Digital Commons Network^™

Gaps Identified By Nurses In Their Transition To Practice: The Profession Of Nursing Must Respond, Amy Lynn Zipf

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose Statement: It is essential that the profession of nursing reflect upon and respond to the gaps identified by the newly graduated nurse in their transition from academia into professional practice.

Background: The world is experiencing a nursing workforce shortage that is only expected to increase through 2030 (World Health Organization, 2024). Simultaneously, across the globe newly graduated nurses continue to struggle in their transition from academia into professional practice; and while the gaps they experience are widely acknowledged, they are not well defined or understood (Sabei, et al., 2024; Zipf, 2025).

Study Design, Methods and Outcomes: A convergent mixed-methods …

A Usv Path Planning Algorithm Under Special Environment Based On Td3-Rrt, Jitong Chen, Jiajia Zhou, Di Wu, Hailong Jiang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In view of USV path planning in special environments such as multiple obstacles, large-size obstacles, and narrow passages, the rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm suffers from drawbacks such as a large sampling base, low success rate, and zigzagging planned path. To address these problems, a global path planning algorithm (TD3-RRT) was proposed based on the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3). The USV path search model was established by combining the RRT algorithm with deep reinforcement learning. Forward looking detection was used to sense the environment to adaptively adjust the step size. The path search direction was exported …

Path Planning For Mobile Robots Based On Improved Artificial Potential Field Algorithm, Chi Zhang, Wei Wei

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In view of the problems of unreachable target areas and easy local minima in traditional artificial potential field methods, an improved artificial potential field method was proposed. The improved algorithm optimized the repulsive field function by introducing obstacle angle factors and distance factors to control the repulsive force magnitude. At the same time, an additional repulsive force towards the target point was added to solve the problem of unreachable target areas in traditional algorithms. When the robot fell into a local minimum, by introducing turning towards obstacles and turning factors to accurately apply escape forces to the robot, the …

Sectoral Exposure To Heat: Heterogeneous Impacts Of Extreme Heat On Workplace Accidents In Italy, Giovanni Marin, Aung Tun Oo

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

This study examines how extreme heat affects workplace accidents in Italy’s various economic sectors. Using granular data by sector, day, and province (NUTS-3) for 2018–2024, we evaluate the contribution of occupational exposure as a source of diverse effects at the sector level. Our findings imply that while the average effects of extreme heat on workplace accidents are, at best, negligible, high temperatures significantly raise the frequency of medium-to-low severity accidents for sectors with high levels of exposure, while exposure and extreme heat alone do not account for fatalities.

Kali White Vanbaale Recognized For Literary Excellence, Lindenwood University

Archived Lindenwood Press Releases

No abstract provided.

What A Landowner Should Expect When Hiring A Drone Aerial Applicator For Forestry Herbicide Application, Jon R. Carter, Patrick Hiesl, Jared A. Elmore, Nilesh Timilsina

Forestry and Natural Resources

Chemical site preparation using herbicides is done primarily through three conventional methods: backpack sprayers, sprayers on forestry equipment, and helicopters/fixed-wing aircraft. However, in recent years, agricultural drones have been increasingly utilized to apply herbicides. While drones (unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)) can perform common forestry tasks, meeting with the drone aerial applicator and collecting data for the herbicide application may look unfamiliar. This publication will help landowners and forestry professionals become more familiar with chemical site preparation and seedling releases applied by drones and what they should expect from start to finish from providers utilizing this technology.

A Foundation For Success: Social Support, Stress, And Resilience, Among Pre-Nursing Students, Leslie A. Jennings, Regina Wilder Urban, Kelle George

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: To combat the nursing shortage, universities focus on retention of nursing students; however, more than one-third of U.S. nursing programs report less than a 70% graduation rate.¹ Nursing students encounter many barriers, and these socially imposed forces can impact academic progress. The Social Determinants of Learning (SDOL™) contains six domains that play a role in achieving learning effectiveness and includes psychosocial factors (stress and resilience) and social support.² In nursing students, social support is positively associated with resilience³ and negatively associated with stress.⁴ In pre-nursing students who have not begun formal nursing education training or …

Trump’S Lasting Impact On The U.S. Presidency, Imer Kj Cespedes-Alvarado

Political Science Student Research

The first presidency of Donald J. Trump had a lasting impact on the American Presidency, expanding executive power through robust assertions of constitutional power, unconventional communications, and an unprecedented disregard for political norms. The two terms further blurred the line between governance and personal branding, cultivating this new model of leadership that depends on constant public exposure and polarization among the American people. This research examines how Trump's executive power and political tactics during both of his presidencies redefined expectations of presidential behavior and accountability by consolidating executive authority, reorganizing federal institutions, and placing even greater emphasis on loyalty and …

