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Pandemic Recovery In Nursing: Labor Shortage And Financial Devastation, Rebecca Rogers Jan 2021

Pandemic Recovery In Nursing: Labor Shortage And Financial Devastation, Rebecca Rogers

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently caused one of the greatest nursing labor shortages in history. Many healthcare organizations were forced to rely on external agency nurses to staff their organizations and care for large volumes of patients. The high demand for these nurses caused an increase in costs for external contracted labor. The costs of external agency use became financially devastating for healthcare organizations who had not budgeted for this expense and still the external agency use did not resolve the issue of nursing labor shortages. Learning and recovering from the labor and financial costs of the COVID-19 pandemic requires an …


Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using The Self Care Deficit Theory, Katherine Decillis Taylor Jan 2021

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using The Self Care Deficit Theory, Katherine Decillis Taylor

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project aims to reduce inpatient hospital readmission occurrences within 30 days of an initial inpatient hospitalization. Patients at high risk for readmission may have deficits in their ability to meet self-care needs after discharge. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory provided the theoretical framework for the project. The education provided by this project can teach nurses to identify patients who may be at high risk for readmission. Once identified, nurses can advocate for the patient’s needs.


Improving Effective Communication During A Pandemic, Stephanie Brooke Greene Jan 2021

Improving Effective Communication During A Pandemic, Stephanie Brooke Greene

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted communication in healthcare. The purpose of this project was to develop a clear and uniform communication tool for healthcare members to utilize during conversations with patients, families, and caregivers. This communication tool was developed for healthcare workers, as a guide during conversations, to ensure all questions and needs are met. The communication tool is expected to show improvement in healthcare communication during a pandemic. Improvement in healthcare communication will be reflected in improved patient experience scores.


Wound Nurse Specialists’ Pressure Injury Knowledge And Specialty Support Surface Preferences, Catherine Koutroumpis Jan 2021

Wound Nurse Specialists’ Pressure Injury Knowledge And Specialty Support Surface Preferences, Catherine Koutroumpis

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Low-level foam specialty support surfaces are negatively affecting the number of hospital-acquired pressure injuries that occur each year and overall skin health of acute care patients. Lack of knowledge by wound care specialists on different types of therapy could lead to patients not receiving the best possible specialty surfaces available. An online anonymous survey of 19 certified wound care nurses was conducted. The survey examined the nurses’ knowledge of pressure injuries using the Pieper Zulkowski Pressure Ulcer Knowledge test (PZPUKT) and choice of specialty support surface for prevention of pressure injuries. One hundred percent of nurses scored 80% and higher …


Utilization Of Hiv Care Coordination Programs To Address Gaps In Care, Jessica Chavis Jan 2021

Utilization Of Hiv Care Coordination Programs To Address Gaps In Care, Jessica Chavis

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project evaluated the use of HIV care coordination programs in healthcare and their impact on care. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the role of HIV care coordination programs and their relationship with patient outcomes. The goal was to provide education on the benefits of these programs and how the lack of their presence in today’s healthcare system impacts transmission and general patient care. The plan of implementing a care coordination program at a local health department was established. Gaps in care, increasing medication adherence, and improving viral suppression rates were targeted by addressing social, mental, and …


Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Mental Illness And Psychiatric Nursing As A Career Choice, Sharon Zurline Jan 2021

Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Mental Illness And Psychiatric Nursing As A Career Choice, Sharon Zurline

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward mental illness, and the interest in choosing psychiatric nursing as a desirable career choice. Methodology: A nonexperimental descriptive study design was chosen for this study. Sample size of 18 undergraduate nursing students participated in the self-reported survey, The Mental Health Nursing Education Survey (MHNES) Part 2. This survey has 43-items that report the attitudes and beliefs toward people diagnosed with mental illness and towards mental health nursing and scored on a 7-point Likert Scale. Findings: Data reported from the survey report …


The Impact Of An Employee Action Program On Staff Accountability And Nursing Retention, Amber Crouse Jan 2021

The Impact Of An Employee Action Program On Staff Accountability And Nursing Retention, Amber Crouse

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nurse staffing retention rates have decreased in the last 5 years among hospitals nationwide. This decrease in retention of qualified, trained nurses has led to a decrease in the delivery of high-quality care putting patient safety at risk of compromise. The purpose of this project was to propose a leadership education program for the basis of improving staff accountability regarding equal standards; thus, this will ultimately impact nurse staff retention in a positive manner. The leadership education program was meant to streamline management accountability processes in a large academic medical center for improving nurse staff retention rates. The results of …


Crisis Redeployment: An Evidence-Based Plan For Nursing, Lauren Setzer Jan 2021

Crisis Redeployment: An Evidence-Based Plan For Nursing, Lauren Setzer

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available


Nursing Attitudes To Hospice Care In The Intensive Care Unit, Claudia Lacivita Jan 2021

Nursing Attitudes To Hospice Care In The Intensive Care Unit, Claudia Lacivita

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nurses deliver care to patients 24 hours per day and are experts in the care of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The critical care nurse is trained to assess, treat, and monitor severely ill patients to facilitate their recovery, but may often feel ill-prepared and lacking the support usually available to the hospice or palliative care nurse. It also can be difficult to refocus when the desired outcome changes from stabilizing and getting a critically ill patient better to hospice or end-of-life care (EOLC). The purpose of this project was to improve the delivery of care …


Improving Nursing Practice For Perinatal Mood Disorders, Tonya May Jan 2021

Improving Nursing Practice For Perinatal Mood Disorders, Tonya May

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Perinatal mood disorder can affect mothers in the antepartum and post-partum phase of pregnancy. Nurses need to be educated on the risk factors, signs, screening tools, and management methods to provide excellent patient care. The purpose of this project was to implement education used to improve nursing practice for patients that experience perinatal mood disorders. Early recognition and management is essential for patient care. Patients that experience perinatal mood disorder do not always report symptoms. This is often out of fear their ability to care for the child or children at home will be questioned if signs of perinatal mood …


Grieving Nurses' Need For Support, Tammy Patterson Jan 2021

Grieving Nurses' Need For Support, Tammy Patterson

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Veteran nurses vacate their positions after more than 20 years of nursing experience due to the chronic emotional grief experienced after patient death. Nursing programs lack the curriculum support to sufficiently instruct student nurses how to appropriately deal with patient death. This lack of understanding leads the way for nurses to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and withdrawing from the profession. A needs assessment was conducted and confirmed the desire and demand for support of nurses experiencing grief. A method was developed to support grieving nurses who are experiencing or will experience grief. A peer support group was established to assist …


Electronic Medical Records And The Lost Art Of Nursing, Tonya Blackwell Jan 2021

Electronic Medical Records And The Lost Art Of Nursing, Tonya Blackwell

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available


Perception Of Health Literacy Levels Among Nurses In Clinical Settings, Chelsea L. Oxendine Jan 2021

Perception Of Health Literacy Levels Among Nurses In Clinical Settings, Chelsea L. Oxendine

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Health literacy has been defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Somers & Mahadevan, 2010, p. 7). Poor health literacy is directly and indirectly linked to negative health outcomes, to include an increased rate of mortality (Alijassim & Ostini, 2020; Wittenberg, et al. 2018; Nantsupawat, 2019; Torres & Nichols, 2014). An essential component for effective delivery of health information is the use of “plain language”, which makes information easier to understand (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). There is …


Incivility In Nursing, Amanda Woodie Barnes Jan 2021

Incivility In Nursing, Amanda Woodie Barnes

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Incivility and bullying in the workplace are serious problems in the nursing profession. Nurses who experience uncivil behaviors have been shown to have negative consequences to their health and well-being. Negative interactions between nurses can compromise patient care and patient safety which can result in undesirable patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations are negatively affected financially by these inappropriate behaviors which can be detrimental to the organization. The purpose of this project was to reduce or mitigate incivility in the workplace by increasing knowledge in clinical staffing relating to the issue, increase self-confidence and resilience, and improve communication so staff will be …


Leadership Role In Decreasing Nurse Turnover, Gwynne Turney Jan 2021

Leadership Role In Decreasing Nurse Turnover, Gwynne Turney

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Nursing shortages are reaching crisis level in the United States. Many of the nurses who fill these needs will be millennials. In order to address this crisis, nurse leaders must develop strategies to reduce turnover and retain nurses on their units. This research investigates how leader-member relationship affects turnover intention of millennial nurses. A nonexperimental correlational design was used to examine the relationship between nurse turnover intention and quality of relationships with leaders in millennial nurses. A 13-question survey including the 6-Item Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6) and the Leader-Member Exchange 7-Questionnaire (LMX-7) were utilized to survey 20 millennial nurses through …


Implementation Of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Ob Eras) Protocol: Prenatally Through Transition To Community, Emily Corbett Jan 2021

Implementation Of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Ob Eras) Protocol: Prenatally Through Transition To Community, Emily Corbett

