Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Dangerous Nighttime Events In Persons With Dementia Using A Nighttime Monitoring System, Meredeth A. Rowe, Annette Kelly, Claydell Horne, Steve Lane, Judy Campbell, Brandy Lehman, Chad Phipps, Meredith Keller, Andrea Pe Benito

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Nighttime activity, a common occurrence in persons with dementia, increases the risk for injury and unattended home exits, and impairs the sleep patterns of caregivers. Technology is needed that will alert caregivers of nighttime activity in persons with dementia to help prevent injuries and unattended exits. Methods: As part of a product development grant, a randomized pilot study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a new night monitoring system designed for informal caregivers to use in the home. Data from 53 subjects were collected at 9 points in time over a 12-month period regarding injuries and unattended home …

Evaluation Of Laparoscopic Appendectomy Vs. Open Appendectomy: A Retrospective Study At Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Yasmin Vellani, Shaheena Bhatti, Ghina Shamsi, Yasmin Parpio, Tazeen Saeed Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

OBJECTIVE: To compare open and laparoscopic appendectomies and to evaluate the level of efficacy of both types of appendectomy performed at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

METHODS: Based on this strong study rationale, a clinical audit of patient's records was performed to evaluate the significance of this technique as a treatment modality. The study population comprised of patients with appendicitis admitted in the Department of Surgery from January 2004 to December 2004. The patients' charts were reviewed to ascertain whether the procedure was done as an acute case or as an elective procedure. The predictor variables explored in this study …

Faculty Field Guide For Promoting Student Civility In The Classroom, Cynthia Clark

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Student incivility is defined as rude and disruptive behavior that, when left unaddressed, may spiral into aggressive or violent behavior. Nursing faculty are challenged by uncivil student behavior and many are underprepared to deal with its effects. Some faculty members consider leaving academe due to the serious toll incivility often takes on their personal and professional lives. The impact of student incivility on faculty is especially troubling during a national nursing shortage. The author provides nursing faculty with several ready-to-use strategies for preventing and effectively dealing with student incivility in nursing education.

Delirium Screening: From Research To Point Of Care, Beth Ann Swan, Phd, Crnp, Faan, Sheena Ahlawat, Mph, Christopher N. Sciamanna, Md, Phd

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Delirium is a serious public health problem among older adults and is one of the most common cognitive disorders affecting postoperative older adults. Delirium is a treatable illness that disproportionately places postoperative older adults at increased risk for functional and cognitive decline, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. More than 50 percent of postoperative patients develop delirium during hospitalization. Epidemiologic and clinical studies over the past two decades have provided ample evidence that delirium in hospitalized older adults is under-recognized by nurses and physicians, often leading to untoward events that the safety and well-being of hospitalized older adults.

Risk Management & Patient Safety: Focus On The Patient And The Rest Falls Into Place, Kathryn Rapala, Kathryn Leonhardt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

It is difficult, if not impossible, to define and separate risk management and patient safety roles. Both track and mitigate patient care error and improve processes with the goal of improving patient outcomes. At Aurora Health Care, risk management and patient safety are intertwined throughout the system. In the course of clarifying function, we have attempted to delineate risk management from patient safety, only to conclude that it is difficult to identify where one ends and the other begins. The structure and process that we are developing at Aurora Health Care offer advantages as well as challenges, but the organizational …

Retaining The Next Generation Of Nurses: The Wisconsin Nurse Residency Program Provides A Continuum Of Support, Marilyn Meyer Bratt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Because of the high costs associated with new graduate nurse turnover, an academic-service partnership developed a nurse residency program that provides a comprehensive support system that spans 15 months. Now in its fourth year, involving more than 50 urban and rural hospitals of varying sizes and geographic locations, the program provides formalized preceptor training, monthly daylong educational sessions, and mentoring by clinical coaches. Key factors contributing to the success of this program are a dedicated, cohesive planning team of individuals who embrace a common agenda, stakeholder buy-in, appropriate allocation of resources, and clear articulation of measures of success, with associated …

Teaching Excellence: What Great Teachers Teach Us, Barbara Johnson-Farmer, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Given the shortage of nurse educators, we sought to better understand teaching excellence because it is crucial for developing the next generation of nurses. A grounded theory approach was used. The sample included 17 respondents, thought to be excellent teachers, from universities across the United States. Consenting respondents were asked, “What do you do to bring nursing to life with your students?” Using line-by-line coding and the constant comparative method, five major themes emerged: (a) engagement, (b) relevance, (c) student centeredness, (d) facilitation of learning, and (e) dynamic process of becoming an excellent nursing educator. We found that the core …

Nurses' Spiritual Care Practices: Assessment, Type, Frequency, And Correlates, Iris Mamier

