Nursing Commons^™

A New Life For The Care Plan?, Laura K. Heermann Langford, Ann Tinker, Marc-Aurel Martial

Faculty Publications

The current hot topic within clinical informatics is meaningful use and incentive payments defined under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act's electronic health record (EHR) incentive program. This recent legislation calls for healthcare providers to meet a set of minimum requirements using a certified EHR. The point of this government program is to support the widespread adoption of the EHR. The program lays out an overall plan that incentivizes hospitals and providers to implement, adopt, and "meaningfully" use an EHR. The incentive program starts with basic data entry and exchange in a standardized manner, with …

Improving Immunization Rates In The Clinic And In The Community, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Arlene M. Sperhac, Sandra A. Faux, Joseph K. Miner

Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, the United States haas had tremendous success in achieving very high immunization compliance rates among children, sometimes as high as 91%. However, despite progress toward controlling the spread of communicable disease through immunizations, more than 2.1 million children nationwide are not adequately immunized. Even among US children who are adequately immunized, only about half of them actually received their immunization on time.

Postpartum Depression And Culture: Pesado Corazon, Lynn Clark Callister, Renea L. Beckstrand, Cheryl A. Corbett

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this article is to describe what the -literature has shown about postpartum depression (PPD) in culturally diverse women. The majority of qualitative studies done with women identified as -having PPD have been conducted with Western -women, with the second largest group focusing on Chinese women. This article reviews the qualitative studies in the literature and discusses how the management of PPD in technocentric and ethnokinship cultures differs. Social support has been shown to be significantly related to fewer symptoms of PPD, and culturally prescribed practices may or may not be -cultural mediators in decreasing the incidence of …

Practical Considerations In Establishing Sustainable International Nursing Experiences, Rae Jeanne Memmott, Catherine R. Coverston, Barbara A. Heise, Mary Williams, Erin D. Maughan, James Kohl, Sheri P. Palmer

Faculty Publications

An understanding of global health and the development of cultural competence are important outcomes of today's baccalaureate nursing programs. Thoughtfully designed International experiences can provide excellent opportunities to achieve those outcomes. Based Ono 16 years of providing International experiences within a baccalaureate curriculum, components are identified that contribute to the development of a sustainable international program. Areas addressed in the article are evaluating the fit with university and college mission, establishing the program within the university operational structure, selecting faculty and students, developing sites, designing a course, and program evaluation.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Are Emergency Department Providers Identifying Which Patients Are At Risk?, Barbara Kay Stuart

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Identify patients with specific emergency department (ED) discharge diagnoses who later report symptoms associated with a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), compare frequency and severity of MTBI symptoms by discharge diagnoses, investigate the frequency of head injury education provided to ED patients with each diagnosis, and finally, to learn what type of changes have occurred in the lives of patients as a result of their injury.

Methods: Fifty-two ED patients, aged 18 to 28 who were at least two weeks post injury, spoke English and were discharged with a diagnosis of concussion/closed head injury (CHI), head laceration, motor vehicle …

The Prevalence Of Postpartum Depression In Hispanic Immigrant Women, Nissa Breann Lucero

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression among Hispanic immigrant women seeking healthcare services at a community health clinic.

Data Sources: Hispanic immigrant women were recruited. Out of 116 study participants, 96 women were in the final sample. Using the Beck PDSS-Spanish version, women were screened for symptoms of postpartum depression.