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This project discusses the implementation of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for cesarean section patients scheduled or emergent. The goal of this project was to ensure the best possible outcomes from surgery for obstetric patients by decreasing surgical site infection rates in order to decrease maternal mortality rates. It provides protocols preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively for surgical procedures. Key steps take place in each phase of surgical care to impact patient outcomes. The protocol includes shorter NPO times, decreased surgical stress through multi-modal approaches for pain and nausea, early mobility, and reduces the length of stay. OB ERAS …


Yearly Endometriosis Education For Reproductive Nurses, Jessica Boyer Jan 2021

Yearly Endometriosis Education For Reproductive Nurses, Jessica Boyer

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Reproductive and infertility nursing is an ever-growing subspecialty of women’s health where education and nursing resources are often limited and these nurses learn the majority of their skills through experience. Endometriosis is an increasingly common disease that reproductive nurses are encountering in growing numbers. A thorough literary analysis discovered the importance of early diagnosis to aid in a patient’s overall prognosis and long-term success with symptom management. A continuing education curriculum was created and implemented in a reproductive clinic in the South Eastern United States as a yearly learning opportunity for reproductive nurses in an effort to review the fundamentals …


Community Outreach And Education Project: Hepatitis A And B Vaccines In High Risk Populations, Ellen Wright Jan 2020

Community Outreach And Education Project: Hepatitis A And B Vaccines In High Risk Populations, Ellen Wright

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The Community Outreach and Education Project targets high risk groups within Gaston County to increase education and vaccination against Hepatitis to, in turn, lower countywide Hepatitis rates. Through implementation of the project, Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services-Public Health (GCDHHS-PH) will partner with Community sponsors to gain access to their high-risk clients. Sponsors will be educated on the impact of prompt intervention in slowing the spread of hepatitis throughout high risk groups. Once an agreement is made between GCDHHS-PH and Community sponsors, GCDHHS-PH will present to participating facilities and begin screening, educating, and vaccinating high-risk individuals.


Debriefing Emergency Department Nurses During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jessica Hailstock Jan 2020

Debriefing Emergency Department Nurses During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jessica Hailstock

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This study examined the consequences of increased stress experienced by emergency department nurses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to acknowledge that this particular population of nurses already experience high levels of stress and that being on the frontlines of healthcare during a pandemic exacerbates the issue. Nursing leaders within the emergency department must acknowledge and monitor the nurses’ stress. Findings suggest that debriefing led by qualified individuals is a powerful intervention to combat the negative effects of stress.


Raising Awareness Of Eating Disorders In The High School System: A Community Program Project, Dara Puryear Jan 2020

Raising Awareness Of Eating Disorders In The High School System: A Community Program Project, Dara Puryear

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

No abstract available


Health Care Provider’S Perspectives Of A Woman’S Quality Of Life Facing Endometriosis And Infertility, Bridget Ford Jan 2020

Health Care Provider’S Perspectives Of A Woman’S Quality Of Life Facing Endometriosis And Infertility, Bridget Ford

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

This study assessed the quality of life of women with endometriosis and infertility issues through the perception of health care providers. The purpose was to increase awareness of the psychosocial aspect of endometriosis to encourage health care providers to incorporate the assessment of the mental health of women diagnosed with endometriosis into care, as well as their partners. The findings of the study showed the importance of providing holistic care to women with endometriosis related infertility and the vast impact endometriosis has on mental health, relationships, and in a woman’s daily life. Implications for nurses as a result of the …


Improving The Relationship Between Emergency Nurses And The Behavioral Health Patient, Alea Bundy Jan 2020

Improving The Relationship Between Emergency Nurses And The Behavioral Health Patient, Alea Bundy

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

There is an increasing number of behavioral health patients entering through the emergency department for behavioral health treatment and crisis intervention every day. Workplace violence against nurses has also increased leaving some nurses feeling anxious and fearful of interactions with behavioral health patients. The increase of behavioral health patients and unstable situations have created a gap in communications and has strained the nurse patient relationship yielding poor patient outcomes. The purpose of this project is to educate nurses on the care of the behavioral health patients and improve nurse-patient relationships for better outcomes for the patient. The framework for this …


Shared Governance Council: Improving Staff And Patient Satisfaction, Haley O'Brien Hall Jan 2020

Shared Governance Council: Improving Staff And Patient Satisfaction, Haley O'Brien Hall

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Due to the decreased staff and patient satisfaction on one post-operative unit, the author has developed a project plan to establish a unit specific Self Governance (SG) committee to improve staff and patient satisfaction. One SG committee and two councils will be formed giving all staff the opportunity to be a voice for change on their unit. The committee is focused on building and maintaining each council. One council will focus on staff satisfaction and one council will focus on patient satisfaction. The progress and outcomes of each committee and council will be evaluated in three ways: staff surveys, patient …


