Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Educating Novice Nurses And Nurse Practitioners About Military Sexual Trauma Screening, Alyssa D. Freeman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Military sexual trauma prevalence has continually increased over the past 25 years. Exposure to sexual trauma, violence, and abuse result in notable health consequences. The Veterans Health Administration has led the integration of universal Military Sexual Trauma (MST) screening and training. Purpose: The purposes of this project were to educate novice nurses and nurse practitioners about MST and to increase their knowledge and comfort in MST screening techniques. Methods: Following an educational session, a pre- and post-study design was used to evaluate improvement in knowledge and comfort screening for MST. Thirty-two participants including PBRNR Nurse Residents, …

Enhancing Transgender Informed Healthcare For Nursing Students: An Educational Intervention, Olivia Bass

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Limited teaching of transgender related healthcare competencies is seen in baccalaureate nursing curriculum, resulting in inadequate preparation of healthcare providers to care for this population of patients. This discord can prevent transgender patients from seeking healthcare and affect access to needed services. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to educate accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at an institute of higher education on providing culturally responsive healthcare for transgender patients. Methods: An in-person educational intervention focused on improving clinical and cultural knowledge for transgender patients was implemented and evaluated. A pre-intervention survey and post-intervention survey …

Improving Telehealth Knowledge And Comfort In An Older Adult Population, Carolyn J. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Telehealth usage is increasing a means of providing healthcare in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Older adults have been left behind from the telehealth movement and this can negatively impact their access to the healthcare system.

Purpose: An educational workshop was offered in a local older adult community with the goal of increasing their knowledge, literacy, motivation, and usage of telehealth.

Methods: The participants completed a pre-assessment survey to determine their baseline knowledge, experience, and perceptions about telehealth. They then participated in an educational workshop, which consisted of a 45-minute presentation given via Zoom with a 15-minute …

Diabetes Footcare In A Rural Community: Footcare Education And Outreach, Dyanne Rodriguez

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Foot care self-management is critical in continuity of care and in prevention of foot complications associated with diabetes. The purpose of this project was to help residents in a rural Canadian community gain a better understanding foot care self-management.

Methods: This project aimed to implement and evaluate evidence-based education in self-foot care among adults in with diabetes or pre-diabetes who live in Vegreville. Educational sessions were held in person based on the framework of the Social Cognitive Theory. Recruitment occurred over five months in collaboration with community housing centers. The goals focused on evidenced based education in daily foot …

Alcohol Screening In A Pain Clinic To Reduce The Risk Of Overdose And Improve Patient Care And Compliance With Prescription Opioids, Alicia Ellis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: The nationwide opioid crisis is having a significant impact on the U.S. population. Patients may turn to alcohol and opioids for pain relief, which can lead to cancer, alcoholic liver disease, and heart disease. Providers can improve outcomes by screening patients for alcohol use prior to getting an opioid prescription using the Audit-C screening tool.

Purpose: This DNP Project started formal screening for alcohol abuse in a small rural pain clinic with five hundred patients per month.

Methods: During the first visit, patients were triaged by the nurse and screened using the AUDIT-C tool and had a urine …

Educating Primary Care Providers In Dual Diagnosis Disorders Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sarah Stout

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Purpose: Many adults in the United States suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. Due to personal and structural barriers, care is not always received by those who suffer with a dual diagnosis. Lack of education among primary care healthcare providers is a barrier to dual diagnosis treatment. The aim of this project was to present and summarize evidence to increase the providers knowledge, assessment, and confidence levels in treatment of these disorders. Methods: This project was designed using a quality improvement (QI) approach to increase the knowledge, and confidence of primary care healthcare providers through an educational …

Educating Nurse Practitioners On The Cdc Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids For Chronic Pain In The Practice Setting, Amber Whitehill

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Prescription opioids have become a problem in the current opioid crisis, being inappropriately used by those who do not require them. The purpose of this DNP project was to increase the awareness, knowledge, and comfort level of nurse practitioners in relation to the CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.

Methods: An educational program was used to inform Nurse Practitioners who were members of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners of the CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. A prescribing survey was initially given to determine their awareness, knowledge, and comfort level using the CDC …

Contraceptive Education Module Intervention, Rachel Cox

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Unplanned pregnancy is associated with poor mother and child outcomes physiologically and psychologically. Since contraception is an integral piece of family planning, ensuring that patients have quality information to make an informed decision about their birth control choices is important. Purpose. This intervention sought to increase women’s contraceptive knowledge, correct use of their chosen birth control methods, and the number of women using birth control through the evidence-based interactive computer-based education. Methods: 20 participants were administered a pretest to assess their utilization, correct usage, and knowledge of contraception. Then, participants watched an …

Adolescent Mental Health Training For Middle School Educators, Sarah Minton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Adolescent mental health disorders are an increasing concern in the United States. School systems, specifically educators, are in the unique role to aid in early identification of mental health disorders, as well to intervene in mental health distress. However, mental health training for educators is lacking, leaving educators unprepared to manage mental health concerns within their classroom.

