Improving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education In Undergraduate Nursing Programs, Robin E. Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ongoing competency validation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills is not a routine practice in nursing school. Basic Life Support training and certification is obtained before or during nursing school with little opportunity for practice. Poor quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills can affect the confidence level of the performer and the patient outcome. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of training nursing faculty on the adoption of cardiopulmonary resuscitation technology into nursing school curriculum to provide improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills to nursing students. Using a pretest-posttest, this study followed the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation of continuing education, which …

Reimagining Associate Degree Nursing Education: An Insider’S View, Ntiense E. Otu

Theses and Dissertations

The demographics of nursing students in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program are diverse, hence the need for nurse educators to prepare and handle the challenges faculty face in the ADN program. Although many pieces of literature have addressed different modalities of instructional delivery and teaching methods in nursing education, transition experience of nurse educators, and teaching preparation and readiness, these are not evident in the ADN programs in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The teaching preparation of nurse educators and their utilization of instructional methods in the ADN program in the RGV is limited in the literature. This study …

Exploring The Final Year Nursing Students’ Anticipatory Expectations Related To The Transition To Nursing Interns And Challenges Faced By Nursing Interns During Transition, Madrika Mirza Kanjiani

Theses & Dissertations

Background: The transition period of new graduate nurses necessitates major adjustments as they transition from an organized learning environment to a more independent and challenging work environment. Most of the transitional challenges and concerns remain unaddressed resulting in a difficult transition. This study can aid in identifying the problems and the anticipated expectations of final-year nursing students to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice, resulting in a smoother transition for new graduate nurses.
Purpose: The current study aimed to identify the perceptions of final-year baccalaureate nursing students regarding their anticipated expectations related to the transition from being …

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Curriculum In A Doctoral Nursing Program, Mary D. Brown

Dissertations

Purpose: Trauma is highly prevalent with 70% of individuals encountering at least one traumatic event during their lifetime and approximately 30% experiencing four or more events (Wheeler & Phillips, 2021). Despite the dramatic impact of trauma, there is minimal literature to assist nurses in caring for patients with a trauma history. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the implementation of a virtual, asynchronous trauma-informed care (TIC) educational program for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at a midsized, Midwestern public university using knowledge, attitudes, and competency scores as outcome measures.

Methods: This program evaluation (PE) project was an …

The Lived Experience Of The Dnp-To-Phd Nursing Graduate: Examining The Journey, Bonni S. Cohen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The traditional route of obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing is vertical: a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), followed by PhD in nursing. An ongoing shortage of PhD- prepared nurses—nurse educators and nurse researchers, in particular, has spurred the creation of more pathways to obtaining a PhD in Nursing. In recent years, there has been a drive to increase the number of nurse scientists with doctoral degrees through innovative pathways. A newer terminal nursing degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), has taken root over the past decade to produce nurse leaders who are experts at translating …

The Perceived Effectiveness And Evolution Of First-Semester Nursing Students’ Studying Methods, Elizabeth Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little research has been done to identify the study strategies used by nursing students during their first nursing classes despite studies indicating they have poor study skills, making the nursing program challenging and causing many of the students to decide to leave after their first semester. The purpose of this qualitative study was to improve the understanding of registered nursing students’ study strategies during their first semester of nursing classes. Winne and Hadwin’s self-regulated learning model was used as the conceptual framework to answer the research questions about students’ study strategies during their first semester of nursing classes, how they …

Evaluating A Virtual Reality Simulation-Based Tool In Undergraduate Nursing Students For Impact On Accuracy, Clinical Judgment, Fear, And Self-Confidence When Donning, Doffing, And Disposing Of Personal Protective Equipment, Stacy Lynn Russell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: PPE training is essential to prevent transmission of infections or autoinoculation of infections among healthcare providers and patients. Student nurses play a vital role in infection control practices to protect themselves and patients from transmittable infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an innovative teaching and learning strategy known as virtual reality simulation in teaching proper PPE use in comparison to more traditional learning.

