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The Effect Of Mutual Goal Setting On The Self-Efficacy To Manage Heart Failure In Adults, Melanie Ranta

Masters Theses

This study is a secondary analysis of data that examined the effect of mutual goal setting on self-efficacy to manage disease in general. The conceptual frameworks utilized were King’s theory of goal attainment and Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. The sample consisted of clients who had been admitted to two home care agencies with a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure. After being randomly were assigned to either the intervention group or a control group, the subjects were visited in their homes over a course of several weeks. Data were collected at baseline and at 3-months using Long, et al. (1996) …

A Comparison Of Perceptions Of Labor And Delivery For First-Time Mothers With And Without Prenatal Education, Marla A. Mcdonnell

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the perceptions of labor and delivery between first-time mothers who took prenatal classes and first-time mothers who did not take prenatal classes. The convenience sample consisted of mostly Caucasian, married, well-educated women with few minor pregnancy complications. Twenty of the subjects were first-time mothers who took at least four prenatal classes. Twenty of the subjects were first-time mothers who took three or fewer classes.

A non-experimental descriptive design was used for this study. One questionnaire, the Childbirth Perception Questionnaire (Beaton & Gupton, 1990), was administered 18 …

Role Stress And Career Satisfaction Among Registered Nurses By Work Shift Patterns, Amy Jude Hoffman

Masters Theses

In today’s health care climate, the need to understand the effects of work shift patterns on role stress and career satisfaction of registered nurses (RNs) has never been greater. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to examine differences in the level of role stress and career satisfaction among hospital-based RNs by shift length. Data were collected through the use of standardized questionnaires from a probability sample of 208 RNs.

The results indicated that RNs practicing in 12-hour work shift patterns experienced significantly higher stress levels that RNs working 8-hour shifts. Additionally, workload issues and dealing with death and …

A Preliminary Study Of The Gait Characteristics Of Children With Unilateral Transtibial Amputation, Matthew Weston

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the gait characteristics of children with unilateral transtibial amputation. Four subjects with a unilateral transtibial amputation, ranging in age from twelve to sixteen years, were recruited through Mary Free Bed’s Center for Limb Deficiency. Testing was performed at the Mary Free Bed Motion Analysis Center under an established protocol for collecting and processing kinetic, kinematic, and temporal-spatial parameters using the Vicon® 512 motion analysis system. EMG data were processed using custom Matlab® (version 5.13) programs. The gait of each subject was individually evaluated for key gait events. Some important findings include decreased …

Is There A Relationship Between Hardiness And Burnout In Full-Time Staff Nurses Versus Per Diem Nurses?, Carrie Hansen

Masters Theses

Recent advances in technology and the focus on cost-effective care may subject nurses to increasing demands in their jobs. These demands can lead to an increased level of stress and burnout. The concept of hardiness has been linked to burnout in studies among various groups. Hardiness is a set of personality characteristics that may function as a resource in coping with stress. This study examined the relationship between hardiness and burnout in full-time staff nurses and per diem nurses. The Neuman systems model served as a theoretical framework for the concepts of hardiness and burnout. A descriptive correlational design was …

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Anxiety In Surgical Patients, Mary Kay Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of music therapy on cosmetic/reconstructive surgery patients’ preoperative anxiety. In this descriptive study, 48 patients were assigned to either the experimental or control group Patients in the experimental group listened to patient-selected music for 30 minutes in the preoperative period. A comparison was made between the patients’ vital signs and self-reports of anxiety, which was measured using the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. This was a partial replication of a study by Kaempf and Amodei (1989).

Betty Neuman’s health care systems model (1980) served as the theoretical framework …

The Effects Of Music On Pain And Anxiety During Intravenous Insertion In The Emergency Department, Paula R. Nichols

Masters Theses

The majority of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) are anxious and experiencing some degree of pain. Betty Neuman's Neuman system model, provided the theoretical framework to explore and describe the effects of music on the pain and anxiety experienced during peripheral intravenous (IV) insertion in the ED. A convenience sample of 41 subjects completed pain and anxiety visual analogue scales as well as blood pressure and pulse monitoring before and after IV insertion. Twenty-one of those subjects received music during the intervention.

An analysis of covariance was performed for post-procedure pain, anxiety, pulse, and blood pressure. Anxiety was …

Adolescents' Perceived Importance Of And Satisfaction With Development Needs During Hospitalization, Jaclynn L. Lubbers

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, was to examine the relative importance of needs of hospitalized adolescents. Second, was to measure perceived satisfaction with five selected developmental needs. This study was a replication of earlier work by Gusella, Ward, and Butler (1998). A descriptive design was utilized to answer the research questions. Fifteen hospitalized adolescents admitted to the general pediatrics unit provided the data for this study. Data analysis using summative means was performed to rank and compare importance and perceived satisfaction. Adolescents ranked medical information as their most important need during hospitalization followed by mobility, visits from …

The Lived Experience Of Student Nurses Providing Health Care Relief To Hurricane Mitch Victims In Nicaragua, Marci Jo Holstege

Masters Theses

International exchange and cultural immersion is becoming a favored way to educate nursing students on cultural diversity and cultural sensitivity. There is no research literature about student nurses rendering health care in a third world country after the turmoil of a natural disaster.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experience of student nurses who provided health care relief to victims of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua. Their oral descriptions were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. These descriptions were then analyzed using the Giorgi method. Four focal meanings emerged: a) culture shock, b) adjustments, c) lessons learned, …

The Needs Of Family Members In Crisis, Melanie A. Burghgraef

Masters Theses

The needs of family members of patients with severe brain injury were investigated using a descriptive-correlational design. A convenience sample of family members (N = 23) were surveyed with the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI). Need statements from the CCFNI were rank ordered, and a total score for the CCFNI was calculated. The majority of the top ranked needs consisted of assurance and information needs, which is consistent with other research using the CCFNI. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the results from this study with Lorenz’s study (1995).

Furthermore, this investigation attempted to reveal a relationship between family …

The Effectiveness Of Using Foot Orthotics As The Sole Intervention For The Treatment Of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Byron Horner

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common diagnosis treated by health care personnel. This study investigates the effectiveness of foot orthotics in the treatment of PFPS. Fourteen subjects experiencing PFPS participated. Each completed a Functional Pain Assessment (FPA) consisting of walking, stairs, biking, squatting and resting (sitting). Function was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS). After the initial FPA and ADLS. foot orthotics were placed in the shoes of participants and worn for the duration of the study. No other intervention was given. Follow-up testing was performed immediately after insertion of orthotics, after two weeks and again …

The Perceived Quality Of Life In Persons Performing Peritoneal Dialysis, Paula A. Armstrong

Masters Theses

This purpose of this study was to describe the quality of life in patients who independently performed peritoneal dialysis at home for the treatment of end stage renal disease.

A descriptive design was conducted using the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-dialysis version. A convenience sample of 31 patients from a Midwest dialysis facility participated in the study Subjects were asked to rate their level of satisfaction and the level of importance of 35 aspects of life. The reported quality of life was reported to be satisfactory There was a moderate positive correlation between the time on dialysis and …

Advanced Practice Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes On Pain And Pain Management, Joann E. Baar

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of advanced practice nurses regarding pain and pain management, and to determine if a relationship existed between education, experience, clinical specialty, and recent educational sessions on pain management, and scores on the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. The convenience sample consisted of 78 advanced practice nurses or advanced practice nursing students in west Michigan. Data were collected via the use of mailed questionnaires. Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory of nursing provided the theoretical framework for this study.

