Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Impact Of Simulation On Perceived Knowledge And Confidence Of New Graduate Nurses (Ngns) In Maternal-Newborn Care, Disa Seymour

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: Nursing education worldwide varies in duration and training process, with nurses often facing rapid immersion into patient care complexities when entering the workforce. While new nurses contribute significantly to the nursing community with contemporary knowledge, their transition to practice can be daunting, necessitating support for both competence and retention. As specialty care settings integrate more new graduate nurses (NGNs) to address workforce shortages, collaboration between leaders and educators becomes crucial. Simulation emerges as a vital tool in building confidence while learning, offering a safe space for skill development and growth of confidence.

Purpose: This project’s objective was to …

The Impact Of Spanish Language Training For Labor And Delivery Nurses On Postpartum Depression Incidence Among Hispanic Women, Leilani Gutierrez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Postpartum depression and anxiety are experienced by 70-80% of new mothers, and the likelihood is twice as high for Hispanic women compared to caucasian women. Supportive techniques to help monolingual mothers in labor are lacking. A translator's assistance on the hospital floor, such as a video call from an iPad, is often impersonal and lacks the supportive atmosphere that women preparing to give birth need. The primary objective of this study is to explore the potential benefits of providing Spanish-speaking courses to labor and delivery nurses, particularly in cultivating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for Hispanic mothers during childbirth. By …

The Impact Of Spanish Classes For Labor And Delivery Nurses On Postpartum Depression Incidence Among Hispanic Women, Leilani Gutierrez

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of clinical depression that affects individuals after childbirth and is characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, and other symptoms that impact daily functioning. After childbirth, postpartum depression and anxiety are experienced by 70-80% of new mothers (South Dakota Department of Health). The likelihood being twice as high for Hispanic women compared to caucasian women. Postpartum depression impacts 30-43% of Hispanic mothers who have recently given birth. Research indicates that poor childbirth experiences can lead to postpartum depression (Lara-Cinisomo et al,. 2023). The connection between language obstacles in the maternal care of Hispanic women and …

Give Love With Lovenox: Improving Nurse Education On Lovenox Prophylaxis To Reduce Pulmonary Embolism Risk On The Postpartum Unit, Jennifer G. Domingo Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project aims to improve nurse education about Lovenox prophylaxis to reduce the risk of pulmonary emboli – post-discharge – amongst high-risk postpartum women who underwent vaginal and cesarean deliveries on the family baby unit. This project took place in a Family Baby/Postpartum Unit at Hospital SC. This unit has a total of 25 beds with an increased prevalence of pulmonary embolism following cesarean delivery. Nurses were given anonymous pre- and post-survey questionnaires and provided educational sessions with distributed handouts. A unit needs assessment was conducted using the 5 P’s. Out of the 72 nurses on the staff …

Postpartum Visitation Policies, Jenna B. Holderman, Morgan E. Matthews

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Continual support for the birthing person during labor improves delivery outcomes and overall childbirth experiences. How many support people are present and their relation to the birthing person varies based on individual preference, family dynamics, and sociocultural expectations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many hospitals implemented a one-visitor policy for deliveries. With these new guidelines in place, the length of hospital stays significantly decreased, and there were a variety of opinions towards these restrictions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore birthing persons’ overall sentiment towards visitors in the immediate postpartum period.

Methods: The current study analyzed …

Child Abuse From A Nursing Perspective: Assessment And Implications, Ashtyn Spring

Senior Honors Theses

Nurses experience the relationship dynamics between pediatric patients and their families firsthand. Being informed by the goals of holistic care, nurses should be assessing for unhealthy dynamics among pediatric patients and their caregivers so they can respond appropriately when a potential for abuse is present. Healthcare workers have the duty to provide safety and healing to their patients. Through the unique contact nurses have with patients, their training for accurate assessment skills, and their responsibility as healthcare workers, nurses are placed with the opportunity to help children out of abusive situations. Prompt identification of the potential for abuse can prevent …

Improving Nursing Education Curriculum As A Tool For Strengthening The Nurse–Client Relationships In Maternal And Child Healthcare: Insights From A Human-Centered Design Study In Rural Tanzania, Kahabi Isangula, Eunice Pallangyo, Eunice Ndirangu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background. There are growing evidence of poor nurse–client relationships in maternal and child health (MCH). The nursing curriculum forms an important entry point for strengthening such relationships, consequently improving client satisfaction with nurses' competencies, confidence in the formal healthcare system, healthcare-seeking practices, continuity with care, and MCH outcomes.

