Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Community Educational Session On Identifying The Signs Of Depression And Resources Available, Desiree Young

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The DNP Project was designed to educate the community on identifying the signs of depression and the community resources available to them. The intent of the project was to improve the community’s knowledge of depression symptoms and the community resources available that offer assistance to those dealing with these symptoms. There is a great need for education on depression signs, as many in various communities suffer from untreated depression, which often leads to negative outcomes. The impact of the project implementation was measured by using pre- and post-survey data evaluating the participants' overall knowledge of the signs of depression, stigma …

Substance Abuse Awareness Amongst Practicing Nurses, Marjenia Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: This paper discusses the problem and potential solutions of substance abuse amongst practicing nurses. Substance abuse is prevalent among 10% of the nursing population in the United States (Sofer, 2019). This problem is more significant than the public realizes. It is essential that new nurses and student nurses become aware of the risks and the causes of substance abuse within the culture prior to them practicing.

Methods: A 45-minute educational presentation based upon 10 peer-reviewed articles which include five articles regarding the problem and five discussing solutions was utilized to facilitate open discussion of the topic. The …

Combating The Opioid Crisis: Opioid And Naloxone Training In A Rural School District, Phadra K. Murray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The opioid epidemic is plaguing North Carolina and has crept its way into the academic setting of many elementary, middle, and high schools in the state, causing school nurses to scramble and search for ways to keep students safe. This DNP project was designed to educate school nurses in a rural county in eastern North Carolina about opioid education and naloxone administration. This project intended to increase the knowledge and confidence level of school nurses in case of an opioid overdose emergency within the school. As more and more children and adolescents experiment with opioids, there is an urgent …

Cardiovascular Disease Improvement Project, Deglan K. Mccrystal

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Health prevention promotes positive healthcare outcomes by identifying risk factors associated with a disease process in its early stages to halt or slow its progression. Preventions, like routine screenings, facilitate the identification of risk factors or the initiation of treatment of a disease. Identifying risk factors, which often go unrecognized, helps to manage conditions like cardiovascular disease before it progresses in severity. Early treatment options or identifying risk factors that lead to cardiac disease positively impact healthcare costs by reducing the number of hospital visits, emergency services, and the need for costly long-term care. Prevention increases the quality of disease …

Student Academic Success System, Brandi Castle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project aimed to enhance academic success and retention rates in a practical nursing program through the implementation of a Student Academic Success System (SASS), utilizing evidence-based teaching strategies. A quality improvement design using both the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was guided by Kolb’s Model. Nurse faculty saw a need for increased student retention among practical nursing students; the student then proposed a plan, translated evidence, created a pre- and post-survey, and carried out SASS with the use of trained nurse faculty coaches. The goal of the project was to reduce …

Microlearning In Asynchronous Online Rn To Bsn Program, Chandra Carter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project aimed to incorporate microlearning teaching methods, specifically short videos of less than 10 minutes, into the online setting of the Nursing Research course to improve student engagement and autonomy. Literature reviews revealed microlearning teaching methods improved students’ confidence, satisfaction, and engagement. Identifying teaching methodologies that allow students to learn the material and complete the work independently is essential for the student to be successful. The students completed a pre and post-survey measuring the students’ perception of microlearning teaching methods, satisfaction, and autonomy in completing work during weeks one and seven, and the analysis was completed using …

The Impact Of Improved Staff Education And Equipment Competency On Enhancing Hypertension Knowledge In Patients At A Rural Urgent Care Clinic, Mekeilah Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hypertension is a persistent medical condition characterized by its progressive nature, potentially leading to long-term complications if not managed appropriately. Accurate measurements of blood pressures play a pivotal role in determining the appropriate source of treatment in this chronic illness. High blood pressure is one of the most critical risk factors for ischemia, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney and other internal organ damage, and dementia (Zhou et al., 2021). The absolute burden of hypertension has consistently increased from 87.0 million in 1999-2000 to 108.2 million in 2015-2016 (Journal of American Heart Association [JAHA], 2018). This quality improvement project aimed to …

Lncreasing Clinical Judgment And Critical Thinking Skills Using The Ncsbn Clinical Judgment Measurement Model In Licensed Nursing, Kathryn Roberts

