Despite a global increase in the number of nurses, disparities persist in educational preparation and distribution across regions and countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025). Distribution gaps are projected to be most severe in the Global South (WHO, 2024).

Mentorship has emerged as a global, transformative strategy for developing and retaining nurses and midwives across the career continuum (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). However, there is a growing need to shift from traditional mentorship models to reciprocal mentorship with nurses and midwives from the Global South and Global North sharing ideas, resources, and power structures, promoting …

Adolescent With Pediatric Liver Transplantation: The Perspectives Of Quality Of Life And Self-Care, Ya-Hui Chang, Bih-Shya Gau, Ming-Chih Ho, Jia-Feng Wu, Hsiao-Ling Yang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Significance: Many children with end-stage liver disease have their lives extended by liver transplantation, growing into adolescence and even adulthood. Therefore, it is important to understand the long-term health outcomes of liver transplantation and provide relevant assistance during this developmental process. However, there is a lack of domestic research on the long-term and comprehensive health outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation, and less attention is paid to the children's own self-care ability and development.

Objective: To understand the attributes, health-related quality of life, and chronic disease self-care ability of adolescents who have received liver transplantation in early childhood and …

Digital Empowerment For South Asian Immigrants: An Intervention For Metabolic Syndrome (Desi-Mets), Amir U. Islam, Sharon Wexler, Lin Drury, Jeffery A. Stahl

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: South Asian immigrants (SAIs) in the US have a disproportionately high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), leading to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Increased waist circumference and early-onset heart disease further potentiate health disparities, underscoring the need for culturally tailored interventions. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have been recognized for their potential to effectively support lifestyle modifications in minority populations, including SAIs, by providing accessible and culturally tailored health management solutions.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored digital health intervention (CT-mHealth) in reducing MetS among SAIs in Hudson Valley, …

Effects Of Aromatherapy On Nurses’ Occupational Well-Being: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ari Woo, Kyungsook Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of inhaled aromatherapy on nurses' occupational well-being (stress, sleep quality, fatigue, and anxiety) to provide integrated evidence for nonpharmacologic management strategies.

Methods: Following PRISMA and the Cochrane Handbook, randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials were identified using PICOSD criteria. Independent reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria.

Results: Across 14 studies, inhaled aromatherapy was associated with improvements in nurses' outcomes. Stress decreased versus controls (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.28; I2 = 65%). Sleep quality improved …

The Development Of The Theory Of Sociocultural Determinants In Breast Cancer Screening, Corvette Vanessia Yacoob, Indra Hershorin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Breast cancer is a disease that strikes women globally every 14 seconds, making it a global health issue. It is among the most common cancers in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black women face disproportionately higher mortality, underscoring the need for early, equitable screening.

Purpose: To explore the key factors shaping breast cancer screening habits among Caribbean-American Women of African ancestry. The study developed a substantive theory of sociocultural determinants to address and improve early and equitable breast cancer screening methods.

Philosophical underpinnings, including constructivism, pragmatism, and symbolic interactionism, guided the …

Graduate Nursing Faculty Work And Wellbeing Survey: Pilot Study Of Dual-Role Faculty, Erica Skarda Ramey

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Burnout among nursing faculty continues to threaten workforce sustainability and academic program stability. Dual academic–clinical faculty experience compounded demands that heighten burnout risk and reduce job satisfaction. Despite recognition of these challenges, limited instruments specifically examine wellbeing in this group. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and initial psychometric properties of the Graduate Nursing Faculty Work and Wellbeing Survey (GNFWWS), designed to assess burnout, job satisfaction, and perceived institutional support among graduate nursing faculty with concurrent academic and clinical practice roles. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources framework, the cross-sectional pilot was implemented at a large academic medical center in the …

Fostering Integration Of Idd Concepts Into Nursing Curriculums In The United States, Cecily L. Betz, Joyce Carolyn Graff

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Curriculum content pertaining to the lifespan needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is not evident in nursing programs in the United States (US) despite national statistics that indicate 17% of the U.S. population are identified as having IDD [1-3]. Beginning with the Kennedy Administration in the 1960s, the U.S. federal government has made significant investments to improve services for the IDD population through the establishment of interdisciplinary educational networks, such as the University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) [2]. For nurses interested in IDD specialty …

From Burden To Support: Validating An Ai-Based Dementia Care Voice Assistant App, Modupe Akintomide, Xinyue Zhang, Divya Iyer, Madison Ellison, Sumaya Tamenne

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The prevalence of behavioral symptoms, such as wandering and agitation, in over 90% of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (Pw-ADRD), with approximately 83% residing in home-based settings [1-3], underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to support informal caregivers. These caregivers are essential for maintaining quality care for Pw-ADRD, yet they frequently encounter substantial challenges in managing behavioral symptoms [4], revealing a significant gap in available resources and support systems.

To address this gap, we developed a prototype for an AI-based Dementia Care Voice Assistant (AI-DECAVA), powered by a large language model (LLM). The system is designed to …

Closing The Gap: Canadian Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Competencies And Training Needs In Idd, Lin Li, Yona Lunsky, Anupam Thakur, Soumya Mishra, Nagyeong Kim, Gurmanpreet Kaur

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face persistent health inequities, including higher morbidity, premature mortality, and increased healthcare use [1–3]. These disparities are intensified by limited provider training and confidence in caring for this population [4,5], underscoring the need to strengthen nursing education in IDD. This study examined Canadian undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes, competencies, and training needs related to IDD.

Methods: From May-August 2025, a 28-item anonymous online survey was distributed through nursing programs and nursing student societies across Canada. The survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, self-perceived skills, exposure to IDD in coursework and clinical settings, and preferred learning …

Current & Future Priorities In Canadian Pre-Licensure Nursing Education On Care For People With Idd, Anna Don, Janet Mccabe

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Using existing literature the audience will be oriented to the current state of pre-licensure nursing education about People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), review priorities identified by People with IDD and nurses, and finally suggest a course for the future nursing education about the care of People with IDD.

The findings of a recent scoping review of international pre-licensure nursing education [1] demonstrated that most education related to people with IDD was episodic at best. More recently a Canadian Delphi study was conducted in which People with IDD and nurses identified priorities for nursing education [2]. Using the current …