Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Humor As A Teaching Strategy: The Effect On Students' Educational Retention And Attention In A Nursing Baccalaureate Classroom, Mohammed Ahmed Alkhattab

Nursing Master Theses

With the rapid development in nursing education systems, nurse educators struggle to find effective teaching strategies for their students. Using humor as a teaching strategy with nursing students can be helpful in improving many areas of their education. The review of literature showed a lack of studies on the effect of using humor in nursing education. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of using humor as a teaching strategy on the educational retention and attention of sophomore nursing students. The setting for this study was a college of nursing at a Midwestern university. The participants were …

The Role Of Internal Communication And The Effect On Employee Engagement, Cherie Gaither

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

The purpose of this project was to build and evaluate internal communication interventions that would enhance employee engagement. The desired outcome of the communication team’s efforts was to show a significant increase in employee engagement, as compared to peer institutions.

The Lived Experience Of Indonesian Nursing Faculty Participating In A Nursing Education Reform Based On The 2009 World Health Organization Global Standards, Joan Elaine Edwards

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Problem: In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) published global standards for initial education of professional nurses and midwives. Curriculum revision is challenging; but even more difficult in developing countries such as Indonesia. Faculty may not be equipped educationally and experientially for the educator role. Indonesian nursing curricula are not currently based on the 2009 WHO global standards. Purpose: To understand the lived experience of Indonesian nursing faculty participating in curriculum revision based on 2009 World Health Organization global standards. Design: A mixed descriptive and interpretive phenomenological qualitative research approach, based on van Manne's methodology. Participants: Thirty-seven nursing faculty from …

Effectiveness Of A Pilot Gerontological Nursing Certification Preparation Support Program For Registered Nurses Working In Long Term Care, Gail B. Sprigler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Between 2000 and 2025 there will be a 30% increase in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Indiana (Alzheimer’s Association, 2010). Many individuals with AD and related dementia are cared for in long term care communities. Adequate knowledge and expertise of nurses caring for older adults, particularly those with dementia, is important for the delivery of quality care and the promotion of quality of life for residents living in long term care. This pilot project examined the benefit of a resource support program to encourage Gerontological Nursing certification for registered nurses in the long term care setting.

Implementation Of Shared Governance, Sheryl Glasscock

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Implementation of shared governance in any facility presents challenges for leadership as well as the nursing staff. The implementation of shared governance for this organization yielded positive results operationally, and for the development of nursing overall.

A Correlational Pilot Study Of Fatalism And Self-Efficacy Among Appalachians With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus., Dwyn Mounger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite the vast amount of research regarding type II diabetes, little is known about the relationship between fatalistic beliefs and self-efficacy in individual self-care among adult Appalachians with type II diabetes. As a result of multiple predisposing risk factors that include high rates of obesity and poverty, as well as a lack of access to preventative care services, the prevalence of diabetes is very high in this region and has become a major health issue. In addition, a history of exploitation and lack of diverse economic development has profoundly influenced the cultural beliefs of those living within the region, which …

Does Pregnancy Intent Impact The Decision To Breastfeed?, Rachel Collins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current literature overwhelmingly supports the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Numerous studies significantly correlate specific demographics and background factors of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. However, little research has focused on the intendedness of the pregnancy and its association with breastfeeding. The goal of this study was to examine the association between pregnancy intendedness and breastfeeding plans and behavior. The first question of interest examined was whether pregnancy intent was associated with a woman’s intent to exclusively breastfeed when asked during the third trimester, after control for potentially confounding differences between the two groups. The second question of interest …

Workplace Lactation Support: Project Development And Implementation, Peggy Rinehart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Objective: A pilot project establishing a lactation support program for staff, faculty, and students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) was introduced in September 2012. The lactation support program is intended to promote and support breastfeeding and decrease barriers to continued breastfeeding for mothers who are employed or attending classes. The purpose of this paper is to report on the: (1) development and implementation of a lactation support program in a regional multi-campus community college; and (2) plans for evaluation of the effectiveness of the new program. Setting: The program was implemented at a community college with campus sites …

