The Use Of Music Therapy And Various Mechanisms Of Diversion To Aid Caregivers Of Those With Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia, Sarah Elizabeth Kane

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia inhabit an increasingly alarming number of individuals within the United States with the majority of their caregivers being loved ones with limited to no healthcare education. This DNP project was designed to specifically educate caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The goal of this project was to increase the knowledge of the disease while also increasing the ability and confidence to better care for their loved ones. In using the resources outlined in this project, such as music therapy and diversional tools, the caregiver would see a decrease in emotional outbursts and …

Providing Safe Care For Mental Health Patients Through Ongoing Education Of Non-Psychiatric Nurses And Staff, Amy Kilpatrick

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nurses care for many individuals with medical conditions, but also those who suffer from mental illness and are in an acute mental health crisis. Nonpsychiatric nurses often lack adequate knowledge and training while caring for individuals with mental health disorders and those in acute crisis, which can be a barrier to providing safe, effective care for this vulnerable population. When individuals are in crisis and present to the emergency departments, their first contact is with emergency room nurses who may lack the necessary skills to conduct a thorough assessment when evaluating for mental health disorders, including the presence of suicidal …

Heart Of An Athlete: Educating On The Importance Of Cardiovascular Screening Of High School Athletes, Tiffany Michelle Haley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a lack of education regarding cardiovascular screening and the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in high school athletes. The target population needing improved education is primarily school faculty, staff, trainers, and coaches. Effective cardiovascular screening and education will aid in the prevention of a catastrophic injury, including SCA and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Educating high school faculty and staff will bring forth awareness of signs and symptoms of SCA and aid in proper care and treatment for high school athletes who are at higher risk. The goal of this project was to educate faculty and staff on …

Early Recognition In Patient Deterioration: A Quality Improvement Project, Abigail Bell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project focused on enhancing early recognition of patient clinical deterioration by leveraging a rapid response team to implement targeted strategies that reduce failures in identifying early and subtle signs of physiologic decline. Rapid response teams have been widely adopted across the healthcare system to facilitate efficient interventions and prevent further deterioration in acutely ill patients. Despite their intended purpose, delays in recognizing clinical deterioration continue to exist. Failure to recognize early signs of deterioration contributes to an increased risk of irreversible organ damage, unplanned transfers to the intensive care unit, prolonged hospital stays, and, in severe cases, …

Teaching With Confidence: Strengthening Nurse Education On Heart Failure Using The Teach-Back Method, Melany Boyd

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of hospital readmissions, often due to poor patient understanding of self-care instructions provided at discharge. Nurses play a critical role in patient education, yet many lack confidence and competence in delivering effective education. Additionally, inconsistencies and discharge materials, such as outdated or excessive documentation, can overwhelm patients and hinder their ability to retain vital information. Standardized education enhances the learning experience and ensures consistent messaging across the healthcare system. This project aimed to improve nurses’ confidence and competence in educating heart failure patients at discharge by 10% through the implementation of the …

Type 2 Diabetes Education And Knowledge In The Adult Hmong Community, Sheng Yang

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects many individuals, but specifically has been found to significantly affect minority population groups. There has been very limited research regarding understanding the etiology of the disease in the Hmong community that migrated to the United States from Southeast Asia. The purpose of this project was to design and implement an evidence-based, culturally appropriate educational intervention in the Hmong language to increase knowledge of Type 2 Diabetes among the adult Hmong community in Burke County and Catawba County, NC areas. The intervention was delivered to a total of 30 participants who …

Recognizing Adult Male Mental Health Needs: An Intervention Looking At Education In Rural Communities, Eugene W. Winans Jr

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project examined the role of student nurses and their confidence levels when assisting adult male patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The majority of suicide acts are attributed to men. Thus, this subject requires specific insight and instructions when it comes to proper ways to assist these patients. Incorporating evidence from a pre-test and post-test survey, this project demonstrates that student nurses lack confidence in how to deal with men who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The analysis gained from this project demonstrates the important role nurses play in recognizing, speaking to, and assisting in the treatment …

Knowledge Is Power: Educating The Community About The Dangers Of Vaping, Heather B. Hector

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to increase knowledge among parents, coaches, teachers, nurses, community leaders, and members about the dangers of e-cigarette use among adolescents by implementing a community-based education session vital to protecting the health and well-being of adolescents in the target community. Education and preventative measures have been proven to decrease the use of tobacco cigarettes, and the same needs to be done with e-cigarettes and vaping, especially among adolescents, to protect the future of their health. Education and prevention programs are not only targeted at adolescents but also at adults who …

Hand Hygiene Education For Personal Care Staff In Congregated Care Settings: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Saunders Noel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

