Nursing Commons^™

Does Family Communication Matter? Exploring Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Genetics In Cancer Families, Sarah Harmon Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Knowledge of breast cancer genetics is critical for those at increased risk whomust make decisions about breast cancer screening options. The purpose of this study was toexplore cognitive and emotional variables that might influence knowledge of breast cancergenetics.Methods: This descriptive, exploratory study analyzed theory-based relationships amongvariables related to knowledge of breast cancer genetics in cancer families. Participants includedfirst-degree relatives of women with breast cancer who had received genetic counseling andtesting; participants themselves did not have breast cancer and had not received geneticcounseling or testing. Data were collected by telephone interview and survey. Variables analyzedinclude numeracy, health literacy, cancer-related distress, …

Does Family Communication Matter? Exploring Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Genetics In Cancer Families, Sarah Harmon Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Knowledge of breast cancer genetics is critical for those at increased risk whomust make decisions about breast cancer screening options. The purpose of this study was toexplore cognitive and emotional variables that might influence knowledge of breast cancergenetics.Methods: This descriptive, exploratory study analyzed theory-based relationships amongvariables related to knowledge of breast cancer genetics in cancer families. Participants includedfirst-degree relatives of women with breast cancer who had received genetic counseling andtesting; participants themselves did not have breast cancer and had not received geneticcounseling or testing. Data were collected by telephone interview and survey. Variables analyzedinclude numeracy, health literacy, cancer-related distress, …

Critical Care Nurses’ Qualitative Reports Of Experiences With Family Behaviors As Obstacles In End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Caitlin Mallory, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Karlen E. Luthy

Faculty Publications

Background: Critical care nurses (CCNs) frequently provide end-of-life (EOL) care for critically ill patients. Critical care nurses may face many obstacles while trying to provide quality EOL care. Some research focusing on obstacles CCNs face while trying to provide quality EOL care has been published; however, research focusing on family behavior obstacles is limited. Research focusing on family behavior as an EOL care obstacle may provide additional insight and improvement in care.

Objectives: We wanted to gather firsthand experiences of CCNs regarding working with families of dying patients. We then wanted to determine the predominant obstacle themes noted when CCNs …

Nicu Nurses' Suggestions For Improving Obstacles In End-Of-Life Care, Rebecca Faye Isaacson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 25,000 pediatric deaths occur in hospitals in the United States each year with over 50% of these deaths occurring in Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU). NICU nurses are frequently involved in end-of-life (EOL) care and face unique obstacles. Objective: The objective of this study was to obtain NICU nurses suggestions for improving obstacles in EOL care in NICUs. Methods: Suggestions were obtained through mailed survey research in qualitative study design. Returned surveys yielded 121 nurse respondents who gave a total of 138 suggestions.Results: A total of 10 cohesive themes were identified: (1) environmental design issues, (2) improved communication …

Validation Of Activity Trackers In A Laboratory Setting With Young Adults, Brandon Leslie Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Objectively tracking sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is becoming increasingly important as research continues to show the negative effects with increasing SB and decreasing PA. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three commercial activity trackers with young adults regarding how they accurately measure SB and PA behaviors in a laboratory setting. Methods: 50 college-aged participants wore three wrist-based activity trackers (Fitbit Surge, Apple Watch, and Basis Peak) and two ActiGraph accelerometer devices during a series of SB and PA behaviors for five-minute intervals in a laboratory setting. The activity trackers were evaluated against direct …

The Science Of Neurobiology Of Sexual Assault Trauma And The Utah Legal System, Donna Kelly, Julie L. Valentine

Faculty Publications

Sexual assault triggers a cascade of physiological responses in victims, commonly referred to as the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma. Victims often report the inability to move or resist, memory loss, and loss of our altered feelings of consciousness – reactions which often negatively impact the perception of their credibility. Recently, the criminal justice system has begun to connect these normal, physiological responses in understanding common victim behaviors and responses. As knowledge of the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma disseminates throughout the criminal justice system, it is readily apparent that education, new protocols, and trauma informed interview techniques are required. …

Emergency Nurses' Department Design Recommendations For Improved End-Of-Life Care, Elise Megan Corbett

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Death occurs frequently in emergency departments (EDs). Obstacles present in EDs can make providing end-of-life (EOL) care stressful and challenging for emergency nurses. Although death is common in EDs, there is a paucity of research regarding ED design as an obstacle to EOL care. The purpose of this study was to identify emergency nurses experiences and recommendations regarding ways ED designs negatively or positively impacted EOL care for dying patients and their families. Methods: At 25-item questionnaire regarding ED design and EOL care was sent to a geographically dispersed, national random sample of 500 emergency nurses. Inclusion criteria were …