Conclusions: The prevalence rate of significant symptoms of PPD was 54.2% for the entire sample of 96 women. Nearly 66% of women who screened positive for symptoms of PPD scored above the listed cutoff score for suicidal thoughts. Women were divided into …

Understanding The Perspective Of Adolescent Siblings Of Children With Down Syndrome Who Have Multiple Health Problems, Carol Ann Graff

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to obtain information from adolescent siblings of children with Down syndrome (CWDS) regarding their perceptions of living with a child who has Down syndrome (DS). Twenty-three adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age who lived with a child who had DS and additional health problems including cardiac, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological, and behavioral conditions were interviewed individually. After examining the tape recorded interviews, major themes revealed both positive and negative aspects of living with a child with DS who has major health problems. However, overall the adolescents reflected more positive experiences …

The Course Council: An Example Of Student-Centered Learning, Deborah Himes, Barbara Heise

Faculty Publications

To promote student-centered learning, a course council was established in a beginning undergraduate nursing course. A student representative was selected by peers to attend a monthly course council meeting with faculty. Representatives were asked to query classmates in their section of eight students regarding opinions, questions, and concerns about the course and then bring those views to the council. In this monthly, small group, open dialogue setting, students spoke freely about experiences in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. The stage was set for reflection, problem solving, and decision making involving students and faculty. Student input led to meaningful course …

Nursing Students: Untapped Resource For Running Computerized Patient Simulators, Starla Aragon, Amy Kotter, Patricia K. Ravert, Suzan E. Kardong-Edgren

Faculty Publications

High-fidelity simulation (HFS) is sweeping the nation as a legitimate and exciting new resource for nursing educators. As with most new technologies, HFS is not without its difficulties. It can be a costly program to run and may also cause anxiety among the faculty required for implementation. There is a simple solution to help increase the ease of its implementation: using student workers. This article discusses how using students to help run the simulations can not only reduce overall cost and anxiety associated with this new technology but also increase learning among those participating in HFS.

Giving Birth: The Voices Of Ecuadorian Women, Lynn Clark Callister, Cheryl A. Corbett, Shelly Reed, Cassidy Tomao, Katie G. Thornton

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe the perceptions of Ecuadorian childbearing women. Background: No studies published in English could be found documenting the perspectives of Ecuadorian childbearing women about their birth experiences. Method: Thirty-two women who had recently given birth in Guayaquil, Ecuador participated in audiotaped interviews, which were analyzed as appropriate for ethnographic inquiry. Results: “Enduring birth to obtain the gift” was the overarching theme. Supporting themes included caring for self and accessing prenatal care to have a healthy newborn; relying on God to ensure positive maternal/newborn outcomes; submission of self to healthcare providers because …

Parent Involvement In End-Of-Life Care And Decision Making In The Newborn Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review, Lacey M. Eden, Lynn Clark Callister

Faculty Publications

Survival rates for very preterm and critically ill infants are increasing, raising complex ethical issues for health-care providers and parents who face the challenge of making end-of-life decisions for newborns. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to evaluate parental involvement in end-of-life care and decision making for their infant in the newborn intensive care unit. Findings revealed that establishing good relationships and clear communication between health-care providers and parents builds trust and eases stress placed on parents making decisions about the care of their infant. Palliative care programs provide support for parents and facilitate their decision making. Parents …

Designing A Simulation For Student Evaluation Using Scriven's Key Evaluation Checklist, Shelly Jensen Reed

Faculty Publications

Human patient simulation use has increased dramatically in nursing education over the past 10 years, with many benefits. One advantage is that it allows students to learn by practicing skills in a risk-free environment, with immediate faculty feedback. Another benefit is that it prepares and ensures the competence of student nurses, leading to improved patient safety outcomes. Student opinions gathered in a survey of nursing schools and simulator centers favored use of competency evaluation using simulation in at least some circumstances. As little research concerning use of simulation to evaluate student competency can be found, an established guide such as …

Student Satisfaction With Simulation Experiences, Angeline Abdo, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Background: Some nursing schools use patient simulators to simulate patient scenarios.

Methods: Nursing students participated in five sessions using a patient simulator and then completed a questionnaire related to their experiences.

Results: Participants felt the experiences recreated real-life situations, tested their clinical decision-making, prepared them for the “real-life” clinical setting, and increased their confidence when in the clinical setting.

Conclusions: Patient simulator experiences enhance learning. Further research regarding student perceptions and instrument validation would contribute to an increased understanding of the use of patient simulators in nursing education.