For many years, proper hand hygiene has been emphasized as one of the most important defenses in helping to prevent illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a major organization that stresses the importance of proper hand hygiene and disease prevention. However, hand hygiene education and knowledge must be acquired to successfully utilize the correct steps in combating illnesses and diseases. Hand hygiene is a learned behavior and emphasizing education and awareness is important to successful adoption. This DNP project was implemented to personal care staff in a congregated care setting located in the southeastern part of Virginia. The project …

A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Nurse Satisfaction With Patient Educational Material Related To Pain Management Options During Labor, Madison Grant

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Pain management is a large portion of what nurses manage during the patient’s time on the labor and delivery unit. The primary forms of pain management that is available to women during this time includes epidurals, nitrous oxide, stadol/diphenhydramine, and nonpharmacological options such as breathing techniques. It is essential that patients are aware of all pain management options prior to entering the unit for delivery, however sometimes nurses have to help to close the educational gap.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Within the microsystem, it was acknowledged that many patients lacked the education of their pain management options prior to delivery which …

Implementing Nurse-Driven Education On Patient’S Inpatient Boarding Status: An Emergency Department Quality Improvement Project, Jack Wallace

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Nurse-led education to inpatient boarding patients in the emergency department is essential to improve patient’s understanding with their care and nurse’s satisfaction surrounding communicating with their patients. Inpatient boarding in the emergency department is associated with poor patient outcomes, adverse events, and reduced communication between patient and nurse.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Within this microsystem there is a gap in patient understanding of their admission status. This includes who the patient’s provider is, which provider to direct questions to, and why the patient is still in the emergency department.

METHODS:

The plan-do-study-act quality improvement framework was utilized to improve nurse-led patient …

Timing And Temperature Of Newborn Baths: A Qualitative Improvement Initiative Through Nursing Staff Development, Eileen Harwood

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Newborn bathing is a common task performed in a labor and delivery unit of a hospital, a newborn’s bath temperature, timing and how long it is performed, are important metrics to consider. Due to a newborn’s immature thermoregulation, there are multiple implications that come with receiving a bath that is not an optimal temperature or that is too soon after birth. As newborn bathing is often overlooked task due to its quotidian nature, a literature review of current evidence-based practice revealed the urgency to keep the optimal conditions at the forefront of considerations for both nurses and caregivers. …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Enhance The Effectiveness Of Pre-Anesthesia Documentation And Nurse Satisfaction In The Pacu, Stephanie Colon

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Documentation is an essential component of healthcare delivery, especially in perianesthesia nursing. Electronic health records (EHR) have helped create high-quality documentation according to the standards of the American Nurses Association. However, EHRs have been found to be burdensome on nurses when they interfere with their workflow.

Local Problem: The documentation process for pre-operative anesthesia assessments within a nine bed PACU in Southern New Hampshire was found to be inefficient, increased chances of error or mistakes, and delayed patient data being accessible to the team.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, a quality improvement project was performed to update and …

Improving Intensive Care Unit Nurses' Knowledge And Confidence In Performing Effective Spontaneous Awakening Trials: A Quality Improvement Project, Sophia T. Merry-Carreiro

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Mechanically ventilated ICU patents often require sedation for comfort and ventilator compliance. However, oversedation is linked to negative outcomes such as delirium, prolonged ventilation, and increased duration of ICU stay. Current best practices now support the use of daily sedation interruptions such as Spontaneous Awakening Trials (SATs). Despite these recommendations, implementation of SATs remain inconsistent and suboptimal.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

Within the ICU in a northern new England hospital, there was a need to improve nurse confidence and knowledge in SATs practices through staff education.

METHODS:

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, a quality improvement project was developed to improve …

Enhancing Patient Safety By Increasing Daily Weight Measurement For Intensive Care Through Nursing Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Liz Prior

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: For critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), accurate daily weight measurements are crucial for monitoring fluid status and ensuring correct medication dosages. However, variations in measurement techniques, accuracy, and documentation can render this data unreliable. This often leads to a reliance on less accurate measures, which may contribute to longer treatment courses and suboptimal patient outcomes.

Local Problem: At a 3-bed ICU in a critical access hospital, staff interviews revealed inconsistencies among nurses in the daily measurement of patient weights. The lack of a standardized protocol created barriers to the usefulness of serial daily weight data. …

Enhancing Triage Accuracy And Nursing Confidence Of The Emergency Severity Index To Improve The Effectiveness Of Triage Through Targeted Education: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Mia K. Saucedo

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: The Emergency Severity Index system is a standardized triage scoring guide used by emergency department nurses to efficiently assess patients based on severity and projected recourse needs. Studies have found that knowledge and confidence gaps among nurses may lead to improper triage score, leading to the misallocated spread of resources and longer wait times, increasing rates of morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of patient severity is vital for providing proficient patient care and improving patient outcomes and increased education is needed to improve this gap in nursing knowledge and confidence.

Local Problem: At a small, critical care access center …

Reinforcing Nursing Staff Knowledge For Accurate Cam-Icu Assessment And Documentation In A Medical Icu: A Quality Improvement Project, Tiffany Rzepka

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Delirium is an acute state of confusion that can lead to increased morbidity and longer hospital stays. Patients in the ICU are at high risk for developing delirium due to additional risk factors such as mechanical ventilation and sedation. The Confused Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) is a tool used by nursing staff to document and assess for delirium.

Local Problem: The microsystem in this project is a 16-bed medical ICU in central New Hampshire. In the microsystem, CAM-ICU documentation compliance is tracked monthly, but the accuracy of the documentation is not routinely assessed. Stakeholders have …

Directing Patient Hand Hygiene Before Meals In The Icu: A Quality Improvement Project To Enhance Patient Safety, Nicholas Davini

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND:

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major problem in healthcare, increasing patient morbidity, mortality, and costs. While staff hand hygiene is a well-established infection control measure, less attention is paid to patient hand hygiene (PHH) despite CDC recommendations.

LOCAL PROBLEM:

An intensive care unit (ICU) in northeastern Massachusetts had no formal policy for patient hand hygiene, and hospital leadership expressed support for enhancing infection control practices.

METHODS:

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, a quality improvement project was implemented to encourage PHH before meals. Baseline PHH rates were collected through observation. The intervention involved registered nurses (RNs) directing patients to use hand …

Educating Staff On Effective Ways To Improve Medication Discharge Instructions In Emergency Departments (Ed): A Quality Improvement Project, Isabelle L. Kuhn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Emergency Departments (EDs) serve a vital role in treating acute conditions, yet they face challenges in ensuring patients understand discharge instructions, particularly those related to medications. Approximately 70% of ED patients demonstrate deficits in at least one discharge domain, including medication understanding. Limited health literacy, time constraints, and rushed environments contribute to these gaps. Improving discharge communication is critical to reduce medication errors and prevent avoidable readmissions.

Local Problem: In a Northern New England ED, an assessment of the microsystem highlighted that patients often struggled to understand medication discharge information, increasing the risk of non-adherence and readmission. …

Optimizing Surgical Count Accuracy And Efficiency Through Enhanced Operating Room Communication To Promote Patient Safety: A Quality Improvement Project, Jessica L. Limbocker

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Retained surgical items (RSIs) are classified as “never events” because they are preventable and pose significant risks to patient safety. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce the risk of RSIs, particularly during Cesarean sections by identifying gaps in surgical count practices and implementing targeted interventions.

Local Problem: At the project site, baseline assessments revealed gaps in surgical count practices. These included inconsistent documentation, absence of formal education on count procedures, and communication barriers among the intraoperative team—all contributing to increased risk of RSIs.

Methods: This QI project implemented a multi-faceted intervention to enhance …

Enhancing Patient-Centered Suicide Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project Addressing Educational Gaps In Staff Caring For Veterans, Shayla Craigue

Master's Theses and Capstones

Veterans are at significantly higher risk for suicidal ideation (SI) than the general population and often encounter barriers to care such as stigma, trauma, and distrust in healthcare systems. This quality improvement project, conducted at a Veterans Affairs (VA) Urgent Care Clinic, aimed to enhance trauma-informed care by addressing educational gaps among clinical staff. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, the intervention included a pre-intervention survey to assess baseline knowledge, a targeted educational poster informed by survey findings, and a post-intervention survey to measure changes in staff confidence, resource awareness, and understanding of the role of the mental health response team, …

Improving Nurse Knowledge And Attitudes Through Education On Integrative Pain Management In A Medical-Surgical Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Samantha Hamilton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Pain management in medical-surgical microsystems is complex, with many patients experiencing acute and chronic pain that can be difficult to control. Nurses often receive limited continuing education on integrative and comprehensive pain management strategies, highlighting a need to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward evidence-based, multimodal approaches.

Local Problem: Nurses in this 38-bed medical-surgical microsystem identified a gap in education related to integrative pain management strategies. This may lead to a reliance on pharmacological interventions and missed opportunities for holistic, patient-centered care

Methods: A 25-day quality improvement project was conducted using an asynchronous educational PowerPoint on integrative …

Improving The Effectiveness Of Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Transitions: A Quality Improvement Initiative Using A Standardized Nurse Handoff Report Sheet, Myra Mcauley

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Effective communication during patient handoff in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is essential to ensuring patient safety and continuity of care. Unstructured or inconsistent handoff processes can lead to information omissions and care delays.