No significant differences in scores were found among those with different …

Mental Health In Oldest-Old Adults: An Investigation Of Self-Transcendence, Marsha Luchtman Harrison

Masters Theses

This study explored Reed’s theory of self-transcendence as a potential developmental resource and correlate of well-being within the long term care population. Self-transcendence is a healthy maturation process of expanding one’s conceptual boundaries inwardly through increased self-understanding; outwardly through investing in relationships with others and the environment; and/or temporally by integrating perceptions of one’s past and future in a way that enhances the present. A descriptive correlational research design examined the level of self-transcendence and the relationship of self-transcendence to depression among nursing home residents. The sample of 51 oldest-old adults ranged from 80 to 103 years old.

Participants were …

Examination Of Biomechanical Correction Technique™ As A Diagnostic And Treatment Classification System For Chronic Low Back Pain, Benjamin L. Asper

Masters Theses

Evidence supporting the use of one optimal treatment approach for low back pain is lacking in the research. Two models exist to aid in the formation of a diagnosis, the pathology-based model and the classification system. The pathology-based models use perceived pathology to arrive at a diagnosis, whereas, a classification system uses categories, criteria, and objective findings in order to place patients into a select group. The purpose of this research was to define a new examination and treatment approach called Biomechanical Correction Technique™ (BCT™) and report the treatment outcomes for a sample of low back pain patients with a …

Home Environmental Modifications: Consumer Experience And Satisfaction, Linda L. Mohney

Masters Theses

This study investigated consumer experience and satisfaction in choosing home modifications to accommodate a disability. This study used semi-structured individual interviews and qualitative analysis to gather information from six people with disabilities concerning their experience with and opinion of home modifications. Seven significant themes emerged: a.) the importance of an adviser and self-agency in the modification process; b.) the inability of participants to distinguish OT’s contributions c.) participant’s perception of OTs as part of a uni-disciplinary team; d.) ineffective execution of environmental interventions; e.) inadequate knowledge of applicable laws, standards, and codes; f.) a disability vs. client-centered perspective, and g.) …

Stress Urinary Incontinence Parous Versus Nulliparous Women Ages 18-35, Lisa Stoner, Michelle Way

Masters Theses

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the unintentional loss of urine with activities such as sneezing, laughing, and coughing. Reports vary regarding age groups affected by SUI. Surveys were randomly distributed to women ages 18-35 in the family practice setting, in order to determine the incidence and reporting of SUI. It was found that there is a relationship between vaginal delivery and incidence of SUI. The percentage of women who reported symptoms of SUI to their health care professionals was 26.1.

Neonatal Outcome Based On Triple Serum Screening And Ultrasound Findings In Pregnancies With An Increased Risk Of Trisomy 18: Is Amniocentesis Always Necessary?, Loralee Hope Davison, Molly Rachel Kerr, Samantha Ann Mullin

Masters Theses

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate whether a normal ultrasound following a positive triple marker serum screen reduces the risk of having a trisomy 18 fetus to a level that is less than the procedure-related risk for amniocentesis. STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized, non-concurrent cohort chart review was performed of all women who screened positive (risk > 1:250) for trisomy 18 by triple marker serum testing through Spectrum Health Downtown Genetic Screening Program from June 1996 through September 1999. Of the 13,618 serum samples screened, 158 were identified as being at an increased risk for trisomy 18. Pediatric outcome was obtained through …

The Correlation Between Quality Of Life And Social Support One Year After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Sarah S. Arnold

Masters Theses

A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the relationship between the level of social support and the perceived quality of life (QOL) of the patient following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) one year after the procedure. A total of 212 surveys were sent to the homes of former patients admitted to a mid-western hospital and 90 were returned. The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ-85) was used to measure social support and the Quality of Life Index-Cardiac Version (QLI) was used to measure QOL.

