Nursing Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Humor Workshop On The Perceived Stress Of Nurse Practitioner Students, Stephanie A. Emerson

Master's Projects

A quasi-experimental one-group pretest posttest design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a humor workshop on the perceived stress of a sample of nurse practitioner students (n = 9) at a major university. Testing aimed at measuring perceived stress, was completed before and after participation in a" orkshop focusing on the application of humor skills in the healthcare environment. For the total sample, the mean pretest score was 15.22, SD = 5.42 and the mean posttest score was 1 0.33, SD = 3.90. A dependent samples !-test revealed a statistically significant difference (t = 4.55, p < .002). Results indicate that participation in a humor workshop of this type may be associated with lower levels of perceived stress.

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 15, No. 01, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

Contents

2 | A message from the dean

4 | Loma Linda NURSE news

10 | End of an Era: Helen Emori King retires after 24 years

16 | LLUSN development report

19 | Letter from the alumni president

20 | Alumni homecomeing

26 | Alumni feature story

29 | In memory

30 | Centennial book announcement

Unlv Magazine, Carol C. Harter, Karen Sharp, Gian Galassi, Tony Allen, Jennifer Lawson, Shane Bevell, Lori Bachand, Regina Vaccari, Pete Codella, Cate Weeks, Erin O'Donnell, Diane Russell, Phil Hagen

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Commencement Program 2006, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

2 | 2006 Events of Commencement

3 | The Academic Procession

4 | Significance of Academic Regalia

5 | The Good Samaritan

6 | The Speakers

15 | The University Honorees

23 | The School Honorees

37 | The Program

• School of Medicine, 38
• School of Pharmacy, 47
• School of Dentistry, 52
• School of Science and Technology and Faculty of Religion, 63
• School of Nursing, 74
• School of Allied Health Professions - Physical Therapy, 80
• School of Allied Health Professions, 86
• School of Public Health, 95

An Added Dimension To The Faculty Role: The Accelerated Student, Lisa Rauch, Deborah Nelson

Master's Projects

Nursing faculty work hard at helping students achieve academic success by utilizing a variety of support services. The question guiding this study is: Do accelerated and traditional BSN students have different characteristics or different valued support services? The characteristics of accelerated and traditional BSN students were obtained from a larger longitudinal study (N=93). The Support Services Questionnaire collected data from a convenient sample of two groups of BSN students: accelerated (n=26), traditional (n=49). The results presented accelerated students as primarily female, financially supported, and holding a variety of college degrees. Traditional students were represented as female, younger, working and not …

Transforming Nursing Practice For Today's World: Teaching Information Literacy Skills To Nurses As Preparation For Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Richard Billingsley

Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations

This poster presentation summarizes how combined entities of the George Washington University Medical Center planned, developed, and disseminated instructional programs promoting information literacy skills among professional nurses. The programs served as a precursor for research utilization and the promotion of evidence-based nursing practices (EBNP).

Self-Efficacy And Grade Point Average In Relationship To Academic Success In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Cynthia Miller

Master's Projects

Academic success, defined as the completion of a nursing program and passing the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), is the goal of all nursing programs. The identification of specific variables related to academic success could identify students at risk of failing early. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship of two variables related to academic success, self-efficacy and grade point averages (GPA), in accelerated and regular BSN students. The results of this study suggest that a statistically significant, positive relationship exists between prerequisite GP A and self-efficacy of BSN students. In addition, …

Student Demographics With Changing Admission Criteria: Is Nursing Diversity At Risk?, Jung Yoon, Kimlin Mcdaniel Keith

Master's Projects

Schools of nursing are challenged with choosing from an increasing number of applicants and the need to prepare as many successful nurses as possible to meet the nursing shortage. Strategies have included increasing student enrollment, utilizing accelerated programs, and changing admission criteria. This study describes the demographic characteristics of three classes of nursing students admitted under different criteria to the same nursing school. The value of maintaining a high level of ethnic diversity is guided by Leininger's theory of cultural care diversity and universality. Although changes occurred in the demographic constitution of each nursing class, ethnic diversity was maintained as …