Methods: This quality improvement project implemented a structured nurse-to-nurse handoff report tool in the PACU. A pre- and post-intervention survey design was used to assess nurses’ perceptions of handoff clarity, completeness, and satisfaction. Educational sessions supported implementation.

Results: Pre-intervention survey data revealed dissatisfaction with the current handoff process, citing frequent information gaps. Following implementation of the structured tool, post-survey results showed improved communication clarity, increased …

A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Pre-Term Infant Safety By Enhancing Skin-To-Skin Time In The Nicu, Maureen A. Cassidy

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Skin-to-skin (STS) contact, also known as kangaroo care, is a critical intervention for preterm infants, especially for those in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It promotes neurodevelopmental outcomes, physiological stability, and parental bonding. However, STS often falls below recommended daily levels due to a variety of berries. Exploring aids like belly bands may help address these barriers and promote improved outcomes.

Local Problem: STS time in this NICU microsystem falls significantly below nationally recommended levels, with most preterm infants receiving less than one to two hours daily compared to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 8-24 hours per …

A Quality Improvement Project Reinforcing Nursing Education On Support Resources For Families In The Icu, Emily Siel

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is often a source of psychological, physical, social, financial, and spiritual distress for families of patients. Multidisciplinary support resources are available but are often underutilized. Nurses are uniquely positioned to assess needs and integrate resources into care. Therefore, enhancing nurses' ability to guide families to appropriate support resources may alleviate distress and promote holistic well-being for patients and their families.

METHODS: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was used to guide this project. A pre-intervention survey assessed awareness, utilization, and perception of ownership. Following dissemination of the intervention, a post-survey evaluated improvements in knowledge and integration. …

Lived Experience Of Middle School Science Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David E. Abbott Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education worldwide, compelling schools to adopt remote teaching and learning. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six middle school science teachers in an Alabama school district during this period. Data were collected through interviews and reflective journals maintained for 2 weeks following the interview. The research investigated how teachers navigated shifting instruction to remote settings, engaged students, assessed and monitored their progress, and managed challenges. Guided by the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework, findings revealed that teachers leveraged a combination of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge to adapt their instruction. Despite …

Factors Contributing To Teacher Attrition From The Perspectives Of Teachers Who Left The Profession, Malik Padgett

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined teacher attrition, a persistent challenge in K–12 education. Nearly 20% of teachers leave by their third year, with up to 50% departing by the fifth year. High turnover disrupts learning, strains resources, and diminishes educational quality, particularly in under-resourced communities. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving retention and fostering stability.

The study explored key factors driving attrition, including inadequate compensation, excessive workload, insufficient professional development, and limited administrative support, especially in the post-COVID era. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the research highlighted the role of leadership in fostering morale and ethics rather than merely transactional …

Analysis Of The Utilization Of Vegfinhibitors In Rhode Island And In Medicare Part B Nationally, Kevin Izzio

Open Access Master's Theses

Statement of the Problem: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States. In 2019, approximately 19.8 million Americans were living with AMD, which is classified into dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular) forms, with the latter being more severe. DR, a complication of diabetes, affected an estimated 9.6 million Americans in 2021, with progression leading to proliferative DR (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), both of which can cause vision loss. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are the standard treatment for these retinal diseases, targeting abnormal angiogenesis …

Associations Between Dietary Sodium And Potassium Intakes, Urinary Sodium And Potassium Excretion And Blood Pressure Among Adult Females In Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Fred Baffour Addo

Open Access Master's Theses

Introduction: Accurate assessment of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake is essential for population level monitoring of salt intake as part of global strategies to reduce salt consumption to control the increasing prevalence of high blood pressure (BP). Thus, a simple, cost-effective, and low-burden method is particularly valuable in resource-limited settings for population level monitoring of Na and K intake. This study aimed to compare the reliability of various methods of Na and K intake assessment, and their associations with blood pressure measurements.

Methods: This secondary analysis was based on a cross-sectional study of 100 non-pregnant women of …

The Association Between Obstetric Violence And Postpartum Depression Among Latina Women In The United States: An Integrative Review, Natalia Alameda

Scripps Senior Theses

Obstetric violence, a structural form of gender-based violence, involves abuse, mistreatment, or neglect by healthcare providers during obstetric care. It is often associated with childbirth trauma and may result in physical and psychological harm to mothers and children, including postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode occurring during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery. While these concepts are often studied independently, few studies examine their intersection, particularly among Latina women in the United States. To address this gap, an integrative literature review was conducted to explore the association between obstetric violence and postpartum depression among Latina women. …