Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Teamwork And Collaboration On Patient Care, Riana Square

Honors College Theses

Teamwork and communication are two topics that a vast majority of nursing students are introduced to in their first semester of nursing school. Many nursing students have a desire to improve their communication skills and have a better understanding of the inner workings of interdisciplinary collaboration. A study across multiple cohorts of Georgia Southern Nursing students was conducted to explore their perceptions of the correlation between teamwork and patient care outcomes. This study also explores nursing students’ readiness to communicate with other healthcare professionals and the effectiveness of the means to practice these communication skills while in nursing school. It …

Moral Distress As A Predictive Variable Of Perceived Job Retention In Senior Nursing Students, Rebekah L. Barber

Honors College Theses

New Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate nurses are leaving careers within inpatient healthcare facilities presumably because of moral distress related to the anticipated workload of registered nurses (RN). BSN curriculums are responsible for providing practical education through clinical instruction; however, many students experience inconsistencies in best practice recommendations. The inconsistencies predominantly originate between didactic nursing instruction and clinical learning within inpatient healthcare facilities. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design, this thesis utilized the validated Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R), a 21-item instrument that assesses the frequency and intensity of moral distress experienced by healthcare workers. Student responses to the …

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Teachers, Samantha Ann Tierney, Samantha Ann Tierney

Honors College Theses

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder, estimated to affect 5% of all children and adolescents. The current rate of diagnosis is steadily increasing. This increase in the number of students with ADHD affects educators, who have a large role in the success of students with ADHD. Despite this, many teachers are not prepared to deal with the extra challenges that come with teaching students with ADHD. Teachers may not be properly taught how to deal with children who have ADHD in their classrooms or the role they have in these children’s lives. The purpose of this study is to …

A Study On The Correlation Between The Study Habits Of Nursing Students And Perceived Exam Anxiety, Rebecca A. Bracken

Honors College Theses

Anxiety is a concept very familiar to many university students. This especially applies to students who have decided to major in nursing. With the knowledge and experiences that accompany attending nursing school, come a series of rigorous, high-stakes exams. Nationwide, many students share a common struggle to be successful on these exams, which often leads to a sense of anxiety that becomes associated with one's experience during testing, known as test anxiety. A study across multiple baccalaureate nursing school cohorts was completed to determine a correlation between the various methods used by nursing students to prepare for an exam and …

Introducing A Trauma-Informed Care Model To Address Racial Disparities In Perinatal Outcomes Among African American Women, Mariah K. White

Honors College Theses

Racial disparities in maternal and infant health have remained an issue within the United States despite efforts to advance and improve our health system. Most maternal deaths are preventable, especially with early and adequate maternal care. Infant mortality occurs for several reasons, but inadequate care usage increases the risk for adverse outcomes. Prenatal care usage within the United States has been inadequate for numerous years, most commonly among African American women, despite its known benefit. Low prenatal care usage among African American women can be attributed to community barriers, social injustices, trauma, discrimination, and health care mistrust. Trauma is common …

The Importance Of Education About Juvenile Diabetes, Sarah Cutcher

Honors College Theses

Juvenile diabetes occurs when a patient under the age of 18 has an abnormally low amount of insulin in his/her body. This is due to the destruction of the insulin producing cells. There are two different types of diabetes, but they both have different risk factors that could lead to the diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A diagnosis of diabetes does not only mean that one has to manage this chronic disease, but the patient will now have an increased risk of developing complications later in life. Some examples of these complications are heart disease, skin integrity …

Effect Of Covid-19 On Icu Nurse Burnout, Kayce Sheppard

Honors College Theses

Burnout is becoming increasingly worse for those in the nursing field after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While all nurses are at risk, ICU nurses are seen as at a higher risk for this increased burnout due to the already high stress environment they are subjected to in their unit. Without proper intervention of this issue, the levels of burnout are expected to continue to remain high, leading to job dissatisfaction, short staffing, and reduced patient satisfaction. The objective of this study is to review the level of burnout among ICU nurses. A burnout study was conducted on ICU …

Covid-19 Vaccination: A Study Of College Students’ Perceptions Regarding Inoculation Post-Covid Infection, Analisa Harter, Wilma Matti

