Nursing Students’ Comfort In The Nursing Program, Camella Bloom, Rebecca Karr, Makenzie Menard

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project’s purpose is to investigate student nurses’ comfort levels within the nursing program. The project focuses on how interactions with RNs impact comfort levels of nursing students. These interactions take place within the student nurses’ clinical experiences or their experiences at their healthcare jobs. The sample was sophomore, junior, and senior-level undergraduate BSN students at The University of Akron, which is about 434 students. The number of participants that completed the survey was 57 nursing students. The independent variables were student level in the BSN program and current employment status in a patient care role. The dependent variable …

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Pre-Licensure Clinical Jobs In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Rachael Muhlenkamp, Rebecca Trzecki, Jason Grassie

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research study aims to identify the benefits and drawbacks of pre-licensure clinical jobs in undergraduate nursing students. Many nursing students are encouraged to have a job in clinical settings in order to gain more experience. Many undergraduate nursing students here at the University of Akron currently have jobs in the clinical setting and these are the student's who we plan to use as our sample for this study. This study will be completed by spring of 2023, before graduation.

Effectiveness Of Speech Intervention Methods In Children With Speech Delays, Andrea Noel, Rachel Windemuth, Brett Porter

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Speech delays in children is a common issue that can be treated by a wide variety of interventions. Our PICOT question is, in children, ages six months to thirteen years, with speech/language delays, how does the addition of innovative and supplemental interventions, compared with standard interventions alone, effect improvements in the delays. All three group members have known someone who has suffered from a speech delay, and we want to research the best possible methods to overcome that obstacle to answer our questions, we will begin to take on the task of creating and writing a systematic review. This review …

Access To Prenatal Care And Mental Health In Pregnant Women During Covid-19: A Systematic Review, Chloe Feezel, Marin Kahoun, Kaija Kunttu

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

COVID-19 affected the world in many ways. Pregnant women were greatly impacted by a change in their access to prenatal care, from in-person care to telehealth methods, and social support being limited by social isolation. Compared with prevalence of anxiety and depression in pregnant women pre-COVID-19, pregnant women during COVID-19 reported higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms due to the stress of circumstantial changes. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically appraise the evidence about access to prenatal care and mental health in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following PICOT formatted question will …

Health Misinformation During Epidemiological Crises, Bethany Stefan, Alexis L. Emich, Katrina R. Lamp

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Health misinformation is more prevalent than ever in the modern age and poses serious risks for those who believe it. Medical fallacies can become especially harmful during periods of widespread disease when the misinformed respond in ways that increase threats to public health. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe and critically appraise the evidence about how health misinformation during endemics and pandemics can influence behaviors and responses, as well as the implications of interventions affecting these behaviors. A systematic search of the literature with inclusion/exclusion criteria using CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and PsychINFO resulted in …

Auto- Ethnography With A Deep Dive Into Changes Mental Health During The Pandemic And A Look Into The Way The Pandemic Has Shaped Nursing Protocols For Recent Nursing College Graduates, Audrey Shaffer, Sarah Bereznay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this project we completed a deep dive into how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped our mental health and has affected our preparation for careers as registered nurses through a series of auto- ethnographic narrative journals using scholarly articles to support this idea. By utilizing personal narratives, we analyzed and reflected upon the cognitive and mental changes we experienced throughout this pandemic. We fulfilled this by comprising two personal narratives with inquiries pertaining to each shared narrative by utilizing the common themes of being nursing students and living through a pandemic. Within these personal narratives, we discussed how the pandemic influenced …

Themes And Associations Concerning The Covid-19 Pandemic: Autoethnography, Amber Mcgannon, Ebunoluwa O. Adedeji

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Per the college of nursing, my proposed project will discuss living during uncertain times and unusual times of change. This APA formatted paper will be an autoethnography, meaning that we will review the perspectives of COVID through the lens of culture, research, and our own perspectives and experiences. Everyone has experienced changes during the COVID-19 pandemic due to self-isolation. Examples of change include changes in learning, working, thinking, teaching, and behaving. Using acquired nursing skills such as critical thinking, reflection, inquiry, and evidenced-based practice; my partner and I will dissect and discuss these changes and how they have affected ourselves, …

The Effect Of Virtual Learning As A Result Of Covid-19, Ann Redle Ms., Joel Mcmullen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In the early spring of 2020, the United States began to experience the effects of the question-inspiring, novel COVID-19 viral illness, with the onset of massive business, school, and entertainment closures, initiating a shift towards virtual learning, communication, and professional interactions. This paper is intended to identify the common experiences of two nursing students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a personal narrative, or autoethnographic approach, coupled with reviews of previously published literature relating to shared themes of the authors, including the rapid changes to an online environment from traditional classroom settings, the stressors that were experienced as a result …

