Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Access To Care: A Hospice Model Of Access To Care For The Homeless, Mary Ann Bridget Kinney

Theses and Graduate Projects

Access to Hospice for the terminally ill patient is a monumental problem for the disenfranchised person. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) in Washington D.C. there is an estimate of 3.5 million people who experience homelessness in a year (2003). The homeless face many health care service gaps including the vital service of end- of- life nursing care, which allows for death with dignity. The following paper will discuss the author's experience with the homeless, the need of access to Hospice Care for the homeless, and a review of literature regarding access to Hospice for the homeless. …

Nursing Students' Self-Efficacy And Attitude: Examining The Influence Ofthe Omaha System In Nurse Managed Centers, Cherie Mooy

Master's Projects

Self-efficacy, or confidence, as an outcome behavior has been identified as influencing nursing job satisfaction and retention. Clinical learning environments and teaching strategies that build and support perceived self-efficacy are critical aspects of preparing new nurses for their entry and continuing role as professional nurses in today's information-intensive data-management healthcare environment. The purpose of this pre-test post-test study is to measure, using the C-scale (Grundy, 1992), nursing students' self-efficacy to perform patient assessment in Nurse Managed Centers (NMC) after one semester of using the Omaha System documentation framework. Nursing students' attitudes of preparation for using Standardized Nursing Languages (SNL) in …

The Effects Of Nursing Back Rub On Pain And Wound Cytokines And The Relationship Between Pre-Cabg Mood And Post-Cabg Wound Cytokines, Kathlene D. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

This study, guided by psychoneuroimmunology theory, examined the effects of a 10-minute nursing back rub in 20 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients on pain and four proinflammatory wound cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α). It also examined the relationships between the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the proinflammatory cytokines. A control group (n = 8) received time with the researcher, and an experimental group (n = 12) received a slow stroke effleurage back rub. All participants initially completed the POMS and after surgery, wound fluid was collected from the mediastinal chest tube before and after the intervention. Analysis …

A Survey Of California's Nurse Practitioners' Regarding Practice, Knowledge And Atitudes Of The National Asthma Management Guidelines, Colleen M. Hughes

Master's Projects

Background: Pediatric asthma morbidity and mortality continues to rise in the United States despite the institution of the National Institute of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's diagnostic and treatment guidelines. This study examines the practices, knowledge and attitudes of California's pediatric and family nurse practitioners regarding the national asthma guidelines. Method: A quantitative mail-in survey of pediatric, pulmonary, emergent, urgent care, and family nurse practitioners was utilized to gather the data regarding the care of pediatric asthma patients. The survey collected demographic data and the NP' s current asthma practices in a Likert scale format. Results: The nurse practitioners …

Fostering Clinical Judgment During Preceptorship, Susan Mcniesh

Master's Projects

The role transition from student nurse to new graduate nurse commonly includes a preceptor relationship. Preceptorships are often the culminating nursing education experience for senior baccalaureate nurses and are used as well for orienting new graduates as they begin their staff nurse role in the hospital setting. The preceptee is paired with an experienced nurse who is charged with supporting, teaching, and exemplifying safe and competent patient care. In many cases preceptors are ascribed the task of independently validating the preceptee's ability to exercise clinical judgment. Today's health care environment requires nurses to be proficient critical thinkers. Patients need more …

Demographics And Perceptions Of Work Environment For Registered Nurses, Pamela Brotherton Sedano

Master's Projects

Registered nurses (RNs) are the lifeblood of hospitals. Therefore, retaining skilled nurses is necessary to insure the viability of these institutions. A two-year longitudinal, non-experimental research study utilized a descriptive design to compare the perceptions of RNs who remained on their units to those who left or changed units over a two-year time period. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether there was a statistically significant difference between these two groups. Results in several areas indicate that further evaluation is necessary by nurse managers and administration. This information could help retain RNs as well as attract qualified nurses …

Childhood Experiences Of Appalachian Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence During Adulthood., Amy L. Reeves

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent national surveys in the United States estimate one in five females will experience abuse by an intimate partner during her lifetime. Previous quantitative research linked childhood victimization to repeated victimization in adult relationships. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of childhood in eight female victims of intimate partner violence who were born and reared in southern Appalachia. Interviews were analyzed using a descriptive-interpretative phenomenological method, as described by Van Manen. The three essential themes from childhood were identified as: living 'as if' an orphan; surviving in chaos; and, manifesting a devalued self. These themes were congruent with findings …

The Efficacy Of A School-Based Support Group On Adolescent Self-Esteem And Social Support, Julia Ann Smith Phd

