Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership In Action: Building A Research Community Of Practice Through The Np-Clinician Scientist, Sarah Jayne Colgan, Breanna Lloy, Melanie Dunlop

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose Statement: To describe the formation of an Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Research Community of Practice (CoP) led by an NP Clinician Scientist, aimed at fostering research capacity, partnerships, mentorship, scholarly engagement, and knowledge translation among NPs and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in two provincial healthcare organizations.

Background: The Nova Scotia Health (NSH) NP Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPP&L) team observed ongoing challenges with NP recruitment and retention highlighted by feelings of undervaluation among NPs in clinical practice. Concurrently, changes to NP entry-level competencies and increasing NP inquiries regarding research, demonstrated a growing appetite for scholarly engagement.

Methods: Through innovation …

Effects Of The “Chai For 2” Pilot Intervention Among Asian Indian Immigrants, Maya Joseph, Anju Wadhawan, Shailja Mathur, Haiqun Lin, Karen T. D'Alonzo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Asian Indian (AI) immigrants, the second largest immigrant group in the US, have a high prevalence of abdominal obesity and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD).^1,2,3 Despite ample epidemiological evidence of the need to reduce CVD risk in AIs, few published interventions have addressed this population, primarily focusing on dietary measures and promotion of physical activity, and none of these address immigrant AIs.^4,5

This study was built upon the results of our prior work to 1) Implement and pilot test a peer leader-facilitated 10-week dyadic intervention (Community Health among Asian Indian immigrants (CHAI) Dyad study) using a cluster randomization design, …

Discovering Secondhand Smoke Exposure Impact On Mental Illness: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis, Pooja Bhattarai, Bassema Abufarsakh, Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: SHSe remains a major global public health concern and contributes to preventable morbidity and mortality across populations (World Health Organization 2021). While SHSe is well recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory illness, emerging evidence suggests an association with MI and Substance use disorders (SUDs) (Carreras et al., 2019; Nadhiroh et al., 2020; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024; Van der Eijk & Woh 2023, Lee et al., 2025). Addressing SHSe requires acknowledging its impact and transforming new discovery about the complex factors contributing to MI into action that shapes the future of nursing research. …

Caring For Service Members, Veterans, And Military Families: A Matter Of Global Security, Alicia Gill Rossiter, Catherine Gaines Ling, Rita D'Aoust

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

While significant research has been conducted regarding the impact of military service on the veteran, there is a paucity of research on military families, and little is known about the impact of spousal/parental military service on the military family, leading to a knowledge and comfort level deficit when caring for servicemembers, veterans, and military family members. Lack of information and research focused on the military family unit has led to the care of the military family being siloed and not inclusive of the needs of the entire family unit. Disenfranchising the military spouse and the lack of services and support …

An Introduction To The History Of Medicine In Medical Education, Mary E. Horton Mph, Ma, Phd

History of Medicine Seminar

No abstract provided.

Proposed Protocol To Evaluate The Interaction Of Genetic Modifiers And Metabolic Comorbidities On Cognitive Decline In Huntington’S Disease, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Elena Dike, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene. While CAG repeat length is the primary determinant of disease onset, substantial variability exists in the rate of disease progression and cognitive decline. This variability is influenced by both cis and trans genetic modifiers, including DNA repair genes such as MLH1, MSH3, PMS2, and FAN1. Emerging evidence also suggests that systemic metabolic comorbidities—including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension—may exacerbate neuronal vulnerability and accelerate neurodegeneration.

Methods: We propose a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study utilizing existing HD datasets containing genetic, metabolic, and …

Lipid Profiles In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Case Series With Longitudinal Comparison To Controls, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Stephen Michael Garcia, Irum Rahman, Juan Lopez Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing problem among the elderly and has several risk factors. The Rio Grande Valley has specific demographic and socioeconomic factors that may influence the likelihood of developing this neurodegenerative disease. Elevated cholesterol is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s; however, this correlation has not been fully explored in the population within the Rio Grande Valley. This area of study is important due to the rapidly aging population within the RGV, as well as the high prevalence of comorbidities such as elevated lipid profiles.

Methods: This study analyzed a case series of 6 …

Bell’S Palsy In Pregnancy Following Covid-19 Infection: A Case Report, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Abelardo Rodriguez, Oluwatobi Olonisakin, Mounika Kotte, Aramide Tijani

Research Symposium

Background: Bell’s palsy is a peripheral facial nerve paralysis. The development of this is suspected to be a result of viral-induced inflammation, ischemia, immune-mediated mechanisms or idiopathic. Even though it can occur in the general population, pregnancy is a recognized risk factor. The incidence of Bell’s palsy during pregnancy and the postpartum period ranges from 60.5 to 171.6 cases per 100,000 person-years, with about 69% of pregnancy-associated cases occurring in the third trimester or within the first two months postpartum. Emerging evidence has shown an association between COVID-19 infection and an increased risk of Bell’s palsy, with studies demonstrating a …

2026 Conference Schedule, Gpis Department, Old Dominion University

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

Schedule for ODU's 2026 Graduate Research Conference: Digital Sovereignty & Global Governance in the AI Era.

