Nursing Commons^™

An Enhanced Actualized Dnp Model To Improve Dnp Project Placements, Rigor, And Completion: A Research Brief, Marie Vanderkooi, Dianne Conrad, Sandra Spoelstra

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) projects are summative evaluations of enactment of the DNP Essentials. However, information about structure, process, and outcomes of DNP projects is scarce. Guided by an enhanced actualized DNP model, this study tested the effect of a PhD-DNP-site mentor model to guide DNP projects. Time-to-complete assignments, defense, and graduation improved; high satisfaction for students, mentors, and faculty were found; and a strengthened academic-practice partnership occurred, leading to additional student placements. Broader testing of the enhanced model in various size and types of academic-practice settings is needed prior to use.

Development Of An Index To Predict Risk Of Nursing Home Placement For Home And Community-Based Waiver Participants, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Charles W. Given

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

Nursing home placement (NHP) is costly, and the majority of older adults prefer to remain living in the community. The purpose of this research was to examine NHP among a cohort of participants in a home and community-based waiver program during 2002 to 2007 to develop a risk model for predicting who may transition to a nursing home. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on data from the minimum data set-home for care linked with medicaid claim files and death certificates. The sample included 6525 participants who had two assessments and survived through 2007 or had NHP. A risk index …

A Qualitative Study Of Role Transition From Rn To Apn, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Lorraine B. Robbins

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

Role transition from registered nurse to advanced practice nurse is a difficult process. A qualitative thematic analysis guided the integration of various experiences of 24 students in a twocredit, web-based role development course in a Master’s of Science in Nursing program at a large Midwestern university. Findings supported that students had developed an understanding of the core competencies and complexity of the advanced practice nurse role, and that beginning role transition had occurred. An overarching theme, ‘the essence of nursing’ was evident. Three subthemes supported the occurrence of role transition, which included the importance of: a) building a framework for …

How Increasing Personal Care Service Might Delay Or Prevent Nursing Home Placement, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Charles W. Given, Tracy Dekoekkoek, Monica Schueller

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

There is a pressing need to retain dually eligible elderly Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in the community. The objective of this study was to examine median personal care services (PCS) hours, and how increasing PCS to the median (for those below), might delay nursing home placement (NHP) and save cost. Methods: Retrospective study of PCS hours, costs, and NHP in a statewide home and community based waiver program in the Midwest serving 6525 dually eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries aged 65 and older. Two Minimum Data Set-Home Care assessments and Medicaid claim files were examined to identify PCS hours and cost. A …

An Intervention To Improve Adherence And Symptoms For Oral Oncolytics, Sandra Spoelstra

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

Fall Prevention In Hospitals: An Integrative Review, Sandra Spoelstra

Sandra L. Spoelstra, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN