Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perceptions Of Nurses After The First Year Of Practice: Expectations And Reality, Susan R. Lesser

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: The nursing profession is facing a critical shortage stemming from retirement of experienced nurses, increasing healthcare needs of an older population, and more inclusive healthcare coverage. Newly licensed nurses (NLNs) have been the long-term plan to fill the gap. Despite the support from nurse residency programs (NRPs), many of these graduate nurses are leaving their first position. This turnover of nurses is detrimental to the nursing shortage, and financially burdensome for health care systems.

Purpose: Two aims were explored: 1) to better understand the perceptions of newly licensed nurses after the first year of practice about their expectations and …

Understanding Diabetes Health Beliefs And Health Practices In Vietnamese Americans, Linda Sheen

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Diabetes related complications resulting in mortality and morbidity are higher among Vietnamese individuals living in the U.S. with diabetes. Few studies have examined the personal perceptions and cultural beliefs pertaining to disease management. An in-depth understanding of perception and cultural beliefs in regard to diabetes self-management is needed for the development of culturally appropriate interventions in this population.

Purpose: Two specific aims were explored: 1) To explore how Vietnamese individuals living in the U.S. with prediabetes and diabetes conceptualize diabetes self-management and; 2) to understand how Vietnamese individuals living in the U.S. with prediabetes and diabetes integrate …

Vasopressor Titration In Medical Intensive Care Patients With Septic Shock: A Descriptive Study, Daniel Arellano

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Vasopressor therapy in patients with septic shock can lead to harmful effects.

Objective: To describe vasopressor titration in patients with septic shock.

Methods: Single-center descriptive study of 60 intensive care unit (ICU) patients to calculate rates for events of failure to titrate, incorrect titration, and correct titration in 15- minute intervals for the duration of vasopressor therapy. Total hospital and ICU days, mortality rate, vasopressor dose and time, and the impact of hydrocortisone on vasopressor use were examined.

Results: During the total vasopressor infusion time of 2598 hours, 5395 failure-to-titrate events were noted. There were 316 incorrect titrations and …

An Exploration Of Psychosexual Functioning And Factors Affecting The Prophylactic Decision-Making Process In Women Of Childbearing Age With A Brca 1/Brca2 Mutation, Alexis Hayes

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: A breast cancer type 1 and type 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA1/BRCA2) gene mutation carries an 85%- 90% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a 27%-65% chance of developing ovarian cancer. There is minimal evidence regarding how psychosexual functioning, the psychological well-being in regards to body image and sexuality, affects the decision to have prophylactic treatment in women of childbearing age (18 - 49) with a BRCA gene mutation. Diagnosis of a BRCA gene mutation presents a dilemma where life-changing medical decisions must be made to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. Throughout decision-making and following surgical prophylactic interventions, such …

Mhealth Acceptance And Usage Among South Asian Adults In The U.S., Padmavathy Ramaswamy

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes (DM) in South Asians (SAs) (Volgman et al., 2018). Interventions using mobile health (mHealth) have demonstrated feasibility and potential efficacy for ethnic minorities (Bender et al., 2018), and have the potential to be of preventive and therapeutic value in reducing the burden of CVD and DM in SAs living in the US. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the usage and acceptance of mHealth among SAs.

Purpose: The objectives were to examine the overall …

Predictors Of Short-Term Residential Treatment Completion Preceded By Detoxification For Opioid Use Disorder, Christopher Gideon

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background and Significance: Deaths related to opioid overdose are increasing. Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is necessary to help prevent future opioid abuse, and often involves opioid detoxification, followed by short-term residential treatment, typically lasting about 28 days. Literature regarding OUD and short-term residential treatment is limited. Predictors of short-term residential completion, including whether detoxification was performed, may help addiction professionals individualize treatments. This study’s purpose was to determine predictors of short-term residential completion treatment for OUD, and whether detoxification prior to entering residential treatment may also be a factor in residential completion.

