Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Just Sit For A Bit: A Moment Of Caring, Gabrielle M. Malouf

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Research shows that time spent sitting at the bedside promotes trust, which ultimately improves nurse satisfaction, patient satisfaction and patient outcomes. Patient satisfaction scores have been below benchmark for several months on an adult medical unit at an academic medical center.

Overview: The purpose of this project was to improve patient satisfaction in the areas of nursing courtesy, friendliness, and listening. Nurses were asked to sit down for at least 5 minutes per shift with each patient, engaging in a “moment of caring”. Nurse surveys were given and both pre and post implementation. These surveys assessed whether or not …

Improving Nurse Education On Research Informed Consent, Tina Rasooli

Master's Projects and Capstones

As the number of human participants in clinical trials continues to grow, it is increasingly imperative that research nurses are educated about valid research informed consent to improve patient outcomes. As patient advocates, nurses must be aware of the components and principles of valid informed consent in order to protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of their patients as human subjects. The research nurse must also be aware of their available resources and who to contact if they suspect a problem or a lack of patient comprehension of the study. In order to address these needs, an evidence-based performance improvement …

Resilience In Nurses: An Integrative Review, Patricia L. Hart, Jane D. Brannan, Mary De Chesnay

Faculty and Research Publications

Aim To describe nursing research that has been conducted to understand the phenomenon of resilience in nurses. Background Resilience is the ability to bounce back or cope successfully despite adverse circumstances. Nurses deal with modern-day problems that affect their abilities to remain resilient. Nursing administrators/managers need to look for solutions not only to recruit nurses, but to become knowledgeable about how to support and retain nurses. Evaluation A comprehensive search was undertaken for nursing research conducted between 1990 and 2011. Key search terms were nurse, resilience, resiliency and resilient. Whittemore and Knafl's integrative approach was used to conduct the methodological …

Effects Of An Apn-Led Amiodarone Clinic On Adherence To Recommended Monitoring Guidelines, Melissa Bartoszewicz

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Evidence shows that patients receiving amiodarone therapy have not adhered to monitoring guidelines set forth by the Heart Rhythm Society. Uncertainty with responsibility for monitoring has led to the development of pharmacist-managed or multidisciplinary-managed outpatient amiodarone clinics. Some limitations have been identified in the pharmacist-managed outpatient clinics that may be overcome by advanced practice nurse (APN)-managed clinics. The purpose of this EBP project was to determine what effects an APN-led amiodarone clinic would have on adherence to amiodarone monitoring guidelines. Using the PICOT format, the clinical question was developed: Does enrollment in an amiodarone clinic compared with “usual care” change …

Instilling Diet And Exercise Confidence: Influence Of Nurse Body Size, Erin Murdock Spaulding

Student Research Projects

This paper reports a research study focused on perspective of nurse body size and how it affects confidence in a nurses’ ability to provide education on diet and exercise. The study followed a descriptive method design guided by a cross-sectional survey with quantitative variables. Results show that there is increased confidence in a nurse’s ability to provide education and influence habits regarding diet and exercise when the nurse role models such behaviors. Other findings presented include respondents’ perception of their body mass index versus their actual body mass index, percentage of respondents with health care conditions related to obesity, and …

The Effect Of Shared Medical Appointments And Education On Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Gina L. Moore

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Type II diabetes affects millions of people worldwide. Approximately 25.8 million or 8.3 percent of the United States (U.S.) population has type II diabetes. The number of adults in the United States developing diabetes has been projected to double by the year 2030 (World Health Organization, 2013). Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness, as well as the major cause of heart disease and stroke which is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to determine the effects of education during shared medical appointments with type II diabetic …

The Effect Of Telephone Follow-Up On Pain Experienced By Patients After Knee Replacement Surgery, Laurie J. Jones

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hospital length of stays are decreasing throughout the U.S. in an effort to contain healthcare costs, but these measures can be detrimental to patients. Those who get knee replacement surgery are finding their length of stay reduced from an average of 3 to 4 days to 24 to 48 hours, which can affect pain control and interfere with rehabilitation and recovery. This affects many people, as more than 632,000 knee replacements occur each year (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2008). The purpose of this evidence-based project was to evaluate the effect of telephone follow-up on pain experienced by knee replacement …

Influence Of A Palliative Care Protocol On Nurses' Perceived Barriers To Palliative Care And Moral Distress, Christina Cavinder

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The World Health Organization (2013) states palliative care for children should begin at diagnosis which may even occur prenatally. Neonatal palliative care is variable due to the high technological, curative environment in the newborn intensive care unit, and the uncertain prognoses of infants born at the edge of viability. The purpose of this EBP project was to determine the influence of establishing a neonatal palliative care protocol on nurses’ perceived barriers to palliative care and moral distress. Corley’s Moral Distress theory and Stetler’s Model were used as guides for the framework of the project. The protocol, based on guidelines supported …

The Effect Of Patient Education On Anxiety Levels In Patients Receiving Chemotherapy For The First Time, Sarah Garcia

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cancer affects approximately 1.5 million people every year throughout the United States.Comprehensive care that includes psychosocial aspects is important to help patients effectively adapt to their diagnosis and treatment plan. Improper prevention and management of anxiety can lead to poor psychosocial outcomes, dissatisfaction with care, and decreased adherence to treatment. Current evidence suggests that education is effective at helping reduce anxiety in patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time. The purpose of this evidenced based practice project was to determine if nurse-led patient education regarding chemotherapy side effects, side-effect management, and orientation to the infusion center was effective at decreasing …

