Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cultural Humility: A Lifelong Process For Professional Nurses, Jenny Adelstein

Senior Honors Projects

Cultural humility is necessary for all nurses in order to provide the best quality patient care. It is a life-long process of self-reflection and self-critique, which allows nurses to examine differences and similarities between their own beliefs, values, and health care goals with those of their patients (Schuessler et al., 2012). Cultural humility helps nurses to recognize potential differences in the meaning of health and wellness among their patients, and to begin to understand the many challenges to accessing quality health care. Cultural immersion programs is one educational strategy to allow nursing students to develop cultural humility through acquiring critical …

Non-Language Barriers To Effective Care Of The Hispanic Population, Elizabeth M. Dobbins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research study was designed to improve the quality of health care received by the Hispanic population in northeast Tennessee. After reviewing past research, it is evident that the Hispanic population reports a lower level of health care satisfaction and a greater number of health disparities. Although attempts to reconcile this problem have included implementing regulations and guidelines on the cultural competency of and the provision of language services by health care providers, no measurable improvement has been noted. To positively impact this pervasive problem, the focus must shift away from how health care agencies can affect health care for …

Napnap Position Statement On Immunizations, Lacey M. Eden

Faculty Publications

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) fully supports timely and complete immunization of all infants, children, adolescents, and adults to maximize the health and well-being of all people. Routine childhood immunizations prevent approximately 2.5 million deaths every year (World Health Organization, 2012). Maintaining the highest immunization rates possible is essential to prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases across the nation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013). The CDC recommends that all children, adolescents, and adults be immunized to protect children who are most vulnerable to serious illness and death (CDC, 2014). In concert with the American …

The Effect Of An Antenatal Breastfeeding Intervention On Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy And Intention Among Inner City Adolescents, Jamie El Harit

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

According to Healthy People 2020, infants who are breastfed have improved nutritional, immunological, developmental, and social outcomes (USDHHS, 2014). Despite the benefits of breastfeeding and the focused international efforts to increase levels of breastfeeding, adolescents remain largely unaware and continue to have among the lowest levels of breastfeeding initiation (CDC, 2013; Spear, 2006). The purpose of this EBP project was to reduce the disparities of breastfeeding initiation by increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy and intention in an inner city specialty high school. Synthesis of the evidence demonstrated that needs-based, repeated antenatal education delivered by a lactation expert including breastfeeding peer counselor supports …

Pink Goes Red For A Day: Is Your Heart Healthy?, Quierra W. Jones

Honors College Theses

There is a major lack of public health education among college aged students at many colleges and universities across the country. Even further, many minority college students are unfamiliar with one of the most life-threatening health issues that affect them the most: heart health. As a nursing student and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., I strive to uphold our “service to all mankind” motto and also educate the public about important heart health matters. On February 4, 2014, I presented a program through my sorority entitled Pink Goes Red for a Day in which I educated the primarily …

Sternal Precautions: Is It Necessary To Restrict Our Patients?, Lauren Belyea

Honors College Theses

This paper is based on the inquiry about the effects of sternal precautions as part of a patient’s recovery following a sternotomy. It is important to explore this because nurses should always be asking themselves “why am I doing what I am doing with my patients?” “Which of my practices are evidence based and which do not have any evidence to support them?” (MeInyk, 2009). If sternal precautions are indeed overly restrictive and preventing patients from achieving the best possible recovery outcomes, it is the job of the nurse and other healthcare providers to make changes to the current practice.

Quest For Health: An Early Beginning To A Lifelong Journey, Kerry P. Appleton

Theses and Graduate Projects

Childhood obesity has been cited as a modern day public health crisis. Despite the creation of many health education programs and interventions, the prevalence of childhood obesity remains largely unchanged. In response to this growing epidemic, nurses have been called to action to help mitigate health education disparities. The purpose of this project is to pool existing community resources to impact the general health of school-age children while influencing the health norms of their surrounding communities. A partnership between local school districts and a non-profit children's hospital has been created to provide health education to school age children in the …

Exploring The Relationships Between Mindfulness And Biobehavioral Factors Associated With Cvd In Women, Susan Ghodrat, Jo Lynne W. Robins

Undergraduate Research Posters

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and specific biobehavioral factors associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in women. Design: A secondary data analysis was conducted on baseline data collected in a larger study examining the effects of tai chi on cardiovascular disease risk in women. Subjects: 96 women aged 35-50 years with increased waist circumference and a family history of cardiovascular disease. Measures: Biological measures included: fasting glucose, insulin and lipids, as well as C-reactive protein and cytokines. Behavioral measures included: mindfulness, fatigue, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support, self-compassion and spiritual thoughts and behaviors. Results: Mindfulness was …

Relationship Between Stages Of Change And Hpv Vaccine Attitudes And Beliefs In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Megan M. Stein, Michael Sabo, Julia Caverly

