Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Uncontrolled Hypertension Compliance And Self-Management In A Senior Center, Kimberly D. Strickland

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hypertension is a complicated, chronic condition that affects individuals worldwide. The prevalence of this condition has increased nearly 48% in the last decade in America. This project served to determine if participants in a targeted area/community would show increased knowledge and awareness of hypertension after implementation of educational sessions. A post-session survey was provided to determine if the educational sessions were effective. Data was collected and analyzed that showed an increase in awareness and knowledge regarding the prevalence of hypertension, diet modification, lifestyle, and compliance.

Increasing Teens' Knowledge On The Health-Related Effects Of Vaping, Anteja Gore

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Vaping in teens has become an increasing public health issue related to the growth in the number of teens who are using vapes. Many teens are not aware of the potential associated risk of using vapes, as they perceive them to be a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. The purpose of this project was to increase the middle school teens’ knowledge of the potential health risks associated with vaping through an educational awareness session. This project was implemented in the middle school setting, targeting students aged 12-14 years. The students who participated completed anonymous pre- and post- questionnaires that evaluated …

Increasing Awareness Of Obesity And Its Associated Risks In Adults, Esther E. Bayode

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is a significant and growing public health concern in a metropolitan area of North Carolina, reflecting statewide and national trends. With 36% of adults in North Carolina classified as obese, the condition contributes to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This project targeted adults aged 18 and older within a local faith-based community, where preliminary findings showed a strong association between elevated body mass and increased chronic disease burden. To address this issue, a two-session educational intervention was implemented in partnership with a religious organization to increase knowledge about obesity, its causes, associated risks, …

Breathing Calm Into Testing: The Impact Of Mindfulness Meditation And Aromatherapy On Stress And Test Anxiety Of Prelicensure Nursing Students, Valerie A. Doig

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing education is inherently rigorous, with students frequently subjected to high-stakes clinical assessments, simulations, and academic evaluations. Stress and test anxiety can impact learning, which can result in students’ inability to progress in nursing programs. This DNP project aimed to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil and meditation on the stress and test anxiety scores in associate degree nursing students through assessing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WSTA) scores. Participants engaged in educational and interventional sessions that utilized aromatherapy and meditation. Surveys were deployed to gather baseline PSS and WSTA scores and …

Beat By Beat: Empowering Communities With Lifesaving Cpr Skills, Allyssa Mb Hutchins

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: This doctoral project was created to increase bystanders' willingness and ability to perform CPR by building their confidence in performing it effectively. A total of 13 participants participated in this project to increase knowledge and confidence in CPR interventions.

Background: Cardiac arrests remain a leading cause of death, yet research indicates that rural communities have lower rates of bystanders trained and willing to assist. Increasing CPR awareness and eliminating barriers to care for classes can improve CPR confidence and have a positive community impact.

Methods: Three 4-hour CPR classes were held in Zirconia, NC, at no …

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections In Patients Diagnosed With A Hematologic Malignancy, Rebecca D. Jennings

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Knowledge of nurse-sensitive indicators such as CLABSI and how they impact patient outcomes is an essential aspect of healthcare today. Hospital-acquired infections increase mortality, increase length of stay in the hospital, and increase financial burden to the patient and facility. The aim of this quality project was to provide targeted education on the impact of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Using a pre- and post-survey design, a convenience sample of staff nurses working in the hematology/oncology units of a large academic hospital participated in an education intervention focused on central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention. Knowledge scores were unaffected by the intervention. …

Closing The Gaps: Improving Opioid Overdose Prevention In African American Communities Through Education And Community Engagement, Tara Clinding

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

African Americans continue to experience high rates of opioid mortality, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant community education and overdose prevention strategies. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate community-based opioid overdose prevention education designed for individuals with substance use disorder, family and friends, and community members. Guided by Betty Neuman’s Model, the education focuses on recognizing opioid overdoses, administering naloxone when indicated, and identifying community treatment and recovery resources. A pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate changes in participants' knowledge and confidence following a structured educational session. …