The Effect Of Patient Reminders On Osteoporosis Screenings, Billie-Ann Black

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduction of bone mass and compromised bone strength, resulting in an increased fracture risk. Since a reduction of bone mass has been shown to be predictive of future fracture risk, prevention strategies target screening those patients at risk for decreased bone mass by using bone mineral density (BMD) dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Current national guidelines recommend that all women 65 years and older undergo BMD testing using central DXA every two years. Despite these recommendations, women age 65 years and older still do not participate in this screening. Greater rates of osteoporosis screening could …

The Effects Of Education On Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge, Lauren A. Ostrowski-Winkler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for adults in the United States. The three main risk factors for the development of CVD include hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use; these factors are largely prevented or reduced through lifestyle modifications. Researchers indicate that knowledge of CVD mortality has been linked with individual action to reduce one’s CVD risk. Researchers have also indicated that segments of our underserved society, particularly those with the highest CVD mortality rates, are also the least knowledgeable about CVD and their own personal risk. These risk factors were a concern within the …

Effects Of A Parish Based Heart Healthy Education Program, Kristin A. Kilinski

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be modified which include: diet; physical activity; smoking; hypertension; diabetes; and weight. Various national programs, such as “Go Red for Women” and “Let’s Move,” have been implemented to address this growing epidemic. Community programs are needed as an adjunct to these national initiatives. Thus, a parish based cardiovascular disease educational program would provide for a unique socially and spiritually supportive environment for education at the community level. Research findings indicate that parish based educational programs are effective in increasing …

Effects Of An Osteoporosis Educational Intervention: Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Of Prevention In Young Adult Collegiate Females, Valerie A. Bollenbacher

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Osteoporosis is a silent and potentially debilitating chronic illness. In 2012, the CDC reported that 4.5 million women over the age of 50 were diagnosed with osteoporosis in the United States. Within the next 20 years, 41 million women worldwide are projected to have osteoporosis. The annual financial burden of osteoporosis is estimated to be 19 billion dollars. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the clinical question: In young adult collegiate females, how does an osteoporosis educational intervention compared to current education effect osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy of osteoporosis prevention over a one-month time period? The …

Instilling Diet And Exercise Confidence: Influence Of Nurse Body Size, Erin Murdock Spaulding

Honors Theses and Capstones

This paper reports a research study focused on perspective of nurse body size and how it affects confidence in a nurses’ ability to provide education on diet and exercise. The study followed a descriptive method design guided by a cross-sectional survey with quantitative variables. Results show that there is increased confidence in a nurse’s ability to provide education and influence habits regarding diet and exercise when the nurse role models such behaviors. Other findings presented include respondents’ perception of their body mass index versus their actual body mass index, percentage of respondents with health care conditions related to obesity, and …

A Measure Of Perceived Fatigue Among Nurses In Western North Carolina, Karen R. Cochran

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

We are anticipating a heightened shortage of nurses as our aging population retires. A shortage of workers tends to lead to overtime for those still in the work force. Previous research has demonstrated a link between working long hours, fatigue, and decreased performance among nurses. Fatigue has specifically been linked to on the job injuries and poorer patient outcomes. This research study examined perceived fatigue among nurses in western North Carolina. A convenience sample of nurses from five hospitals in western North Carolina was surveyed to measure fatigue, as well as compare differences in reported fatigue across varying demographic groups. …

Advanced Practice Care Model In A Midwestern Allergy Clinic, Bernie Theobald

Theses and Graduate Projects

Health care organizations are creating innovative patient care models to deal with the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has led to reduced revenue for healthcare organizations and placed an impetus on quality. For healthcare providers to continue to practice, they must change their model of care. An allergy clinic in a large Midwestern healthcare organization created a care model which capitalizes on the unique skillset that nurses possess. Nurses in the care model contact the patient before their visit, assess patient needs, and follow-up with the patient in a post- consult nurse visit. The care …

Trauma Informed Nursing Care For Women Who Are Marginalized: An Educational Workshop, Jenna Fadlalla

Theses and Graduate Projects

Traumatic events profoundly affect both the physical and emotional health of a woman who endures the event. Gender, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities in rates of trauma exist showing that women who are marginalized are at a higher risk for trauma. Nurses are privileged to provide care for these women in their greatest times of need, yet despite the intimate relationship between nurses and their patients, trauma is a topic that remains largely unaddressed by the field of nursing. Because trauma can have such a profound effect on health, it is essential for nurses of all specialties and at all …

Advanced Practice Care Model In A Midwestern Allergy Clinic, Bernie Theobald

Theses and Graduate Projects

Health care organizations are creating innovative patient care models to deal with the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has led to reduced revenue for healthcare organizations and placed an impetus on quality. For healthcare providers to continue to practice, they must change their model of care. An allergy clinic in a large Midwestern healthcare organization created acare model which capitalizes on the unique skillset that nurses possess. Nurses in the care model contact the patient before their visit, assess patient needs, and follow-up with the patient in a post-consult nurse visit. The care model has …

Selection Of An Instrument To Evaluate The Organizational Environment Of Nurses Working In Intensive Care: An Integrative Review, Brett Abbenbroek, Christine M. Duffield, Doug Elliot

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

To determine an appropriate survey instrument to evaluate the impact of organizational structures on the work environment of intensive care nurses.