Emergency Nurses' Department Design Recommendations For Improved End-Of-Life Care, Elise Megan Corbett

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Death occurs frequently in emergency departments (EDs). Obstacles present in EDs can make providing end-of-life (EOL) care stressful and challenging for emergency nurses. Although death is common in EDs, there is a paucity of research regarding ED design as an obstacle to EOL care. The purpose of this study was to identify emergency nurses experiences and recommendations regarding ways ED designs negatively or positively impacted EOL care for dying patients and their families. Methods: At 25-item questionnaire regarding ED design and EOL care was sent to a geographically dispersed, national random sample of 500 emergency nurses. Inclusion criteria were …

Psychometric Testing Of The Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Questionnaire And The Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Behavior Recall Questionnaire For Children, Jane Lassetter Phd, Rn, Christopher I. Macintosh, Mary Williams, Martha Driessnack, Gaye Ray, Jonathan Wisco

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the psychometric properties for two related questionnaires: the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (HEPASEQ-C) and theHealthy Eating and PhysicalActivity Behavior RecallQuestionnaire for Children (HEPABRQ-C). Design andMethods: HEPASEQ-C and HEPABRQ-C were administered to 517 participating children with 492 completing. Data were analyzed to evaluate for reliability and validity of the questionnaires. Results: Content validity was established through a 10-person expert panel. For the HEPASEQC, item content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.80 to 1.00. The CVI for the total questionnaire was 1.0. AllHEPASEQ-C items loaded on …

Organizational Learning In A College Of Nursing: A Learning History, Bret Lyman, Lisa A. Cowan, Hannah C. Hoyt

Faculty Publications

Background: College of nursing leaders can foster organizational learning as a means of achieving their desired organizational outcomes. Organizational learning has not previously been studied in colleges of nursing, leaving college administrators and faculty little guidance as they strive to improve outcomes in their own colleges.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to discover new insights related to organizational learning in a college of nursing.

Design: The learning history method was used to document and describe organizational learning in a college of nursing.

Setting: This study was conducted with a college of nursing situated in a private, religious-based university …

Antibiotic Stewardship: The Role Of Clinical Nurses And Nurse Educators, Sharon Sumner, Sandra Forsyth, Katreena Collette Merrill, Caroline Taylor, Todd Vento, John Veillette, Brandon Webb

Faculty Publications

Within 10 years of the breakthrough development of Penicillin, antibiotic resistance was reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention (CDC, 2017), each year 2 million cases of antibiotic resistant bacteria occur resulting in approximately 23,000 deaths in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reports that approximately 25,000 people die from antibiotic resistant organisms annually in the European Union (WHO, 2014). To combat these alarming trends, antibiotic stewardship (AS) programs have been strongly recommended by the WHO, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the …

Organizational Learning In An Orthopaedic Unit: A Learning History, Bret Lyman, Lindsey Shaw, Carly Moore

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore organizational learning in an orthopaedic hospital unit. Skill in organizational learning is necessary to achieve high reliability in a dynamic healthcare environment, yet organizational learning in hospital units is not well understood. A learning history was conducted with a high-performing orthopaedic unit. Findings were interpreted in the context of a previous learning history conducted with a critical care unit. Despite contextual differences, each unit progressed through the same four developmental stages to achieve its current state of high reliability. On both units, psychological safety and a healthy work environment proved essential for …

Parental Attitudes Of Immunization In Children With Special Healthcare Needs: A Qualitative Study, Maren Topham

Theses and Dissertations

Background and Purpose: Just over 15% of children under 18 years of age in the UnitedStates, or approximately 11.2 million children, are estimated to have special healthcare needs.Although children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) make up a small percentage of thepediatric population, they account for over one third of pediatric medical care. Parental attitudesregarding immunization play a significant role in vaccination rates among children. The purposeof this research is to explore parental attitudes regarding immunization of CSHCN.Methods: This qualitative study focused on parental perceptions and beliefs aboutimmunizations for CSHCN. Sixteen participants, who were parents of CSHCN from onepediatric specialty care …

A Whooping Cough Education Module For Wic Clients In Utah, Karlen E. Luthy, Alicia Anderson, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Renea L. Beckstrand, Lacey M. Eden, Ryan Amy, Christopher I. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Background: Clients in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are required to complete education modules quarterly to maintain eligibility. The purposes of this project were to: (1) create a whooping cough vaccination education module for WIC clients; (2) evaluate baseline perceptions of WIC clients on the whooping cough vaccine and disease; and (3) evaluate whooping cough knowledge following completion of the module. Problem: A decline in vaccination rates among infants and children using WIC services was reported by a local WIC program director who requested whooping cough vaccination education materials. This quality improvement project included …

Should Nurse Practitioners Be Required To Record Immunizations In Immunization Information Systems?, Donald Gardenier, Lacey Eden, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy

Faculty Publications

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides the majority of childhood immunizations, has been in existence for over 20 years. The CDC also created the Immunization Information Systems (IIS) program in which states were allocated funding to create statewide immunization databases. The goal was to maintain a reliable immunization tracking system to keep children on schedule and avoid unnecessary immunizations. In most states, however, only health care providers who are enrolled in the VFC Program are required to enter data into the IIS. Should all providers be required to enter …

Critical Care Nurses’ Suggestions To Improve End-Of-Life Care Obstacles: Minimal Change Over 17 Years, Renea L. Beckstrand, Kacie Hart Hadley, Karlen E. Luthy, Janelle L. B. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Background: Critical-care nurses (CCNs) provide end-of-life (EOL) care on a daily basis as 1 in 5 patients dies while in intensive care units. Critical-care nurses overcome many obstacles to perform quality EOL care for dying patients.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to collect CCNs’ current suggestions for improving EOL care and determine if EOL care obstacles have changed by comparing results to data gathered in 1998.

Methods: A 72-item questionnaire regarding EOL care perceptions was mailed to a national, geographically dispersed, random sample of 2000 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. One of 3 qualitative questions …

State Requirements For Childhood Vaccination Exemption Forms In The United States, Katherine Elizabeth Hill

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, children must be vaccinated in order to attend school, although parents also have the right to request a vaccine exemption. The type of vaccine exemption varies by state but can include exemption for religious, philosophical, medical, and temporary medical reasons. The purpose of this research was to identify the use of provider signature requirements and fees in states during the vaccine exemption process. A questionnaire was sent to immunization managers in the 50 United States, District of Columbia, the United States Indian Health Service, and eight United States territories. The managers were asked if their states …

Mentoring Nursing Students In A Refugee And Immigrant Public And Global Health Course, Debra Edmunds

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The following excerpt from a student’s reflective journal illustrates that academic objectives were met (used with permission): “I have learned a lot from this population and this knowledge has allowed my attitudes to develop and mature in understanding of this high-risk population. Refugees are a misunderstood and, many times, forgotten population that have experienced extensive trauma. I worked with many people on my mission that came from these backgrounds but I never had the opportunity to help them in this type of a setting. I have come to realize that for many people, their story will never be truly known …

Nursing Student Experiences Regarding Safe Use Of Electronic Health Records: A Pilot Study Of The Safer Guides, Karen Whitt, Katreena Merrill, Lacey Eden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to mentor undergraduate nursing students through the entire research process while they worked on a study to evaluate undergraduate and graduate nursing students’ and practicing nurse practitioners’ clinical experience and awareness of safe electronic health record (EHR) practices utilizing the SAFER guide checklists. This project provided multiple mentoring and learning opportunities for the undergraduate students who worked on this project. We exceeded the original objectives of the study and included more opportunities for student research mentoring than were listed in the original proposal. The students had the opportunity for hands-on experience with all aspects …

Validation Of Four Activity Trackers And Their Influence On Activity Level In Adolescents And Young Adults, Neil Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Objectives:

1. Validate activity trackers including FitBit Surge, Basis Peak, and Apple Watch, against the validated ActiGraph GT3X+.
2. Use quantitative and qualitative means to determine the influence on these commercial exercise trackers on changing sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) behavior.

Getting To Know Veterans Through The Utah Honor Flight, Kent Blad, Ron Ulberg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The academic objectives of the MEG proposal were met and exceeded. Specifically, students were able to serve as individual guardians for a WWII or Korea War Veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington DC to allow those Veterans to visit those sites that are in place to honor their service to our country. For most of the 25 Veterans that were sponsored by BYU College of Nursing, this was their last visit to these sites before they pass on. Examples of these sites were WWII Memorial, Korea War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Navy Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Marine / Iwo …

Wic Clients And Immunizations: A Community-Wide Educational Project, Karlen E. Luthy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Although most well-known for formula and food vouchers, the WIC Program also excels with their education programs. In fact, every three months WIC parents are required to complete authorized on-line educational modules or attend approved educational classes prior to obtaining their food vouchers for the subsequent quarter.