Every Time The Beat Drops, What Does Your Heart Sing About You? Exploring Black Men’S Cardiac Health, Bianca S. Washington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The disparities Black men continue to face in rural areas in relation to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and cardiovascular mortality in comparison with other racial groups in the United States continue to be disproportionate. The disparities are influenced by limited access to healthcare, socioeconomic barriers, and structural racism within the health care system. Addressing these issues requires culturally tailored, evidence-based practice interventions that would help restore trust and hopefully engage patients to follow up with primary care providers and to take prescribed medication as directed for cardiovascular disease management. The purpose of this project was to examine …

The Effectiveness Of Cardiovascular Disease Education In The African American Church With African American Women, Aricka H. Thurman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Cardiovascular disease in African American women is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and in rural communities due to the lack of awareness and prevention of the disease. Many African American women are the foundations of their homes and community, and any signs of weakness, including sickness, deteriorates which is why many do not seek attention until it is too late. Educating African American women on the importance of preventive and medical care is essential.

Regardless of the associated stigma of the African American woman and their “superpower” and that they can do “all things” …

Does Utilization Of Education In The Rural North Carolina Christian Community Reduce Vitamin D Deficiency, Alyssa Dedmon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent and underrecognized health issue, especially office workers who are exposed to less midday sun. Education and awareness may help address this risk.

Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate whether education on light therapy and vitamin D supplementation improves knowledge related to prevention and management of deficiency.

Methods: Participants from a rural North Carolina church community completed a pre-test, viewed an educational video, and completed a post-test to assess changes in knowledge. The intervention addressed risk factors, cultural influences, and treatment options.

Results: Participants demonstrated strong baseline knowledge, with modest improvements post-intervention, particularly in …

Reducing Stigmatism In Suboxone Users, Jessica S. Lovelace

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose: To assess the impact of an evidence-based educational intervention to decrease provider stigma of patients on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in a primarily rural primary care setting.

Methods: This quality improvement project used a pre- and post-intervention design to assess knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and confidence to care for patients with opioid use disorder of four providers from four rural health care facilities. The providers completed a survey before and after a 60-minute educational intervention that covered topics such as medication for opioid use disorder, patient-centered communication, and evidence-based prescribing practices for OUD. Providers were also assessed 8 weeks …

Human Trafficking: The Lack Of Education In The Christian Community, Sabrina L. Locklear

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

One of the most serious public health problems in the United States, as well as worldwide, is human trafficking. This criminal activity affects over 25 million adults and children worldwide annually (Olivieri et al., 2024). One of the largest allies against human trafficking is faith-based communities. These organizations have strong relationships with the community and play a major role as key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking (Hounmenou, 2023). The Christian Community is a service-driven group that helps those who are in destitution. Evangelical Christian Pastors in the United States Midwest acknowledge that their congregations struggle when they try …

Use Of Non-Invasive Testing In Primary Care For Earlier Diagnosis Of Liver Fibrosis, Amy L. Cable

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Chronic liver diseases, particularly those driven by metabolic risk factors, are frequently under-recognized in primary care settings until they reach advanced stages. Systematic screening using non-invasive testing is inexpensive and convenient, but baseline calculations remain low. The objective of this quality improvement project was to increase primary care providers' knowledge of early fibrosis identification and intent for utilization of testing. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected over a 16-week period. Post-intervention, providers' knowledge of non-invasive testing was improved by 28% and intention of utilization by 80%.

Cultus: Eco-Phenomenology In The Work Of John Steinbeck, Robinson Jeffers, And Jack London, Carter D. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--English

In the face of increasingly dire environmental crises, proposed solutions have gravitated toward imperatives for faster, cleaner, and more efficient technologies and resources. While practical solutions are necessary, they are entirely insufficient to deal with an underlying issue driving environmental degradation: unbridled instrumental reason. In this dissertation, I suggest a theoretical posture, cultus, which attempts to balance the necessity of instrumental action with the guiding counterweight of receptivity. Furthermore, I argue that such personal receptivity is uniquely fostered in aesthetic experiences, attuning the individual to the non-identical and renewing a relationship of care.

I examine the life and work of …