Honors College Theses

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known as Covid-19, was first identified in China and proclaimed a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Covid-19 is a virus transmitted via respiratory droplets and becomes airborne when a person who carries the virus coughs, sneezes, or breathes out droplets, and the virus enters a susceptible host. Since the pandemic outbreak, three vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite FDA approval, many Americans are hesitant to receive Covid-19 vaccinations. The perceived severity of SARS-CoV-2 and the perceived safety of the vaccine appear to …

Prepare For The Flare: Preparing Georgia Southern College Of Nursing Students On How To Properly Assess And Educate Patients With Atopic Dermatitis, Charlotte V. Moore

Honors College Theses

Atopic dermatitis is a skin disorder commonly known as eczema. This autoimmune disease is common and can appear on multiple parts of the body as dry, itchy skin. This thesis will discuss research on educational programs presented to nursing students in a Bachelor’s of Science nursing program on how to recognize atopic dermatitis and its triggers and be able to properly educate future patients about it. Nurse-led education is beneficial in reducing disease severity and improving quality of life by enhancing self-management, adherence and patient/guardian engagement. Are nursing students aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and do …

Understanding Nursing Students' Cultural Competency Levels And Implicit Biases, Deja J. Gillans

Honors College Theses

In the United States, non-Hispanic Black women are approximately three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as non-Hispanic White or Hispanic women. Racism has been identified as a significant barrier to health equality and the improvement of maternal health outcomes for Black patients. Cultural competence and implicit bias in health care has emerged in part to address factors that may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in health care. Both can impact the way nurses consciously and subconsciously deliver healthcare to patients of a different gender, race, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, etc. Nurses who are more culturally competent and aware …

Eating Disorders: Barriers To Peer And Self Recognition And The Ability To Seek Or Give Help, Savannah Mcvey

Honors College Theses

A lack of knowledge concerning eating disorders has been found to play a major role in self-recognition, peer recognition, and barriers to seeking treatment at all. More specifically, straight men were more often not able to identify these issues in themselves or others. Theories that have been presented involve the image of eating disorders being a “woman’s issue” and a possible obsession with weight lifting and changing one’s body to take on a more masculine build. Combatting this issue needs to begin in the form of basic education on college campuses due to the prevalence in this particular age group. …

Nursing Students' Competence With Anesthesia, Mallory Groover

Honors College Theses

Anesthesia management is diverse and complex. As a Registered Nurse (RN), it is imperative that the basic pathophysiology of anesthesia complications is understood in order to provide competent care. The effects of anesthesia can vary greatly depending on factors such as age, sex, health status, and lifestyle. Since there are several variables, it takes years of experience working with a diverse population to anticipate adverse effects and patient outcomes. Preparedness for anesthesia management could be improved through the use of simulations during nursing school relating to post-anesthesia care, as well as more in-depth lectures over the potential complications and pharmacodynamics …

Pick Your Plate: A Nutrition Education Study, Emmalyn Tucker

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity has become a cause for concern among many nutrition experts. Childhood obesity can contribute to several health problems such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure. The large percentage of children affected with childhood obesity suggests a lack of essential nutrition education in our country. Junk food consumption and inadequate intake of the USDA’s MyPlate food groups have become essential areas for intervention. Multiple school-based nutrition education interventions have been explored to improve both children’s nutrition knowledge and improve healthy eating behaviors. “Pick Your Plate” is a nutrition education study designed to improve nutrition knowledge regarding junk …

From The Other Side: Nurses’ Perception On The Use Of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy In Clinical Setting, Chinal Patel

Honors College Theses

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a revolutionary technology being used more frequently in clinical settings across the United States. Though there has been extensive research on the efficacy of NPWT medically and otherwise, there has been little research regarding the healthcare providers’ perception of use of “wound-vacs,” the device used for NPWT. As new techniques and/or devices are made available for use in a clinical setting, the burden to educate staff falls upon patient care providers. The administration of NPWT is wholly reliant on a nurse as they are the ones to apply the dressing, change it and document …

Blue Zones: Unlocking Key Themes In The Centenarian's Life, Grace Beer, Grace O. Beer

