Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Safe Sleep Education And Staff Compliance, Shayla M. Hadley

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this project was to evaluate compliance with the teaching and documentation of safe sleep practices within a pediatric unit. The objective was to increase the percentage of the charts of patients one year of age and younger that have documented safe sleep teaching at the level of compliance with the department policy. This change in compliance was measured by determining the percentage of patient charts having documented safe sleep teaching at the level of compliance prior to the implementation of mandatory staff education as compared to the percentage of charts with documented safe sleep teaching at the …

The Relationship Between New Nurses Who Volunteer And The Caring Behavior New Nurses Exhibit In The Practice Setting, One Year Post Graduation, Nicolette Fiore-Lopez

Theses & Dissertations

Volunteering is engaged in by millions world-wide and nurses comprise a significant portion of those who provide their professional talents, unpaid, to the underserved in local, national and international efforts. Nurses who have engaged in volunteer activities anecdotally describe personally transforming experiences gained through their efforts and for many nurses volunteering becomes part of their professional mandate. Although many social disciplines have studied volunteering, to date there has been a paucity of research on nurses who volunteer. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of novice nurses who volunteer and determine the influence of volunteering and associated …

The Nursing Documentation Dilemma In Uganda: Neglected But Necessary. A Case Study At Mulago National Referral Hospital, Grace Nakate, Diane Dahl, Pammla Petrucka, Karen B. Drake, Ruby Dunlap

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

In Uganda, nursing documentation still remains a challenge, in most of the government hospitals and some private hospitals, it remains at a manual (non-technology driven) level and omissions have been observed. Nurses continue to capture standard elements in their documentation. A mixed methods intervention study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards documentation, including an evaluation of nurses’ response to a designed nursing documentation form. Forty participants were selected through convenience sampling from six wards of a Ugandan health institution. The study intervention involved teaching nurses the importance of documentation and using of the trial documentation tool. …

Hospital Practices Related To Breastfeeding In Mississippi: A Socio-Ecological Approach, Amir Alakaam

Dissertations

Mississippi continues to have one of the lowest rates and the weakest support in respect to breastfeeding in the nation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014a). Hospital practices supporting breastfeeding such as the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (TSSB) can dramatically increase breastfeeding rates and duration (Rosenberg, Stull, Adler, Kasehagen, & Crivelli-Kovach, 2008). The aim of this study was to explore breastfeeding practices in Mississippi hospitals based on two levels of the Socio-Ecological Model: the organizational level (phase I) examined the hospital practices based on the level of implementation of the TSSB; the individual level (phase II) examined knowledge …

A Simulation To Improve The Clinical Nursing Instructor’S Teaching Of Ethics To Students In The Clinical Setting, Cynthia S. Randall Dnp

All Student Scholarship

Ethical knowledge and skill is crucial to the discipline of nursing and is considered foundational knowledge for nursing practice (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2008). Nurses who assume roles in clinical teaching may be clinically competent but may have limited nursing education experience or knowledge in clinical instruction. The purpose of this project was to improve the educational experience of clinical instructors in the teaching of ethics to students in the clinical setting. This DNP capstone was a quality improvement project with a mixed method design using simulation as a teaching strategy. Eight clinical instructors from a university based baccalaureate nursing …

Educated Birth: Beliefs Vs. Outcomes, Lauren Presley

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

“Our infant mortality rate is a national embarrassment.”¹ The words seem shocking and harsh across the headline of a 2014 Washington Post article. The thought of America not only not being the best at something, but falling upsettingly behind, is a foreign concept to many who view America as a nation inferior to none. However, the statistics on infant mortality rate tell the stark truth that of 26 “wealthy” countries, the U.S. ranks last, with a sobering 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live infant births.²

Part of the Healthy People 2020 Objectives is to reduce the rate of infant …

Burden, Depressive Symptoms, And Perceived Health In Male Caregivers Of Persons With End Stage Renal Disease, Loretta Alexia Williams

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Men are increasingly assuming the role of caregiver to individuals with chronic illnesses. The debilitating effects of ESRD cause many of those diagnosed with the disease to require assistance from family caregivers. Caregiver literature well reports that caregivers experience mental and physical health effects related to this role. However, research involving the experiences of male caregivers of individuals with ESRD is understudied. These studies use the background and contextual as well as primary and secondary domains of the Stress Process Model to determine the levels of and explore the experiences associated with caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and perceived health …