Method: De-identified data regarding …

The Effect Of Meditation On Stroke-Survivor Resilience: Secondary Analysis Of Existing Data, Mary Love

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Purpose: To test the effect of meditation on resilience of community-dwelling stroke survivors, and to identify resilience predictor variables in these survivors.

Methods: Sub-study with secondary analysis of existing data from the parent study, MEditatioN for post stroke Depression (MEND). Paired samples t-test was used to evaluate the effect of meditation on resilience of stroke-survivors (n=20) in the intervention group. Bivariate analysis and general linear modeling (GLM) were used to identify demographic, clinical, and psychological predictor variables of baseline resilience for all stroke survivors (n=34).

Results: The increase in stroke-survivor resilience scores from baseline (mean 3.46, SD=.81) to intervention completion …

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Status And Endorsement Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Secondary Data Analysis, Ashley Hollins

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has immense potential to prevent HPV-related infections but vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Nurses could potentially increase vaccination rates by providing recommendations and addressing vaccine concerns. As student nurses’ transition into practice, it is important to identify factors that could influence their attitudes and uptake of the HPV vaccine; however, these factors remain unknown.

Purpose: We proposed to: (1) identify factors associated with HPV vaccination status and (2) to identify student nurses’ perception of parental vaccine hesitancy, preferred counseling strategies, and factors associated with intention to counsel parents on HPV.

Methods: The current study was a …

Exploring Occupational Stress Among Nurse Leaders: Factors Influencing Nurse Leader Retention And Organizational Commitment, Nnenna Emelogu

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Nurse leader sustainability is essential to organizational climate and patient care outcomes. The state of science of nurse leader sustainability is fragmented and warrants critical examination. Current research exists examining the impact of occupational stress among frontline nurses. However, research is scarce exploring occupational stress among nurse leaders.

Purpose: To narrow knowledge gaps by exploring perceptions of occupational stress among nurse leaders and their responses to stress.

Methods: A generic qualitative descriptive approach was used to explore perceptions of occupational stress among nurse leaders. The final sample consisted of 17 participants via purposive sampling. Thematic content analysis was used …

Impact Of Adult Attachment Style On Outcome Trajectories In A Parent-Focused Early Language Development Intervention, Cary Cain

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Disparities in early language development have been noted for children from low-income homes, which can impact their educational and health trajectory. The quantity and quality of language exposure in the home environment influences a child’s language development. Adult attachment style is a predictor of parenting behavior and could impact critical interactions between the parent and child. Evidence demonstrates that differences in adult attachment style impact program participation and outcomes in early childhood parenting programs delivered through home visitation.

Aims: The aims of this study were to 1) explore the association of adult attachment style on intervention outcome trajectories from …

Relationships Among Optimism, Inflammation, And Stroke Recovery, Yun-Ju Lai

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Objective: Post-stroke inflammation is detrimental to the brain and results in an unfavorable recovery. Optimism has been associated with lower inflammation and better health outcomes among people with medical conditions, but no studies have assessed this association in the stroke population. The overall goals were to examine the relationships among optimism, stroke severity, physical disability, and inflammation during hospitalization and evaluate the relationships among optimism, inflammation, and stroke recovery over the three-month post-stroke period.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data collected from the BioRepository of Neurological Diseases biobank. Outcomes included optimism, stroke severity, physical recovery, and inflammatory …

Waiting For A Liver Transplant: A Qualitative Study, Ayoka Badmus

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Advances in liver transplantation have significantly improved survival rates, making liver transplant a viable option for those with End Stage Liver Failure (ESLF). However, patients diagnosed with ESLF may experience a significant period of waiting before a liver transplant surgery, due to a limited supply of donor livers. Empirical evidence is scarce on the experience of patients waiting for a liver transplantation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the waiting experience of patients diagnosed with ESLF and to identify their perceived challenges and needs while waiting for a liver transplant.

Methods: Using a generic qualitative …