Objective. MCH nurses and clients were invited to design an intervention package (prototype) to improve nurse–client relationships using a human-centered design (HCD) approach.

Methods. A multi-step HCD approach was employed to first examine the contributors of poor nurse–client relationships using nine focus group discussions with nurses and clients and 12 key informant …

Childhood And Adolescent Obesity: Related Comorbidities And Interventions, Jasmine Wong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States has steadily risen over the years and has become a public health concern. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for poor health and poor quality of life. Furthermore, there are numerous comorbidities associated with childhood and adolescent obesity. While some of the associated diseases are acute, others can become chronic and result in lifelong conditions.

Objective

The purpose of the present thesis is to explore …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program, Aaron Michael Roman, Michelle O'Connor Kensey

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

This study explores the knowledge and perceptions of the newborn hearing screening (NBHS) program from the perspective of nurses and nursing support staff. Registered nurses and nursing support staff (n = 84) completed a digitally administered survey that queried their understanding of JCIH guidelines, perceptions around NBHS administration, and parental anxiety. The results demonstrated that while most respondents felt comfortable and confident about NBHS administration, there was a significant difference in their understanding of appropriate screening milestones compared to JCIH recommendations. Participants further demonstrated an interest in additional learning opportunities related to the NBHS.

Women’S Priorities And Actions Mothering In The Context Of Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon Broughton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Being a mother is an important part of many women’s identities with consequences for women and children and shaping women’s priorities and actions when living in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, understanding the nature of women’s priorities, the actions women take to address these priorities, and the factors shaping those actions remains limited. Drawing on an intersectional feminist lens, this dissertation explored the nature of women’s priorities, what shapes them and how women mothering in the context of IPV go about living out what is important to them. To situate these issues broadly within the discipline of …

Remifentanil Patient Controlled Analgesia Use In Laboring Women: A Feasibility And Acceptability Study, Joshua Carr

Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Interest in remifentanil patient controlled analgesia (RPCA) as a treatment for labor pain has increased due to its unique pharmacodynamics and effectiveness on pain control among parturients. Despite its promise, RPCA remains infrequently used in the US. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the implementation and acceptability of a new RPCA protocol in the labor and delivery ward of a mid-sized hospital, and 2) identify the attitudes and beliefs of healthcare workers in a real-world clinical setting.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: The holistic nature of Comfort Theory can account for the proposed mechanisms contributing to the …

A Two-Step Approach To Increase Breastfeeding Adherence In Mothers With Preterm Infants, Jessica J. Glinski

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Breastfeeding provides multiple benefits for mothers and infants. An overwhelming amount of evidence indicates that breastmilk optimizes infant growth and develops the immune system (Yu et al., 2018). Apart from the health benefits for infants, the immediate effects of breastfeeding for mothers include a decreased risk for hemorrhage, stress, and postpartum depression (Flemming, 2021). A mother’s psychological state impacts lactation success, mainly by affecting milk ejection (Dabas et al., 2019). Despite evidence suggesting that relaxation techniques are beneficial for all human beings, it is one of the least commonly used approaches for postpartum mothers (Joseph et al., 2019). The PICOT …

Screening And Follow Up For Postpartum Depression: How To Improve Practice, Mallory Matusik

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting one in seven women during their reproductive years (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2018). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve screening and management of PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) screening tool and a protocol for appropriate treatment and follow up care for PPD. A protocol was created by the project leader with information on screening and diagnosis, follow up, and treatment for PPD. The protocol also included information on how to assess for suicidal and/or homicidal ideation …

Childbirth In Incarceration And Nursing Interventions, Breanna Mauk

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Introduction and Background

The number of incarcerated pregnant women is increasing every day. At the same time, their quality of care is decreasing. From being treated like animals by jail staff to having unqualified staff members instructing them during labor, this has to change. Not only is the safety of the woman at risk, but most importantly her unborn baby.

Purpose Statement

Incarcerated pregnant women deserve the same healthcare as anyone else. The PICO question addressed in this paper is the following. In incarcerated pregnant women, how does ineffective health maintenance compared with effective health maintenance affect poor outcomes after …

The Effects Of Exercise And Nursing Care On Postpartum Depression, Greyson Whaley

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Introduction and Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), “postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby which is more intense and lasts longer than those of “baby blues,” a term used to describe the worry, sadness, and tiredness many women experience after having a baby.” It also states, “1 in 8 women report symptoms of depression after giving birth, about 1 in 5 (20%) women were not asked about depression during a prenatal visit, and over half (50%) of pregnant women with depression were not treated.”