Leveraging Technology To Mitigate Cognitive Load In Nursing Education: An Integrative Review, Joset Brown, Dione Sandiford, Caroline Meza

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Prelicensure nursing students face significant cognitive challenges as they balance academic coursework with rigorous clinical training [1]. These demands often exceed cognitive capacity, leading to cognitive overload which hinders information processing and retention [2]. Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information within working memory; while cognitive overload occurs when intrinsic, extraneous, and germane demands exceed this capacity [3,4]. Integrating technology-driven strategies offers opportunities to optimize working memory and enhance learning outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize current evidence on factors influencing cognitive load and examine technology-based interventions designed to mitigate …

Perception About Self-Management Education For People With Hypertension And Low Health Literacy, Nhi Thi Vo, Suzanne Hoi Shan Lo, Hon Lon Tam

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: Self-management education is a key component of hypertension care. However, individuals with low health literacy often have suboptimal self-management skills even after receiving such education. Little is known about their experiences in receiving self-management education. This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers of accessing, understanding, appraising and using information provided in self-management education among community-dwelling individuals with hypertension in Vietnam, with perspectives from healthcare professionals and people with hypertension.

Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants with hypertension who were currently receiving care at a community health centre (CHC) in Vietnam, …

Accessibility In Clinical Learning: An Immersive Assessment Project, Candace W. Burton, Kayla Sullivan, Angela Silvestri-Elmore

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing students with physical disabilities (NSWPD) face barriers in clinical learning including physical inaccessibility, lack of awareness or training in faculty and staff, and bias in professional evaluation (1-3). The project purpose was to directly identify barriers to clinical learning for NSWPD.

Method: Investigators developed an evidence-based assessment guide covering perceived challenges to accommodations for NSWD, stakeholder knowledge, and other issues (4-6). A university disability specialist (DS) was embedded with students in simulation laboratory and clinical sites in July-October 2025. The DS observed lectures, skills practice, patient encounter simulations, peer assessment, instructor-oversight assessment, patient interactions/duties, and other responsibilities.

Findings included …

Factors Associated With Noise Management Performance In Critical Care Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study, Eugene Han, Haeun Kang, Yeonsoo Jang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Objectives: Noise in intensive care units (ICUs) has been identified as a significant environmental stressor affecting both patient outcomes and nursing performance. However, empirical data on ICU nurses’ noise-management practices and their determinants remain limited. This study aimed to examine the level of noise-management performance among ICU nurses and to identify individual and organizational factors associated with such performance.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected via a self-administered online survey from 216 registered nurses working in ICUs in Korea and surrounding regions between November 2025. Measures included validated instruments for noise experience, response attitude …

Advancing Faculty Preparedness: Longitudinal Evaluation Of A National Blended Nurse Educator Program, Bobae Park, Heui-Kyeong Kwon, Hana Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Strengthening faculty preparedness is essential for improving clinical education in essential care settings. Korea has launched a national initiative to develop a standardized nurse educator training system to advance educator competencies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a two-day national blended nurse educator program expanded from a micro-teaching model, using Kirkpatrick Levels 1–3, and explored improvement strategies through instructor focus group discussions (FGDs). This work aligns with Sigma’s priorities of advancing education, faculty preparedness, and professional development.

A mixed-methods design was used. The program, developed using the ADDIE model, was delivered to 179 nurse educators nationwide. Immediate post-training evaluation measured …

Reliability And Validity Of The Competency Inventory Registered Nurses Scale, Khulan Gaalan, Alima Alima, Solongo Dashnyam

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Nursing competency is vital to delivering high-quality healthcare services. Robust and culturally appropriate assessment tools are essential for evaluating nursing performance and guiding professional development. This study aimed to examine the internal reliability and construct validity of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) scale in the Mongolian context.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 550 randomly selected registered nurses working in 11 public tertiary hospitals in Ulaanbaatar and five regional hospitals of Mongolia. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Sampling adequacy was evaluated using the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin …

Binaural Beats Enhance Cognitive And Autonomic Function In Disorders Of Consciousness, Yu-Ju Chen, Ching-I Li, Chen-Xi Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) exhibit a lack of responsiveness and inability to communicate, presenting significant clinical care challenges (Spaccavento et al., 2024). Scholars have explored auditory stimulation to activate brain regions and promote recovery (Ling et al., 2023). Binaural beat (BB) stimulation, a specific auditory stimulus, has gained attention for its potential to modulate brainwave patterns and improve cognitive states (Chockboondee et al., 2024). However, while promising, the evidence for BB-induced brainwave entrainment is inconsistent, and its application in DoC patients remains limited (Ingendoh et al., 2023; Zhu et al., 2019).

Purpose: This study aimed to compare …

Escape Room Vs. Classroom: A Comparative Study On Meaningful Learning And Knowledge Retention, Michael Scott Defrancisco, Amanda Bennett, Victoria English

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed challenges in nurse engagement and participation in continuing education, impacting professional development and patient safety. Escape room–based learning has emerged to address these gaps by fostering collaboration and active participation. While escape rooms are reported as engaging, evidence comparing their effectiveness to traditional classroom education remains limited.

Purpose: To compare escape room learning and classroom instruction on nurses’ confidence, knowledge retention, and perceived meaningfulness.

Methods: An IRB-exempt, prospective, controlled trial included 128 nurses assigned to either escape room (intervention) or classroom (control) education. Both groups completed pre/post surveys and longitudinal surveys at 3, 6, 9, …

Impact Of Nurse Residency Programs On Soft Skills In Newly Graduated Nurses: An Integrative Review, Hyejung Lee, Heemoon Lim, Jungwoo Hwang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Soft skills (non-technical skills) are increasingly recognized as essential for facilitating newly graduated nurses’ transition into professional nursing roles. Newly graduated nurses often face challenges in this transition, and nurse residency programs have been implemented to support the process. Despite growing recognition of the importance of soft skills, understanding of how these programs influence soft skills remains limited.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the soft skills addressed in nurse residency programs and examine how these programs influence the soft skills of newly graduated nurses.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in May 2024 using seven electronic databases: APA …

More Than Mechanics: Caring For Students’ Emotions, Identity, And Growth In Writing, Anna Gale, Brenda Elliott, Nancy J. Frank

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Developing nursing students as scholarly writers requires dedicated time and faculty support. One strategy faculty use to advance students’ growth is scaffolded writing assignments. Unfortunately, writing remains problematic in the profession. One potential rationale for this is faculty may focus too heavily on giving feedback specific to grammar and writing mechanics, which can underscore the value of writing, Students experience a range of emotions when receiving feedback on their written work, from joy to disappointment, which shapes the learning experience, self-efficacy, and identity development.

The researchers conducted a qualitative study and subsequent secondary analysis of interview data from 16 nurse …

Breaking The Silence - Moving Beyond Lecture Hall Echo Chambers In Nursing Education, Joshua Michael Kies, Elizabeth Faye Snyder, Cyndi Faudree

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing student silence in higher education undermines active learning and critical thinking development. This literature review examines participation barriers, engagement strategies, and approaches to fostering inclusive discussion environments. Research identifies multiple contributing factors: fear of negative evaluation, cultural differences in communication styles, insufficient content knowledge, and technological challenges in virtual settings. The Student Engagement in Digital Learning Framework reveals four key dimensions—emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social—that interact to create barriers or facilitators to student voice. Evidence-based solutions include extending wait times to 10-15 seconds for cognitive processing, implementing culturally responsive pedagogies, providing multimodal participation formats, and scaffolding discussions to build …

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 …

Innovative Teaching Strategies: Ai Chatbots To Prepare Nursing Students For Difficult Conversations, Lindsay Iverson, Tamara Oliver, Steven Fernandes, Mandy Kirkpatrick, Kara Morgan, Lauren Guthrie, Trisha Beiermann, Melissa Taylor

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Significance: Therapeutic communication is a core competency in nursing and a consistently prioritized workforce requirement (Broeckelman-Post et al., 2022; McGunagle & Zizka, 2020; AACN, 2021). As AI and digital learning technologies advance, nursing programs are exploring technology-enabled strategies to better prepare students for emotionally complex patient interactions. Although AI chatbots have shown value in clinical training and simulation (Chang et al., 2021; Srinivasan et al., 2024), limited evidence exists on their use to prepare students for difficult or sensitive conversations. Addressing this gap supports student resilience and prepares future nurses for communication-intensive roles.

Purpose and Aims: This study …

Enhancing Clinical Trial Literacy In Singapore: A Dnp Evaluation Of A Hbm-Guided Educational Video, Harini S. Shunmuga Velu, Barnaby Edward Young, Wentao Zhou

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Clinical trials are a cornerstone of modern healthcare [4]. However, approximately 80% of trials fail to enrol participants on time, costing millions and delaying essential treatment [1].This directly impedes progress toward Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.b. In Singapore, community participation remains modest due to micro-level barriers, including misconceptions, fear of exploitation, and limited research literacy. Advanced nursing leadership must promote this by promoting research literacy and informed ethical decision-making.