Honors College Theses

Longevity has been sought after in certain areas of the world, and there are specific regions where this has been achieved. There is an American average life expectancy of 72 years old, but individuals in “Blue Zones” here in America and other areas of the world are expected to and have proven to live well beyond 100. The areas of Okinawa, Sardinia, Nicoya, Ikaria, and Loma Linda are classified as Blue Zones, and there could be more of an understanding of how these people live the way they do to have such healthy physical outcomes. To deeply understand the strategy …

Infant Car Seat Safety Education And Confidence Measure For Maternal-Child Nursing Students, Mariah A. Arnett

Honors College Theses

Studies have shown that nursing students experience a greater-than-normal amount of anxiety and decreased clinical confidence when in settings involving infants and children, which is said to have a negative impact on the learning experience (Lassche, 2013; Moscaritolo, 2009). Patient education is a vital aspect of nursing, but one that the student nurse may not feel comfortable taking part in, either because of their lack of nursing experience or because of a lack of experience with infants and infant safety (Potter, 2020; Lassche, 2013). This project attempts to assess for a change in clinical confidence after providing a subject specific …

Nursing Students’ Perspectives On The Covid-19 Vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, And Johnson And Johnson, Savannah M. Workman

Honors College Theses

There are very few things that everyone in the world shares in common, but there is one thing that has recently plagued our entire world and has impacted each person’s life. The first case of COVID-19 occurred in the United States in January of 2020. In the United States during March of 2020, life as we knew it changed. Restrictions were put in place, schools closed, food and supply chain shortages occurred, travel was banned, and we were warned to stay away from others as they could be symptomatically or asymptomatically carrying the novel coronavirus. Since the time of quarantine …

College Students’ Perceptions Of Anxiety And Coping: Physical Activity Versus Alcohol Use, John M. Neville

Honors College Theses

Anxiety is likely to impact every single person in the world. It can, at times, be advantageous; however, at other times, it can be crippling. There is not a consensus as to its cause. But, through years of research it has been discovered it results from structural and chemical changes within the brain. It is believed these changes contribute largely to the development of anxiety. Other factors such as stressors, trauma, and substance abuse may exacerbate anxiety and accelerate its development. This has prompted researchers, scientists, and clinicians to explore ways in which individuals may cope with this condition. For …

Minimizing Musculoskeletal Injury Risk In Health Care Professionals With Education On Safe Patient Handling, Aubrey Graves

Honors College Theses

Introduction: Nursing is a high-risk occupation for musculoskeletal injuries due to the strenuous activity of patient handling. These tasks include, assisting a patient in bed, moving a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, and assisting with walking. These work-related tasks can create a large amount of stress on the body, especially the back if proper technique is not utilized and/or if excessive loads are applied. The purpose of this study is to examine if teaching proper body mechanics and the dangers of not performing the tasks properly is an effective way of reducing musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods: The NUR 202 …

Senior Nursing Students’ Confidence In Communicating And Providing Patient Teaching, Carmen Bandy

Honors College Theses

In the field of nursing, effective nurse-patient communication and teaching are among the most important indicators of patient satisfaction. Research shows that improved communication can result in more favorable patient outcomes and compliance with treatment. Additionally, improved communication with other members of the healthcare team can create a better work environment and result in increased patient outcomes, as well as decreased errors. The aim of this thesis is to assess the confidence of seniors in the Murray State University Nursing program in communicating with patients and other healthcare professionals and in providing thorough, accurate teaching to patients. Strategies to improve …

In The Midst Of A Pandemic: Exploring Nursing Students' Attitudes And Beliefs Toward Their Training And Education, Harper C. Lewis

Honors College Theses

During Spring of 2020, didactic and clinical courses for nursing students at Georgia Southern University transformed to virtual platforms due to COVID-19. Student nurses learn their profession with experiences in both classroom and clinical settings. Clinical setting helps students strengthen psychomotor skills learned during simulated laboratory work. While all health profession students expressed stress as a major factor for well-being, student nurses seemed to experience more stress. Stress threatens nursing students’ sense of control over present and future performance. Competently performing skills required of newly graduated nurses greatly determines new graduates’ ability to secure employment as a registered nurse in …

Mental Health Among Nursing Students Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic, Cheydan Crump

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the current pandemic on the mental health of nursing students at a rural university. This study examined various risk factors and potential indicators for mental health, such as changes in physical activity, sleep behaviors, and differing perceptions of support they have received from the nursing program and the participating university, throughout the spread of COVID-19. This study was a non-experimental, analytical study conducted in a rural university in the southern region of the United States. This convenience sample consisted of 21 students, all of which were enrolled in the …