An Evidence Based Approach To Sepsis: Educational Program, Dolores Perez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Evidence-based guidelines for recognizing and treating sepsis have been available for decades, yet healthcare providers do not adhere to the recommendations. Sepsis can progress rapidly if not recognized early. Literature reports reveal that sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-cardiac intensive care units (ICUs), and it is one of the most expensive conditions to treat. A hospital in the Las Vegas, Nevada area had previously introduced sepsis management prescriptions in 2011 with no formal education of sepsis guidelines to nurses. The original hospital’s sepsis management prescription sets followed guidelines dated 2008. The purpose of this project was to …

Bed Rest And Its Continued Use In Women With High-Risk Pregnancy: A Review Of Literature, Irene De Los Reyes

Senior Theses

Bed rest is defined as confinement to bed and restriction of activity. In the clinical setting bed rest includes strict bed rest, strict bed rest in Trendelenburg position, bed rest with bathroom privileges, and up ad lib (Irion, Irion, Lewis & Giglio, 2012). Bed rest has been the standard treatment for over the past 30 years in preventing preterm birth and complications arising from high-risk pregnancy despite the lack of evidence to support its safety and effectiveness for the mother and fetus (Maloni, 2010). The purpose of this literature review and critique is to provide information about the adverse physiologic …

An Exploration Of Nurse Adherence To Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Bundle Interventions: A Quantitative Study, Alexis Luna

Senior Theses

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) poses a significant health risk to patients on mechanical ventilation in hospital intensive care units (ICU). It is the responsibility of the nurse to implement VAP bundle interventions to decrease the prevalence of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. The objective of the study was to measure nurse perception of adherence to VAP bundle interventions of oral hygiene, head-of-bed elevation, spontaneous breathing trials, daily sedation vacations, and peptic ulcer and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. A descriptive study involving a sample population of 28 ICU nurses at 3 hospitals in northern California was conducted. A 57-item questionnaire was developed …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Best Practices To Assess Pediatric Patients And Educate Their Families Experiencing Effects Of Cancer Chemotherapy: “Chemo Brain” A Pilot Study, Jennifer A. Tapping

Senior Theses

With more advanced and more aggressive chemotherapy cancer treatment leading to higher survival rates, complications with quality of life are becoming more prominent. Of these complications, delayed cognitive processing, commonly known as “chemo brain,” is becoming a topic of interest. Cognitive changes are some of the most common as well as the most challenging complications associated with central nervous system (CNS) directed treatment, such as chemotherapy. The term “chemo brain” is often used to describe self-reported or observed cognitive processing delays in patients who receive chemotherapy as a form of cancer treatment (Raffa, 2009). Although these cognitive delays have the …

The Knowledge, Attitude, And Self-Reported Behaviors Of Psychiatric Nurses Towards Obese Psychiatric Patients On Atypical Anti-Psychotic Medications, Marcia D. Williams-Hailey

Theses & Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Obesity has continued to increase over the years with increase in morbidity and mortality. The advancement of psychiatric treatment has resulted in a higher prevalence of obesity among the psychiatric population related to the side-effects of the newer atypical anti-psychotics. This study addresses nurses’ attitudes towards obesity and people who are obese, focusing on psychiatric patients. Negative attitudes and low knowledge about psychiatric patients on atypical anti-psychotics can interfere with psychiatric nurses’ therapeutic potential to support patients with health promotion behaviors. The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behavior …

The Lived Experience Of Registered Nurses With Substance Use Disorder Who Complete An Alternative To Discipline Program Through A State Board Of Nursing, Susan Melanie Ervin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Substance use disorder, defined as the misuse of drugs and/or alcohol, is a major health problem in the United States. Health care providers, including nurses, are at risk for this disorder. Risk factors for substance use disorder (SUD) in nurses include social factors such as family history of the disorder and biological factors such as genetic predisposition. Specific risk factors for nurses include easy access to controlled substances (such as opiates), stressful work environments, the belief that substance use assists with coping and a lack of education related to substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder in nurses is a significant …

The Lived Experience Of Nurses Working In A Modified Therapeutic Community, Victoria Lynn Plagenz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Today over one million U. S. prisoners are being held in federal and state systems for substance use-related crimes. The financial, social, and emotional costs have turned policymakers’ attention to rehabilitation rather than incarceration. In an attempt to meet the challenge of recovery from addiction, prison systems around the nation have explored various options, including residential treatment programs. One such form of residential treatment is the modified therapeutic community (MTC) where inmates participate in a nine-month, cognitive-based treatment program. This model focuses on incarcerated individuals, addicted to substances, to assist them in developing behaviors to reduce antisocial peer associations and …