Incorporating Behavioral Health Strategies In Primary Care To Improve Outcomes Of Depressed Patients, Amy L. Brummett

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Depression, otherwise known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, changes to weight (both gain and loss), difficulty concentrating, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts, and/or attempts (Mayo Clinic, 2022). An estimated 8.3% or 21.0 million adults in the United States have experienced at least one episode of depression. Primary care clinicians are often the first to recognize the symptoms of depression. Depression was very prevalent in the clinic where this DNP Scholarly project took place. The owner/nurse practitioner found that she was increasingly treating depressed …

November 18, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Reducing Missed Appointments In Mental Health Outpatient Care Using Sms Reminders, James Avoseh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed appointments remain a serious problem in mental health outpatient clinics. They break the flow of treatment, waste staff time, and worsen outcomes for patients. In this setting, the practice problem is the lack of an evidence-based system for reminding patients about their visits. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project focused on developing and evaluating a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for automated text message (SMS) appointment reminders. The guiding question asked: Can a CPG using SMS reminders help reduce missed appointments in a mental health outpatient setting? A thorough review of CINAHL and PubMed found strong support for this …

Staff Education For The Management Of Cooccurring Mental Health And Substance Disorders, Jackie Ijeoma Penn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was the development and evaluation of a staff education initiative aimed at improving nurses’ knowledge and confidence in managing patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The practice problem was the lack of structured training, which left nurses underprepared and contributed to inconsistent care and poorer outcomes. Addressing this gap is essential in nursing practice to ensure safe, equitable, and patient-centered care. The practice-focused question for this project was: Does staff education in a behavioral health setting improve nurses’ knowledge and confidence in managing cooccurring mental health and substance use disorders, …

Staff Education Workshop Focusing On Enhancing Nurse Knowledge And Adherence To The Time (Tissue, Infection/Inflammation, Moisture, Edge) Framework To Improve The Quality Of Wound Assessment And Care, Ijeoma G. Onyejiji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff educational project focused on implementing training on the tissue, infection/inflammation, moisture, edge (TIME) framework to address gaps in nurses’ knowledge and improve adherence to the TIME framework during wound assessment. Current evidence shows inconsistent use of standardized wound assessment among nurses, which can lead to inappropriate treatment, delayed wound healing, increased infection risk, and higher healthcare utilization. This project’s question sought to assess whether implementing a staff education workshop focusing on the TIME framework would enhance nurse knowledge and adherence to the TIME framework. Six nurses participated in the training. Pre/post questionnaires were used to evaluate knowledge before …

The Dorsal Forearm As A Novel Target For Intramuscular Injections: Clinical Pharmacokinetic Results With Naloxone, Thomas F. Krol, Bryan G. Beutel, Carlos Fierro, Scott J. Weir

Faculty and Staff Publications

The dorsal forearm represents a potentially viable location for a convenient wearable device for the administration of intramuscular (IM) injections, but this site has not previously been formally targeted for this purpose. The objectives of this study were to administer naloxone via IM injection into the dorsal forearm, characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of this injection site, and compare it to that of a standard IM injection. The study was an outpatient, open-label, single period, single treatment, single dose proof of concept (PoC) trial in 12 healthy subjects. After screening, participants provided a time zero (pre-dose) blood sample and then …

Effects Of Photo-Oxidized Crude Oil On Gulf Killifish Early Life Stages, Charles Campbell

LSU Master's Theses

Photo-oxidation of spilled crude oil generates polar compounds that can heighten toxicity to marine fish embryos. We investigated the effects of photo-oxidized crude oil on early life stages of Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) by exposing embryos under flow-through conditions to water-accommodated fractions of four oil treatments: fresh oil unexposed to either sunlight or weathering referred to as dark control (DC), a UV-light oxidized whole oil (LT), the polar fraction extracted from LT (Pol) and the remnants after extracting the Pol from LT (NP). Oil loadings of 0.38–3.00 g oil/kg water were tested. Total PAH concentrations and chemical profiles …

Advancing Nurse Practitioner Education Using Targeted Curriculum In Critical Care Obstetrics, Jennifer Brower, Caitlin Luebcke

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) education has not held a historical emphasis on care of acutely ill obstetric patients. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge base and self-efficacy of AGACNP students pre- and post-multimodal instruction in the care of this vulnerable patient population.

Background: Maternal mortality has risen in the United States from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. Obstetric patients are more likely to be of advanced age with chronic illnesses and using reproductive technologies than in previous years. An increase in …

Emotional Communication In The Healthcare Industry, Brandon Dolan

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Through conducting interviews with healthcare professionals and the study of data that reviews the role of emotional communication in the healthcare industry, I can conclude that there are several challenges that healthcare professionals experience when communicating emotions. To begin, there is the existence of implicit and explicit feeling and display rules that are demanded by both clients, patients, and organizations. There are expectations and obligations that healthcare professionals must meet in terms of the emotions they experience and the behaviors they express to ensure the functionality of their industry. In response to these feeling and display rules, employees often find …

Association Of Obesity Severity With Cardiometabolic And Renal Disease Burden In The United States, Florina Corpodean, Michael Kachmar, Shengping Yang, Steven B. Heymsfield, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Philip R. Schauer, Michael W. Cook, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective This study examined the association between obesity severity and cardiometabolic and renal disease, using BMI as a surrogate for obesity severity. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using data from the United States Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2023. Survey-weighted logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) for the diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary artery disease among increasing BMI categories. Results Higher BMI was associated with increased odds of all conditions. For BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, odds were notably elevated for diabetes (OR 8.32; 95% CI: 7.78–8.91), hypertension (OR 6.07; 95% CI: …

Colorectal Cancer: Differential Gene Expression And In Vitro Response To 5-Fluorouracil, Novel Fluoropyrimidine F10, And Potential Synergy With Lupeol, Shrey D. Thaker, Jenny Paredes, Jone Garai, Laura A. Martello, William H. Gmeiner, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jennie Williams

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies in the United States, with African American (AA) patients experiencing disproportionately higher incidence and mortality compared to Caucasian Americans (CAs). These disparities have been linked to tumor-intrinsic genomic differences, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and p53 mutation status, which may influence chemotherapeutic response, particularly to the standard-of-care agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, mechanistic insights have been limited by the lack of racially diverse preclinical models. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of F10 (a novel fluoropyrimidine polymer) vs. 5-FU using AA- and CA-derived CRC cell lines with distinct MSI and p53 profiles. MTT …

Esg Performance Evolution In Retail: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jiyeon Kim Ph.D., Wooyoung Yang

Faculty Publications

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices have transformed from peripheral corporate social responsibility initiatives into core strategic imperatives in retail. Despite growing interest, the literature remains fragmented across disciplines and geographic contexts, with no comprehensive sector-specific analysis examining the evolution of ESG performance in retail contexts. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 127 empirical studies published between 1988 and 2024 across major databases. Random-effects models assessed ESG-performance relationships, while stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, and Consumer Behavior frameworks explained the underlying mechanisms through temporal and subsectoral analysis. ESG practices demonstrate significant positive correlations …

Insights Gained From A Randomized Controlled Trial In Simulation Modalities For Nursing Students, Valerie Pauli

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Nursing programs have embraced the use of simulation-based learning to help students develop hands-on clinical skills, enhance critical-thinking, and improve student confidence within a controlled and safe environment. The purpose of this reflection was to (1) identify differences and challenges for nursing students between the web-based and low-fidelity simulation groups, (2) compare student satisfaction, and (3) evaluate resources and accessibility.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a research study utilizing two simulation modalities was performed to reveal key lessons learned in order to improve future offerings of simulation-based learning.

Results: Several key themes emerged; the themes were (1) technology challenges …

Learning By Doing: The Importance Of Thoughtful And Limited Generative A.I. Use In The Il Legal Writing Classroom, Luke Repici

Faculty Publications

Technological advances that impact lawyers day-to-day work are nothing new. From typewriters, dictaphones, and computers to electronic legal research, email, and e-discovery, new technologies have changed the nuts and bolts of how lawyers practice for decades. Previous technologies may have replaced the pen with the typewriter and supplanted the letter for the email, but the lawyer remained the one doing the work. For more junior lawyers, this meant assigned tasks – reading cases, drafting motions, dictating client updates, summarizing discovery, and creating deposition outlines – could not be outsourced to technology.

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (“Gen AI”) presents …

Nursing Students As Advocates: Addressing Social Determinants Of Health Through Service-Learning, Rebekah Mullins

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Advocacy is at the heart of nursing practice, and advocating for the social determinants of health (SDOH) is crucial when providing care to patients from vulnerable populations. Service-learning is a strategy that can be used to teach students advocacy skills. Chapter 2 of this dissertation portfolio presents a concept analysis that explores the definition of advocacy using the Walker and Avant method (2019). The concept analysis informed the development of the case study presented in Chapter 3 and the research study presented in Chapter 4. The portfolio includes original, qualitative research that was guided by the interpretive descriptive method. The …

Decreasing Symptoms Of Burnout In Nurses Through Mindfulness Training, Mckenzie Posey

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: An important initiative in many healthcare systems is aiming to reduce stress, not only because of the psychological effects, but because of the effect it has on the safety of our patients and their outcomes. Nurses’ stress levels have increased over the years and have an impact on healthcare outcomes, staff satisfaction and retention, and patient safety.