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Licensed nurses are having problems with critical thinking and using clinical judgment when caring for patients (Rogers & Franklin, 2023). There has been increased emphasis on critical thinking and clinical judgment in nursing school curriculum but not in hospital/orientation curriculum (Dickison et al., 2019). This quality improvement project aims to address the gaps in critical thinking and clinical judgment skills among licensed nurses by focusing on integrating the NCSBN-CJM, and cues into the prebriefing of the Respiratory Distress/Oversedation Scenario within the project hospital orientation program. The project utilized a quasi-experimental study design to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship by integrating the …

Impact Of An Education Program On Screening For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Lauren Rucker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has the potential for multiple complications which include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The American Diabetes Association (ADA) updated its guidelines recommending screening of patients with T2DM for NAFLD (ADA, 2023). Screening is prompted by the increased incidence of NAFLD in patients with T2DM. Approximately 70% of people with T2DM suffer from NAFLD which can progress to hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (ADA, 2023). NALFD is a common diagnosis leading to the need for liver transplantation (Alkhouri et al., 2020). This project aims to determine if an education program for primary care providers and …

Improving Empathy With Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project, Jami Layne

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of simulation-based training in enhancing empathy levels among undergraduate nursing students. A lack of empathy can negatively impact the healthcare outcomes of patients (Levett-Jones et al., 2019). Improving the empathy levels of nursing students can improve patient outcomes and impact student learning outcomes such as the student’s ability to think critically and improve communication and social skills (Chua et al., 2021; Ferri et al., 2017; Hakansson Eklund et al., 2019; Koukourikos et al., 2021). The purpose of the quality improvement project was to improve empathy levels in undergraduate associate degree nursing students and increase the …

Improving Parental Communication With Adolescents About Sex, Amanda Blanton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In 2018, 68 million people in the United States were infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Of those 68 million, 26 million cases were newly diagnosed, and of that 26 million, half were youth aged 15-24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022a). The approaches to educating our youth about sexual health are inconsistent, leading to misconceptions about the dangers associated with risky sexual behavior. However, parents have the upper hand in discussing sexual health information with their children by being the child’s first contact and source of information. Teens who report talking with their parents about sex are …

Determining The Need For 23-Hour Observation Following Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusions: A Patient Perspective On Recovery At Home, Lacey Irias

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is becoming more frequently performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Subsequently, patients are scheduled for an option to undergo a 23-hour observation which requires staff preparation. The preparation increases costs and creates a shortage during a standard daytime shift which can reflect negatively on patient care. Most patients elect to be discharged the same day, on account of experiencing minimal pain and seeking the comfort of their own home. The goal of this DNP project was to assess the necessity of scheduling a patient 23 hours for observation following a …

Increasing Organ Donation In A University Setting, Zachary Hatton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The literature shows a strong correlation between education on organ donation and increased organ donation registration. Society has depicted a description of organ donation that is hostile and untrue. Increasing organ donation registration with knowledge sets the foundation of a grassroots movement to increase understanding and change society’s viewpoint(s) on organ donation. An education session on organ donation was developed and presented to the targeted population of 18–24-year-old students at a university in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The focal point of the presentation was to dispel myths, educate on facts, and create a better understanding of organ donation …

Introducing Mental Health Resources To Nurse Practitioner Residents, Tiffanie Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project identified the increased need for mental health resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies showed the rate of anxiety, depression, and substance use has also been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the country mentally and physically, it became quickly apparent that additional resources to provide support for those suffering from mental illness were essential. This project aimed to introduce a Mental Health First Aid course within the Residency Program at the Center for Family Guidance. Participants were asked to complete a pre-test indicating their …

Cardiovascular Disease In Firefighters, Emily Jordan Baldwin

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project aimed to address the problem of increased cardiovascular events in firefighters in a county in the foothills of North Carolina. Nola Pender and Dorothy Orem’s theories were utilized for this project. The literature review exhibits the prevalence and significance of cardiovascular disease in firefighters. The literature review demonstrates the benefits healthy eating and exercise have on the heart and towards the prevention of cardiovascular disease. A pre- and post-test was utilized for this project and allowed for the collection of data appropriately. The results showed education on cardiovascular disease, exercise, and healthy eating increased the knowledge …

Bridging The Gap: Strategies To Enrich The Clinical Experience Of Undergraduate Nursing Students To Improve Clinical Judgment Skills, Gabrielle Hope

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: The lack of competent clinical judgement among new graduate nurses contributes to poor patient outcomes, negatively impacting patient satisfaction scores, and subsequently raising the cost of healthcare for consumers. This project explores how reflective journaling and cooperative learning activities contribute to the development of critical thinking of nursing students during their Nursing Fundamentals clinical practicum.

Methods: Seventeen students enrolled in a private university nursing program were selected as the sample. The students were introduced to the recommended learning strategies and invited to anonymously participate in a pre-survey and post-survey. The surveys were identical in content and consisted …

Increased Concern Of Suicide Behaviors In The Adolescent Population, Jaime Shareen-Porter Earle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project focused on addressing the concern for the increase of depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors among adolescents, which can lead to suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicide behaviors have increased among adolescents, and research revealed that suicide is the second leading cause of death in this population. An educational PowerPoint was presented to members of the community on suicide behaviors, how to identify the behaviors, and where to get support and resources in the community. Pre- and post-surveys were used to assess the participants' knowledge and confidence levels before and after project implementation. The surveys contained the same …

Essential Collaborations Among Case Managers And Providers Regarding Discharge Processes, Lashawnda Richardson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Communication is vital between case managers and providers when patients need care coordination post-discharge. This includes but is not limited to facilitating home health services, ordering durable medical equipment, sending referrals to rehabilitation facilities, and sponsorship for uninsured or underinsured patients. This gives case managers the opportunity to educate providers on the discharge needs they ordered for their patients. The collaboration between case managers and providers allows for timely discharge planning and providing patients and their families with accurate information regarding their discharge needs.

Sleep Hygiene Education, Hope Colon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP project was designed to increase awareness of insomnia and sleep hygiene in the target community by providing an in-person educational session on sleep hygiene. The educational session provided information on insomnia, sleep hygiene habits, statistics of those with sleep disorders, and medication use for sleep. The impact of the project implementation was measured using a pre-intervention survey and a post-intervention survey. All survey items had an increase in correct answers post-intervention. In conclusion, the results revealed there was an increase in awareness and knowledge base of insomnia and sleep hygiene after the education was provided.

Improving Sexually Transmitted Infections (Sti) Education And Access To Education For Healthcare Workers In A Rural Ambulatory Clinic, Savannah Elmore

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent across the United States, with one in five people diagnosed in 2018, resulting in nearly $16 billion in medical costs. The prevention and treatment of STIs have been identified as a priority area for improvement, with healthcare providers playing a critical role in education, diagnosing, and treating STIs. The aim of this capstone project was to improve STI education and access to education for healthcare workers in a rural ambulatory clinic. Through a needs assessment and the development of objectives and a timeline, the project identified and addressed gaps in STI education and resources, …

Mentorships For New Graduate Nurses, Taylor Leigh Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

New graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) represent a crucial segment of the nursing workforce, embodying the future of the profession. Thus, it is imperative that we utilize our resources, knowledge, and experiences to continuously strengthen and grow this generation of nurses. Mentorship is one key method that can be used to support NGRNs. This DNP project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mentorship for NGRNs within their first year of nursing practice and was implemented within an existing residency program at a Level I trauma facility. Experienced nurse volunteers received mentor education, and 40 NGRNs were individually paired with these volunteer …

Addressing Nursing School Retention: The Necessity Of Orientation In Nursing Education, Kerstin A. Queen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing schools have been challenged to impact attrition and retention by creating an environment that increases student success. This DNP project was created to impact the current nursing shortage by increasing the number of nursing students who were retained after the first semester of nursing school. The DNP Project Leader designed a structured orientation program consisting of a 2-day in-person orientation and an online repository of resources. The DNP project sought to increase retention and provide pre-licensure students with gained skills to progress in the nursing program after the first semester in nursing school. The in-person orientation program provided participants …

Bridging The Gap: Strategies To Improve Hpv Vaccination Uptake, Stephanie Ramsey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals beginning at age 9. Evidence shows that HPV vaccination uptake is lower than other vaccinations offered in the early adolescent/adolescent age group. Healthy People 2030 set forth a goal that 80% of adolescents ages 13-15 will have HPV vaccine series completion by 2030. Research has shown that provider recommendation for the HPV vaccine is one of the reasons adolescents, or parents of adolescents, have chosen to initiate and complete the HPV vaccination. Studies have shown that providers who have been educated …

Remodeling Breastfeeding Education, Rhonda Coffey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Mothers face important decisions regarding how to feed their infants, and successful breastfeeding requires commitment, support, and education. The numerous health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants are well-documented throughout the literature, and experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first year of life. Healthcare teams play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding success by providing education, guidance, and troubleshooting assistance when complications arise. Reassurance from healthcare providers can also influence mothers' overall experiences with breastfeeding. The facility where participants deliver assists most mothers in initiating breastfeeding within 1 to 2 hours after delivery, with approximately 75% meeting this …

The Early Prevention Of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Aruodo Ukpai

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Frequent and proper foot exams and foot care are fundamental in decreasing the incidence and morbidity of diabetic foot ulcers, yet many patients are still not screened at appointments or educated on the importance of foot exams. This research planned to address the lack of foot care education and foot assessments amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes. Past research done on this focused on providing education to diabetic patients either at home or in a setting where patients can come and receive the education. To our knowledge, no research has been done on the use of video teaching to provide …

Improving Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Training For Registered Nurses, Akaia Danae Abernathy Lail

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project was developed to increase the baseline knowledge of a group of registered nurses who work within a highly specialized in-patient healthcare setting, an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). The increase in knowledge was trajected to decrease event reporting which would show improvement in this high-risk patient population’s safety. The pre-education survey was dispersed to the participants, the registered nurses, to obtain a baseline knowledge level. There was then EMU-specific educational material made available for the participants. After the set time, the participants were then given a post-education survey to determine if their post-test scores could reflect a …

Benefits Of Patient-Centered Education For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Paige Bortnick

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, lifelong illness that affects millions of individuals in the United States. The rate of diabetes has doubled over the last 20 years in America and has climbed to be the seventh leading cause of death amongst Americans. The purpose of this project was to determine if participants in the target community demonstrated increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes after receiving education. A pre-intervention and post-intervention survey was given to determine if the education was effective. Data collected revealed an increased awareness and knowledge regarding the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, lifestyle, and diet modification.

Mental Health And The Black Church: Decreasing The Division In Divinity, Latonya Gray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Racial disparities in mental health care persist for Black Americans, with only one in three who need treatment receiving it. The care they do receive is often of a poorer quality than that of other groups. Faith communities serving Black members could help address this gap by partnering with mental health professionals to meet congregants' needs. With mental health now at the forefront of public discourse, considering the specific needs of the Black community is critical. Black Americans face disproportionate mental health burdens but are more likely to seek counsel from clergy due to cultural stigma. Educating clergy on mental …

Er Staff & Burnout: Interventions For Stress Management, Sara Elizabeth Kerbow

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing is one of the most difficult professions, not only physically exhausting but the mental and emotional toll can create havoc for the person’s life (Scala & Drummond, 2016). This DNP project, “Reset”, was founded on the concept of nursing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma causing overwhelming stress related to the emergency room nurse and staff. The purpose of this project was to show how a 15-minute mental health reset can play an essential role in stress reduction. By using complementary health modalities such as lavender essential oil with diffuser, visual imagery, and massage while listening to soft calming …

Identifying Patients Suffering From Housing Instability In The Emergency Department, Jarvis D. Roberts

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Homelessness is the most visible form of housing instability in the United States of America. Yet, millions of people across our nation live in unstable housing, which consists of temporary housing, shelters, outside encampments, and vehicles. Many citizens facing these types of insecurities live paycheck to paycheck and are one health crisis or emergency away from financial ruin. The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and slow hourly wage growth have exacerbated this situation. This project aimed to construct a screening tool to identify patients suffering from housing instability in the emergency department setting and provide them with community resources.