Purpose Statement: The purpose of this …

Adolescent Mothers And Kangaroo Mother Care: A Scoping Review, Genna K. Rivers, Robin B. Dail Phd, Rn, Faan, Robin Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc

Senior Theses

Kangaroo mother care (KMC), the practice in which mothers hold their infants skin-to-skin against their bare chest, can increase bonding and attachment between mothers and their infants. However, there is not much research on the benefits of KMC within the adolescent or teen mother population (13-19 years old). The purpose of this scoping review was to identify how common KMC is within the teen mother population, determine how KMC varies based on social determinants of health and race/ethnicity within the adolescent mother population, and how KMC impacts adolescent mothers’ maternal attachment and bonding with their infants. PubMed and CINAHL databases …

Nursing And Interprofessional Relationships On A Labor And Delivery Unit: Ethnography, Tricia A. Lewis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Research regarding interprofessional relationships on a labor and delivery unit is overwhelmingly quantitative, most of it relying on descriptors of the concepts “team” and “teamwork.” However, there is a scarcity of studies that explore the actual interactions that occur among professionals while they provide care to a laboring mother. In a labor and delivery unit at a suburban hospital, over a 14-month period, data was collected through participant observation, casual conversation, extensive field notes, informal interviews, and unstructured, in-depth interviews with 12 healthcare professionals until saturation of emerging themes was achieved. Field notes and transcribed interviews were continuously examined and …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Their Role Utilizing Eat, Sleep, Console, In The Management Of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Cerys Eldred

Honors Theses and Capstones

Background: There is a rising prominence of infants being born and diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the United States. In recent years, a new non-pharmacological method of managing these infants called Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) has emerged. While there is mounting evidence demonstrating the positive outcomes for infants treated with this method, there is limited research regarding nurses’ perceptions of this new intervention. This study seeks to understand the nurse’s experience and role during caring for infants with NAS utilizing the ESC method in comparison to the past practices.

Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design to …

The Influence Of Gender Bias On Male Nurses And Nursing Students In The Obstetric, Maternal, And Pediatric Nursing Profession., Julian Alvarez

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This literature review analyzes if gender bias influences the disproportionate number of male nurses and male nursing students in the pediatric, maternal, and obstetric nursing fields as compared to nursing as a whole. PubMed and CINAHL databases were utilized to find 15 research articles focused on the experiences of male nurses and male nursing students. These articles were compared amongst each other to find common themes of the male experience in the nursing fields of pediatrics, maternity, and obstetrics. The three common themes found were 1) Men tend to encounter situations where their professionalism will be monitored more closely when …

Increasing Vaccination Rates In Pregnancy Using A Multifaceted Approach Including Patient Education And Reminder/Recall Interventions, Jas Tiara Mcgee

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Given the global tragedy that this most recent pandemic has caused, more attention has been given to the devastating outcomes that the spread of infectious disease outbreaks can have. Similar to those with comorbid conditions, pregnant women are also extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases, as disease manifestation does not only affect the mother, but the fetus as well. Thus, the prevention of both the influenza virus and pertussis are two major goals when providing care for this population. Preventing both of these disease processes during the intrapartum period helps to ensure optimal wellness for both mother and baby and overall …

Tiny Tusks Internship: Barriers To Breastfeeding, Cameron Watson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support Internship allows students to gain insight on breastfeeding practices through volunteering at University of Arkansas sporting events. Therefore, I chose to review prevalent barriers to breastfeeding that mothers in the United States face. These mothers were at least one of these: Hispanic, Marshallese, African American, disabled, employed, a veteran, living in a rural area, or a woman of the general American population. This topic is relevant because of the many benefits that breastfeeding provides for both the baby and the mother.

Tiny Tusks Internship: The Effect Of Health Care Providers' Education And Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding On The Mother's Decision To Breastfeed, Jocelyn Clark

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is a stigma surrounding breastfeeding in the public community, places of employment, and health care facilities. This paper focuses on the impact health care workers have on the mother's decision to breastfeed her infant, and her ability to continue breastfeeding as the primary source of infant nutrition. This paper includes experiences from an internship with Tiny Tusks, which provides breastfeeding support to mothers in the Northwest Arkansas area. Tiny Tusks allows for a better understanding of the community's breastfeeding needs and provides support to breastfeeding mothers in order to reduce the stigma associated with breastfeeding. In health care environments, …

Tiny Tusks Internship: Does Breastfeeding Education In An Undergraduate Nursing Program Affect Student Knowledge And Attitudes Concerning Breastfeeding?, Grace Murphy

