Nursing Commons^™

The Importance Of Providing Multimodal Analgesia: A Literature Review Of Nonpharmacologic Pain Treatments, Miriam Swartzentruber

Senior Honors Theses

Pain is a central aspect of the human experience. While painful stimuli can be beneficial in alerting the brain to the fact that there is something wrong, left untreated, pain can cause devastating long-term effects on the individual, both physically and mentally. Pain has traditionally been either undertreated or managed solely using pharmacologic methods, with less thought given to the importance of supplementing therapy with nonpharmacologic interventions. By incorporating nonpharmacologic methods of pain management into nursing care, patients can be provided with holistic treatment that improves patient outcomes, decreases healthcare costs, avoids future complications, and improves overall quality of life.

Characteristics Of Successful Nurse Mentors And Potential Effects On The Retention And Job Satisfaction Of New Graduate Nurses: An Integrative Review, Toni Cheryl Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mentoring is a process that has become embedded into new graduate nurses’ transition to professional practice since the 1980s. The Institute of Medicine’s The Future of Nursing identifies mentoring as a mechanism to increase patient safety and satisfaction. Effective mentoring has been categorized as one of the important components of transforming nurses into leaders, improving retention, and increasing job satisfaction. By recognizing the characteristics of successful mentors, organizations can increase the consistency and success of their mentoring programs. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine successful mentor characteristics and identify the effect of mentors on new graduate nurses’ …

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome And Insulin Resistance: An Evaluation Of Treatment Modalities And Complication Prevention, Sarah Mann

Senior Honors Theses

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. This disorder includes multiple clinical manifestations, namely insulin resistance (IR) and infertility related to hormonal imbalances and anovulation. Despite being a common condition, its etiology and treatment modalities remain poorly defined. Without proper understanding and management of the condition, women may suffer numerous complications besides infertility such as diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), endometrial cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, further research is critical. This integrative review will create a comprehensive understanding of PCOS' pathophysiology, potential complications, treatment methods, and nursing considerations to promote the health …

The Benefits Of Dogs For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emma Raugh

Senior Honors Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that primarily affects neurological development, causing decreased social aptness, diminished executive function, and abnormal sensory processing, among many other characteristic symptoms. Additional problems that often accompany ASD include anxiety disorders, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Canine assisted animal therapy is one non-pharmacologic therapy option that has been researched for children with ASD to improve their social, psychological, mental, and other difficulties. Studies thus far have shown positive results in children with ASD who have dogs as pets or access to therapy dogs, including improved social functioning, decreased anxiety, overall improved behavior, …

The Effect Of A Screening Protocol On Opioid Use: An Integrative Review, Stephen D. Wright Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The opioid crisis is a pervasive and social problem in the United States. Since 2001 several hundred thousand people have died from the misuse of prescription and illicit opioids. On average nearly 130 Americans perish every day due to opioid abuse while millions annually struggle with morbidity derived from opioid abuse disorders. This crisis causes tremendous physical and emotional suffering and death and is likely the most profound public health crisis our nation has faced. In 2015 alone, 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, with over 30,000 of those dying from opioid drugs. If left unchecked, the epidemic will continue …

Enhancing Outpatient Participation In Advance Care Planning Via Nurse-Led Intervention: An Integrative Review, Daniel Patrick Arthur

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Advance care planning allows for medical care at the end-of-life that is congruent with a patient’s wishes, values, and beliefs. Even with well-known organizations such as the Institute of Medicine recommending advance care planning completion and legislative encouragement such as the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, only approximately one-third of American adults have completed any form of advance directive. Barriers to participation include lack of time, lack of knowledge, and misconceptions on the part of healthcare providers and patients. As an integral part of the care team having significant patient contact in most healthcare settings, nurses are in an ideal …

Aristotle's Virtue Ethics And The Nurse's Role, Abigail Chu, Michael S. Jones

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Flipped Learning, Robin Pearson-Boothe, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Remote - Theoretical Proposal

The Role Of Social Media In Advancing Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Education And Professional Identity, Cortney Maffett, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Mild To Moderate Concussions And Mental Health In Collegiate Athletes: Should Psychological Criteria Be Added To The Ncaa Concussion Screening Tool, Megan Briceland, Thomas Kazmierczak, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Improving Nurse Job Satisfaction To Improve Health Outcomes, Jessica Campbell, Shanna Akers