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This descriptive, correlational study described the type, frequency, and correlates of nurses' spiritual care practices (quantitative) and their experiences with the sacred at work (qualitative). A convenience sample of 554 (24%) of the Registered Nurses employed at a western United States faith-based tertiary care health system participated in this online survey. Nurses' spiritual care practices were assessed using the 17-item Nurses' Spiritual Care Practice Questionnaire (NSCQ). Factorial validity and reliability of the pilot NSCQ were established. Spiritual care practices most frequently endorsed were assessing patients' spiritual beliefs pertaining to health and listening to patients' stories of illness and their spiritual …

Exploring The Stress Response In New Army Nurses, Laureen Otto

Theses and Dissertations

The study of stress is limited in professional nursing, but it is nearly non-existent in professional military nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among psychological, environmental, biological and demographic factors of stress in new Army nurses during the Army Medical Department’s 8-week Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC). Using a descriptive prospective, correlational repeated measures design, 33 study participants completed two psychological stress measures (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS] and the Impact of Event Scale – Revised[IES-R]), an environmental measure (Life Experiences Survey [LES]), a biologic measure (salivary cortisol) and a demographic questionnaire at three different time …

Student Satisfaction With Simulation Experiences, Angeline Abdo, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Background: Some nursing schools use patient simulators to simulate patient scenarios.

Methods: Nursing students participated in five sessions using a patient simulator and then completed a questionnaire related to their experiences.

Results: Participants felt the experiences recreated real-life situations, tested their clinical decision-making, prepared them for the “real-life” clinical setting, and increased their confidence when in the clinical setting.

Conclusions: Patient simulator experiences enhance learning. Further research regarding student perceptions and instrument validation would contribute to an increased understanding of the use of patient simulators in nursing education.

Perceptions Among Students In Online Health Related Courses - A Pilot Study, Kathy Sullivan

Master's Projects

Given the proliferation of online courses in university education, continuous evaluation is imperative to ensure quality. This study utilized a quantitative descriptive design using a questionnaire to explore the perceived adequacy and acceptance of distance learning in undergraduate health related courses. Questions were designed to elicit students' reactions to teaching methods, course content, and how the format influenced their learning. Overall, acceptance of online courses is high. Most of the students were willing to take another online course in the future. Respondents felt that online courses offer more flexibility, encourage both independent and critical thinking skills, and that the course …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Job Satisfaction In Long-Term Care: A Comparison Between Licensed Nurses And Nursing Assistants, Lynne Almand

Graduate Theses

Knowledge, attitudes, and job satisfaction of long-term care workers were examined to determine if a relationship existed between these factors and if differences existed between licensed nurses and nursing assistants. Participants included 36 nurses and 60 assistants from five nursing homes in the Midland/Odessa area. Results indicated that nurses had significantly more positive attitudes toward (t(94) = -5.72, p<.05) and increased knowledge of older adults (t(94) = 2.71, p<.05) than assistants. In addition, more positive attitudes were significantly associated with more knowledge of the elderly (r(96) = -0.36, p<.05) as well as increased levels of job satisfaction (r(96) = -0.53, p<.05).

Optimizing Vitamin D Status To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk: An Evidentiary Review., Guiyun Zhou, Jill Stoitzfus, Beth A. Swan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general public and in patients with cancer. Optimizing vitamin D intake is increasingly recognized in cancer risk reduction, particularly in decreasing colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, summarizing the current evidence to promote best practices related to vitamin D intake and colorectal cancer risk reduction is important. The objectives of this article are to examine the current evidence regarding the impact of vitamin D on colorectal cancer risk reduction and provide practice recommendations for clinicians. Relevant research articles from 2002-2008 were retrieved from multiple electronic databases. Reference lists of relevant articles also were searched manually. …

Current Medical Research Winter 2007/Spring 2008, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Self Perceptions Of Clinical Performance Of Accelerated First Degree And Accelerated Second-Degree Graduates, Neelam N. Murthi

Master's Projects

Currently in the United States, motivated by nursing shortages, numerous ways have been created to recruit nurses in nursing schools. Accelerated nursing programs are increasing rapidly. Colleges and Schools of Nursing around the nation are accepting students seeking their first degree, as well as those with a second degree. This study compared perceptions of clinical performance of accelerated first-degree and accelerated second-degree bachelor of nursing graduates. The intention was to identify whether, after graduation, the two groups held different self-perceptions of performance in the clinical environment. This was to determine if one group has better self-perception of performance than the …

Postpartum Patients Reports Of Satisfaction With A Welcome Meal After A Vaginal Delivery, Jessica R. Pinilla