Adoption Of Innovation: Impact Of Rituximab (Rituxan®) Faster Infusion On Oncology Nurses' Perceptions, Practice, And Resource Utilization, Keith Dawson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The translation of advances in clinical research into clinical practice in a manner that provides benefits while reducing potential harm is a challenge within the health care delivery system. Data from a phase III multicenter clinical trial led to the 2012 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a 90-minute infusion of rituximab (Rituxan) starting at Cycle 2 for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who did not experience a Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related adverse event during Cycle 1. The 90-minute rituximab faster infusion will result in a significant change in how nurses in the United States have been administering …

Quality And Safety Education In Newly Hired Rns And Rns In Staff Leadership Roles, Dennis Alan Bertch

Doctoral Dissertations

The intent of this project was to examine the potential knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) gap of practicing bedside registered nurse (RN) care providers regarding the quality and safety education for nurses (QSEN) core competencies. Based on this perceived gap two key questions were explored: (a) do newly hired RNs and RNs in staff leadership roles demonstrate an understanding of the KSAs of the QSEN core competencies?; and (b) was there a difference in the understanding of the KSAs of the QSEN core competencies related to RN educational preparation, years of RN experience, and/or previous quality improvement training within and …

Recognition Of Compassion Fatigue Among Medical-Surgical Nurses: The Provision Of Education To Manage The Effects, Kandace Woodruff

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2010) recommends that healthcare organizations make the “recruitment and retention of qualified nurses a priority”. The ability to comply with the recommendation is fraught with challenges. Nurses are required to care for patients across the age span with varying medical complexities. There are work related stressors which are inherent to the care of a more acutely ill patient population. The tenuousness produced by this type of environment can predispose the nurse to a stress induced phenomenon known as, Compassion Fatigue. The literature is abounding with information related to compassion fatigue among various nursing specialties. However, …

The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In The Patient-Centered Medical Home, Patricia M. Sohn

Dissertations

The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) was established to improve patient access to high quality, cost-effective primary care. Critical to this new model of care is the optimal utilization of nurse practitioners (NPs) in performing services traditionally offered by physicians. This study compared the roles of NPs and physicians in providing primary care in two PCMHs in a local health care system. During the calendar year 2011, a total of 50,471 patient visits occurred in the two PCMHs. Each PCMH consisted of a Traditional Clinic that saw patients on a scheduled basis and a Convenient Care Clinic that accepted walk-in …

The Feasibility Of An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Managed Adhd Resource Center In Missouri, Kara Janelle Stackley

Dissertations

The primary objective of this project was to develop a survey to determine provider receptiveness to referring patients to an advanced practice registered nurse-(APRN) managed center for the diagnosis and management of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A secondary aim of this project was to develop a business plan for the center, provided feedback from the survey was determined to be supportive. Physicians were more likely to use ADHD clinical guidelines (65%) in their practice and expressed greater comfort managing ADHD. Only 50% of APRNs use the clinical practice guidelines and 50% reported they were uncomfortable diagnosing and managing ADHD. Almost …

Identification And Management Of Vertebral Column Fractures In Primary Care, Christopher Richard Hemmer

Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to perform a program evaluation of current treatment patterns of primary care providers for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). VCF’s result in significant morbidity and long term sequelae following a VCF is not uncommon. Additionally, there is controversy regarding the diagnosis and management of this disorder, especially as these relate to the clinical practice guidelines. This practice evaluation project included a pre and post-test survey and a continuing education offering. Thirty-nine physicians and nurse practitioners completed the survey instruments and attended the continuing education sessions. The educational session resulted in improvement of the provider’s …

Text Messaging As Adjunct To Community Based Weight Management Program, Claudia Bouhaidar

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity ascending rates are still a public health priority. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of tailored text messages on body weight change in overweight and obese adults in a community based weight management program. A secondary aim was to detect behavioral changes in the same population. The study design was quasi-experimental with pre and posttest analysis, conducted over 12 weeks. A total of 28 participants were included in the analysis. Body weight, eating behaviors, exercise and nutrition self-efficacy, attitude toward mobile technology, social support and physical activity were assessed at baseline and at 12 …

A Gap Analysis Of Nursing Systems And Practices In Malaysia: Culturally Appropriate Interventions To Advance Nursing, Chenit Ong-Flaherty

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

This project comprises a gap analysis of differences between American and Malaysian nursing programs, and additionally, proposes culturally appropriate interventions for Malaysian nursing to adopt American nursing models. The gap analysis was conducted on nursing systems and practices in Malaysia undertaken to identify the differences between Malaysian and American nursing, and the influences that affect Malaysian nursing. The aim is to facilitate the use of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence Practice Standard #4: Orientation Prepares New Nurses for the Work Environment, and #6: Professional Development is Provided and Used. The proposal of culturally appropriate interventions as …

Clinical Instructors' Perceptions Of Structural And Psychological Empowerment In Academic Nursing Environments, Sandra E. Wiens

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

ABSTRACT

The study purpose was to explore clinical instructors’ perceptions of empowerment in academic nursing environments. Clinical instructors (CIs), often part-time faculty, facilitate learning in professional practice environments. However, they also need to function within the academic environment to learn about the curriculum and how students are to be evaluated.