The Relationship Between Parental Physical Activity Levels And Their Child's Body Mass Index, Juracia Carbajal

Master's Projects

This study compared the relationships between parental physical activity levels and their child's body mass index (BMI) using a convenience sample of volunteer parents at a school-based health clinic. Anonymously, parents completed a seven-question survey utilizing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The data analysis indicated that parental physical activity did not have a significant influence on a child's BMI. Forty-two percent of the children were overweight or at risk for overweight, demonstrating the need for increased physical activity and improved nutritional guidance. The school nurse has a significant role in providing education about health, nutrition, and obesity prevention strategies …

Addressing Student Nurses' Concerns In End Of Life Care, Tami Boroughf

Master's Projects

Recently, there has been a great deal of attention to the fact that there are few learning opportunities regarding end-of-life (EOL) care in nursing undergraduate education. One purpose of this research study was to provide an educational seminar for nursing students with information necessary to communicate with patients at the end of life and their families. The educational intervention consisted of an interdisciplinary panel discussion, a brief segment of a video, a case study with small group discussion, and an optional reflective activity. A quasi- ~; experimental, pretest and posttest design was used in a baccalaureate-nursing program in Northern California. …

Academic Motivation: A Comparative Study Of Entry Level Baccaslaureate Nursing Students, Sharon Helene Davis

Master's Projects

Purpose: To examine academic motivation of students enrolled in an accelerated and a traditional baccalaureate nursing programs. Design: A convenience sample of30 (100%) respondents in an accelerated group and 37 (54%) respondents in a traditional group (54%) provided the data. A demographic survey and the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS C-28) were administered to both groups. Methods: This was a quantitative, correlational study. Analysis quantified item frequencies within the AMS C-28, and at-test was employed to evaluate the differences in intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and amotivation between the groups. Findings: There was no statistical difference in any of the motivation results …

The Influence Of Staff Nurse Ethnicity On Perceptions Of The Work Environment, Silvia Helena Martins

Master's Projects

This study investigated the relationship among Registered Nurses (RNs) from different ethnic groups and their perceptions of the work environment in a community hospital in California. Moos' Work Environment Scale (WES) was used to examine three Dimensions of the work climate. Statistically significant differences were found in the way Caucasian and non-Caucasian RNs perceived Peer Cohesion and Work Pressure. These findings have implications for nurse leaders interested in transforming the work environment as perceptions of Peer Cohesion and Work Pressure are important factors influencing RN retention and quality of patient care.

Factors Affecting Nursing Students' Attitudes Towards Older Adults, Tracy Mccammon

Master's Projects

The purpose of this study was to measure nursing students' attitudes towards older adults and to determine, if possible, factors which affect nursing students' attitudes toward older adults. A convenience sample of 94 senior, pre-licensed, baccalaureate nursing students, at a metropolitan university school of nursing in community and acute settings participated in the study. This non-experimental, descriptive survey focused on nursing students' attitudes towards older adults using the Kogan's Attitude Towards Old People Scale (KOP). A researcher developed questionnaire was also used to collect demographic information, as well as academic and non-academic experiences of students. The findings of this study …

Nurse Practitioners' Attitudes Toward Obesity, Teresa Cueba Dionne

Master's Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if negative attitudes exist among nurse practitioners toward obese clients. Data Sources: Data sources included responses to a 23 item questionnaire and a 7 item demographic survey completed anonymously through the mail. 104 Nurse practitioner members of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (21% response rate) participated in the study. Participants were asked to respond to questions related to attitudes about obese persons and weight management.

The Relationship Between Health Beliefs And Adherence To Treatment Of Russian Immigrants With Hypertension, Michael R. Kolesnikov

Master's Projects

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) has been identified as a common health problem in every ethnic group in the USA. Due to the silent nature of the HTN, some cultures may not perceive this condition as being serious or potentially fatal. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health beliefs of Russian-speaking immigrants with hypertension and their adherence to the prescribed treatment. Design: The study was a non-experimental exploratory survey and interview. Convenience sampling was used. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the theoretical framework. Sample: A total of 62 subjects (27% male and 73% female, ages from 51 …

