Digital Commons Network^™

The Use Of Diaphragmatic Breathing Techniques To Reduce Stress In Pre-Licensure Nursing Students, Amy Naugle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Research supports the idea that pre-licensure nursing students experience higher levels of stress than their general education-focused peers. This DNP project focused on stress related to nursing exams in the first semester of nursing school and promoted the adoption of diaphragmatic breathing techniques. The use of stress management techniques has been explored in those with intense job experiences and has proven to alleviate stress and promote improved coping. This cohort of pre-licensure nursing students was asked to identify stressors that affected them within the preceding 6 months while attending the first semester of a 2-year nursing program. The cohort was …

Medication Reconciliation: Preventing Harm To The Senior Living Population, Charles (Chuck) Jennings

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project was designed to address the risk of medication errors occurring when geriatric adults return to a senior living setting following an acute care stay. In addition to a primary care physician (PCP), the health care of geriatric adults is often managed by medical specialists and subspecialists. The engagement of multiple providers poses significant communication challenges, as these providers often work in separate offices and are limited in their information sharing. Consequently, following a hospital discharge, reconciling medication orders amongst all providers can be challenging. This challenge is further complicated, as PCPs oftentimes do not interface with the specialists …

Initial Refugee Health Assessment Educational Session, Yolondra Cochnan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The initial refugee health assessment presents an excellent opportunity to identify communicable diseases in newly arriving refugees. As the number of refugee arrivals increases, so will the need for nurses who possess the skills necessary to conduct the initial refugee health assessment. Prior to the pandemic, the United States was facing a nursing shortage. The impact of the pandemic devastated the nursing community, leaving them exhausted and burnt out, which led many nurses to retire and leave the field of nursing (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2023). Skilled nurses are needed to prevent the spread of communicable …

Incorporating Simulation Experiences Into The Nurse Aide Curriculum To Improve Clinical Judgment, Tonya A. May

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project was designed to strengthen clinical judgment skills in nurse aide students. Incorporating simulation-based learning opportunities into the nurse aide curriculum supports the development of clinical judgment skills. Four simulation scenarios were designed to focus on the student's ability to respond within the nurse aide’s scope of practice. Pre-test and post-test surveys were developed with a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = disagree, 5 – strongly disagree) to assess the student's perception of their ability to perform, notice, interpret, respond, and reflect on patient care. A …

Investigating The Effect Of Organizational Culture On Knowledge Management Across A Large Banking Network In Sub-Saharan Africa, Samson Debela Ayana, Getachew H. Mengesha, Philip F. Musa, Solomon Negash

Faculty Articles

This study intends to understand how organizational culture affects knowledge management using the Newman and Conrad knowledge management and competing value framework. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 161 respondents at Awash Bank located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Smart PLS V.3 was used to analyze the data. The finding reveals that organizational culture significantly affects knowledge management. The study also affirms that clan culture and adhocracy culture have a strong direct effect on knowledge management. Hierarchy culture has a less positive effect on knowledge management. In a nutshell, the outcome of the study indicates that a supportive …

Understanding Emerging Adult Mental Health And Attachment: The Roles Of Parental Factors In Childhood, Trauma, And Gender, Christiana A. Howell

Dissertations

Problem

The experience of the parental environment growing up, parental psychopathology in childhood, exposure to trauma throughout the lifespan, insecure adult attachment, and social support have been established as factors that influence mental health in adulthood. These factors have not yet been studied together as a complex model of emerging adult mental health and attachment. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretically and empirically supported model of these factors to understand how these factors interact to influence mental health in emerging adulthood. Additionally, the purpose was to understand if these factors interact differently based on gender.

Method …

Reporting And Addressing Sexual Harassment At Four Institutions Of Higher Learning In Zambia: A Quantitative Study Of Related Attitudes And Perceptions, Earlymay Chibende

Dissertations

Problem

Sexual harassment is a social ill that exists across nations, socio-economic backgrounds, races, nationality, ethnicity, age groups, and sex. Although both male and female members of society experience sexual harassment, research shows that a greater percentage of sexual harassment victims are women (Whitley & Page, 2015; CharterJee, 2018). A comparison of the prevalence of sexual harassment at workplaces and educational institutions shows that sexual harassment is more widespread at institutions of learning than at workplaces. Research on the prevalence of attitudes and or perceptions toward sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning shows that between 10%- 68% of female …

New York Environmental Legislation In 2023, Michael B. Gerrard

Faculty Scholarship

In 2023, New York enacted laws to aid the state in achieving the renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandates of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).The state also now has new laws to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and paint; to ban natural gas furnaces and stoves in new buildings; to restrict neonicotinoid pesticides; and to encourage “nature-based solutions” for stabilizing tidal coastlines. These and other new and amended environmental and energy laws—as well as notable vetoes—are discussed in this article.

