Digital Commons Network^™

Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (Pctic): A Training Needs Assessment For Home And Community-Based Services In West Virginia, Ranjita Misra, A. Brianna Sheppard, Natalie Wilson, Megan C. Govindan, Matthew Myers, Amanda Acord-Vira, Steven Wheeler, Heather Henderson, Christena Ross, Laura Cooper, Rachel A. Goff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Person-centered, trauma-informed care (PCTIC) is a combined, holistic service model promoting the well-being and empowerment of trauma survivors.

Purpose: This study examined the PCTIC knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by West Virginia (WV) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) direct service professionals (DSPs) to serve clients that may have experienced trauma.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse stakeholders (n = 32) from 19 organizations that provide HCBS services in all 55 counties. Interviews focused on identifying current training, needs and knowledge gaps, and priority areas for additional PCTIC training. ATLAS.ti software was used to manage and code. Validity …

Radon Environmental Health Literacy Among Health Council Participants In Northeast Tennessee, Kawther Al Ksir, Stacy Stanifer, Hadii M. Mamudu, Megan Quinn, Deborah L. Slawson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive gas, poses significant health risks, including lung cancer, and is prevalent in indoor environments. Understanding radon testing behavior and Environmental Health Literacy (EHL) is crucial for individuals to take appropriate preventive measures.

Purpose: This study assessed radon-related EHL among Health Council participants in seven Northeast Tennessee (NETN) counties and examined associations between sociodemographic factors and EHL levels. Understanding radon knowledge and behaviors within this influential group is critical, as they often serve as trusted public health advocates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September – November 2023 among Health Council participants across seven counties in …

Prevalence Of Screening Patients For Alcohol Use In West Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Bayan Abuhalimeh, Christopher Waters, R. Constance Wiener

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Consequences of alcohol consumption are well-established and compounded by physiological changes of aging (increased sensitivity; medication interactions; etc.). Alcohol screening for all ages is recommended, especially as most Americans believe moderate drinking is acceptable. Screening is important in high alcohol use regions, such as rural areas where isolation is more likely, especially for older adults. The Appalachian Region has a significant rural population of older adults. West Virginia (WV) is representative of Appalachia. It is a rural state, has many older adults, and all counties are Appalachian.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the likelihood …

Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted those within rural Appalachian communities, particularly people with marginalized identities.

Purpose: Through interviewing 44 participants from New River Valley, an Appalachian community in Virginia, this study sought to understand how resilience impacted individuals' experiences during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants belonged to one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic, older adults, or people who use drugs. Participants were required to reside in the New River Valley and be older than 18. Each participant was interviewed either in person, by phone, or over video call. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, then thematically analyzed for themes of resilience. …

Addressing The Root Causes Of Population Health In Central Appalachian Virginia, David L. Driscoll, Kol Gold

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Southwest Virginia Health Authority (SWVHA) recently commissioned a community health needs assessment (CHNA) to reduce the high rate of preventable health problems in Virginia’s (VA) Appalachian Region. The CHNA took place over a two-year period from 2023 – 2025.

Purpose: This iterative, mixed-method CHNA informed the development of a new iteration of the regional Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity identifying and prioritizing health issues and develop strategic planning to address them in VA’s three westernmost regional health districts.

Methods: The CHNA followed a sequential mixed methods design to assess the regional health status, the contextual factors …

Align Appalachia’S Opioid-Settlement Spending With Evidence And Emerging Threats, Bradley Firchow

Journal of Appalachian Health

State and local governments across Appalachia are allocating opioid-settlement dollars over the coming years. This funding opportunity can support lasting public health infrastructure or be spent on short-term programs anchored in the opioid crisis of the past. Evidence indicates that emerging synthetic drugs such as nitazenes and xylazine are altering overdose risk patterns in ways that require urgent policy attention.