The qualitative description method was used to obtain a broad understanding of CIs’ empowerment experiences and to interpret their perceptions with the framework of Kanter’s (1977, 1993) structural empowerment and Spreitzer’s (1995) psychological empowerment theories. Eight CIs from two nursing programs were interviewed.

All empowerment components were important in CIs’ …

Identifying The Influence Of Parents' And Children's Perceptions Of Their Built And Social Environments On Children's Mode Of Travel To And From School, Emily S. Hill

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study examined the influence of parents’ and children’s perceptions of their built and social environments on children’s use of active transportation (AT) between home and school. A mixed-methods approach was used including an environmental/behavioural survey completed by students (grades 5 through 8) and parents from 32 schools throughout London, Ontario, (n=1,623); Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for generating built environment variables to be controlled for; Principal Component factor analysis; and step-wise logistic regression models that divided analysis between the journey to and from school to determine the most influential factors in either direction. Children’s personal attitudes were the …

Vulnerability And Adaptation For Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, Amy Johnson

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Many of the over 5 million survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with related disabilities living in the community do not have support for their unmet needs. Adapting to life after TBI is difficult because of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complications. Nurses and other healthcare professionals have the opportunity to promote positive outcomes for persons with TBI. However, to increase the depth and breadth of that support, nurses need a base of knowledge that includes an understanding of the TBI survivors' needs, vulnerabilities, and obstacles to adaptation. TBIs result in physical, psychological, developmental, and emotional losses. The needs that ensue …

Exploring The Differences Between Adult Cancer Survivors And Their Caregivers' Social Support, Self-Efficacy For Physical Activity, Physical Activity Behavior, And Quality Of Life, Fedricker Diane Barber

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Less than 20% of cancer survivors meet recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines. Research reporting positive impact of social support on PA in cancer survivors has not included their caregivers' PA. A review of the literature examining social support and PA in cancer survivors supported including caregivers in developing strategies to increase PA in cancer survivors. The purposes of this study were: (1) to explore the differences and relationships between adult cancer survivors' and caregivers' social support, self-efficacy for physical activity (SEPA), PA, and quality of life (QOL), and (2) understand cancer survivors and caregivers' perception of social support in PA …

Effect Of Telephone Counseling On Physical Activity Among Older Adult Cancer Survivors, Ellen C. Mullen

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

The elderly population, especially those with cancer coupled with low health literacy, is at high risk for poor health outcomes. Telephone counseling has been shown to be effective in improving health behaviors among other populations, but it has not been studied for older adult cancer survivors. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the effectiveness of telephone counseling on physical activity among older adult cancer survivors (n=50). The relationship between health literacy level and perceived changes in physical activity was assessed. Based on existing literature and Orem's Theory of Self-care, the following hypotheses were tested: H1: Telephone …

The Lived Experience Of Fathers Whose Children Are Diagnosed With A Genetic Disorder, Mary T. Rivard

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Parenting a child with a genetic disorder requires overcoming numerous obstacles. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of fathers whose children have been diagnosed with a genetic disorder. By gaining insight into a father's reactions and needs, nurses will be better able to provide anticipatory guidance, emotional support, assistance with stressor identification, development of coping mechanisms, and problem solving strategies to assist him in coping with his child's condition.

“I’Ve Accomplished Something Here” The Lived Experience Of Employed Breastfeeding Mothers: A Phenomenological Analysis, Jennifer Diane Stewart-Glenn

Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of employed breastfeeding mothers. Using a phenomenological approach based on the works of Merleau-Ponty, the researcher completed 13 interviews in which mothers with experience working full-time while breastfeeding were asked to describe their experiences. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a hermeneutical approach developed by Pollio and applied to nursing research by Thomas. Each interview was examined within the context of all the interviews to identify themes found throughout.