Master's Projects

Objective: The purpose of this research study was to assess patient perspectives regarding a special Welcome Meal. The focus was on patients' feeling welcomed and important because prior research has shown that when a patient's expectations are exceeded, patient satisfaction increases. This study suggests that receiving a Welcome Meal may improve their experience on a postpartum unit. Design: Prior to discharge, each patient on the maternity unit was served a special Welcome Meal. A questionnaire was given to patients that consisted of six questions. The six questions incorporated six themes found in research literature on improving patient satisfaction. These themes …

Adult Student Satisfaction In An Accelerated Lpn-Rn Nursing Program, Kathy French Batton

Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the importance and degree of satisfaction placed by adult, nontraditional, accelerated LPN-RN students on student service item scales as measured by the results of the Noel-Levitz® Adult Student Priorities Survey™. In addition, the study examined the correlation between satisfaction with each of the scales and student success as measured by current nursing course grade point average (GPA). The student service scales of importance were: academic advising effectiveness, academic services, admissions and financial aid effectiveness, campus climate, instructional effectiveness, registration effectiveness, safety and security, and service excellence. The conceptual framework for the study was derived …

Nursing Faculty Experiences And Perceptions Of The Implementation Process To A Learner-Centered Teaching Philosophy: A Case Study, Sharon L. Colley

Dissertations

This study explores nursing faculty's experiences with and perceptions of, their school of nursing's change to a learner-centered teaching philosophy. The primary research goals are to determine faculty perceptions of what learner-centered approaches they are utilizing in their classes, what change conditions they perceive as significant to the implementation process, and how they perceive the overall faculty progress and unity toward the goal of adopting a learner-centered teaching philosophy. Using the theoretical frameworks of Carl Rogers and Donald Ely, a case study approach is used to examine the faculties' use of five key concepts associated with the learner-centered philosophy, as …

The Relationship Of Level Of Traumatic Exposure, Perceived Stress, And Resilience With Salivary Cortisol And Salivary Alpha-Amylase Diurnal Rhythm In Palestinian Children 10-12 Years Exposed To Chronic War Violence, Mohammad R. Asia Phd, Rn

Dissertations

Political violence, war, and genocide exist across the world and often the innocent children and civilians become victims. War and long-term violence have potentially harmful psychological and physiological effects on children. There are limited studies on the effect of prolonged armed conflict on the child's physiologic and psychologic stress responses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between level of trauma, stress and resilience with salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) diurnal patterns in Palestinian children, ages 10-12, living in a long standing war zone. Salivary cortisol, a surrogate marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity, and salivary …

Psychometric Testing Of The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Of Behavior Change Questionnaire In Mexican-Americans With Diabetes Type 2, Beverley Brownell Phd

Dissertations

Background: The most successful diabetes self-management (DSM) programs focus on changing previously established behavior patterns. To develop focused and culturally appropriate self-management programs, health care providers need valid and reliable assessment tools. Purpose: To test the reliability and content and construct validity of an instrument developed to assess diabetes knowledge, motivation, and adherence to medical regimes. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) Skills Diabetes scale was tested with 83 Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes from a community in Orange County, CA. Methodology: A cross-sectional correlational study design was conducted with 64 female and 19 male Mexican-American adults diagnosed diabetes type 2 patients. …

Does “Asymptomatic” Mean Without Symptoms For Those Living With Hiv Infection?, Suzanne Willard, William L. Holzemer, Dean J. Wantland, Yvette P. Cuca, Kenn M. Kirksey, Carmen J. Portillo, Inge B. Corless, Marta Rivero-Méndez, María E. Rosa, Patrice K. Nicholas, Mary Jane Hamilton, Elizabeth Sefcik, Jeanne Kemppainen, Gladys Canaval, Linda Robinson, Shahnaz Moezzi, Sarie Human, John Arudo, Lucille Sanzero Eller, Eli Bunch, Pamela J. Dole, Christopher Coleman, Kathleen Nokes, Nancy R. Reynolds, Yun-Fang Tsai, Mary Maryland, Joachim Voss, Teri Lindgren

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Throughout the history of the HIV epidemic, HIV-positive patients with relatively high CD4 counts and no clinical features of opportunistic infections have been classified as ‘‘asymptomatic’’ by definition and treatment guidelines. This classification, however, does not take into consideration the array of symptoms that an HIV-positive person can experience long before progressing to AIDS. This short report describes two international multi-site studies conducted in 2003 - 2005 and 2005 - 2007. The results from the studies show that HIV-positive people may experience symptoms throughout the trajectory of their disease, regardless of CD4 count or classification. Providers should discuss symptoms and …

Relationship Among Stress Of Labor, Support, And Childbirth Experience In Postpartum Mothers, Sasamon Srisuthisak