Evaluating A Novel Approach For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patient Education: Modified Team -~ Based Learning, Corine Belle Lazaro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

One of the world’s most serious health issues today is the increasing prevalence of diabetes (Chobev, Sotirovska, Mihajilov, 2011). Indeed, the growth of this widespread and pernicious disease has been categorized as epidemic. The antidote for the diabetes epidemic lies in prevention and the use of a chronic care model that focuses on improving diabetes self-management. For both diabetes prevention and self-management, a core component pertains to knowledge—and specifically to improved public health literacy, public health education, and patient education. For example, ongoing patient education is a critical factor in helping patients to manage their diabetes and prevent the micro- …

National Institutes Of Health Stroke Scale (Nihss) And Tissue Plasminogen (Tpa) Education For All Critical Care Nurses, Cheriese Rawlins

All Publications

No abstract provided.

An Emergency Department's Journey To Decreasing Door-To-Neurology Consult Times In Our Acute Stroke Patient Population, Jessica Sanabria

All Publications

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenological Study Of Anticipated Intimacy And Sexual Expression Needs Of Aging Male And Female Baby Boomers., Charles Shawn Oak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the phenomenon of how heterosexual Baby Boomers define and understand intimacy, sexual expression, along expectations and desires relating to their respective expressions across the lifespan through their individual experiences and reflections. A set of guiding questions were used in a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research design. Data was gathered from thirteen subjects (n=13) using the Rappaport Time Line (RTL) that was used to develop individualized semi-structured interviews and follow-up interviews that were professionally transcribed. These were coded to identify emergent themes. Results of the study provided insight into the phenomenon of how heterosexual …

Visible Tattoos And Professional Nursing Characteristics: A Study On How Appearance Affects The Perception Of Essential Qualities Of Nurses, Darcy M. Boultinghouse

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous studies have indicated that nurses with tattoos are viewed less favorably than nurses without tattoos, regardless of gender. Additionally, older adults are more likely to negatively evaluate nurses with tattoos than young adults. Images of male and female nurses with and without tattoos were shown to 128 participants between the ages of 18-80 years on an iPad. Participants selected according to gender which nurse possessed more of the following professional characteristics based on their initial impression of their physical traits, or selected no difference: respectfulness, kindness, trustworthiness, intelligence and competence. The study showed that male nurses with tattoos were …

Identifiable Risk Factors Associated With Congestive Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions, Kimberly M. Snyder

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

It is important to analyze patterns of risk factors associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) readmission rates. Today, if a CHF patient is readmitted within 30 days of their initial discharge the hospital will not be reimbursed for the stay. The aims of this study are to see if there is an association between patients readmitted within 30, 60, and 90 days of the initial discharge and to identify patterns of risk factors associated with CHF readmissions. A search of the CINAHL research database was conducted, using the key words “heart failure”, “signs and symptoms”, “readmission rates” and “comorbidities”. The …

Problem Solving Skill And Obesity In Children, Caitlin R. Spano

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract:

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a problem that leads to many serious health effects including early maturation, decreased quality of life and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. In 2012, over one third of children were considered obese (Childhood Obesity Facts 2015). Efforts have been made to reduce this number but they have not been fully successful (Nutrition Standards for School Meals 2015, Prevalence of Childhood obesity in the United States 2011-2012 2015). What other factors are causing kids to choose foods that lead to weight gain.

Literature Review: In research regarding psychological motivations of overeating, there has been a correlation …

Nurse Educators' Transition To Flipped Classroom: An Interpretive Description Study, Jean S. Bernard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To meet learning needs of current undergraduate nursing students, and respond to mandates for bettered prepared graduates, nurse educators must restructure curricula and teaching strategies. One strategy garnering increased attention is the flipped classroom model (FCM). This form of instruction requires students to have access to and be accountable for lecture material on their own time, and then use face-to-face classroom time for interactive learning that can include discussion, case study analysis, or application of pre-class lecture content. Although the FCM has gained popularity, few researchers have fully studied this strategy or considered experiences of faculty who implement the model. …