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to: (a) determine if there is a relationship between attitudes/beliefs about Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and stages of change and (b) investigate gender differences in attitudes/beliefs and stages of change in undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students. The study employs a cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design and it was guided by the Trans-theoretical Model of Change (TMC). The convenience sample was comprised of 131 participants at a large urban public university in Midwest United States. Data were collected with online surveys distributed via university email. A positive, moderate relationship was found between HPV vaccination attitudes/beliefs and …

Concept Clarification Of Grief In Mothers Of Children With An Addiction, Donna M. Zucker Rn, Phd, Faan, Kimberly Dion Msn, Rn, Roxanne P. Mckeever Msn, Rn

Donna M. Zucker

Aim: To report an analysis of the concept of grief in mothers of children with addiction. Background. The concept of grief in this context is poorly understood and often synonymously used with concepts depression, loss and chronic sorrow. In the US, the core concept grief has been recently revised by both NANDA and the DSM-V in efforts to better understand and characterize the concept. The plethora of literature on grief worldwide often characterizes grief as a response to a death. Design. Concept analysis. Data sources. Search terms ‘parental grief’ and ‘substance abuse’ yielded 30 articles. A second review using terms …

The Effect Of Shared Medical Appointments And Education On Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Gina L. Moore

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Type II diabetes affects millions of people worldwide. Approximately 25.8 million or 8.3 percent of the United States (U.S.) population has type II diabetes. The number of adults in the United States developing diabetes has been projected to double by the year 2030 (World Health Organization, 2013). Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness, as well as the major cause of heart disease and stroke which is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to determine the effects of education during shared medical appointments with type II diabetic …

Effects Of A Parish Based Heart Healthy Education Program, Kristin A. Kilinski

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be modified which include: diet; physical activity; smoking; hypertension; diabetes; and weight. Various national programs, such as “Go Red for Women” and “Let’s Move,” have been implemented to address this growing epidemic. Community programs are needed as an adjunct to these national initiatives. Thus, a parish based cardiovascular disease educational program would provide for a unique socially and spiritually supportive environment for education at the community level. Research findings indicate that parish based educational programs are effective in increasing …

Effects Of An Osteoporosis Educational Intervention: Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Of Prevention In Young Adult Collegiate Females, Valerie A. Bollenbacher

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Osteoporosis is a silent and potentially debilitating chronic illness. In 2012, the CDC reported that 4.5 million women over the age of 50 were diagnosed with osteoporosis in the United States. Within the next 20 years, 41 million women worldwide are projected to have osteoporosis. The annual financial burden of osteoporosis is estimated to be 19 billion dollars. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the clinical question: In young adult collegiate females, how does an osteoporosis educational intervention compared to current education effect osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy of osteoporosis prevention over a one-month time period? The …

Understanding Faculty And Non-Traditional Student Perceptions Of Self-Directed Learning In A Practical Nursing Program, Carmen Marie Rogers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to identify and investigate nursing faculty and student perspectives of self-directed learning in a practical nursing program. It also explored the degree to which student's perceptions of self-directed learning exhibited factors consistent with that of critical thinking. This study is important because self-directed learning and its critical thinking elements are essential in providing safe, competent, effective, and efficient nursing care within practice and education. Using an explanatory case study design the practice of self-directed learning within a practical nursing program was examined through the use of: classroom observations, interviews with nursing faculty, nursing students, and document …

An Educational Approach: Increasing College Freshmen's Knowledge Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, Jennie Mcclain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

According to the Centers for Disease Control (2009), young adults account for only 25% o fsexually active persons in the United States, but account for 50% of the newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some young adults may not have received appropriate or credible information on sexual health by which to make knowledgeable decisions that may influence the rest of their lives. High schools are not required to offer comprehensive sex education. Therefore, some students may have received abstinence-only sex education. Risk reduction and disease prevention are important in college health. This evidenced-based practice project included the creation, …

Living With The Choice: A Grounded Theory Of Iraqi Refugee Resettlement To The U.S., Lisa Ann Davenport

Doctoral Dissertations

Though the United States has become a place of increasing resettlement for refugees, particularly Iraqi refugees who have been forced to flee their homeland due to violence, persecution and civil unrest, little is known about Iraqi refugee resettlement in the United States, or the way in which resettlement impacts health and adjustment. A grounded theory study was conducted to develop a substantive theory of Iraqi refugee resettlement. Participants in the qualitative study included 29 Iraqi refugees and 2 community partners who participated in face-to face interviews. Data analysis and interpretation revealed fundamental concepts related to Iraqi refugee resettlement. Results of …

Transcultural Nursing And Malaria: Identifying Global Health Strategies Through The Lived Experiences Of Nurses From The Villages Surrounding Bamenda, Cameroon, Noella Sob Tataw

Theses Digitization Project

This study highlights the challenges faced by nurses working in the villages surrounding Bamenda, Cameroon. This is done as a necessary first step towards developing a culturally compelling intervention strategy fro Malaria prevention/treatment, through direct interaction of nurses in villages surrounding Bamenda in Cameroon. Malaria and other diseases pose significant health care problems in remote regions of Cameroon.

Barriers To Diabetes Care In Appalachia: Challenges Faced By Healthcare Providers, Megan Cullinan

Senior Honors Theses

Appalachia is a region of the United States that is characterized by high rates of poverty, low levels of education, elevated incidence of chronic disease, and inadequate healthcare. Compared to the national average, the area has an elevated incidence of Type 2 diabetes. Though this disease process is an issue that must be addressed by healthcare providers, these providers face many challenges and barriers to providing adequate care for this disease in the Appalachian population. Barriers to care include geography with limited transportation, an inadequate number of healthcare personnel, patient inability to afford healthcare, patient attitudes toward diabetes care, and …

Tobacco Treatment In College Health, Joanne Brown

DNP Projects

ABSTRACT: Tobacco Treatment in College Health

The college years are a critical time in the development of smoking behavior and tobacco use. Smoking is linked to 30% of cancer deaths, 80% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and early cardiovascular disease and death. Effective treatment interventions at this time provide an opportunity to drastically reduce premature morbidity and mortality.

This document follows the progression from the discussion of the problem to evaluation of an intervention. The first manuscript is a review of existing literature on Internet interventions with young adults, including methodology, theoretical frameworks and outcome measures for tobacco …

Interventions To Improve The Management Of Medically Uninsured Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Primary Care, Community-Based Settings, Lynn Miskovich

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

This project measured the effect of a clinical algorithm on the provision of care to medically uninsured adult patients with type 2 diabetes and a low socioeconomic status (SES). Primary providers often fail to implement established standards for diabetes care to their maximal benefit and do not achieve American Diabetes Association (ADA) treatment standards. Saydah, et al. (2004) reported that only 48% of patients with diabetes achieved the recommended HbA1c goal, and 33% reached blood pressure and LDL targets. Goals for all three clinical parameters were obtained by only 7% of patients. The Stetler Model of Evidence-based Practice (EBP) provided …

A Study To Reduce Medication Administration Errors Using Watson’S Caring Theory, Tommie Nelms, Jackie Jones, Linda A. Treiber

Linda A. Treiber

Evaluation Of The March Of Dimes Family Support Program With Focus On Parent To Parent Support, Lynn O'Connor

Honors Scholar Theses

The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program provides families with support specialists, educational materials, and community resources to aide in the emotional and physical adaptation to a new life with a premature infant. Parent-to-parent support has been shown to more effective than group support because the new NICU parent is able to connect on a more personal level with an experienced NICU parent.

The purpose of the research was to develop and implement an evaluation instrument to assess the effectiveness of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program (MODFSP) in the NICU at the UConn Health Center, specifically …

Predicting The Use Of Personal Respiratory Protection Among Workers In Swine Confinement Buildings, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to identify the variables that influence the frequency of personal respiratory protection (PRP) use by workers in swine confinement buildings (SCBs). The study was designed to answer four research questions: 1). What is the validity and reliability of the Personal Respiratory Protection Survey (PRPS)? 2). How frequently do workers in SCBs wear PRP? 3). How do demographics, occupational histories, and self-reported respiratory health histories influence the use of PRP in SCBs? and 4). What are the relationships of the constructs (benefits, barriers, susceptibility, severity, norms) to the use of PRP by workers in SCBs? …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Program To Address Burnout And Resilience In Nursing, Heather Zink

Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Public health nurses at a county health department are experiencing burnout because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this program development project was to address burnout in public health nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic through assessment and recommended resilience interventions.

Methods: Two survey tools to measure burnout and resilience were distributed to 70 public health nurses. A literature review using the Wiederman framework for battling burnout and building resilience guided the development of the resilience toolkit.

Intervention: A resilience toolkit consisting of evidence-based interventions, budgets, assessment tools, an example plan, and posters was developed for the …

Gates, Robert J. (Fa 168), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 168. Interviews on cassette tape with accompanying documentation that WKU student Robert J. Gates had with Alice Ruth and Shella Procter, concerning their aunt Ora Porter, Warren County, Kentucky's first registered nurse.

History Of Visiting Nurse Association Of Indianapolis, 1913-1959, Charlotte Akins

Graduate Thesis Collection

The Visiting Nurse Association of Indianapolis, formerly the Public Health Nursing Association of Indianapolis, is a nonofficial community agency in Marion County. It was incorporated January 11, 1913. According to its constitution, it was organized to "provide graduate registered nurses to teach needy individuals and the general public hygiene, cleanliness, and the proper care of the sick; to prevent disease; and to render such aid as may from time to time be proper."I This organization has provided nursing care in homes, in clinics, in industries, and in other situations outside the hospitals since its beginning. Since 1921 it also has …