Research Questions: This study aimed to answer three research questions: (1) What is the acceptability among faculty of using a head mounted VRS to train undergraduate nursing students in the proper …

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 …

Connecting Simulation-Based Learning And Quality Improvement Among Student Nurses To Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, Jason Defreitas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are a form of infection a patient acquired during hospitalization. Whether through the application or implementation of medical devices, performing bedside procedures, or non-adherence to following aseptic techniques, healthcare providers are responsible to ensure patients remain safe throughout the course of their inpatient treatment. Over the past 2 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has reported HAIs, specifically catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) have increased above pre-pandemic reported cases (CDC, 2021). These types of infections can lead to many factors that affect the patient and their family such as, “increased length of stay …

Using Unfolding Case Studies To Develop Critical Thinking In First-Semester Nursing Students, Carol Cook

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a crisis in competency among new nurses in the United States. Prelicensure nursing education prepares them to pass the NCLEX-RN, but it does not provide the necessary foundation for sound clinical decision-making. Mistakes in the clinical setting can lead to failure to rescue, resulting in the third leading cause of death: medical error. A radical change is needed to prepare nurses with the clinical judgment skills necessary for patient care. Educators must be mindful of the academic-practice gap and adopt evidence-based improvements, including active learning with unfolding case studies. This quality improvement project involved a four-part unfolding case …

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 …

The Relationship Between Perceived Stress And Academic Self-Efficacy To The Academic Performance Of Undergraduate Nursing Students, Ashley J. Pierre

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

When nursing students fail and are required to repeat a course in a pre-licensure nursing program, they are at risk for attrition. While nursing student attrition is a problem with recognized consequences to the student, school, and profession, the incidence of students who fail a required course and need to repeat it has had little attention. Despite research addressing students' experiences with course failure, little describes strategies and interventions to support the retention and success of these students. The first manuscript, Student Repeaters in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs: A Concept Analysis, provided a foundation that enhanced the conceptual understanding of nursing …

Nursing Students' And Recent Graduates' Observations Of Fatphobia In The Clinical Setting, Myah Kerbyson

Honors Theses and Capstones

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of fatphobic behaviors among the healthcare team and how nursing students’ and recent graduates’ observations of fatphobic behaviors impact the provision of affirming care.

Background: Weight stigma among healthcare providers can lead to fatphobia (e.g., hurtful or stigmatizing language, dismissal of symptoms). These experiences can negatively impact patients’ health and experiences with healthcare, leading some patients to avoid or delay seeking healthcare services. Fatphobia can also cause increased stress levels among patients, which places them at a higher risk of several diseases. The short-term and long-term effects of fatphobia lead overall worse health outcomes.

Methods: …

The Clinical Observations Of Nursing Students And Recent Graduates Caring For Lgbtq+ People, Emily E. Roy

Honors Theses and Capstones

Objective: The next generation of nurses have increased educational preparation to provide affirming care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, but an evaluation of the effectiveness of this teaching has not been performed. The purpose of this study was to identify nursing student and recent nursing graduate observations of affirming and non-affirming care of LGBTQ+ people in healthcare settings during clinical experiences. We also sought to understand how those experiences affect their ability and willingness to provide affirming health care to LGBTQ+ people.

Methods: Participants filled out a mixed methods Qualtrics survey that was distributed through school …

Immersive Virtual Reality As An Effective Alternative To Traditional Clinical Nursing Education: An Integrative Review, Alisha Gelder, Myrtha Labastille-Normil

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

Immersive Virtual Reality as an Effective Alternative to Traditional Clinical Nursing Education: An Integrative Review 

Abstract 

Aim: To assess the usefulness of immersive virtual reality as an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face clinical education for undergraduate nursing students. 

Background:  The Covid-19 pandemic impacted nursing education to a point where change is needed in traditional curricula to meet program outcomes. Virtual Reality (VR) based simulations introduce students to clinical situations in a safe environment and therefore became an effective solution during the pandemic to enhance student learning. Due to the lack of research, regulatory bodies are hesitant to accept VR clinical …

Implementation And Evaluation Of An End-Of-Life Standardized Participant Simulation Into An Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, Shannon Daly