Oncology Nurses' Perceptions Of Obstacles And Supportive Behaviors At The End Of Life, Renea L. Beckstrand, Josie Moore, Lynn Callister, A. Elaine Bond

Faculty Publications

Purpose/Objectives: To determine the magnitude of selected obstacles and supportive behaviors in providing end-of-life (EOL) care to patients with cancer as perceived by oncology nurses.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: National survey sample.

Sample: A geographically dispersed national random sample of 1,000 Oncology Nursing Society members who had cared for inpatient patients with cancer, could read English, and had experience in EOL care.

Methods: Eligible respondents received a 68-item questionnaire in the mail adapted from previous studies and were asked to rate the size of obstacles and supportive behavior items in caring for patients with cancer at the EOL.

Main Research …

Developing And Implementing A Simulation Program: Baccalaureate Nursing Education, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private university (owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), established in 1875. The main campus is located in Provo, Utah, 45 miles south of Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains and serves approximately 33,000 students. The College of Nursing (CON) was founded in 1952. The CON offers two programs, the undergraduate Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science; the latter program prepares family nurse practitioners. The CON programs are approved by the Utah State Board of Nursing and are accredited by the National League for Nursing …

The Case Of The Silent Crippler, Amanda Orme, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy

Faculty Publications

Thirteen-year-old “Stephanie” has been complaining of bilateral leg pain and increasing lower extremity weakness. Stephanie's teacher recently approached her parents to inform them of concerns that Stephanie is walking differently and seems off balance at school.

Care Of The Dying Child: Pediatric Icu Nurses’ Perceptions Of Obstacles And Supportive Behaviors In End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Lynn Clark Callister, Barbara L. Mandleco, Nicole L. Rawle

Faculty Publications

Each year 55,000 children die in the United States. The vast majority of children’s deaths, 75 – 85%, occur in hospital settings with most in pediatric intensive care units. Oftentimes, a nurse is at the bedside of the dying child. Determining the barriers and supportive behaviors in pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care is needed.

Successfully Incorporating Writing Across The Curriculum With Advanced Writing In Nursing, Karlen E. Luthy, Neil E. Peterson, Jane H. Lassetter, Lynn C. Callister

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this article is to explain the concepts of Writing Across the Curriculum, Writing in the Disciplines, and Writing to Learn, and to describe the incorporation of advanced writing into a baccalaureate nursing program and provide suggestions for accessing resources and promoting success. The goals of incorporating Writing Across the Curriculum, Writing in the Disciplines, and Writing to Learn concepts into nursing curriculum are to assist nursing students to achieve competence in clinically relevant writing assignments; to demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills, both oral and written; to execute useful literature searches; to read and understand research reports; …

Apgar Scores And Oxygenation Levels: A Comparison Of Vaginal And Cesarean Section Modes Of Delivery, Allison Holt, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to compare Apgar scores and oxygenation levels (two measures of birth outcomes) of well infants born by Cesarean section (c-section) to those delivered vaginally.

Psychometric Properties Of The Self-Assessment Of The Interpersonal Relationship Scale, Karen S. Dearing, Sheryl Steadman

Faculty Publications

The nurse-patient relationship is the basis of psychiatric nursing. The use of self defines nursing as an interactive, exploratory, caring, and health promoting process. No tool has been developed to determine specific areas for competency building using the principles of developing an interpersonal relationship. The specific aims of the study were two-fold: establish the reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment of the Interpersonal Relationship Scale (SAIRS) and determine the ability of SAIRS to measure student nurses development of interpersonal competencies with patients.

Engaging Students In The Fundamental Skill Lab: Scenario Based Simulations, Deborah O. Himes, Patricia K. Ravert, Colleen R. Tingey

Faculty Publications

Aims of this study: Students will be actively engaged in the basic nursing skills lab and develop critical nursing behaviors including:

- Assessment/ Intervention/ Evaluation

- Critical Thinking/ Clinical Decision Making

- Direct Patient Care

- Communication/ Collaboration

- Professional Behaviors.

Students will also remember more of what they learn through story-telling (patient cases) and role-playing. They will come prepared to perform as a nurse in lab.

Older Adults With Traumatic Rib Fractures: An Evidence-Based Approach To Their Care, Blaine A. Winters

Faculty Publications

It is expected that over the next decade the population of older adults in the United States will increase dramatically. As the older adult population increases, the number of older adults involved in traumatic accidents is also expected to climb. The older population is at na increased risk for complications and poor outcomes following trauma. Practitioners caring for these older adults will need to use evidence-based practice guidelines in an attempt to improve outcomes. This article provides a clinical guideline for the assessment and management of pain in older adults with traumatic rib fractures, and an approach for pain assessment, …

Oncology Nurses’ Perceptions Of Obstacles And Supportive Behaviors In End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, A. Elaine Bond, Lynn Clark Callister, Josie Moore

Faculty Publications

Cancer accounts for one in four deaths in the United States. Oncology nurses care for dying patients on a daily basis. Research on specific obstacles that impede and supportive behaviors that help the delivery of end-of-life (EOL) care is limited.

A Semester Of Global Health & Human Diversity Among United States Veterans In Rural Utah, Kent D. Blad, Janelle Jackson, Petr Ruda, Angelynn Singley, Paula; Ulberg, Ron S.; Speirs, Ron S. Ulberg

Faculty Publications

Patients and health care providers in rural communities face a unique combination of factors which create disparities in healthcare when compared with urban areas, such as economic factors, cultural values, reduced rates of formal education, lack of recognition by legislators, and isolation. There are more veterans per capita in rural than in urban areas. Health care for the rural population is coupled with the unique challenges of caring for veterans. Because of this, we chose to devote a semester to the study of improving health care to the rural veteran population.

Fiber’S Impact On High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels In Cardiovascular Disease, Renea L. Beckstrand, Jennifer L. Butcher

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased dietary or supplemental intake of fiber slows or prevents inflammation as evidenced by hs-CRP values.

Glimpse Into Simulation And Critical Thinking: A Pilot Study Comparing Utah And Ecuador, Katrina Duncan, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Classroom learning is practiced and applied through simulation, which can help develop critical thinking and clinical judgment skills imperative in clinical settings for both students and new nurse graduates. Simulation is well developed in the United States but is in early stages of use and development in South America.

Cultivating An Understanding Of U.S. Veterans: Our Honored Patients, Tausha Allen, Kent D. Blad, Jennifer Bloomfield, Rachel Dudley, Kelsie Egan, Ron S. Ulberg

Faculty Publications

As nursing students, we specifically chose to devote our time to learning how to better care for the veteran population. We worked with veterans as we traveled to Washington, D.C. and completed clinical experiences in Utah. These experiences greatly altered our perspective toward the armed forces and our appreciation for our nation’s freedom.

Relationship Found Between Parenting Styles And Sibling Relationships In Families Raising A Child With A Disability, Corinne Jackman, Barbara L. Mandleco

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine parental perceptions of parenting styles and sibling relationships according to parent gender, sibling gender, and type of disability. Additionally, the purpose was to determine if there is a linkage between parenting styles and sibling relationships.

Comparison Of Debriefing Methods Following Simulation, Shelly J. Reed, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the student nurse experience between three debriefing methods: oral discussion, journaling, and blogging.

Effects Of Oral Magnesium Supplementation On Insulin Resistance And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Renea L. Beckstrand, Loandra Berg

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of magnesium levels related to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce or correctly use insulin to maintain proper levels of glucose in the blood resulting in serious health consequences. Diabetes is a major factor in coronary heart disease, stroke as well as blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic amputations due to disruption of the microvascular system (Schulze & Hu, 2005). The Center for Disease Control reported in 2007: 23.6 million people in the United States (7.8% of the …