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome And Insulin Resistance: An Evaluation Of Treatment Modalities And Complication Prevention, Sarah Mann, Jerry Harvey

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Fully Protected: A Look At Ppe And The Armor Of God, Catherine Mcelroy, Thomas Kazmierczak, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

The Effects Of Emotional Education On The Mental Health Of Future Nurses, Summer Hepler, Cynthia Goodrich

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Perinatal Bereavement And The Appalachian Culture Of Southeastern West Virginia, Summer Hepler, Cynthia Goodrich

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Virtual Reality In Nursing Simulations: A Systematic Review, Anna Haynes, Mary Highton, Martha Baker

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

LUO Remote

Textual or Investigative

Medically Unnecessary Female Genital Alteration: Implications For Health Care Workers, Lora Mullen, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

LUO Remote

Textual or Investigative

Pediatric Concussion Management In The School Setting, Renee Mann, Rachel Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Textual or Investigative

Improving Advanced Care Planning Through Proper Implementation Of The Polst Paradigm: An Integrative Review, Charles Hunter Shomo Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

End of life planning is critical to ensure enactment of patient wishes, ethical patient treatment, and improved family acceptance of death. As such, this project addressed integration of reviewed literature of advanced planning directives to influence end-of-life care. Implementation guidelines and incorporation of the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) paradigm was the central focus of this project. Addressing best implementation practices of the POLST paradigm should increase advanced care planning and ultimately positively impact patient and surrogate decisions regarding end of life management and care. Completion of this integrative review has provided substantial implicative evidence regarding best practice …

To Implement Or Not To Implement: Safe Opioid Injection Sites As A Solution To The Opioid Crisis, Kayla Keister

Senior Honors Theses

The opioid epidemic has been a crisis in the United States for the last 30-40 years but is just now being popularized by the American public. One potential up-and-coming solution to the opioid crisis is the implementation of safe opioid injection sites, which are locations where individuals may bring drugs to inject under the supervised care of medical professionals. They are currently being used in Canada as well as several Western European countries. The question remains, however, as to whether or not the United States is ready for the implementation sites in regard to public opinion, finances, and ethics.

Cauti Prevention For Long Term Indwelling Bladder Catheters In Icu Patients: An Integrative Review, Joseph Andrew Chamness

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project aims to determine when a catheter should be removed in the intensive care unit to prevent premature removal. Subsequent multiple straight catheterizations may introduce bacteria into the urethra and result in hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The aim is to reduce the incidence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), a preventable HAI. A change in protocols is needed to match evidence-based research on the best practice methods. Strategies are proposed to decrease the risk of CAUTI, and limitations are discussed. Poorer strategies require more exclusions than good ones. The findings indicate more research is needed on newer strategies to determine …

Reduction Of Hospital Readmissions In Patients With A Diagnosis Of Copd: An Integrative Review, Guerline Norbrun

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease with potential to interfere with breathing ability. It is the third leading cause of 30-day readmission and death in the US, and the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. It constitutes a society burden and poor disease management leads to major health consequences such as acute COPD exacerbation resulting in frequent costly readmissions, add to its massive direct healthcare costs. Over $50 billion are spent annually in direct care alone in addition to $15 billion in hospital readmissions; with 12 million adults are being affected in the United States …

Does The Management Of Compassion Fatigue In The Healthcare Setting Decrease Nurse Turnover: An Integrative Review, Barbara Fulcher Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Healthcare systems are rapidly changing and with the increased age of the baby boomers, and shortage of nurses, and COVID-19, there is a rapid growth in compassion fatigue within the nursing community. More than 22% of nurses in direct patient care roles report experiencing emotional exhaustion. This results in negative consequences, reduced productivity, workplace violence, and poor patient care. Does the management of compassion fatigue in the healthcare setting decrease nurse turnover? This was an integrative review of the literature, utilizing 15-20 articles using Melnyk framework for evaluation. The variables addressed included the emotional state with negative psychological and physical …

Analysis Of Healthcare Miscommunication And How To Effectively Improve Communication Outcomes: An Integrative Review, Jill Suzanne Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Healthcare workers convey client information regularly to provide essential and safe care. Errors in communication have been linked to a decrease in client satisfaction and an increase in medical errors. Both the Joint Commission and the World Health Organization have recommended using a standard communication tool, SBAR, to increase client satisfaction and decrease medical errors. A review of 52 research articles determined effective SBAR training should be conducted utilizing simulations to improve the healthcare providers’ self-confidence and usage of the SBAR tool. This integrative review also concluded the number and length of SBAR simulation sessions have no consequence on the …

Exploring Therapeutic Nurse-Patient Communication: Techniques And Barriers, Pierina Rossini

Senior Honors Theses

Effective nurse-patient communication, also described as therapeutic communication, is essential for providing high quality nursing care. It increases patient satisfaction and health, decreases patient anxiety and disease symptoms, and increases patient cooperation and compliance to treatment. Some therapeutic communication techniques include attentive listening, empathy, silence, focusing, open-ended questions, clarification, exploring, clarifying, and summarizing. Unfortunately, there are barriers to therapeutic communication that have been identified. Research regarding nurse-patient therapeutic communication, consisting of secondary, qualitative, descriptive data, points to several barriers to therapeutic communication. Some of the barriers to therapeutic communication include nurse-patient gender difference; patient physical discomfort; nurse-patient language, culture, and …

Mentor Programs As A Strategic Approach To Nurse Retention: Integrative Review, Nancy Jo Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this integrative review is to identify commonalties of mentor program success demonstrated by registered nurse retention to support DNP leaders seeking to address the nursing shortage by retaining newly licensed and experienced registered nurses. Mentor programs offer nurse leaders a low-cost solution with a high return on investment to address nurse retention. The United States is facing a tremendous nursing shortage compounded by multiple factors, including an unprecedented global pandemic. An aging population is leaving the profession while the new generation of nurses struggle to find their niche. Registered nurses make up the largest sector of health …

Employee Wellness Program Participation: Exploring Participation Of Registered Nurses In East Tennessee, Jacquelyn Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many organizations are faced with the challenge of managing employee retention and absenteeism. While retention strategies are focal to organizational leaders across the board, the growing shortage of nurses nationwide creates a critical concern for healthcare leaders. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to delve into the existing body of research pertaining to the impact of employee wellness programs on employee retention and absenteeism and further explore the reasons why employees choose to/ not to participate in wellness programs offered by employers. The intent of this study was to add to the existing body of knowledge on employee …

An Integrative Review: Best Practices In Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Aprn) Telehealth Services To Improve Outcomes For Children With Chronic Health Conditions, Tamara Sue Moyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Telehealth is a rapidly growing field that affords individuals the opportunity to receive access to specialty providers, reduce expenses and travel, break down geographic barriers, deliver equality of care, and improve patient outcomes. Equality of healthcare for pediatric patients with chronic health conditions in rural areas face geographic barriers to delivery of care, resulting in poor patient outcomes, and increased costs. An integrative review was completed to identify and describe research findings in an attempt to answer the clinical questions proposed and identify areas in research that can lead to improved patient outcomes. The need to receive access to specialty …

Integrative Review On The Initiation Of A Systematic Oral Care Education Program, Toni Rochelle Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hospital-acquired infections, such as non-ventilated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), are significant patient safety concerns. The lack of oral care in the non-ventilated acute care patient population is a significant contributor to NVHAP. The nursing staff is on the front line in providing oral care to hospitalized patients but often lacks knowledge and understanding regarding the relationship between oral care and NVHAP. Searching MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and EBSCO databases for current, peer-reviewed, scholarly articles for English language articles between 2010-2020 led to supporting findings. These findings revealed missed oral care as the most common modifiable risk factor contributing to increased hospital-acquired pneumonia …

Implementation Of A Fall Risk Assessment Tool In Primary Practice May Decrease Fall Frequency In The Aging Population, Regina M. White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this evidence-based project was to illustrate the benefits of utilizing a fall risk assessment tool during office visits for the aging population of a Midwestern U.S. primary care practice. Utilization of this tool helped minimize fall frequency, thus improved quality of health. The reduction in falls helped minimize unnecessary healthcare expenses. This manuscript identified a rationale for the project, specific tool utilization, outcome measures before and after implementation, limitations, and future application for practice. Provider compliance with tool utilization and frequency were measured. Multiple potential causes of falls and recommendations to minimize falls were identified with the …