Integrating Disaster Preparedness Into A Community Health Nursing Course: One School's Experience, Mary Ireland, Emma Kontzamanis, Chantal Michel

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Providing A "Good Death": Critical Care Nurses' Suggestions For Improving End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Lynn Clark Callister, Karin T. Kirchhoff

Faculty Publications

• Background Providing appropriate end-of-life care has become a primary concern of nurses and the public. The highly technological critical care environment may not facilitate such care.
• Objective To collect suggestions from critical care nurses for improving end-of-life care in intensive care units.
• Methods A geographically dispersed, random sample of 1409 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses was sent a 72-item survey on perceptions of end-of life care. The survey included a request for suggestions on ways to improve end-of life care.
• Results Of the 861 critical care nurses whoo responded to the survey, 485 offered 530 suggestions for …

Nursing Education And Service Collaboration: Making A Difference In The Clinical Learning Environment, Sheri P. Palmer, Amy Harmer Cox, Lynn Clark Callister, Vickie Johnsen, Geraldine Matsumura

Faculty Publications

This article focuses on innovative collaborative steps that were identified in recent research conducted by these authors on the relationship between academia and service. These steps are currently being implemented in the hope of improving the important role that the critical environment plays in student nurses' education. Few factors in nursing education are as important as the clinical environment in which students do their training. This article elaborates on these steps and offers practical suggestions for improving the relationship between academia and service.

Providing End-Of-Life Care To Patients: Critical Care Nurses' Perceived Obstacles And Supportive Behaviors, Renea L. Beckstrand, Karin T. Kirchhoff

Faculty Publications

• Background Critical care nurses care for dying patients daily. The process of dying in an intensive care unit is complicated, and research on specific obstacles that impede delivery of end-of-life care and/or supportive behaviors that help in delivery of end-of-life care is limited.
• Objective To measure critical care nurses' perceptions of the intensity and frequency of occurrence of (1) obstacles to providing end-of-life care and (2) supportive behaviors that help in providing end-of-life care in the intensive care unit.
• Methods An experimental, posttest-only, control-group design was used. A national, geographically dispersed, random sample of members of the American Association of …

A Pilot Study: The Effects Of Group Exercise On Fatigue And Quality Of Life During Cancer Treatment, Joanna M. Losito

Master's Projects

Fatigue affects 60-100% of all cancer patients, is difficult to manage, and can have a profound impact on everyday functioning and quality of life. Though seemingly counterintuitive, exercise has emerged as a promising intervention for the management of cancer related fatigue (CRF). Current research predominantly involves individual, home-based exercise programs with few studies exploring other modes of exercise delivery. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if participation in a structured group exercise program (SGEP) was a feasible intervention for adult oncology patients receiving cancer treatment and to test the impact of a SGEP on reducing CRF and …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 14, No. 01, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

Contents

2 | A message from the dean

4 | Loma Linda NURSE news

6 | The First 100 Years: how providence started our first century

12 | LLUSN development report

19 | Letter from the alumni president

20 | Alumni Homecoming

26 | Centennial Research Conference

27 | Near and far

29 | In memory

30 | Special event planned

Commencement Program 2005, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

2 | 2005 Events of Commencement

3 | President's Welcome

5 | Celebrating Our Centennial of Global Service

7 | Path of History: Loma Linda University Historical Sites

11 | The Academic Procession

12 | Significance of Academic Regalia

13 | The Speakers

20 | The University Honorees

25 | The School Honorees

35 | The Programs

• School of Medicine, 36
• School of Dentistry, 43
• Graduate School, 52
• School of Nursing, 62
• School of Allied Health Professions - Physical Therapy, 67
• School of Allied Health Professions, 73
• School of Public Health, 81

Improving The Experience Of Hospitalization For Hawaiian Children On The Mainland Through Cultural Sensitivity To Hawaiian Ways Of Healing, Jane H. Lassetter, Joan H. Baldwin

Faculty Publications

The experience of hospitalization for Hawaiian children on the mainland might be improved through the understanding and development of cultural sensitivity to Hawaiian ways of healing. This article contains a selected review of the literature on meeting the cultural health care needs of Hawaiian children and their families, a discussion of some of the challenges of caring for Hawaiian children in Utah, and suggestions for practice that may improve the experience of hospitalization for Hawaiian children in general.