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Due to the profound and life-changing aspects of giving birth and to each woman’s individualized birthing experience, it is important to understand the myriad of factors that contribute to a positive childbirth experience. The aims of this study were to: (1) identify factors related to a positive childbirth experience; (2) to examine relationships among women’s perceptions and personal evaluations of their childbirth experience, stress associated with labor pain, support from the nursing staff, initial contact with the baby following birth, support from partners, education, age, and obstetric history; and (3) to identify predictors of a positive childbirth experience. Method: …

The Impact Of Recession On The Health Care Of Rural Citizens, Kathy Reavy

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rural residents within the United States were already at an economic disadvantage before the current recession hit. During the 1980s in states located in the northwest region of the United States, specifically Idaho and eastern Oregon, well paying labor and manufacturing jobs were lost (USDA, 1992), leaving behind higher poverty rates, aging populations, and increased challenges accessing quality health care (NSL, 2002). This editorial explores needs, quality and access to health care for rural citizens during our current time of economic instability.

A Pilot Study Of Bibliotherapy To Reduce Alcohol Problems Among Patients In A Hospital Trauma Center, Paul Amrhein, Timothy Apodaca, William R. Miller, Carol R. Schermer

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Because alcohol use plays a major role in many injuries that require hospital care, there is increasing interest in developing interventions to address alcohol problems among emergency department and trauma center patients. The aim of the current study was to extend past research on brief interventions by investigating the use of a self-help manual to treat problem drinkers in a hospital trauma center. Forty injured patients who were either intoxicated at the time of injury or screened positive for harmful drinking were randomly assigned to receive either a brief assessment and a self-help booklet with no more than 5 minutes …

Relationships Among Perceived Burden, Depressive Cognitions, Resourcefulness, And Quality Of Life In Female Relatives Of Seriously Mentally Ill Adults, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet, M. Jane Suresky

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Providing care and support to a seriously mentally ill (SMI) family member can have deleterious effects on one's health and quality of life. This study explored relationships among perceived burden, depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life in 60 African-American and Caucasian women family members of SMI adults. Caucasians reported greater burden than African-Americans; the groups were similar in depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life. In Caucasians and African-Americans, burden correlated with depressive cognitions and both correlated with poorer mental health. In African-Americans, burden also correlated with lower personal resourcefulness and both correlated with poorer mental health. The findings …

The Play And Learn Classroom, Therese Mcgurkin Rn, Msn, Janet Paul Rn, Msn, Terri Schwartz Rn, Msn

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Providing a consistent curriculum to educate and train more than 2,000 members of a nursing department and over 1000 nursing students in a tertiary care hospital on a complex clinical documentation system can be a challenge to the educator. Training new employees on an ongoing basis and an entire department when periodic system upgrades occur requires that the curriculum and methodology be consistent and made available at any time – day or night. In order to maintain consistency of the curriculum and provide the learner with ample opportunity to “play and learn” we use computer – based training video tutorials …

Graduate Nurse Residency Programs: Bridging The Knowledge – Practice Gap, Elissa Harmon Rn, Msn, Ccrn

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Nurse residency programs provide the foundation needed to address the unique needs of the graduate nurse by providing a means to bridge the knowledge practice gap. The evidence based program curriculum developed by University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) is utilized at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The program blends the collaborative atmosphere of peer networking opportunities with the promotion of critical thinking skills and hands on activities. The additional support eases the transition period as the graduate nurse is nurtured from advanced beginner to competent professional nurse. The Nurse Residency program promotes autonomy and effective decision making skills through application based learning …

Lifeline Of New Products- Destination: The Patient's Bedside, Mary Bent Mangano, Msn, Rn New Products Coordinator, Department Of Nursing Education

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

The lifeline of a new product begins with an innovative process driven by an on-line request through our academic medical center’s intranet system. The individual championing the new product completes the request. Staff nurses have a voice in the decision making process of the acceptance or the rejection of new product(s) being used in a hospital setting. All requested products are thoroughly investigated as the item relates to new technology, cost, reimbursement, medical evidence and evidence-based practice. These critical factors assist in the decision making process to improve the quality of patient care while ensuring cost-containment and standardization, thereby, translating …

Addressing The Unforgettable Killer In A Forgetful Mind: A Look Into The Advances Of Treating Alzheimer's Disease, Heather Tews

Honors Theses

The world's population is getting older. Modern science has ensured that people are living longer and healthier lives. However, as the world ages, there is a looming epidemic of Alzheimer's disease promising to surface at any time. Currently, there are almost 30 million cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide, and that number is only increasing. It is predicted that by 2050, that number will quadruple, and that 1 out of every 85 people will be living with Alzheimer's (Brookmeyer, Johnson, Ziegler-Graham & Arrighi, 2007). This disease kills about 100,000 people each year, which makes it the fourth leading cause of adult …

The Flame, Summer 2009, Mennonite College Of Nursing

The Flame (1985-present)

The Flame is a newsletter of Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing