Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Influencing College Influenza Vaccination Through A Multi-Component Campaign, Heather Strickler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Multiple influenza strains exist and college aged students are the most affected population from the H1N1 strain. The H1N1 influenza pandemic had high attack rates reported on campuses from 25% to 73% (Benjamin et. al., 2016; Uddin et. al., 2009). Only 8% to 40% of college students are vaccinated against influenza despite a target goal of 50% set by the American Healthy Campus 2020 (Benjamin et. al., 2016; Poehling, et. al., 2012). The purpose of this evidence based project was after implementing a multi-component influenza vaccination campaign to determine changes in intent to receive the vaccine among college students. To …

Perceived Sources Of Academic Stress In The Nursing Program, Iana Fontanilla

Honors Theses

University students in health disciplines face many different sources of stress and challenges during their experience in their individual programs. However, a study shows that baccalaureate nursing students experience higher levels of stress as well as higher levels of physiological and psychological symptoms than students in other health-related disciplines (Beck et al., 1997). In order to create interventions to improve student performance and self-efficacy in the nursing program, both the professors and students in the program must understand the most significant stressors that can negatively impact the overall performance of the nursing students.

A survey was conducted to identify the …

Minority Nursing Students And Increasing Nclex Pass Rates: Support Program Intervention, Ellis Choi Lafrance

Nursing (graduate) Student Scholarship

Background: There is growing evidence for the need to increase the minority nurse workforce to mirror the growing minority population in the United States. Health disparities among the minority population may be alleviated by having more minority nurses in the community. The purpose of the project was to examine increasing minority nurses in the workforce through comprehensive support programs at schools of nursing. Methods: In this evidence synthesis project, a comprehensive literature review was done using CINAHL, ERIC, and PubMed databases with search terms including NCLEX-RN, diversity, minority, licensure, and retention. A total of 13 articles were screened and 5 …

Nursing Perspective Of Preparedness To Deliver End-Of-Life Care: A Descriptive Study, Caitlin B. Mccann

Nursing Masters

Abstract

Background: Death of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is often sudden and unexpected. When ICU care transitions from curative to palliative, nursing staff frequently feel ill prepared to effectively care for dying patients and their families [1, 2]. The purpose of this study was to identify ICU nursing staff’s perception of the effectiveness of current end-of-life care (EOLC) education methods and their preparedness to deliver EOLC to dying patients and their families.

Methods: A newly developed online survey was utilized on Qualtrics survey generator and distributed through social media to allow for snowball sampling. Descriptive statistics were …

Simulation Using A Standardized Patient To Measure Perception And Congruency Of Spiritual Care For A Veteran From Three Perspectives To Inform Nursing Education And Practice, Mary E. Desmond

Dissertations

Spiritual care refers to a purposeful process of helping another find meaning and purpose

in life through a mutual connection. Providing spiritual care is a professional nursing mandate, yet nurses report barriers in education and practice. Veterans want spiritual care to promote quality of life, and to cope with military experiences and chronic conditions. Patients report receiving less than desired spiritual care and nurses report infrequent provision of spiritual care. It is also unclear how congruent patients and nurses are in their perceptions of spiritual care. A spiritual care simulation and performance checklist was developed using a review of the …

Addressing Obstetric Health Care Providers' Nutritional Insight In The Low Socioeconomic Population, Nicole Theresa Marshall

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: During a woman's pregnant state, a diet that is adequate in nutrition is critical to the developing fetus, especially in the lower socioeconomic status population. The healthcare provider is charged with the acute fundamental awareness of this additional factor that can grossly impact pregnancy. Nutritional advice from the health care provider is one of many key points that contribute to the successful outcome of the pregnancy. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop a standardized, evidence-based practice (EBP) protocol for the management of maternal nutrition, gestational weight gain, and physical activity for provider use at …

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd), Kaitlyn Newkirk

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a commonly diagnosed disease process, affecting nearly 20% of the population. GERD can greatly hinder one’s quality of life. “Routine” surgical procedures can become potentially life threatening to those affected by this disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal malignancy. The advance practice nurse is responsible for accurately diagnosing a patient with GERD to avoid these potentially fatal consequences. The APN must recognize and acknowledge risk factors for GERD, assisting the patient in altering modifiable risk factors. Treatment options must be individualized to each patient and may include solely medical management or …

Risk Of Medication Errors In The Home: An Integrative Literature Review, Maria M. Crescenzi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Regardless of the setting, medication errors are of great concern when associated with an individual’s health outcomes, along with the increased costs to society, healthcare institutions, and providers. Current research focuses on medication error data primarily in acute and extended care facilities. However, there is a paucity of research examining the causes of medication errors that occur post hospital discharge when individuals transition to the home. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine risk factors for medication errors outside of these settings, specifically in the home. A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple databases for relevant …

Development Of A Plan For A Navigator Program, Linda Dunaway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, hospitals have seen a reduction in Medicare reimbursement for 30-day post-discharge readmissions of acute myocardial infarction patient. The purpose of this project was to develop a plan for a navigator program to improve a patient's health status post discharge and reduce readmission rates. The Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model and guidelines were used in determining the quality of obtained experimental and non-experimental studies with or without meta-analysis and popular source articles. The literature revealed the most successful programs involved providing best practices for a navigator program allowed better patient …

Effective Communication And Teamwork Improve Patient Safety, Helene M. Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Work environment influences the effectiveness of care for patients in any healthcare setting. It is even more important in settings such as the neonatal ICU (NICU) where this project took place. When the environment is not healthy, communication may suffer and result in poor patient outcomes and, family, patient, and staff dissatisfaction. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to understand how the implementation of the TeamSTEPPS program, for nurses in the NICU, could impact the safety culture as measured by the AACN Healthy Work Environment (HWE) tool. Lewin's professional practice change theory and the AHRQ change model were …

Impact Of Osteoarthritis Self-Efficacy Toolkit On Adults With Osteoarthritis, Connie Hutley Kiser

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 26 million U.S. citizens have a form of arthritis; osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form. Self-efficacy (SE) is defined as a psychological construct which identifies an individual's confidence when performing a behavior. SE is deemed a vital judge of self-management (SM) in those with OA. The purpose of this evidence-based practice, quality improvement project was to improve SE in OA patients. The identified gap in nursing practice was the lack of SE in OA patients. The project question asked whether a toolkit with information regarding SE in OA can improve SE of management of disease-associated symptoms in adults …

Barriers Cardiac Nurses Face In Addressing Psychosocial Issues Of Heart Failure Patients, Debra Kay Disbrow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure is a chronic disease and a common cause of hospitalizations and readmissions within 30-days of discharge. To decrease the cost of care for patients with heart failure, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services initiated the Readmissions Reduction Program that reduces payment to hospitals with preventable readmissions. Among the causes for readmissions of patients with heart failure are concurrent behavioral health issues that can lead to decreased medication compliance and increased risk for disease progression. The prevalence of comorbid depression is as high as 77% among patients with heart failure and may be an important factor in readmissions. …

Promoting Policy Advocacy In Nursing Via Education, Carolyn Sue Jurns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses have a professional, ethical, and social responsibility to advocate for optimal healthcare and an optimal professional environment. However, nurses often default on that responsibility. Leadership at a national nursing organization's state affiliate (SNO) perceived a need to optimize its members' policy advocacy. To meet that need, the Policy Advocacy Toolkit for Nurses (PATN) was developed for this doctoral project. The evidence-based PATN relied on established theories and frameworks, notably Knowles' adult education theory and Kingdon's multiple streams approach; research specific to this project; evidence from other researchers, healthcare organizations, and government websites; and input from a statistician, nursing education …

Body Piercing And Health Complications Among College Students In Puerto Rico, Elsie Goicochea

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The incidence and prevalence of body piercing health complications among students is a public health matter that has not been researched in Puerto Rico. College students are the most consistent participants in body piercing activities and have reported health complications resulting in visits to medical offices and emergency rooms. Based on the health belief model, which is used to explain and predict health attitudes, the purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to analyze the health risks and possible complications occurring after body piercing and to investigate the association between sex and age and medical complications. Data were collected from …

A Nursing-Driven Pathway To Lung Cancer Screening; A Push For Prevention, Teresa Elizabeth Giamboy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lung cancer affects many individuals each year and accounts for many deaths around the globe. Lung cancer screening is a preventative health measure that has the ability to detect lung cancer earlier. The purpose of this project was to focus on the education of nursing staff within a community health system, with subsequent implementation of an electronic health record clinical decision support system, to create a direct referral pathway to lung cancer screening, delivered through patient education. The concept of prevention was the framework for this project design, which was further organized around the plan-do-study -act model, while taking into …

The Impact Of Nursing Interventions On Pediatric Pressure Injuries, Charleen Singh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitalized children are vulnerable to pressure injuries. Multiple methods are available to decrease pressure injuries. One specific method is the pediatric pressure injury prevention bundle, which includes device rotation, moisture management, positioning, skin assessment, and support surface management. Although this prevention bundle is available nationwide, it is not known if this type of bundled methodology helps decrease pressure injuries in hospitalized children. Secondary data regarding nursing interventions implemented as a bundle and pressure injury rates from a large pediatric hospital consortium were used to address this gap in the literature. The research questions explored the impact of the pressure injury …

Educating To The Collaborative Care Model, Darcy N. Duncan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this project was the lack of experienced RNs needed in the acute care setting to deliver safe, quality patient care, while effectively managing resources and providing job satisfaction. The purpose of this project was to determine if an education module designed to educate charge and rover nurses on the Collaborative Care Model (CCM) would enhance staff nurses' abilities to provide safe, high quality care to patients, and improve staff nurse retention on one unit in an acute care setting. The theoretical frameworks utilized to guide the education module included: Lewin's theory of planned change, Benner's novice …

Development Of An Educational Program To Obtain And Maintain Healthy Weights Among 4th And 5th Grade Students, Stephanie Dean Black

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Development of an Educational Program to Obtain and Maintain Healthy Weights Among 4th and 5th Grade Students

By

Stephanie D. Black

MSN, University of Phoenix, 2008

BSN, Southwest Baptist University, 2006

ASN, Southwest Baptist University, 2003

Capstone Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

October 2017

Obesity is prevalent in schoolchildren and increases risk of chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. Strategies are needed to address this growing health problem. Education in elementary schools targeting the topics of nutritional choices and prevention of obesity, particularly in 4th-5th grade population, is …

Assessing For Barriers To Shared Governance To Increase Employee Engagement, Cheryl Allison Motte

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Empirical evidence supports the numerous benefits to an organization with engaged employees as well as benefits to those engaged employees. Never-the-less, over half of American workers are not engaged in their work. In healthcare, nurses score the lowest of all professional healthcare disciplines with engagement. Participation in shared governance has been shown to increase work engagement. The purpose of this MSN descriptive research is to assess for barriers to participation in shared governance and increase work engagement on a geriatric behavioral health unit. The study began with an online shared governance needs assessment questionnaire followed by the Utrecht Work Engagement …

The Use Of A Patient Mobility Sensor To Decrease Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers, Monica Vassallo Shallow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pressure ulcers are a serious health condition that have negative consequences for patients and organizations. The primary cause of pressure ulcers is intense and/or prolonged pressure or pressure in combination with shear that results in damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue. Early identification of patients at risk for pressure ulcers and 2-hour repositioning to off-load pressure are key components in reducing pressure ulcer development. Despite ongoing efforts to prevent pressure ulcers, the incidence and prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) at the practicum site exceeded the benchmark for Magnet hospitals and the health system's goal of 1%. Patient …

Hospital Administrators' Strategies For Reducing Delayed Hospital Discharges And Improving Profitability, Sheree Boyd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inefficiencies in leadership and limited leadership strategies in hospitals contribute to delayed hospital discharges and an increased financial burden on a hospital. Three administrators from 2 hospitals who are part of a hospital conglomerate in Chicago, Illinois were selected for interview in this qualitative multiple case study to explore how hospital discharge strategies reduce delayed hospital discharges and improve profitability. Contingency was the primary theoretical theory for this study. The purposive sampling consisted of the selections of individual who were knowledgeable and had experience to organize, manage, and implement processes in an organization. Data collection occurred using face-to-face semistructured interviews, …

Interprofessional Collaborative Care Educational Program For Nurses, Lynn Ann Mcewen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interprofessional collaboration and collaborative patient and family-centered practice is increasingly advocated as a means of improving patient outcomes and the cost effectiveness of health care. The Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative and Registered Nurses Association of Ontario identified best practices and competencies required for interprofessional collaboration and collaborative practice. Despite the widespread dissemination of these competencies and best practice guidelines to health professional schools, there remains a gap in nursing practice regarding nursing knowledge about the core competencies required for interprofessional collaboration. The purpose of this project was the planning of an education program for nurses on interprofessional collaboration and collaborative …

Nursing Student's Breast Cancer Knowledge And Breast- Self Examination Technique Confidence, Lydia E. Gaud

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. Several factors have been identified that interfere with women's breast cancer screening practices, including lack of knowledge and confidence in the breast self-examination (BSE) technique, and lack of information provided by health care provider. One of the reasons nurses do not teach breast cancer detection could be the little emphasis given to breast cancer examination in nursing schools. The BSE is a measure of significant value in detecting cancer of the breast. However, less than half of the women in the United States are …

Reducing Preoperative Anxiety In Adolescents Facing Spinal Fusion Surgery, Anna Gayle Parke

DNP Projects

Reducing preoperative anxiety for adolescents facing spinal fusion surgery for the treatment of scoliosis has significant implications for clinical practice and patient outcomes for this specific population. The reality of a pending surgery creates a difficult, uncomfortable, and exhausting state of being that can lead to increased postoperative pain, sleep disturbances, and maladaptive behaviors. This final capstone project inquiry report presents three manuscripts which focus on the reduction of preoperative anxiety in adolescents facing spinal fusion surgery. The first manuscript is a literature review examining current evidence related to preoperative anxiety, adolescents undergoing spinal fusion surgery, and teaching programs aimed …

Exploring The Relationship Between Symptom Management And Distress In Pediatric Oncology Nurses, Amanda M. Schultz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pediatric oncology is known to be a stressful work environment due to the difficult aspects regarding patient care. This known stress related to work and caring for pediatric oncology patients can negatively impact nurses, patients, and families. The purpose of this study is to examine: relationships between patient symptom management and nurse distress; strategies used by nurses to manage symptoms in pediatric patients with cancer; nurse perceptions of the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic or nursing interventions; and nurse distress related to managing symptoms in pediatric patients with cancer. Registered nurses (N=13) at a local children’s hospital participated in an online survey. …

Pain Management In Patients With Fibromyalgia, Linsey Fischer

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder that can also cause fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and cognitive symptoms. Because the etiology of fibromyalgia is unknown, it is difficult to treat. Research shows that medication alone is insufficient to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia and that complementary therapies are required to fully manage this disorder. The purpose of this research was to determine what complementary therapies patients with fibromyalgia were currently using. The sample for the survey was taken from fibromyalgia support groups throughout the state of Florida. A total of 15 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated in the survey. The …

Leadership Development For The Formal Nurse Leader, Lori Neu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse leaders are essential to the advancement of healthcare because of their ability to bridge the gap of knowledge between clinical practice and the business of healthcare. Developing nurse managers is imperative to the future of nursing given their influential role in healthcare. The central topic of exploration in the project was how nurse managers use the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Nurse Manger Inventory Tool to assess their management skills after exposure to the leadership development program currently available to them. In this project, the novice to expert theory was used to evaluate the existing leadership development program …

Servant Leadership And Its Effect On Employee Job Satisfaction And Turnover Intent, Dennis M. Mitterer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Experts expect a shortage of more than 900,000 nurses by 2022, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections. Turnover in nursing contributes significantly to the shortage and often results from poor leadership of nurse managers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate how servant leadership behaviors affected the psychological state and behavioral response of staff nurses as reflected by job satisfaction and turnover intention. Specifically, the research question addressed whether servant leadership positively contributes to the psychological states and the behaviors of staff nurses leading to greater job satisfaction. The study design was correlational, …

Nurses' Reflection, Compassion Fatigue, And Work Burnout - A Correlational Analysis, Sarah Urban

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue and work-related burnout are harmful reactions to patient situations and work environments that negatively affect nurses' well-being and ability to provide safe, effective patient care. However, research is needed to understand how reflection as a self-care response to patient situations is related to nurses' development of work burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress, a type of compassion fatigue. The purpose of this correlational, cross-sectional quantitative study was to determine the relationship between hospital-based acute care nurses' levels of reflection and their levels of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and work burnout. The study was based on Hentz …

Health Literacy Of Nursing Students And Their Awareness Of Patient Literacy Needs, Jennifer Potter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has suggested that providers of health services must be aware of health literacy tools as elements of communication with patients. Poor health literacy is an epidemic that affects quality of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the functional health literacy of associate-degree nursing (ADN) students and their awareness of patients' health literacy needs. This correlational study was designed to examine the relationship between the functional health literacy of ADN students and their awareness of their patients' health literacy needs using the asset model and the health literate care model. A convenience sample of 131 ADN students …