Purpose: The purpose was to utilize an evidence-based training, the “Teacher Knowledge Update Guide” from TeenMentalHealth.org to train middle school educators on the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in the adolescent population with the intent to increase awareness, knowledge, …

Human Trafficking Recognition And Response Training For Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners In New Hampshire Emergency Departments, Carolyn L. Noyes

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Human trafficking is a pervasive yet under-recognized public health epidemic. Traffickers use various forms of manipulation to control their victims for the benefit of the trafficker with little regard for the victims’ well-being. This leads to victims of human trafficking suffering short- and long-term health problems. Trafficking victims may subsequently access healthcare during their time in captivity as a result of a direct harm caused to them due to their victimization from neglect, injury or disease. Unfortunately, victims often do not see themselves as victims or are too afraid to let their healthcare provider know that they need help. Warning …

Hiv Education And Empowerment A Program For The Women Of Kiryabicooli, Uganda, Emily Rymland

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: HIV continues to be a serious health, social and economic burden in Uganda. Early in the epidemic, the government’s rapid response brought the HIV infection rates from 30% in the 1990s to 4% by 2000, however rates are rising with some district’s reporting the HIV rate rising up to 7.8%. Myths surrounding transmission, disease progression and treatment compound the country’s vulnerability. The goal of this Quality Improvement project is to educate women with children under 13 years old about the facts of HIV, in the hopes that with that knowledge they can take action to decrease their own …

Improving Latino Diabetes Patients' Physiologic Measurements Utilizing Culturally Competent Interventions, Christine Hoogasian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Latinos have a high risk of developing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, which may be at least partly due to their cultural beliefs. Many health care clinics lack consistent use of culturally competent educational interventions when providing diabetes education to Latinos. The literature demonstrates that clinics using culturally competent interventions tend to accomplish significant clinical improvements in outcomes such as lower glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels, weight loss, increase in daily steps walked, and improved diabetes knowledge. The purpose of this Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to use Latino-tailored culturally competent diabetes education to achieve a reduction in weight, …

An Educational Toolkit To Promote Lung Cancer Screening In Primary Care, Courtney Cloonan

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States for both men and women. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) demonstrates reductions in lung cancer mortality and all-cause mortality, and improved rates of early stage diagnosis in high-risk current and former adult smokers. Evidence-based screening guidelines include annual LDCT in high-risk current and former adult smokers; however, these guidelines have not been fully translated into clinical practice. The purpose of this project was to create a toolkit for lung cancer screening to assist primary care providers in educating and screening their patients at high-risk …

Oral Sex And Hsv-1 Knowledge Among College Freshmen Females, Karen Hendry

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) disease transmission to the genitals has life long health consequences for young women. The aim of this DNP project was to assess knowledge among female college freshmen regarding HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex.

A voluntary and anonymous online survey was e-mailed to 648 female college freshmen using their college e-mail account. A 19% (N=121) survey response rate was achieved. Seventy-three percent of the college females reported receiving oral sex. Ninety-five percent of the college females knew the possible risk of HSV-1 transmission during oral sex. Ninety-six percent of the female students …

Education And Mindfulness In The Treatment Of Substance Use Disorders, Terri Morris

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The complex psychological and social needs of patients with substance use disorders present challenges for healthcare providers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes medications, psychosocial treatment, and education to assist the patient with disease management is common. This approach improves outcomes and promotes recovery. Evidence clearly suggests that tailored treatment programs incorporating medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in conjunction with behavioral modification and psychotherapy yield positive treatment outcomes (NIDA, 2016). Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine whether an educational program coupled with existing treatment modalities was comprehensive and innovative in MAT approaches. The educational program focused on …

Prevention And Management Of Type 2 Diabetes Among African Immigrants In The United States: Using A Culturally Tailored Educational Intervention With A Focus On Dietary Plan, Physical Activity, And Stress Management, Oluseyi G. Abioye-Akanji

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose: Close examination of epidemiological data revealed burdens of type 2 diabetes and complications particular to ethnic minorities in the United States including African immigrants. Literature reviews show poor dietary plan, physical inactivity, and poor stress management exist among African immigrants; contributing factors to these behaviors are cultural beliefs, barriers to physical activity, knowledge deficit in stress management, healthy food choices and portioning. This DNP project focused on implementing a culturally tailored diabetes education with the objective to increase participants’ knowledge on dietary planning, physical activity, and stress management. Greater patient knowledge may lead to better diabetes management among African …

Policy Alternatives To Increase Access To Early Childhood Education And Care In Massachusetts, Meghan Lemay

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

Access to early childhood education not only leads to improved social, academic, and health outcomes for children, but can also carry the same benefits into adulthood. Early education and care programs can work against some of the negative effects of social factors such as socioeconomic status, discrimination, social support, and work demands which have been linked to physical and mental health outcomes. Early education programs could intervene not only in the life of a child, but also impact parents, families, and populations. This thesis will review the research showing early childhood education leads to better social and health outcomes and …

Communication And Teamwork Focused Simulation-Based Education For Nursing Students, Jared M. Kutzin

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Simulation has become a common teaching method for healthcare providers, including nursing students. Until recently, the focus of simulation for nursing students has been on clinical skills. This study used a compilation survey to determine if knowledge and attitude scores improved in the bachelor degree nursing student after exposure to a simulation-based teamwork and communication training. Participants were 51 students from the senior leadership course of a bachelor’s degree in nursing program at a university in New Jersey. Control participants received normal clinical rotations with faculty led discussions, and intervention participants received a 4-hour simulation, focused on teamwork and communication. …