Instrument Development And Psychometric Testing Of The Capstone-Experience Preceptor Preparedness Scale: The Cap-Express Study, Lisa Eyring Guthrie

Dissertations

Preceptors are relied upon to prepare nursing students during their capstone experience as novice, generalist nurses. There is currently no instrument that measures the preceptor’s level of preparedness. The purpose of this study was to psychometrically test a 67-item instrument, the Cap-ExPresS developed during a pilot study, which evaluated the level of self-perceived confidence preceptors reported when working with capstone students.

Development And Psychometric Testing Of The Capstone-Experience Preceptor Preparedness Scale: The Cap-Express Study, Lisa Eyring Guthrie

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

Objective of grant funding: To provide funds to purchase gift cards as incentives for N = 300 anticipated sample, to perform psychometric testing on a new instrument measuring preceptor preparedness, the Cap-ExPresS.

Effects Of Led Light Therapy On Pressure Ulcers, Nutrition, And Body Mass Index In Nursing Homes, I-Hua Lai, Li-Yin Chien, Chen-Jei Tai

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: This study was grounded in the theories of low-level LED light therapy (LLLT) and traditional Chinese medicine, which propose that applying photo energy to acupoints can improve microcirculation, facilitates energy transmission to mitochondria in the skin, augments the activity of the respiratory chain, and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using LLLT to prevent pressure ulcers, improve nutritional status, and regulate Body Mass Index (BMI) in older adults in nursing homes.

Methods: This study applied a one-group pre and post-test design. Data were collected from December 2019 through February …

Implementation Of A Mobile-Based Mindfulness Intervention To Mitigate Nursing Student Stress, Wendy S. Carley

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This project analyzed the effect of the daily use of a mindfulness-based mobile application on associate degree nursing undergraduate prelicensure students' perceived stress levels. Nursing students experience elevated stress levels that may be reduced through mindfulness behaviors. Undergraduate, prelicensure nursing students participated in establishing the impact of mindfulness on perceived stress levels in a quantitative pre/post-intervention study. The evidenced-based studies chosen for this review consisted of randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, pre/posttest designs, systematic reviews, quantitative and qualitative studies. Project research data was collected using a pre/posttest design to evaluate the effectiveness of a stress management program in reducing stress …

Fostering Collaboration & Engagement In Virtual Ebp Workshops: Strategies For Success, Elizabeth Corless, Janine S. Roberts

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As a large system increased efforts to cultivate a culture of evidence-based practice (EBP), the EBP team recognized an opportunity for growth and improved effectiveness in its educational offerings. The goal was to create an engaging, comprehensive EBP course which encouraged active learning and real-time application.

A virtual learning environment was chosen as the primary setting to increase equitable access despite the large geographical reach of the system. Virtual settings traditionally present challenges, including poor participant engagement, higher levels of distraction, and limited small-group coaching opportunity compared to traditional in-person settings.

While virtual courses are not novel, the team integrated …

Cultivating Caring: The Heart Of Online Nursing Education- An Integrative Review, Jihane Frangieh, Vickie Hughes, Laura Sarver

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

With the widespread adoption of online education, nursing educators have observed significant challenges related to learner engagement and participation. Over the past decade, the implementation of Caring has consistently displayed a beneficial influence on creating and maintaining a sustainable online learning environment.
However, existing online nursing curricula often lack a Caring and learner-centered approach. The aim of this integrative review is to analyze existing research and gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that promote a sense of Caring in online nursing education programs. A systematic search for published peer
reviewed, English language literature identifying the factors that contribute to …

Promoting Best Practices In Item Writing And Exam Construction: Faculty And Institutional Approaches, Elizabeth Holtel, Megan Stuffle, Margaret Moorman