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Palliative care interventions are in high demand due to patients living longer with chronic, life-limiting conditions. Nursing professionals are instrumental in the care of patients across their lifespan, and it is imperative that they receive end-of-life care training in their respective curriculums. The aims of this project were to 1) implement end-of-life content into an AGACNP program using the ELNEC curriculum and 2) to determine if the simulated environment affects the AGACNP students’ self-confidence and anxiety levels when making clinical decisions for end-of-life patients. As a result of the standardized participant (SP) end-of-life simulation, AGACNP students experienced an increase in …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Cultural Competence Among Nursing Students In Kenya, Sylvia Waweru

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Significance and Background: Kenya has been experiencing an increase in cultural and ethnic diversity. As a result of cultural differences, health disparities among ethnic groups in Kenya are increasing. A component of patient centered care involves the incorporation of cultural aspects of health and illness in the delivery of nursing care. Understanding cultural competence of nursing students will provide guidance on educational needs related to cultural competence.

Purpose:. The purpose of this study was to assess nursing students’ cultural competence (CC) in the areas of cultural awareness, knowledge, sensitivity, skills, encounters and desire. Nursing students’ views on caring for …

Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Health Behaviors And Feelings Of Career Preparedness Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Mary Haggard

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The aim of this study was to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health behaviors and feelings of career preparedness of undergraduate nursing students. Participants were recruited from the pre-licensure program at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville during the Fall 2021 semester. The final sample consisted of 92 participants. This study used a cross-sectional design, retrospectively measuring behaviors and attitudes pre-pandemic and during the lockdown period. Two-tailed paired t-tests were run on the health behavior sections and feelings of career preparedness sections independently. Results were deemed significant with an alpha value set …

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 …

Mitigating Weight Stigma In The Medical System: Self-Compassion For Nursing Students, Ellen C. Joseph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weight stigma is a form of oppression that has been shown to have a detrimental impact on the well-being of people with higher weight. Healthcare providers are one of the most common sources of weight stigma, and their stigmatizing beliefs have been found to be associated with differential care for patients with “obesity”. The current study aimed to explore the feasibility of the loving-kindness meditation (LKM) as a brief intervention that reduces weight bias in nursing students by increasing self-compassion, positive, other-focused emotions, and cognitive flexibility, in order to improve compassionate care for patients with higher weight. Participants (189 nursing …

Auto- Ethnography With A Deep Dive Into Changes Mental Health During The Pandemic And A Look Into The Way The Pandemic Has Shaped Nursing Protocols For Recent Nursing College Graduates, Audrey Shaffer, Sarah Bereznay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this project we completed a deep dive into how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped our mental health and has affected our preparation for careers as registered nurses through a series of auto- ethnographic narrative journals using scholarly articles to support this idea. By utilizing personal narratives, we analyzed and reflected upon the cognitive and mental changes we experienced throughout this pandemic. We fulfilled this by comprising two personal narratives with inquiries pertaining to each shared narrative by utilizing the common themes of being nursing students and living through a pandemic. Within these personal narratives, we discussed how the pandemic influenced …

Improving Self-Care Awareness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, D'Anna Helms

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this DNP project was to improve self-care (SC) awareness among undergraduate nursing students by educating on the use of constructive SC activities. Twenty-two senior level nursing students attended an educational seminar, completed the Mindful Self-Care Scale – Clinical (MSCS-C) pre- and post-survey, and reflective journaling. A paired-samples t test was calculated to compare the mean pretest score to the mean posttest score. The mean on the pretest was 77.68 (sd= 9.33), and the mean on the posttest was 75.27 (sd= 31.59). A significant increase from pretest to posttest was found (t (21) = .307, p < .05). Thematical analysis revealed enhanced awareness and incorporation of constructive SC activities. Educational interventions which seek to improve SC awareness will generate practical and sustainable acts of SC, thus improving students’ overall success and further empowering students in their transition from graduate to licensed nurses.

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 …

Differences In Student Perceptions With Virtual Clinical Simulation, Melissa Wheeles

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Simulation has been a part of nursing education since its inception, with virtual clinical simulation gaining expanded use since the Coronavirus Pandemic. Once considered only a supplemental teaching method, this form of education has become an imperative means of program progression for nursing students when hospital clinical spaces are limited.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate potential differences in nursing student perceptions of anxiety and self-confidence with clinical decision making in virtual clinical simulation compared to traditional face-to-face clinicals.