Comment On Part 4 Essays: Goodwin And Dailey And Rosenbury, Elizabeth S. Scott

Faculty Scholarship

Professors Michelle Goodwin and Anne Dailey and President Laura Rosenbury have written two compelling essays on Part 4 of the Restatement of Children and the Law, dealing with Children in Society. Goodwin’s essay, She’s So Exceptional: Rape and Incest Exceptions Post-Dobbs, focuses on § 19.02 of the Restatement, dealing with the right of minors to reproductive health treatments. This Section was approved by the American Law Institute before the Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade. In her essay, Goodwin explores the harms that will follow if minors’ right of access …

2024 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

Southeast Conference on School Climate

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Critically Interrogating Wolf Eradication And Management Policy Through A Settler Colonial Lens: Toward A Compassionate Future, Karen M. Winter

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This largely conceptual multi-article dissertation centers settler colonial theory in a critical interrogation of Wolf eradication and management policy (WEMP) toward the ultimate goal of dismantling injurious structures and systems that brutalize Wolf and other Indigenous animals. Wildlife policy and practice are contemporary manifestations of the long-standing historical project of settler colonialism and its quest for acquisition and ultimate control of Land. Thus, the ongoing hegemonic control of systems of wildlife management and the propensity toward lethal control are also inextricably linked to the oppression of Indigenous worldview about human relationship with the natural world. Settler colonialism, as the nexus …

Exploring Viability In Help-Seeking Attitudes And Preferences Among Black Christian Churchgoers: A Case For Interprofessional Collaboration Between Black Churches And Mental Health Professionals, Samanda Bryant Hagan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Support for collaborative partnerships between Black churches and mental health professionals is on the rise. Yet, little attention has been given to if and how the numerous barriers that Black people face in both domains, among others, affects mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences on a sociocultural level. When there are negative consequences to mental health treatment utilization, either perceived or real, within every context of one’s lived experience, self-concealment may be a more favorable option. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, the current study explores the relationship between self-concealment and religious and professional mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences …

Marginalized Sexual- And Gender-Identified Clients In University Counseling Centers: Best Psychotherapy Practices, Sara M. Cauley

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Young adults in college experience significant rates of mental health difficulties. The mental wellness of young adults has shown to have a substantial link to future success, health, and well-being. Individuals with marginalized sexual and gender identities (SGM) often hold additional mental health difficulties due to having identities that typically defy societyʼs assumptions and expectations, and these assumptions/expectations are presented to youth from a young age. The distress experienced by SGM individuals can often be relational in nature due to living in and relating to a heteronormative, cisgender society that stigmatizes and oppresses SGM individuals. University Counseling Centers (UCC) typically …

Chieftaincy In A Lappa: Portraiture Leadership Of Black Women, Lynne E, Washington

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The dissertation examined African American women with chieftaincy titles in Yoruba culture and how they exercised their leadership in both Yorubaland and America. It explored their leadership, authority, and training. The presence of African American women with chieftaincy titles is increasing in the American landscape. The methodology was qualitative using narrative inquiry and portraiture from Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot and Jessica Hoffman Davis (1997) with five African American women. My research included observations in Nigerian, pre-Osun festival, the Osun festival, and post-Osun festival. Observations also included three women Nigerian Chiefs. The research questions answered their qualifications to lead, their sense of knowing …

Narratives That Perpetuate, Narratives That Disrupt, And Narratives That Heal: One Teacher’S Exploration Of Decoloniality, Alison Packwood Henry

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The initial question was innocent enough, at least on the surface: How do scholars and practitioners define child centered, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive education in places distant from my home in the US? I was originally inspired to ask this question by my graduate students—aspiring and practicing Waldorf teachers—who were wrestling with the Eurocentric nature of the curriculum. In researching this question, I never imagined that I would find myself asking questions about the decolonization and indigenization of education, much less about coloniality. In fact, even as I completed the literature review, I was still so unfamiliar with the word …

Developing Resources To Foster Farmed Animal Agency In Sanctuary Education, Emily Tronetti

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Farmed animal sanctuaries provide lifelong care to formerly farmed animals. Many strive to educate their community about farmed animals and promote more compassionate lifestyles, such as veganism. Important to this is cultivating empathy and concern for the well-being of individual farmed animals. Essential to well-being is agency, which is the capacity of a living being to engage with their environments and to make choices for themselves. Farmed animals outside of sanctuaries have had their agency systematically suppressed and denied. Sanctuary educators can bring awareness to this and inspire alternative, agency-centered relationships with not only farmed animals but all living beings. …