Nurses Perceptions Of Barriers And Facilitators To Research Utilization In Their Nursing Practice, David Ray Renfro

Master's Projects

Today in nursing we are driven in the direction of evidence based practices. The nursing profession must continue to encourage nurses to ask "Why" when providing interventions. We must ensure that the interventions provided are both warranted, and the most efficacious intervention achievable. As a profession, we can no longer stand on our methods of practice simply because it is the way we have always practiced. It is a challenge for nursing leaders to implement a culture of evidence based practice, and to promote research utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify nurse's perceptions of barriers and facilitators …

Self-Efficacy And Sexual Transmitted Disease Prevention Among College Women, Dominique M. Ly

Master's Projects

According to the Center of Disease Control (2002), sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise, especially among women. By far, women bear the greatest burden of STDs because they suffer more frequently and develop more serious complications than men. This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and safe sex behaviors among college women. The data was collected by using questionnaires from the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSE) and the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale(CUSES). The sample was composed of 38 unmarried female college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years-of-age who had been sexually active within the last …

A Survey Of California Nurse Practitioners' Health Practices And Counseling Habits, Jessica Malone

Master's Projects

Morbidity and mortality due to obesity continues to rise in the United States despite well known Healthy People 2010 and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity. In the U.S. today, more than 60 percent of Americans aged 20 years and older are overweight (Hedley et al., 2004). This study investigated the exercise practices of California nurse practitioners (NPs }, how their practices compare to recommended guidelines, and to what extent California NPs prescribe aerobic exercise and strength training to their clients. The California Nurse Practitioners Physical Activity Questionnaire was self-administered at the annual2005 California Association for Nurse …

Quality Of Life And Medical Compliance In The Adolescent Kidney Transplant Population ---A Pilot Study, Catherine Costaglio

Master's Projects

Introduction: Post renal transplant medical non-compliance is a leading cause of renal graft loss, in the adolescent population. The pwpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between quality of life and medical compliance. Method: A pilot study was conducted using a convenience sample of 10 post renal transplant adolescents during their routine transplant clinic appointment. Demographic data was collected and the KIND L Quality of Life questionnaire was completed by study participants. Medical compliance was measured by evaluating transplant clinic appointment attendance, laboratory appointment attendance, and immunosuppressant drug levels. Results: Despite positive correlations reported in …

Practice Patterns Contributing To Positive Patient Outcomes By Nurse Practitioners, Kandice Bandy

Master's Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify NP practice patterns most important for positive patient outcomes. Data Sources: A convenience sample (n = 93) of Nurse Practitioners attending the 2005 California Association for Nurse Practitioners Conference (N = 535) completed the survey. Conclusions: The most important practice patterns identified were associated with patient-centered care. When analyzed with years in practice, patient-centered practice patterns continued to be the most important. This study suggests that patient-centered practice patterns are most important to positive patient outcomes for NPs. Implications for practice: Identifying the practice patterns that are most important to positive …

Analysis Of Contraceptive Self-Efficacy In Clients Requesting Emergency Contraception, Jennifer L. Nordeen

Master's Projects

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Student Perceptions Of Faculty Support And Student Perceptions Of Clinical Competency, Linda Clark

Master's Projects

This study explored the relationship between student perceptions of faculty support and student perceptions of clinical competency in beginning and senior level nursing students. A total of 91 ethnically diverse, generic baccalaureate nursing students from a state funded university participated in the study. The participants completed Mozingo, Thomas, and Brooks' (1995) Perceived Competency Scale (PCS), Shelton's (2003) Perceived Faculty Support Scales (PFSS), and a demographic questionnaire. An independent t test determined that the observed mean difference between perceived competency scores in 46 beginning students (M=32.02) and 45 senior students (M=27.36) was statistically significant (t (89) =3.25,p<.05). The students demonstrated high scores of perceived faculty support and demonstrated no difference between the beginning (M=94.82) and the senior (M=95.61) nursing students (t (87) =-.25,p>.05). No statistically significant …