The hypothesis of the study asserted that there was a positive correlation between the level of social …

Perceived Health Status, Preventive Health Behaviors, Formal Education, And Potential Barriers To Health Care In A Rural Population, Tori Renee Gaultier

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine preventive health behaviors, perceived health status, level of formal education, and potential barriers to health care in a rural northern mid-westem state using Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory. A short questionnaire was designed to identify factors that may influence health for rural residents. The sample consisted of 159 adults. The questionnaires were hand delivered to 299 randomly selected homes. Analysis was performed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. The results supported an association between fewer preventive health behaviors and more potential barriers to health care (χ₂ = 36.72, p < .001). A higher level of formal education was associated with higher perceived health status (χ₂ = 13.99, p < .001). Potential barriers to health care were not found to be associated with lower perceived health status.

Efficacy Of Zinc Supplementation In Reducing The Incidence Of Recurrent Vaginitis, Bonnie R. Bartz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplementation in reducing the incidence of recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BY) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (W C ). Forty-one subjects were selected from researcher’s patients based on at least two episodes of vaginitis in a six-month period. A control group (placebo) and an experimental group (30 mg zinc gluconate) were randomly formed from this selection.

Evaluation of vaginitis status was accomplished through wet mounts, pH test, and KOH whiff tests at the initial, 3, and 6-month intervals. Subjects sought treatment for vaginitis when symptomatic.

A t-test analysis showed no statistically …

Unlv College Of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter, Steve Mccafferty, John Filler, Nancy P. Gallavan, Le Ann Putney, Nancy Sileo, Kyle Higgins, Porter Troutman, Paul Meacham, Cyndi Giorgis, Aimee Govett, Jean Henry, Bill Pankratius, Lisa Bendixen, Joyce Nelson-Leaf

College of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter

A newsletter discussing a variety of topics dealing with multicultural topics and diversity in education.

Unlv College Of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter, Steve Mccafferty, John Filler, Nancy P. Gallavan, Le Ann Putney, Nancy Sileo, Kyle Higgins, Porter Troutman, Paul Meacham, Cyndi Giorgis, Aimee Govett, Jean Henry, Bill Pankratius, Lisa Bendixen, Joyce Nelson-Leaf

College of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter

A newsletter discussing a variety of topics dealing with multicultural topics and diversity in education.

Unlv College Of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter, Steve Mccafferty, John Filler, Nancy P. Gallavan, Le Ann Putney, Nancy Sileo, Kyle Higgins, Porter Troutman, Paul Meacham, Cyndi Giorgis, Aimee Govett, Jean Henry, Bill Pankratius, Lisa Bendixen, Rebecca Nathanson

College of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter

A newsletter discussing a variety of topics dealing with multicultural topics and diversity in education.

Unlv College Of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter, Steve Mccafferty, John Filler, Nancy P. Gallavan, Le Ann Putney, Nancy Sileo, Kyle Higgins, Porter Troutman, Paul Meacham, Cyndi Giorgis, Aimee Govett, Jean Henry, Lisa Bendixen, Jennifer L. Fabbi, Rebecca Nathanson

College of Education Multicultural & Diversity Newsletter

A newsletter discussing a variety of topics dealing with multicultural topics and diversity in education.

Stewart G. Pollock: Portrait Of A Judge As Artist And Humanist, Walter Wadlington

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

Reasonably Accomodating Race: Lessons From The Ada For Race-Targeted Affirmative Action, Sandra R. Levitsky

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

U.S. Federal Government Cios: Information Technology's New Managers--Preliminary Findings, Marianne A. Buehler

Library Faculty Research

The Clinger-Cohen Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (Clinger-Cohen Act) has changed the dynamics of how federal agencies view and manage their information technology. The mandated provision for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) is to act as information change agents and technology “watchdogs” for their agency. To observe how government is reacting to employing CIOs, field studies were conducted by e-mail with eight agencies to discover the successes and the challenges of this new information initiative. Four of the agencies contacted were mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act and four were non-mandated. The results of this study depict varying levels of …

Driving In The Fairway Incurs No Penalty: Martin V. Pga Tour, Inc. And Discriminatory Boundaries In The Americans With Disabilities Act, Todd A. Hentges

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg: From And For New Jersey, Stephen M. Greenberg

Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy

No abstract provided.