Dissertations

Adolescents are faced with daily obstacles that affect their ability to progress into adulthood successfully. Rising divorce rates and subsequent single parenting, adolescent pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, and lack of parental involvement represent only a few of the many issues teens confront. School nurses are on the front lines, attempting to educate youth against an alarming rise in personal and social controversies that impede their ability to come to school ready to learn. As part of the educational team, school nurses are in a prime position to develop and integrate intervention strategies aimed at assisting adolescents during this …

Factors That Contribute To Nursing Job Satisfaction At Valley Hospital, Christopher Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage and it is expected to get even worse in the coming years due to several trends. These trends include the aging of the workforce where many nurses will be retiring in the next few years, the low enrollment in nursing schools, nurses leaving the profession for other fields of work and the lack of interest that many people are showing towards a career in nursing.

The Role Of Dairy Products In The Calcium Intake Of Suburban Adolescents, Simie Bredeweg-Dejager

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine consumption of dairy products by suburban adolescents. This was a secondary analysis of data from a questionnaire administered in late fall of 2003. There were 255 adolescents who completed the questionnaire. Data were examined to estimate calcium intake from dairy products.

There was a significant difference in the amount of calcium adolescents consume from cheese, compared to that supplied by milk (t = -8.502, p = .000). Further analyzing by gender, there was a significant difference between boys and girls intake of milk and cheese. No significant difference was found between boys …

Responses Of Flight Nurses To Catastrophic Events, Gene L. Olsen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine for the presence of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of flight nurses. Also examined were the coping mechanisms used by the sample to ameliorate the stressors associated with performing the role of the flight nurse, as well as the relationship between the symptoms and the coping mechanisms identified by the sample. Data were collected by questionnaires sent to a randomly selected national sample of 350 flight nurses who belong to the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association.

Of the 101 participants, intrusion was found to be most …

Self-Efficacy, Metastasis, Treatment, And Demographics As Predictors Of Functional Performance Status Of Adult Colorectal Cancer Patients, Dollie A. Husfeld

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study was to assess self-efficacy as a predictor of functional performance status in order to discover correlations that could be used to improve care of the colorectal cancer patient. Thirty participants were accessed through three outpatient cancer clinics during a two-week period. Data was collected through a demographics questionnaire, the Cancer Behavior Inventory Long Form, and the Karnofsky Performance Scale Index. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify and relationships between the dependent variable, functional performance status, and the independent variables, self-efficacy, age, gender, residence, treatment, and metastasis ( p = .05). Pearson's correlation showed a …

The Prevalence Of Dental Caries In A Central Coast Of California Middle School, Belen R. Mojica

Master's Projects

Dental morbidity is a chronic problem that affects a child's ability to attend school, to learn, and to enjoy good health. Of all childhood diseases, oral disease ranks as one of the highest and is considered one of the most common and the least treated. The prevalence of dental caries is high among children and adolescents in school populations. This study explored the prevalence of dental caries in a California Central Coast middle school during the 2002-03 school year (N=526). Findings indicated that severe dental caries existed in both boys and girls and in students of various ethnic groups. Approximately …

Introduction Of Healing Touch Into An Established Torture Treatment Center: A Graduate Field Project, Kathleen Mccullough-Zander

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healing Touch, an energetic treatment modality developed by nurses, was introduced into an established torture treatment center with the goal of decreasing torture-related symptoms and increasing survivors' overall sense of well-being and health. Three methods of evaluation were used to determine if the project goal had been met. The first project objective of showing a decrease in participants' reported feelings of anxiety and depression was not achieved. The second project objective of demonstrating a reduction in participant's reported levels of pain was achieved with statistically significant results. The third project objective of obtaining statements of recognition of the therapy as …

Treatment Of Hypertriglyceridemia With Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review, Amanda Gloria Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To 1) critically appraise available randomized controlled trials (RTCs) addressing the efficacy of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids as a secondary prevention agent of hypertriglyceridemia, and 2) make recommendations for clinical practice.

Data Sources: All RCTs identified from several databases from 1993-2003 were reviewed by two independent reviewers who extracted data from each study and used the previously tested Boyack and Lookinland Methodological Quality Index (MQI) to determine study quality.