An Assessment Of Primary Care Physician Opinions About Supporting The Independent Autonomous Practice By Advanced Practice Nurses, James Michael Flanigan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed the national discussion about who is the decision-maker in healthcare delivery – physicians or others that pay the bill. The federal government is the largest payer of healthcare services while states are responsible for implementing the ACA’s features. Through the ACA, the federal government endorsed non-physician primary care by advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). The research question of this study is: Why do some primary care physicians support independent autonomous practice for advanced practice registered nurses while others do not? The research question should be important to policy-makers because physicians are the predominate purchasers …

Assessing The Psychoeducational Approach To Transcendence And Health (Path) Program : An Intervention To Foster Self-Transcendence And Well-Being In Community-Dwelling Older Adults., Valerie Lander Mccarthy, Sharon Bowland, Lynne A. Hall, Jennifer Connelly

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The late-life developmental process of self-transcendence shapes elders’ perspectives on self, others, the nature of this world, and of a dimension beyond the here and now. This qualitative pilot study evaluated the Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health (PATH) Program, a psychoeducational intervention to promote self-transcendence and well-being in community-dwelling women at a senior center. The intervention involved eight weekly group sessions using group processes, mindfulness practices, creative experiences, and independent at-home practice. The findings supported the underlying theory-based structure and content of the intervention and indicated the intervention may empower elders to attend to self-care, develop acceptance, and learn …

Ibuprofen Ameliorates Fatigue- And Depressive-Like Behavior In Tumor-Bearing Mice, Diana M. Norden, Donna O. Mccarthy, Sabahattin Bicer, Raymond Devine, Peter J. Reiser, Jonathan P. Godbout, Loren E. Wold

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aims: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is often accompanied by depressed mood, both of which reduce functional status and quality of life. Research suggests that increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines is associated with skeletal muscle wasting and depressive- and fatigue-like behaviors in rodents and cancer patients. We have previously shown that treatment with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, preserved muscle mass in tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the behavioral effects of ibuprofen in a mouse model of CRF.

Main methods: Mice were injected with colon-26 adenocarcinoma cells and treated with ibuprofen (10 mg/kg) in the …

A Model For Hospital Discharge Preparation: From Case Management To Care Transition, Marianne E. Weiss, Kathleen Bobay, Sarah J. Bahr, Linda L. Costa, Ronda G. Hughes, Diane E. Holland

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

There has been a proliferation of initiatives to improve discharge processes and outcomes for the transition from hospital to home and community-based care. Operationalization of these processes has varied widely as hospitals have customized discharge care into innovative roles and functions. This article presents a model for conceptualizing the components of hospital discharge preparation to ensure attention to the full range of processes needed for a comprehensive strategy for hospital discharge.

Factors Influencing Critical Care Nurses To Speak Up When Patients Are At Risk For Harm: Development Of An Instrument, Deborah Ruth Crumpler

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Nurses intervene in situations where patients may be at risk for harm, particularly in critical care units where risk due to severity of illness and complexity of treatment is higher. Although safety improvements have been made, nurses still report barriers to speaking-up. Improvement in skilled communication and true collaboration among health care professionals begins with assessment of the problem. Attitudes and beliefs that influence speaking-up behaviors among critical care nurses have not been well-documented. This research study utilized a mixed-method design framed by the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore factors associated with intention to speak up among critical care …

Urging A Practical Beginning: Reimbursement Reform, Nurse-Managed Health Clinics, And Complete Professional Autonomy For Primary Care Nurse Practioners, Joy Luchico Austria

DePaul Journal of Health Care Law

No abstract provided.

Issues Within Nursing Facilities Involving Quality Of Care For The Elderly, Kendal Fluhr

University Honors Program

The elderly population in the U.S. is growing each and every year. As this population grows, so does the number of senior citizens in need of constant care. Many are put into nursing homes instead of staying with family or receiving in-home care. The issue with this is that far too many nursing facilities do not give high quality care to residents. The goal of this study was to investigate what concerns are common at nursing homes and what can be done to resolve these problems. Based on research studies, articles, statistics, and informational websites, it was found that some …

Patricia Maro Dehart, Patricia Maro Dehart, Kelsey Duinkerken

Jefferson Nursing Oral Histories

Patricia Maro DeHart first became interested in nursing in high school when she first volunteered, and later worked, as a nurses’ aide in a local nursing home. She decided to attend Jefferson’s Diploma Nursing program and graduated in 1977. After starting her career in medical surgery at West Jersey Hospital she then worked as an OB-GYN nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for eleven years. As her career progressed she moved to Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she held a number of varied positions that allowed her to combine both her degrees in nursing and business, including as account executive and government …