Postpartum Depression In Military Mothers:Active Duty And Partners Of Active Duty Service Members, Amanda Willis Jan 2020

Postpartum Depression In Military Mothers:Active Duty And Partners Of Active Duty Service Members, Amanda Willis

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of pregnancy. Active duty mothers and mothers with active duty spouses have a unique risk factor, deployment. Military mothers may receive PPD education prenatally and during postpartum visits if necessary. This project created a postpartum depression video that was mandatory for mothers to watch before they were discharged from the postpartum unit after the delivery of their baby. Early education and treatment are the key to managing PPD in all mothers. The mothers were surveyed at their postpartum office visits to evaluate effectiveness of video.


New Nurse Graduate Mentoring: An Early Implementation Program, Stacy Inman Jan 2020

New Nurse Graduate Mentoring: An Early Implementation Program, Stacy Inman

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Mentoring of new nurse graduates is an opportunity for our future nurses to grow and evolve. This concept is growing in popularity and has proven effective in retention of new nurses as well as improved staff satisfaction. Many mentoring programs for new nurse graduates begin at one year of employment, which leaves open the crucial turning point of transitioning from academia to professional practice. New nurse graduates are vulnerable at this stage of transition and an effective mentoring relationship can help the new graduate gain confidence in the profession of nursing.


Gratitude Journaling As Intervention To Combat Nurse Burnout In Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Nurses, Melinda Simpson Jan 2020

Gratitude Journaling As Intervention To Combat Nurse Burnout In Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Nurses, Melinda Simpson

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

As a practicing registered nurse in the intensive care setting, this researcher witnessed an episode of burnout characterized by a public meltdown, crying, and yelling. This sparked an interest in an intervention to combat nurse burnout. Literature was found on gratitude which has been found to increase resiliency. An increase in resiliency, in various populations, has been found to decrease perceived stress and feelings of burnout. This researcher investigated the use of gratitude journaling for 21 days as means to decrease perceived stress and feelings of burnout while increasing gratitude and resiliency. The PSS, GQ, BRS, & BBI tools were …


Clinical Grading Rubric And Interrater Reliability, Stephanie F. Lunsford Jan 2020

Clinical Grading Rubric And Interrater Reliability, Stephanie F. Lunsford

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Clinical documentation is an integral part of the nursing curriculum. Nursing students utilize clinical documentation to reflect on weekly clinical experiences and clinical instructors grade this clinical documentation to view the students understanding of the experience and the nursing process. As the student progresses, the documentation changes to a more critical thinking piece of the student’s advancement toward their future work experience. Grading of clinical documentation can be challenging and often leads to poor self-efficacy of the instructor as well as the student. It has been known that students are often given the benefit of the doubt and passed when …


Proposal Of The Need For Mental Health First Aid Training Of Associate Degree Nursing Faculty In A Community College Setting, Amy Kelly Jan 2020

Proposal Of The Need For Mental Health First Aid Training Of Associate Degree Nursing Faculty In A Community College Setting, Amy Kelly

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Mental health issues are on the rise among students in universities as well as community colleges. College can be a stressful time in many people’s lives especially when the added demand of work and family are involved. Community colleges and universities use counseling services for their mental health needs but sometimes the services are not used due to the stigma that comes along with mental health. Nursing school can be a challenging time for students because of the rigorous training and workload. This project poses to implement Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) for faculty and staff of a nursing …


Correlational Impact Of Workload, Teamwork And Retention Rate For Clinical Nursing Units, Phillip J. Nutter Jan 2020

Correlational Impact Of Workload, Teamwork And Retention Rate For Clinical Nursing Units, Phillip J. Nutter

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Healthcare organizations face an impending shortage of over one million nurses. Staff turnover adds costs to healthcare and decreases the morale of the unit. Teamwork has been shown to be related to engagement as engagement has been shown to be related to retention. Understanding how teamwork mitigates increasing workload at the unit level is critical to reducing turnover at the nursing unit level. This research explored relationships between teamwork and productivity and teamwork and retention rates for nurses. The Neuman Systems Model was used as the framework to guide this retrospective correlational analysis with teamwork as a flexible line of …


Preparing The Nurse Aide I Student For The Workplace: Combating Burnout And Compassion Fatigue, Patrice Staley Jan 2020

Preparing The Nurse Aide I Student For The Workplace: Combating Burnout And Compassion Fatigue, Patrice Staley

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Abstract not available