Improving Immunization Rates Among Pregnant Women: A Mentored Experience, Lacey M. Eden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this MEG to mentor nursing students through the process of implementing an education program for pregnant women regarding the importance of Tdap immunization during pregnancy, and to assist Utah County obstetric offices in improving Tdap immunization rates among their patients. Additionally, this project provided an opportunity for undergraduate students to educate the public and utilize health information-technology to empower the patient to be proactive about their care and the protection of their unborn child.

Validation Of Four Activity Trackers And Their Influence On Activity Level In Adolescents And Young Adults, Neil Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Objectives:

1. Validate activity trackers including FitBit Surge, Basis Peak, and Apple Watch, against the validated ActiGraph GT3X+.
2. Use quantitative and qualitative means to determine the influence on these commercial exercise trackers on changing sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) behavior.

Getting To Know Veterans Through The Utah Honor Flight, Kent Blad, Ron Ulberg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The academic objectives of the MEG proposal were met and exceeded. Specifically, students were able to serve as individual guardians for a WWII or Korea War Veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington DC to allow those Veterans to visit those sites that are in place to honor their service to our country. For most of the 25 Veterans that were sponsored by BYU College of Nursing, this was their last visit to these sites before they pass on. Examples of these sites were WWII Memorial, Korea War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Navy Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Marine / Iwo …

Wic Clients And Immunizations: A Community-Wide Educational Project, Karlen E. Luthy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Although most well-known for formula and food vouchers, the WIC Program also excels with their education programs. In fact, every three months WIC parents are required to complete authorized on-line educational modules or attend approved educational classes prior to obtaining their food vouchers for the subsequent quarter.

In Utah, WIC clients establish their eligibility for program services at the WIC location within their county of residence. The WIC Program in Utah County is one of the largest in the state, providing services for approximately 8,000 women. During 2013-2014, a troublesome trend emerged among WIC clients in Utah County – a …

Nursing Student Experiences Regarding Safe Use Of Electronic Health Records: A Pilot Study Of The Safer Guides, Karen Whitt, Katreena Merrill, Lacey Eden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to mentor undergraduate nursing students through the entire research process while they worked on a study to evaluate undergraduate and graduate nursing students’ and practicing nurse practitioners’ clinical experience and awareness of safe electronic health record (EHR) practices utilizing the SAFER guide checklists. This project provided multiple mentoring and learning opportunities for the undergraduate students who worked on this project. We exceeded the original objectives of the study and included more opportunities for student research mentoring than were listed in the original proposal. The students had the opportunity for hands-on experience with all aspects …

Mentoring Nursing Students In A Refugee And Immigrant Public And Global Health Course, Debra Edmunds

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The following excerpt from a student’s reflective journal illustrates that academic objectives were met (used with permission): “I have learned a lot from this population and this knowledge has allowed my attitudes to develop and mature in understanding of this high-risk population. Refugees are a misunderstood and, many times, forgotten population that have experienced extensive trauma. I worked with many people on my mission that came from these backgrounds but I never had the opportunity to help them in this type of a setting. I have come to realize that for many people, their story will never be truly known …

Improving Immunization Rates Among Pregnant Women: A Mentored Experience, Lacey M. Eden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this MEG to mentor nursing students through the process of implementing an education program for pregnant women regarding the importance of Tdap immunization during pregnancy, and to assist Utah County obstetric offices in improving Tdap immunization rates among their patients. Additionally, this project provided an opportunity for undergraduate students to educate the public and utilize health information-technology to empower the patient to be proactive about their care and the protection of their unborn child.

The MEG funding was successfully utilized for its intended purpose (production of a mobile application to educate and remind pregnant women about needed …

Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kit Intiative, Holden Brimhall, Dr. Julie Valentine

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sexual assault is a serious public health concern that has extremely long-term mental and physical health implications for victims. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) estimates that 1 in 71 men and 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. The key for getting these men and women the justice and closure they need is often found in their Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs), which collect physical evidence from the sexual assault survivor for the state crime laboratory to analyze. Unfortunately, only 20% of SAKs are ever submitted to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services state …