Purpose: The purpose is to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and implementation feasibility of a short, culturally-tailored educational video designed to enhance public knowledge, perceived safety, and willingness to participate in …

Bridging Knowledge And Practice: Concept-Based Care Labs In A Medical-Surgical Nursing Course, Thin Malatesta, Rita K. Amoah, Amanda Cornine

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: In 2010 Benner et al.’s seminal work called for stronger connections between classroom teaching and nursing practice. Prior to Fall 2024, lectures were still a frequent teaching method in an accelerated pre-licensure nursing program.

Background: This project combined active and concept-based learning, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create activities. Active learning is well-received, enhances student engagement, and supports the application of didactic content (Ghasemi et al., 2020; Kalu et al., 2023). Concept-based learning enhances problem-solving, engagement, and clinical readiness, preparing nurses for care in complex settings (Al-Omari et al., 2024). AI can efficiently generate complex patient cases and …

Building An Engaged Workforce: Assessment Of Unit Council Health Within A Large Healthcare System, Ray Gannon, Kasey Jackman, Reynaldo R. Rivera

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

While professional governance is an effective strategy for improving team engagement and empowerment in hospital systems, fews studies provide guidelines for how to measure the relative health of an organization's professional governance. Of note, the effectiveness of the unit council is fundamental to successful professional governance, professional competence, and leadership (Hess et al., 2020).

The purpose of this multi-site survey study is to evaluate clinical nurses’ and nurse leaders’ perspectives on their unit council’s health so that our organization can identify the gaps and implement strategies for improvement.

Led by a team of nurse scientists and leaders, this is an …

The Utilization Of Augmented Reality Haptic Feedback For Simulation-Based Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Arielle Kayla Vargas, Yasmine N. Campbell, Valerie J. Diaz

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Central line placement (CLP) is a critical skill for nurse anesthesiology residents, yet proficiency gaps can lead to serious complications, including arterial puncture, hematoma, and pneumothorax. Although ultrasound guidance is the current standard for teaching this procedure, it lacks tactile feedback, which limits learners’ spatial awareness and control—both essential for accurate needle tip tracking (NTT). This shortcoming in traditional simulation-based education (SBE) contributes to inconsistent skill acquisition and potential patient harm. . This project aimed to determine whether, among nurse anesthesiology residents, the use of AR haptic feedback versus ultrasound-guided methods in SBE would improve success in needle tip …

Patient-Provider Communication Matters In Telehealth Use, Chanam Shin, Thomas Guffey, Mijin Kim

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Telehealth use has rapidly expanded health care access and reshaped patient-provider interactions. Evidence shows that telehealth can be influenced by communication quality between patients and providers. However, little is known about how patient-provider communication relates to telehealth use among minority ethnic populations.

Purpose: This study was to examine associations between patient-centered communication and telehealth use in Asian Americans.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey 6 data. A total of 265 adults who identified as Asian American were included. Telehealth use was assessed by asking respondents if they used telehealth in the …

Machine Learning In Pediatric Surgery: Validation For Ambulatory Screening, Mary Beth Bass, Jill Kinch, Kimberly Isenberg

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Accurate screening for anesthesia eligibility criteria is crucial for pediatric ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to ensure patient safety and optimization of resources [1,3]. Traditional manual chart review by advanced practice providers (APPs) is labor-intensive and subject to variability [2, 3, 7]. Continued growth of the ASC patient volume creates challenges for the APP team to meet the patient safety needs without adding additional support. To address these challenges, we partnered with Brim Analytics (Brim), an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered chart review tool built on a large language model. Brim interprets unstructured electronic medical record (EMR) data and applies our institutional …

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 …

Parent–Child Responses To A Digital Cancer Prevention Game: Pre–Post Changes In Hpv-Related Outcomes, Angela Chia-Chen Chen, Michael Todd, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Ashish Amresh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This presentation examined pre–post changes among parent–child dyads who received HPV Detective, a digital game promoting HPV vaccination and cancer prevention. We compared intervention effects between parents and children to understand how digital tools influence family-centered determinants of HPV vaccination.

Methods: Thirty-one parent–child dyads (n=62) completed online surveys at baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1) while playing the 10–15-minute game in pediatric clinics before seeing the provider. Surveys included sociodemographic characteristics and validated scales assessing HPV knowledge, attitudes, behavioral control, subjective norms, and vaccination intention. Paired t-tests and descriptive analyses assessed within-person changes, with results confirmed using nonparametric tests. …