Design Methods: A descriptive, quantitative study using the NASC-CDM© tool completed by 5th (final) semester …

Covid-19’S Psychological Influences: How Have University Students Been Affected?, Julaby Dalman

Nursing | Senior Theses

Undergraduate students are well-known as a vulnerable population prone to stress, anxiety, depression and various other psychological problems during their academic time at university or college. With the introduction and sudden integration of the COVID-19 pandemic into the daily lives of these high-risk students, globally, many people are concerned with how the mental health of this population will be affected, given the presence of the pandemic in addition to the multiple safety measures put in place in an attempt to contain the virus. This includes students having been subjected to prolonged implementation of shelter-in-place mandates and requirements of social-distancing across …

The Assessment Of Senior-Level Nursing Students’ Knowledge Regarding Informal Caregiver Role Strain And The Presence Of Role Strain In Informal Caregivers Of Dementia Patients, Amanda Diard

Honors Theses

The goal of this study was to assess senior-level nursing students’ knowledge of informal caregivers of dementia patients, their confidence in their ability to work with informal caregivers, and how well they believe their nursing program prepared them to assist informal caregivers. Seventeen (n = 17) Bachelor of Science (BSN) nursing students participated in the study. A twenty-four-question survey was emailed to both junior- and senior-level students in the five-semester BSN program at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Responses from students of different levels were collected to determine if an accurate understanding of informal caregivers of dementia patients …

Nursing Student Perceptions Of Health Care Worker Appearance And Compassion, Skill, Knowledge, And Trustworthiness, Sophia Quick

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Many health care facilities enforce strict dress code policies prohibiting visible body modifications, including tattoos, piercings, and vibrant hair colors. As popularity of body modifications among young adults surges, facilities may be forced to adapt policies as these workers enter the workforce. While some evidence exists related to patient perceptions of health care workers with body modifications, there is little about how nursing students perceive them. This study aimed to describe undergraduate, pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of health care worker appearance on compassion, skill, knowledge, and trustworthiness.

Methods: Using cross-sectional design, an on-line Likert-type survey was used to collect …

Birth Practice Beliefs Of Undergraduate Nursing Students, Cassandra Sharelle Land

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Spontaneous labor and normal birth are associated with optimal maternal-fetal outcomes for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies. Despite that fact, medicalized management of childbirth predominates the maternity health culture of the United States. Childbirth outcomes have been linked to the care provided by intrapartum nurses, and that care has been influenced by nurses’ beliefs about birth. As potential future intrapartum nurses, it is important to explore if nursing students who have completed a maternity nursing course have medicalized or normal birth beliefs. No studies were found in which undergraduate nursing students and their birth practice beliefs were examined after completing …

Journeying Through Uncharted Territory: The Role Of Humour In Adaption Of Undergraduate Nursing Students In Their First Year Of Study, Marie-Josée Boulianne

Theses

Newly graduated nurses adapting to their professional role have been studied, mainly in their first year of practice. The development of coping strategies, acculturation and other adaptations to the nursing world begin at the onset of the educational journey. Understanding how these manifest early in the formative years can enable educators to tailor nursing programs to assist the future nurse to develop positive coping mechanisms and help pave the way to a successful transition into practice. This research aimed to identify elements conducive to positive adaptation and wellbeing of nursing students during their first year of nursing studies, including the …

Stress Management & Resiliency Training (Smart) For Nursing Students, Lili Martin, Msn, Rn, Pccn, Dnp(C), Marcia Bosek, Dnsc, Laura Foran-Lewis, Ph.D, Rn

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background: Baccalaureate nursing students report high levels of stress and anxiety. Chronic stress in nursing students is on the rise and can increase the risk for suicide, depression, burnout, and increased academic attrition.

Objectives: The purpose of this EBP/QI project was to establish baseline stress and anxiety levels for senior baccalaureate nursing students and to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Benson Henry Institute (BHI) SMART program with nursing students.

Methods: Senior nursing students (n=32) self-selected into either the control or SMART group. The SMART group participated in 8 weekly 1.5 hour SMART sessions during the fall, 2020 semester. All …