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks provides honors nursing students enrolled in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas an opportunity to support mothers in the community by providing breastfeeding services, education, and assistance at public Razorback sporting events. Interns provide this support by setting up designated lactation spaces at sporting events, such as gymnastics meets, football, and basketball games, for mothers to breastfeed or pump. In this thesis, I reflect on my internship experience and provide a review of literature. Since the aim of Tiny Tusks is to provide breastfeeding education and support to mothers in the community, the …

Reflections On Labor And Delivery Internship, Olivia Ozier

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding is very beneficial for the health of both mothers and babies. Despite this fact, not enough mothers are breastfeeding. It is important for nurses to help facilitate successful breastfeeding. The purpose of this literature review was to determine what interventions from healthcare staff impact the success of breastfeeding. Articles were retrieved from reliable sources such as CINAHL, Pub Med, and Medline in order to compare what research shows as beneficial for breastfeeding to what was observed in the clinical setting. The results revealed that health care support, educated staff, and baby friendly policies impact the success of breastfeeding. It …

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding And Infant Support Internship, Anna Elizabeth Ray

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support is a program at the University of Arkansas that provides a clean, private area for mother’s to nurse, pump, and change their infant’s diaper at Razorback home athletic events. The Tiny Tusks area is utilized at multiple athletic events including football games, men’s basketball games, and women’s gymnastics meets. Mothers are supplied comfortable rocking chairs, clean changing tables, heaters or fans depending on the weather, bottled water, and informational handouts about a wide array of breastfeeding topics. Along with supporting mothers, the mission of Tiny Tusks is to normalize breastfeeding in public areas and …

Lowering Antibiotic Resistance Utilizing Breastmilk, Moriah J. Harris

Honors College Theses

Antibiotic resistance is considered an emerging crisis in the healthcare world. This crisis has the potential to cause many bacterial diseases that cannot be cured using antibiotic drugs, which can lead to serious infections and death. There have been numerous studies that have found that sugars, proteins and protein-lipid complexes in breastmilk have antimicrobial properties. It has been proposed that these properties in breastmilk can help solve the antibacterial resistance crisis. This research project involved studying antibiotic resistance and how breastmilk can help solve this increasingly prevalent problem.

The implementation step of this research project involved a PowerPoint presentation detailing …

Reflections On North Texas Ob-Gyn Internship, Catherine Beachner

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis provides a personal reflection on a nurse internship with North Texas Ob-Gyn Associations located in Lewisville, Texas. An evaluation of the internship was conducted by providing a description of the position, analyzing the internship, and outlining a pertinent patient case study. The responsibilities for this position mainly included assisting the doctor during appointments. An extensive range of skills were gained through the experience, including developing confidence in interactions with patients and learning physical tasks. The focus of the honors project was overall learning, which occurred through completion of learning goals, and the goals of the internship were fully …

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding And Infants Support Internship, Lacey Schroeder

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support is an organization that provides resources to families at public Razorback events. Tiny Tusks provides a safe space for women to breastfeed in public as well as educate the community about the importance of breastfeeding. Women are allowed to use the space to breastfeed, pump, or use a clean diaper changing station. Once finished, they are asked to complete a survey pertaining to their experience and what they would have done if the resources provided by Tiny Tusks were not available. The stigma surrounding public breastfeeding is discouraging women from breastfeeding exclusively, which is …

Implementation Of Tiny Tusks: A Breastfeeding And Infant Support Space At The University Of Arkansas Athletic Events, Brittany Lyons

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis focuses on my internship of assisting in the design and management of a breastfeeding and infant support space at home athletic events at The University of Arkansas with emphasis on the importance and the promotion of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides a wide variety of benefits for mother and infant and I have been honored to work and assist in building Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support Tent and the implementation of these ideas. This honors internship has allowed me to increase my knowledge on the positive aspects of breastfeeding, as well as promote community involvement by collaborating with …

Reflection And Literature Review On Loving Choices Pregnancy Center Internship, Madison Stave

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis involves a personal reflection and literature review of a nurse internship at Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Fayetteville, AR. The purpose of this internship was to provide a learning experience in women’s and obstetrical health. Responsibilities included completing community resource projects and assisting staff and nurses in the Care Center and Pregnancy Clinic. To satisfy honors requirements, five learning objectives were created during the internship. These objectives were all met and reflected upon in the first part of this thesis. The second portion of this thesis involves a literature review of the socioeconomic and health-related risks of …