Problem: Patient safety and quality of care are the most important pieces of healthcare, but taking care of our healthcare providers should also be at the top of the list to address this global, national, and local nursing issue. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction …

Implementation Of A Dementia-Specific Advance Care Planning Tool: A Quality Improvement Pilot, Stephanie Nichole Johnson

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: There are 55 million cases of dementia worldwide and the cost of care for these individuals is estimated to rise to $2 trillion by 2030. Dementia-specific Advance Care Planning (ACP) can help to reduce the burdens of providing care to those diagnosed with dementia. This study sought to determine if the implementation of a dementia-specific ACP tool increases knowledge and decision-maker confidence, as well as decrease inappropriate healthcare utilization rates.

Method: At a Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), individuals diagnosed with a cognitive deficit (CD) and their surrogate decision-maker (SDM) were recruited as dyads to participate …

Nursing Education And Practice In The Afp: Responding To The Vucad National Security Threats, Darlene Dialogo Flores

Biennial Convention (CONV)

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of healthcare, revealing both the system's strengths and vulnerabilities. This study focuses on the preparedness of the Philippine healthcare workforce, particularly among military and civilian nurses in the AFP, to handle national security threats in a VUCAD environment. It evaluates whether current nursing education equips nurses with the skills needed to face complex challenges. This study emphasizes the need for holistic national security strategies and proposes enhancing nursing education to prepare for 21st-century security challenges, focusing on CBRNE, climate change, cyberattacks, and emerging viruses.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the responsiveness and relevance of …

Developing Interventions To Improve Future Age And Situation Specific Mask Wearing, John Knight, Barbara R. Medvec, Patrick Hammett

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that masks lower a person’s exposure to respiratory infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend situation-specific mask-wearing to protect oneself from COVID-19 variants and other viruses. Yet, the clinical community continues to struggle with targeting interventions to increase the likelihood of mask-wearing when the risk of virus exposure is higher in the post-pandemic environment. In this study, we applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify the attitudes and beliefs influencing mask-wearing and recommend targeted interventions for low-frequency mask wearers in CDC recommended situations.

Methods: We administered a …

A Multi-Patient Sim To Increase Exposure To Diversity And Evaluate Clinical Judgement, Elizabeth Holtel, Gina Herron, Megan Stuffle, Jennifer Remick

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Lack of readiness for practice in newly licensed Registered Nurses (RN) is not a new problem in nursing education. Existing literature demonstrates a preparation-practice gap, lack of practice readiness, and a crisis of competency in newly licensed RN. A large-scale study by Kavanagh and Szweda¹ found that only 20-24% of newly licensed nurses demonstrated acceptable levels of practice readiness. With over 10,000 assessments collected to date, the researchers note a continued decline in practice readiness with 2020 data showing only 9% of newly licensed nurses demonstrating acceptable levels². To address this gap, a multi-patient simulation-based experience (SBE) …

“They Are Having Sex!” Hbcu Students Awareness Of Sexual Risk Associated With Hiv Prevention, Tyesha Karume

Biennial Convention (CONV)

In 2020, 20% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were among individuals aged 13-24 transitional age youth (TAY), with 85% being male and 54% Black/African American (CDC, 2022a). Black/African American TAY acquire HIV at disproportionately higher rates than other ethnic groups (CDC, 2023e). A study of students at Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) revealed that women reported 2-5 sexual partners, while men reported six or more, with up to 55.5% being inconsistent in condom use (Marshall et al., 2020). Despite this, 89% of students believed their sexual behaviors posed little to no HIV risk (Okeke et al., 2021).

This project …

Faculty Advisors Perspectives Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Attrition: A Qualitative Study, Danielle E. Shaver, Jennifer Dunbar Viveiros, Susan Hunter Revell, Christine Ann Devine

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: Exploring faculty advisors' perspectives on voluntary attrition is essential to optimize resources and increase the number of nursing graduates. This qualitative study aimed to uncover nursing faculty advisors' perceptions of the extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, and mediators that influence four-year baccalaureate students' decisions to voluntarily leave nursing programs.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design utilized Rubin and Rubin’s (2012) interviewing methodology to solicit narrative accounts from 12 experienced nursing faculty advisors in four-year baccalaureate nursing degree programs.

Results: The semi-structured interviews revealed four intrinsic themes: preparedness, fear, maturity, and personal crisis. Four extrinsic themes emerged: external motivations, interpersonal relationships, program …