Results: Ten studies reported long-chain ω-3 fatty acids to be effective in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. The average decrease in triglycerides (TG) was 29%, total cholesterol (TC) 11.6%, very low …

Caring As Catalyst; A Model For Health Possibilities, Brenda A. Becker

Theses and Graduate Projects

This graduate field project presents a conceptual model based on the theoretical frameworks of Brentano, Frankl, Rogers, Merry, Benner, and Wrubel and is designed to facilitate the life journey to more complex levels. The model has a foundation in chaos theory and in the search for meaning. Key concepts of catalyst, presence, polarization, and participation are defined and described. Presence is defined at three levels: physical, psychological, and therapeutic. Participation is defined as a sharing of the life and experience between nurse and person. Polarization, or change in pattern, is also defined at three levels: active, collaborative, and passive. The …

A Model Integrating Transcultural Nursing Concepts And Experiences Into A Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum, Mary Ellen Joswiak

Theses and Graduate Projects

Each dry the population of the world becomes more interconnected, placing huge challenges before health care providers to deliver care that is culturally appropriate. As the largest group of health care providers, nurses are especially challenged to provide culturally appropriate and congruent care to those they serve. It is therefore essential that nursing education provide students with opportunities to develop transcultural nursing knowledge. Students need practical experiences with culture in order to increase their understanding of cultural similarities and differences. The purpose of this project is to foster the development of beginning transcultural competence among baccalaureate nursing students and to …

Perceived Benefits Of And Barriers To Continuing Education Among Hospital Employed Registered Nurses, Jacqueline A. Dean

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to expand on the body of knowledge related to the reasons far participation and non-participation in continuing education (CE). The study examined the relationship between Registered Nurses (RNs) perceived benefits of and perceived barriers to CE and their reported participation in CE programs. The Health Belief Model is the theoretical framework utilized for this study, with the variables of perceived benefits and perceived barriers in particular. This was a secondary analysis of data collected in a descriptive correlational study where RNs employed in two acute care hospitals in the Midwest were surveyed. Descriptive statistics …

Pain Expression: Lnsights From A Focus Group With Somali Women, Sheryl M. Ness

Theses and Graduate Projects

ln recent years, the number of Somali persons being treated in health care settings in the community of Rochester is increasing. The understanding of the concept of pain within this population is important to consider for nursing practice in this region and across the U.S. A focus group was used to explore the expression of pain with 4 Somali women in Rochester Minnesota. This paper summarizes major themes and concepts from the focus group. lmplications for improving transcultural nursing care, including pain assessment, management and patient education are considered when looking at the results of the research. A vision of …

The Experience Of Menopausal Transition Among Amish Women, Desiree R. Batson

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the meaning of the menopausal transition in Amish women. Using in-depth interviews, 10 Amish women who were transitioning into menopause were asked to responds to the question, “As you think of your experiences going through the ‘change of life,’ what specific things stand out for you?”

Three themes emerged: “This is such a natural thing.” a descriptor of natural/unnatural; “I don’t know if what I have has been normal, but what is normal?” a descriptor of change, the expected and unexpected; and “We finally figured it out.” a descriptor of a …

The Meaning Of The Death Of Adult Child To An Elder, Latricia Diane Weed

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this inquiry is to develop an initial understanding and description of the meaning of the experience of an elder after the death of an adult child. A significant research gap exists in studying elder bereavement and the death of an adult child. The research sample was obtained from elderly participants who were known by the researcher to have had the experience of the death of an adult child. A snowball

Responses to the qualitative questions in this study were analyzed using the existential phenomenological method as described by Thomas and polio (2002). Data was reviewed by the …

"Crying Alone With My Child": An Existential Phenomenological Exploration Of The Meaning Of Being A Parent Of A School Age Child With Bipolar Disorder, Josephine Wade

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent years have seen a rise in the number of children diagnosed at an early age with bipolar disorder. Additionally, prescription of psychiatric medications to young children has sharply increased. Parents must assume the responsibility for medication management and behavioral monitoring because inpatient care is brief. This, combined with a changing political arena, may mean continued stress and burden for caregivers and parents of children diagnosed with a psychiatric illness.