Cultivating Culturally Responsive Early Childhood Educators: An Examination Of Practices, Perspectives, And Reform Efforts, Kamiesha Vann

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation research reports on the development and implementation of a pre-pilot for early childhood preservice teachers based on seven specified learning modules on Culturally Responsive Anti-Bias Education (CRABE). In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Regulations, Professional Learning Standards, and Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS), the learning modules were designed to prepare preservice teachers to teach diverse populations of students. This research has high implications for higher education, which plays a role in supporting preservice teachers through coursework and field experience. The topics of the learning modules are Demographics: There’s a Shift in Education, Preparing Preservice Teachers Through The Course Catalog, Introduction …

The Lived Experiences Of Sex Offenders: Perceptions Of Pedophilic Offenders Regarding Engagement In Community Treatment, Ali K. Madrid

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Pedophilia is a complex, multifaceted disorder that has existed, in some form, throughout all of human history. It was not until 1952, with the inception of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-1), that it was officially characterized as a psychiatric disorder. Treatment options have included surgeries, medications, cognitive behavior therapy, combined treatments (antiandrogenic drug and psychotherapy), and preventative programs. Pedophilic offenders released to the community must complete approved treatment. The community treatment may be manualized, evidence-based and likely to be effective. However, the offender must be willing and able to access the treatment resources. Participation in community …

My World's On Fire, How 'Bout Yours? An Investigation Of How Privilege Fosters And Maintains Climate Denial, Morgan A. Chester

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The present study investigates the phenomenon of climate denial through a new theoretical framework of privilege. The analysis utilizes a feminist orientation that builds on a historical interpretation through the lens of colonialism. Through the dissection of current multidisciplinary understandings of climate denial and new concepts discovered in the review of academic literature and popular media, a compilation of theory, relationship, and connection is made. Systems of power and privilege are examined and connected to the mechanisms and maintenance of climate denial. The resulting analysis illuminates that settler colonialism, supported by connected ideologies of White supremacy, ableism, and patriarchy inform …

Cps Workers’ Perspectives On Mst-Ipv And Other Interventions For Child Maltreatment And Intimate Partner Violence: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Malea Lash

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Although the co-occurrence rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child abuse and neglect (CAN) is about 40% (Appel and Holden, 1998; Herrenkohl et al., 2008), little research currently exists on integrated treatment for these concerns. Furthermore, no known published studies investigate child protective services (CPS) workers’ perspectives on such treatment. The present study explores the perspectives of CPS workers on treatment for co-occurring IPV and CAN, specifically focusing on Multisystemic Therapy for Intimate Partner Violence (MST-IPV). A total of 18 Connecticut CPS workers participated in semi-structured interviews. Seven participants had experience working with MST-IPV treatment providers, while 11 participants …

The Influence Of Highly Visual Social Media Engagement On The Body Image Of Cisgender Heterosexual Emerging Adult Men. A Grounded Theory Approach, Isaac Cheng

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The effects of highly visual social media (HVSM) on the body image of users is a widespread concern amongst consumers and popular topic of research. While numerous studies have explored the effects of HVSM on women's body image, the literature on men's body image, particularly among cisgender heterosexual men, is comparatively sparse. The present study utilized constructivist grounded theory methodology to develop an explanatory model illustrating how HVSM engagement by cisgender heterosexual emerging adult men influences their body image. Data analysis revealed how specific HVSM platform attributes, a user’s behavior on an HVSM platform, a user’s perception of an ideal …

Feminized Servanthood, Gendered Scapegoating, And The Disappearance Of Gen-X/Millennial Protestant Clergy Women, Lynn Horan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In today’s mainline Protestant churches, young women clergy navigate a precarious leadership space. While women’s ordination is well-established in American Protestantism (Burnett, 2017), Gen-X/Millennial clergy women find themselves at the crosshairs of conflicting gender narratives and unsustainable expectations of what it means to be both a woman and an ordained pastoral leader. Through the use of feminist constructivist grounded theory methodology, this study explored the lived experiences of Gen-X/Millennial clergy women who have left active ministry or a specific pastoral position due to concerns over their own interpersonal boundaries and psychological safety. Through dimensional analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 …

The Anatomy Of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout, Brook Hale