While participants’ experiences were grounded in the unsupportive world of the workplace, aspects of their experience became figural …

How Do Psychiatric Healthcare Workers Prevent The Use Of Restraint And Seclusion?, Kelly A. Carlson

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this grounded theory method study was to understand the complex, interactive, and interrelated processes that psychiatric healthcare workers engage in to prevent the use of restraint and seclusion. Without supporting evidence of therapeutic validity, restraint and seclusion are commonly used by psychiatric healthcare workers to control disruptive patients. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration issued a call for the elimination of restraint and seclusion use in psychiatric care settings in 2003. Workplace violence, another major public health concern, is both a cause and effect of the restraint and seclusion use. Individuals continue to be needlessly …

Predictors Of Drug Court Client Graduation, Marie E. Gill

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Substance use disorder in the United States adversely effects society by burdening the justice system with offender incarceration for drug-related crimes, it also strains in the healthcare system with costs in excess of $216 billion dollars for treatment of drug-related mental and physical illnesses. Many offenders of nonviolent crimes with substance use disorder have been diverted to Drug Court (DC) for year-long supervised community-based drug addiction treatment as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent drug-related crimes. Drug Court program outcomes, however, have been studied as a criminal justice intervention, rather than a primary care mental health intervention. The majority …

The Relationship Among Maternal Parenting Stress, Coping, And Depressive Symptoms Across Time, Karen Foren Lake

Theses and Dissertations

This study was a secondary analysis in which the relationship among maternal parenting stress, coping, and depressive symptoms over time in 161 low-income mothers who participated in an Early Head Start Pathways Project were examined. Measurements were assessed longitudinally over a 12 year period of time. Direct and indirect relationships were proposed between maternal mastery, pre-existing depressive symptoms, relationship with significant other, child behavior, child temperament, maternal parenting stress, coping, and later depressive symptoms. Results from path analyses showed that when assessed earlier in the childbearing years, mastery, depressive symptoms, relationship with significant other, child temperament, child behavior, and maternal …

Listening To The Voices Of Emerging Adults: The Experience Of Living With Phiv, Constance D. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the research question: "As an emerging adult what is your everyday experience of living with PHIV?" The purposive sample consisted of six emerging adults living with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV), who are 18-29 years of age, speak English, and live in the greater Chicago area.

This was an exploratory study using a participatory action approach of photovoice. Photovoice methodology combines photography and participatory action to provide images and the participants' interpretations of their everyday health realities. Five themes which describe the everyday experience of living with PHIV emerged from the thematic …

Childhood Obesity And The Relationship To Well-Child Visits, Nancee Croatt Wozney

Theses and Dissertations

Trends during the past 20 years have revealed a dramatic increase in childhood obesity in the United States. At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2011). According to (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2009) the protocol for obesity care for youth is to monitor the body mass index (BMI) routinely (at least annually) and offer appropriate counseling and guidance to children and their families. A report in the literature indicated that the number of children attending yearly well-child visits that include measurement of BMI is well below the AAP …

Expectations And Experiences Of Fathers Who Have Parented Children With And Without Intellectual Disabilities, Jane Christina Kusmik Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The parenting experience is as diverse as the children parented. Each child has diverse personality traits requiring flexibility and specificity in parenting strategy. This need for flexibility and specificity is more complex when one or more children within a family has an intellectual disability. Although research in this area is abundant, investigators have historically focused on mothers' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to represent the entire family (Essex, Seltzer, & Krauss, 2001; Greenberg, 2002) rather than focusing on fathers and their caregiving relationships with their children in need of malleable but consistent parenting. Using a qualitative descriptive design, this qualitative study …

The Meaning Of The Lived Experience Of Nursing Faculty On A Dedicated Education Unit, Deborah Ann Demeester

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In 2011, 58,327 qualified applicants were denied admission to U.S. baccalaureate programs due to an inadequate number of qualified faculty, insufficient clinical placement sites, and resource constraints. Nursing faculty leaders are being challenged to increase enrollment to address a projected worsening nursing shortage and to transform prelicensure nursing education to ensure that program graduates have the nursing skills and competencies to meet the health care needs of the population.

Collaborative educational partnerships offer promising strategies to diminish the nursing faculty shortage, educate more students, and provide stable, rich learning environments. The Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) model is one of these …