The purpose of this existential phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of parents of children ages 6-11 years, who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. An existential phenomenological research …

Staff Perceptions Of Workload And Care Requirements For Incontinent Patients In Long-Term Care Settings, Amy M. Crickmer

Master's Projects

In response to the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA) mandate "to ensure that a resident who is incontinent of bladder receives the appropriate treatment and services to restore normal bladder functioning ... " (Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 1989, p.5333), several studies were designed and implemented to demonstrate that incontinence interventions worked. The research also showed that staff behaviors did not change and toileting programs were not carried forward once studies were completed. What was missing from the research was any mention that certified nursing assistants (CNAs) were asked to participate in the planning phase of an incontinence program. …

Maternal-Fetal Attachment Among Vietnamese Mothers In The First, Second, And Third Trimesters Of Pregnancy: A Pilot Study., Barbara Choo

Master's Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) among Vietnamese women during pregnancy. Design: This study is a quantitative, descriptive pilot study of maternal fetal attachment among twenty-five Vietnamese women during pregnancy. Convenience sample of twenty-five pregnant Vietnamese women were selected. Two questionnaires were used. The demographic survey included the mother's age, ethnicity, primary language spoken at home, country of origin, parity, and the stage of pregnancy. The Maternal-Fetal Attachment scale (Cranley, 1981) is a twenty-four item self-administered Likert-type scale. Result: The study result's showed modest difference in scores in the three trimesters among the Vietnamese …

Pain Management Through Music Therapy, Dereck H. Ko

Master's Projects

In 1999, approximately three quarters of patients admitted to emergency departments reported pain (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, 2000). Managing pain pharmacologically alone may not be enough because pain perception is a complex phenomenon that consists of both physiological and psychological components (Trauger-Querry & Haghighi, 1999). Music therapy is one of the systematic applications in treatment of physiological and psychological aspects of an illness or disability (Cook, 1981).The objectives of this study were to measure the pain intensity index PPI (Melzack) level before after the intervention with music therapy to investigate if music therapy is effective for pain …

Knowledge Of Type Ii Diabetes And Its Complications Among Adult Vietnamese Immigrants, Thao Phuong Le

Master's Projects

This was a non-experimental quantitative study using survey method to assess diabetic knowledge of 102 adult Vietnamese immigrants. The Health Belief Model provided the theoretical framework, and the 24-item diabetes knowledge questionnaire was adopted from the Starr County Texas study to use for this study. Data were categorized and analyzed using descriptive methods such as frequency and percentage. The findings indicated that lack of knowledge about diabetes was a significant issue among the Vietnamese immigrant population. Health care providers should develop an appropriate cultural educational program about diabetes to help the Vietnamese population to detect diabetes early and to control …

The Effect Of Body Position And Mattress Type On Interface Pressure In Quadriplegic Adults-A Pilot Study, Parivash Moody

Master's Projects

Dental morbidity is a chronic problem that affects a child's ability to attend school, to learn, and to enjoy good health. Of all childhood diseases, oral disease ranks as one of the highest and is considered one of the most common and the least treated. The prevalence of dental caries is high among children and adolescents in school populations. This study explored the prevalence of dental caries in a California Central Coast middle school during the 2002-03 school year (N=526). Findings indicated that severe dental caries existed in both boys and girls and in students of various ethnic groups. Approximately …

Pet Therapy Use In Pediatric Hospitals: An Internet Based Pilot Study, Kara Potter

Master's Projects

Introduction: In a technologically advanced health care system, health care providers continue to care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of their patients. Alternative therapies, such as massage, music, and aroma therapy, are often included in such holistic care. Pet therapy is another form of alternative therapy that appears to be beneficial. Method: Child life coordinators and play therapists from 100 pediatric hospitals in 44 U.S. states were sent an email invitation to participate in the study by completing an online survey. Results: From the children's hospitals responding, it appears that pet therapy is used in the majority …

Quality Of Life After Heart Transplantation, Jacqueline Trammell

Master's Projects

Background: Cardiac transplantation has been a treatment option for patients with end stage heart failure for the past 35 years. As evaluation and treatment protocols emerge and evolve it is the responsibility of the healthcare provider to assist the recipient in attaining the best quality of life (QOL) possible. Method: A demographic survey, along with the SF-36v2 generic survey, which measures quality of life in physical and functioning domains, was mailed to 100 heart transplant recipients in a large health plan in Northern California. The data from sixty five surveys were analyzed for any relationships between time from transplantation, employment …

Nurse Practitioners' Characteristics And Job Satisfaction, Priscilla Wild

Master's Projects

PURPOSE: To identify demographics and job satisfaction levels of currently working nurse practitioners (NPs) in California. DATA SOURCES: A mail-in survey was used to gather data The Mueller McCloskey Satisfaction Scale was sent to a randomized sample of 200 California NPs with active licensure. Descriptive statistical analysis of usable data was employed. CONCLUSIONS: NPs reported high levels of job satisfaction. Aspects of the job that showed significant levels of satisfaction were schedules, flexibility of hours, and interprofessional relationships. NPs were least satisfied with not having professional opportunities such as participation in nursing research, writing/publishing, and belonging to a department/nursing committee.