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The persistent tension and power struggle between healthcare executives and physicians is a prevalent issue in healthcare organizations, often leading to a culture of organizational mistrust. This dynamic stems from perceived conflicting goals: executives are frequently seen as primarily focused on financial outcomes, while physicians are viewed as resistant to change. This study explored how physician fulfillment is experienced at work, with the ultimate goal of identifying potential interventions to bridge the gap between these groups. There is vast research and literature available regarding burnout in healthcare; this research focused on understanding what physicians find fulfilling in their work and …

Staff Matters: Are There Risks To Using Ai In Our Practice?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

As your practice adopts AI for hiring processes, it brings efficiency but also potential pitfalls. The increasing use of AI, such as ChatGPT, streamlines tasks like resume screening, but caution is essential. Recent executive orders emphasize safety assessments and civil rights in AI. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission focuses on transparency and consent in recruitment AI use. Legal compliance is vital to prevent discrimination; criteria like education and experience must be applied consistently. Additionally, employee monitoring AI requires careful implementation, ensuring transparency and human oversight. While AI offers benefits, its workplace integration demands careful consideration, testing, and ongoing evaluation.

Implementing Change: Training For Adult Emergency Assessment, Recognition, And Stabilization For Novice And Non-Critical Care Nurses, Shannon C. Clancy-Burgess

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background At a macrosystem in New England hospital nurses are requesting more training for better preparedness in situations of clinical deterioration in the patient. Current education offerings were focused on cardiac and respiratory arrest situations. Review of the literature reveals the need for training in recognition and response to clinical deterioration. Simulation training can be a useful training tool.

Methods Several assessments were conducted to determine the need for a new course that focuses on recognition and response for stabilization. These assessments included an AHRQ Gap Analysis, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, Stakeholder feedback using Qualtricsä, …

Increasing Education And Staff Knowledge Of Delirium Care: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Serena Martinath

Master's Theses and Capstones

Introduction At a small, community hospital in Massachusetts a gap analysis was conducted leading to a quality improvement project to increase staff education and knowledge regarding delirium and evidence-based best practices for delirium care. Delirium is a growing, often under recognized medical condition that occurs in hospitalized patients (Loftus & Wiesenfeld, 2017). Delirium is characterized by acute changes in congnition, level of consciousness, and attention (Loftus & Wiesenfeld, 2017). A better understanding of this condition is expected to result in improved patient care.

Methods The clinical microsystem studied in this gap analysis project was assessed by using the AHRQ Gap …

Using Education To Confidently Identify And Report Concerns Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Qualitative Improvement Initiative Through Staff Development, Sarah E. Neilson

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Pre-licensure education on child abuse and neglect is crucial for nurses in the healthcare field. It helps to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, report, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Having this education available and understanding the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect, empowers nurses to take quick and decisive action in early intervention and prevention. Within the microsystem of a local Operating Room (OR), this quality improvement (QI) project will determine the muchneeded addition to the healthcare curriculum.

METHODS: The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was …

Improving Discharge Education Quality In Urgent Care Settings: A Quality Improvement Project, Brielle N. Patscheider

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Effective discharge education is vital for improving patient care by enhancing health outcomes and reducing hospital readmission. When patients receive thorough and personalized discharge instructions, they are better able to manage their health, follow treatment plans, and identify symptoms needing further attention. This not only boosts patient satisfaction and safety but also reduces the strain on healthcare systems by decreasing preventable readmissions.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Urgent care facilities serve diverse populations with a range of common, non-emergency ailments. The rapid service and walk-in availability often lead to a high volume of patients with diverse and complex medical needs. To eliminate …

Enhancing Inpatient Sleep Quality In Patients On An Intermediate Care Unit Through Healthcare Staff Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Avery B. Drouin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background

In the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), patients often suffer from poor sleep quality due to continuous overnight care and inherent hospital environment noise. Poor sleep can adversely affect recovery, especially for cardiac patients, who constitute a significant portion of the IMCU population. Improving sleep quality in these patients is essential for their recovery and overall well-being.

Local Problem

Despite the importance of adequate sleep, only 47% of patients in the hospital that houses the microsystem reported a quiet environment at night using the Hospital Compare online survey platform. Disruptions from alarms, phones, and care activities significantly impact sleep quality, …

Improving Postpartum Depression Education Within The Microsystem, Mackenzie A. Sturdevant

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health issue affecting a substantial percentage of new mothers, ranging from "baby blues" to severe forms like postpartum psychosis. Maternity nurses play a crucial role in early detection and education due to the gap in postpartum care follow-up appointments, which can delay necessary interventions.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Despite the critical role of maternity nurses, there is variability in their preparedness to educate and support patients regarding PPD during the immediate postpartum period. This study aims to enhance maternity nurses' knowledge and confidence in providing PPD education through a quality improvement (QI) project within …