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Course exams are used for summative evaluation in nursing programs. Graduates of prelicensure nursing programs are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) before becoming licensed as a nurse. The NCLEX is comprised of multiple choice, multiple response, fill in the blank, and technology-enhanced items. Nursing faculty have a responsibility to evaluate students using well-developed assessments tools and to prepare graduates for the NCLEX, therefore, item writing and test construction skills are vital. However, item writing and exam construction skills and formal item writing training are lacking among many faculty.^1,2 Best-practices for item writing and test construction …

Strengthening Global Health Curriculum Via International Partnerships, Carolyn Meehan, Julie Mcculloh Nair

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nurses worldwide play an important role in improving global health due to their collective education and clinical practice experiences. They bring a patient centered focus to care delivery and their hands-on experience enables them to better observe how healthcare policies and programs affect people and their communities (Salvage & White, 2020). While nursing curriculum includes elements of global health, the need for an academic framework was identified that prepares nurses to improve global health outcomes for all clients (Bain & Adeagbo, 2022). Nursing practice has witnessed increased mobility, as more than 12% of nurses work in a country other than …

Improving Chlamydia Screening In Rural Clinics - Nurse Practitioner And Staff Perspectives, Denise Cummins, Lydia Jorgensen, Adrianna Lorraine Watson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Regular Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) screening is imperative for sexually active young women in rural areas, where CT is increasingly prevalent^1,2. Females age15-24 are at highest risk among all populations of acquiring CT³. Symptoms of CT are absent or subtle, often delaying detection and treatment. Without treatment, CT may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), increasing the risk of infertility and life-threatening tubal pregnancy⁴. Chlamydia screening is a high impact service⁵ that reduces the incidence of PID by up to 60%⁶. Screening resources mitigate a “double disparity”⁷ of low healthcare access …

Harness The Power Of An Evidence-Based Practice Toolkit To Drive Nursing Ebp Competency, Margo A. Halm

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Good health and well-being for all people is a key United Nations (UN) sustainable development goal. Better health outcomes are achieved with evidence-based care. Yet, evidence-based practice (EBP) competency of U.S. nurses lags¹ and EBP implementation in low-middle income countries is suboptimal to moderate.² Nurses can commit to this UN's goal by achieving proficiency in EBP. While it could be argued education advances EBP competencies, clinician and system factors influence routine implementation of EBP.^1,3,4

Objective: The purpose of this presentation is to increase awareness and adoption of a collection of valid and reliable EBP tools4 to …

Food Insecurity, Sodium-Restricted Diet Adherence, And Mental Health In Patients With Hypertension, Reimund Serafica

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study aims to investigate food insecurity, attitudes toward sodium-restricted diets, and mental health outcomes among Filipino-Americans with hypertension in a primary care setting.^1,2 Additionally, it seeks to explore patient perceptions of dietary restrictions and how nurse practitioners can use this information to enhance clinical management.^3,4

A two-phase, mixed-methods approach was employed. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional study was conducted, recruiting a sample of 135 Filipino-American adults with hypertension from a primary care clinic in Southern Nevada. Data collection tools included demographic surveys, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ), …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation Of The Sinhala Version Of The Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale, Sujeewa Dilhani Maithreepala, Sriyani Padmalatha Konara Mudiyanselage, Bih-Ching Shu

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background and Objective: The Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSE) assesses a patient's confidence in managing their self-care in chronic conditions, such as heart failure (HF). Higher levels of self-efficacy are strongly linked to improved self-care behaviors and better clinical outcomes. No culturally adapted instrument is available in Sinhala to assess SCSE in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and test the reliability of the SCSE among HF patients in Sri Lanka.

Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation followed a structured process based on established guidelines for self-report measures. In Stage 1, two bilingual experts fluent in Sinhala independently performed forward …

Learning And Trending From Workplace Violence Incident Reports: Five Years Of Data, Carol A. Boswell, Rebekah Powers, Christina Ramdeo, Nancy Ornelas

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Workplace violence in healthcare settings is a multifaceted challenge and must be tackled using diverse strategies. Utilizing the data collected over a five-year period, the purpose of this project was to analyze the workplace violence incident report data to identify and determine innovative techniques to reduce or eliminate workplace violence. This agency has worked aggressively in the area of workplace violence since 2018 with the acquisition of three workplace violence grants directed toward educating and engaging nursing staff with developing a safe work environment. Two of the grants were completed by August, 2024 with the third grant funding being initiated …

Barriers To Use Of Antenatal Services Among Pregnant Women. A Temporal Decision-Making Perspective, Rose Muthoni Maina

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, yet utilization rates remain low across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya. This study explores pregnant Kenyan women’s experiences with ANC, focusing on how temporal decision-making affects their access to and attendance during pregnancy. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, 20 pregnant women, were purposively sampled, to understand their perspectives on ANC access and use through in-depth interviews. Analysis, based on the Betty Neuman systems model, categorized factors influencing ANC attendance into three primary areas: intrapersonal (individual beliefs and perceptions), interpersonal (social, cultural, and economic influences), and extra-personal (systemic and structural barriers). …

Evidence Based Practice Tools And Nurses’ Self-Efficacy, Amy Knowles, Penelope Neal

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Improving access to evidence-based guidelines may impact nurses’ confidence and ability to provide high-quality care (Melnyk, 2014). The purpose of this study was to evaluate use of Point of Care Tools (PoCTs) and relationship between PoCTs use and nurses’ confidence in their ability to perform their job. Information about other sources of evidence nurses utilize for clinical guidance was sought to gain a deeper understanding of where nurses obtain answers to clinical questions.

A descriptive correlational design with a 26-question survey was administered to a convenience sample of 52 nurses at a 500-bed community hospital. Survey used was a modified …

From Dirt To Data: Resilience Stories In Ebp, Qi, And Research – We Are The Stories We Tell, Cecelia Lorayne Crawford, Hazel Torres

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Storytelling is foundational to the human experience and cuts across all cultures by conveying norms, ethics, and connectedness. Nursing narratives are used to relate stories of compassion, caring, and resilience. Research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement (QI) also have their own stories of translating science into patient care. This presentation describes how resilient storytelling can integrate new knowledge in all settings, with “lessons-learned” for nurses globally, regardless of gender, generation, or culture.

Relevance/Significance: Research, EBP, and QI represent common ground for nurses to transform equitable care, engage nursing practice, and develop inclusive relationships. Literature discusses storytelling …

Examining Proning Covid-19 Patients With Continuous Enteral Feedings: A Retrospective Study, Michael Legal, Sari Winham, Jennifer Ernst

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a unique patient population requiring a triad of therapies: oxygen, nutrition, and patient positioning support. This study investigates the risk of aspiration pneumonia in COVID-19 patients placed in a prone position while receiving continuous enteral nutrition (EN). The retrospective, single-center study reviewed 97 electronic health records (EHR) of patients admitted between March 15, 2020, and June 1, 2022, at a southwest academic medical center. Patients included were diagnosed with COVID-19, aged 18 or older, and received continuous EN via nasogastric or nasoduodenal tubes while on high-flow oxygen support, excluding those on mechanical ventilation.

The study aimed …

Don't Count Them Out: Nursing Students With Disabilities – A Scoping Review, Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos, Erin G. Leuthold, Ann Marie Latini, Hana Feldman, Curtis Joseph Pegues

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

BACKGROUND: Globally, the exclusion of nursing students with disabilities diminishes the diversity and innovation that is crucial for a dynamic, inclusive healthcare system. Nursing students with disabilities represent a vital yet often overlooked segment of the healthcare workforce. Despite legislative milestones such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which aimed to dismantle barriers and promote equality, nursing students continue to face challenges such as insufficient accommodations, stigmatization, and discrimination in clinical and academic settings.