Black Maternal Mortality In The United States, Grace Phelps

Honors College Theses

Black maternal mortality is a looming issue in the United States as the rate of Black maternal deaths is 3-4 times higher than the average rate for White women. Research establishes that this is a multifaceted issue of care quality, preexisting health, biases and racism, and structural inequalities. This study aims to discuss the statistics, contributing factors, and possible solutions to the issue of Black maternal mortality. Specifically, this study aims to educate nursing students on the matter and test the implications an educational session has on knowledge about Black maternal mortality and how health care professionals can be part …

Obesity Bias: Bachelor Of Science Nursing Student Perceptions, Ashlyn Nicole Beasley

Honors College Theses

The National Institutes of Health identifies that one in three adults is obese. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above. Patients with obesity may deny themselves healthcare due to the mistreatment and mistrust they may develop within the healthcare system. If the prejudice against obese patients is addressed, it could prevent future issues for patients and healthcare providers. Not only can bias against obese patients lead to injury, but it can also lead worsening conditions. When a patient perceives the stigma of a weight bias from a caregiver, it can cause them to withdraw …

Does Religious Belief Affect Attitudes Towards Mental Illness?, Robert B. Conway

Honors College Theses

There has been an increase in recent years in the effort to raise awareness of mental health issues, particularly suicide. However, awareness does not equate to understanding and there has been little in the way of public education. One of the biggest obstacles faced by those suffering from a mental illness is the public stigma associated with it. Given the high percentage of the population in the South who identify as being religious, this study looked at the relationship between religiosity and public stigma towards mental illness. Two hundred forty-two university students drawn from undergraduate biology and nursing classes completed …

The Presence Of Spirituality And Its Effect On Attitudes Towards Death, Isabel F. Cortez

Honors College Theses

ABSTRACT

Rationale Implementing spirituality practices in healthcare is not heavily emphasized yet has the potential to increase positive patient outcomes.

Hypothesis If an individual identifies with having a strong sense of spirituality, then they will have decreased negative reactions towards dying.

Methods Data was collected via distribution and processing of surveys on the Statesboro campus of Georgia Southern University. The survey included a series of questions regarding general demographics, strength of spirituality, feelings associated with death, and coping ability. The information collected was processed through SPSS in order to evaluate correlations present.

Results It was found that individuals who indicated …

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 …

The Effect Of Empathy On Compassion Fatigue And Quality Of Life On Bachelor Of Science Nursing Students, Parker E. Intonato

Honors College Theses

Empathy is a skill that nurses and nursing students must use with their patients to provide high quality care and build rapport with patients. Although, the prolonged use of empathy has been shown to increase compassion fatigue in nurses and decrease quality of life. Empathy has been described as the ability to feel and understand what another is experiencing. Compassion fatigue can be described as the natural response of emotions and behaviors that occur after experiencing and suffering the traumatic experiences of others. The effects of compassion fatigue call into question quality of life (QOL) issues. Quality of life includes …

First Trimester Prenatal Screening: Parent Education, Madison Vandiver

Honors College Theses

The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and consequently the ways that medical procedures are done is always changing. Advancements in medicine have made it possible to screen for chromosomal abnormalities earlier and for the screening to be done more accurately than ever before. This is accomplished through a first trimester screening performed between 11- 13 weeks gestation of the pregnancy. With this screening becoming more integrated into routine prenatal care and being offered to various women with a range of risk factors, it is important to offer many educational opportunities about the screening procedure. Provision of education to patients interested …

Undergraduate Nursing Student Perceptions And Knowledge Of Chest Tube Drainage Systems, Nada J. Kent

Honors College Theses

For the purpose of this study, a chest tube drainage system (CTDS) is defined as a tube placed in the thoracic cavity using a Trocar that connects to an outside drainage system to remove air and fluid. A convenience sample of prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students at one four-year multiple campus Carnegie Research University were surveyed using a voluntary 10-question multiple style questionnaire. This research was designed to evaluate common perceptions and levels of understanding regarding CTDS, among current prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students at a four-year university. The questionnaire explored basic knowledge and level of comfort and understanding of CTDS. The …