Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Stress Overload / Coping In Ric Undergrad Nursing Students, Cynthia Dutt

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project was to conduct a preliminary assessment in order to obtain baseline data in regard to stress and coping mechanisms among Rhode Island College undergraduate nursing students. Common stressors, stress levels and coping mechanisms among undergraduate nursing students were identified. Appropriate evidence-based methods were provided as a resource to the undergraduate nursing student participants to assist with coping with their stressors. This project surveyed Rhode Island College undergraduate nursing students in a quantitative and qualitative fashion by having them answer the Student Nurse Stress Index (SNSI) (Jones & Johnston, 1999) and answer open-ended questions in relation …

Advance Care Planning Barriers For Young Adults, Emily K. Songer

Honors Projects

According to the CDC, 40.6% of young adult deaths occur from unintentional injuries, which is the leading cause of death for this age group (Heron, 2019). When accidents occur, they sometimes result in a loss of the ability to make medical decisions, and young adults most likely have never had the opportunity state their wishes regarding their medical care. This is why advance care planning is important, because it allows the opportunity to express those desires before it is too late. Many people often confuse advance care planning as a process that is only needed for the elderly and those …

Implicit Bias In Student Nurses, Sarah French

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project was to identify student nurses' implicit bias across vulnerable populations in healthcare including age, weight, and mental illness. Implicit bias occurs when individuals have attitudes toward or treat people differently based on associated stereotypes without being consciously aware of this. This project surveyed student nurses at Rhode Island College in a quantitative fashion about implicit bias using the implicit association test (IAT) and qualitatively using a corresponding survey about explicit beliefs. The goal was to identify where nursing students bias lies and discuss the long term effects implicit bias has on their future as professionals …

Insight Into Student Perceptions Of Lgbtqia+ Content Inclusion In Bsn Education, Kenny Sullivan, Jae Basiliere

Honors Projects

Previous research has indicated that LGBTQIA+ clients continue to receive discriminatory care from healthcare professionals. Undergraduate nursing students (n = 24) completed a survey inquiring about their perceptions of knowledge of this vulnerable population, their preparedness to provide care, and the education they received from their BSN program. Twenty-two students’ responses, 91.67%, indicate a need for further education on the provision of care to LGBTQIA+ patients. These students demonstrated discrepancies in their perceptions and the application of their knowledge. As such, nursing programs should begin to consider providing more thorough education on this vulnerable population to prepare student nurses with …

Improving Timing Of Capillary Blood Glucose Monitoring And Insulin Administration Through Patient Education, Emily Lezcano

Honors Projects

For patients with diabetes in acute care settings, researchers report that it is challenging for the healthcare team to coordinate capillary blood glucose (CBG) monitoring and insulin administration with mealtimes. If insulin dosage is calculated from CBG values that are not updated, patients may experience dosing errors and uncontrolled CBG. Uncontrolled CBG increases patients’ risk of complications. To improve diabetes management, some hospitals have implemented policies aimed at improving the coordination of CBG monitoring, insulin administration, and mealtimes. In this study, the researcher studied the effectiveness of including an educational card on patient meal trays on the timing of CBG …

Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Naprotechnology In Women’S Healthcare, Cecilia Cerven

Honors Projects

Many women today struggle with abnormal menstrual cycles and the painful symptoms of reproductive disorders. The standard approach to treatment of infertility, irregular menses, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, hormonal abnormalities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and other pathophysiologic reproductive conditions is the prescription of a pill for symptom management or implementation of assisted reproductive technologies. However, many women may not feel comfortable with this treatment strategy due to ethical concerns or apprehension about potential side effects. The purpose of this paper is to assist in bridging the gaps in education to increase overall awareness of a new approach to women’s healthcare, …

The Impact Of Vaccination On Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Students, Jeremy Abreo, Kayeleigh Eder, Jordyn Francis

Honors Projects

The focus of our project was to analyze the amount of children vaccinated in Grand Rapids Public Schools. After determining the percentage of vaccinated children, we planned to implement an intervention to promote vaccination education to parents in the Grand Rapids area as well as increase awareness of the detrimental complications of refusing vaccinations.

As one of the focuses of our project, we decided to create a set of pamphlets. We focused on two main vaccines: the MMR vaccine and the Influenza Vaccine. After we gathered information about the two different vaccines, we compiled this information into an organized manner …

The Healing Power Of Music, Kathleen Szczesny

Honors Projects

The value of holistic and individualized care in honoring a patient’s story and promoting their quality of life is of the highest importance when providing nursing care. Nursing is more than just a profession, it is an art that is consistently changing and adapting, requiring critical and creative thinking to deliver high quality, safe care that is evidenced-based. Nurses must continuously seek innovative ways to enrich lives and enhance the healing process through interventions strongly supported by research. The purpose of this project was to explore music as an alternative form of medicine that can be utilized as a therapeutic …