PURPOSE: This scoping review aimed to explore the experiences of pre-licensure nursing students with disabilities, as reported in the literature, which is significant to …

Collaborative Care Integration For Improving Outcomes With Type 2 Diabetes And Psychiatric Disease, Leslie S. Arceneaux, Karan Kverno

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Psychiatric disorders and diabetes are problems that frequently overlap in psychiatric and primary care settings. Those patients with psychiatric disorders and/or social problems have a higher incidence of diabetes complications and poor outcomes (Knudsen, et al., 2022). Clinician awareness of the person's diabetes health with measures to identify and support them, may reduce their risk of developing complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this presentation is to address early identification and interventions to prevent complications of T2DM, and the importance of collaboration with diabetic care specialists among patients receiving psychiatric care. Diabetes and psychiatric disorders can …

Women’S Experiences Of Posttraumatic Growth After Intimate Partner Abuse, Mary Ellen Doherty, Elizabeth Ann Scannell

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Intimate partner abuse can disrupt one’s basic core of dignity, self-respect, confidence, and motivation. Abused women can go through life in a tangled web of control and abuse that their partner dictates. Posttraumatic growth after abuse may lead to positive psychological changes because of this highly stressful experience.

Theoretical Framework: The posttraumatic growth framework of Tedeschi and Calhoun guided this study.

Purpose: To describe the experiences of women who have endured intimate partner abuse and the domains of posttraumatic growth.

Methods: Interviews with 14 women who self-reported intimate partner abuse using a semi-structured interview guide derived from the posttraumatic …

Mastering Interprofessional Facilitation, Essential Knowledge, And Skills For Effective Facilitation, Julie Lamothe

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a critical practice in today’s fragmented healthcare system. IPE prepares students to work collaboratively, ensuring they are ready to join the workforce as effective team members (Brashers et al.,2020; Caratelli, et al., 2020). The Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education offers an Interprofessional (IP) Core Curriculum, which has been completed by over 4,000 students. The XX University School of Nursing plays a significant role both in terms of participating students and facilitators. Interprofessional partnerships are promoted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Nursing education model, The Essentials: Core Competencies of Nursing. One of …

Collaborating With A Global Partner: Experiences Of Bilingual Students In The Us And Brazil, Vicki Lynn Brzoza

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: What scares you the most about teaching? Is it not being able to connect with the students? In the United States (U.S.), students are being admitted to our nursing programs from international locations. As this world changes, we see more and more interactions with individuals from faraway places. English is no longer only spoken in a few countries. It is gaining worldwide popularity as a second language in many countries. Nursing students from overseas want to experience a nursing course taught in English. As an expert in your field, consider sharing your knowledge with students from other countries. …

Educational Intervention On Cam To Mitigate Chronic Pain In Older Adults, Grace Inyangedo Udoh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Problem Statement: Managing chronic pain in older adults is a significant healthcare challenge due to its complexity and high costs. Conventional treatments often fall short, leading to increased opioid use. As a result, many older adults seek alternatives like acupuncture and acupressure, which have shown promise as non-pharmacological pain management approaches.

Purpose: The project explores non-pharmacological alternatives for managing chronic pain in older adults, focusing on acupuncture and acupressure as potential solutions.

Methods: The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model focuses on clinical decision-making with user-friendly implementation tools for individuals or groups. The study followed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest …

Patient-Centered Fall Prevention: A Quasi-Experimental Approach To Hospital Education Programming, Ashley E. Perry, Joan M. Walsh, Kara Misto

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Falls are widely recognized to seriously impact patient health.^1,2 The World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 37 million falls occur globally every year; a phenomenon that persists despite decades’ long focus on prevention.³ To achieve desired outcomes, experts call for patient-centered care and active commitment of the entire care team.^4,5 Thus, patients maturing as informed consumers and drivers of their own health should be recognized for their role in pursuing safety. Limited research exists that examines specific methodologies in cultivating a patient-driven approach to fall prevention.

Purpose: This purpose of this research was to evaluate the …