More Than Physical: Covid-19'S Devastating Impact, Sadie Wood, Kathryn Pond

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Covid-19 has impacted our world in many ways. In this autoethnographic research paper, two college nursing students share their own unique perspective related to the topic. Through their journaling over the pandemic, they derive three main themes in their writing. These themes included vaccine hesitancy, burnout in healthcare professionals, and online schooling because of isolation protocols. Each theme is explored through research which includes personal experience, scholarly journals, website articles, blog posts, social media posts, and personal interviews. Vaccine hesitancy is explored, and research concludes that misinformation is widely to blame. Burnout in healthcare workers is shown to increase during …

The Effects Of Postpartum Depression On Children's Social Development, Delaney Besse, Margaret Williams, Danielle Spencer, Brooke Walters

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The increased incidence of postpartum depression has had significant effects on children’s social development. The purpose of this systematic review is to bring attention to the growing problem in such a vulnerable population. In addition, it was designed to shed light on the lack of research in this area of healthcare. The methods used to conduct the study include various peer reviewed, scholarly and evidenced based articles from databases such as Academic Search Complete, PsycNet, and Pubmed. Each article has been critically evaluated based on the following guidelines: a population group of children under the age of four, specifically maternal …

Non-Pharmacological Pain Managment In Labor: A Systematic Review, Angela Young, Madison Shipe, Madeline Smith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

During childbirth, women experience labor pain throughout the three stages of labor. The first stage is where the contractions start and end which creates the need for a form of pain management. Various techniques are used to manage first stage labor pains. The use of non-pharmacological methods is becoming more prevalent because natural births are becoming more popular and pharmacological interventions have side effects and drug interactions. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review of the literature comparing non-pharmacological pain management methods in women during the first stage of labor. This will answer the PICOT question: …

Effect Of Exercise On Blood Pressure And Body Mass Index In At-Risk Populations, Jared Crum, Victoria Patterson, Riley Jarvis

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Higher blood pressure and basal metabolic rate (BMI) are health problems in the United States (U.S.), but particularly in high risk minority populations, in part because of limited access to adequate resources to help themselves become healthier. This Honors Paper aimed to examine the effect of an exercise intervention on blood pressure and BMI in high risk minority populations. The honors project is a part of the Finding A Better You (FABU) project by College of Health Profession faculty Dr. Murrock, Dr. MacCracken, and Dr. Juvancic-Heltzel. The FABU project assessed at risk individuals (lower income older adults) in Summit County …

The Relationship Between Stress And Emotional Eating In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Rachel Gasser, Sydney Dominek

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing students consistently report high levels of stress. This replication study examined the relationship between stress and emotional eating in undergraduate nursing students and compared findings with the original 2012 study. The non-experimental study was guided by the Psychosomatic Theory. Sampling and data collection occurred using three waves of recruitment emails to all sophomore and senior nursing students in spring of 2021. Stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Tool. Emotional eating was measured with the Weight and Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire. Emotional eating was higher in seniors, there was no level difference in stress, and BMI was higher in sophomores, …

Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, And Hemoglobin A1c In The Lower Income African Americans, Lisa Gabel, Joci Verb, Lauren Windham

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Honors project is in conjunction with a larger, state funded, intervention study, the Finding A Better U! (FABU) project, by Carolyn J. Murrock, PhD, RN, Mary Jo MacCracken, PhD, Judi-Juvancic-Heltzel PhD, and Alex Holt. While the larger study focuses on the effects of a weekly exercise and nutrition intervention on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) outcomes, the honors project will analyze data to determine preliminary findings, specifically, the relationship between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and hemoglobin A1C in the lower income African Americans (AA). The honors students will also assist the FABU team in …

Social Media And Mental Health In Adolescents And Young Adults: A Systematic Review, Dawn Ritter, Kimberly Ray, Celia Keefe

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of our project is to increase understanding of the link between social media use and mental illness in teens and young adults. Our objective is to write a systematic review of the literature to answer the PICOT questions: (1) In teens and adults, younger than 25 years, what is the relationship between social media use and mental illness? (2) In teens and adults, younger than 25 years, what is the effect of interventions, such as social media as a resource, on mental health promotion and well-being? The motivation for our project comes from the increased use of social …

Nursing Student Stress, Ruthanne Emily Hawks, Hannah Rae Wilson, Carly Marie Gillota, Taylor Anne Hall, Edward William Mccain

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing students deal with a variety of stressors, including difficult curriculum and new endeavors such as clinical and lab experiences. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between stress levels and coping mechanisms and readiness to change unhealthy coping mechanisms in baccalaureate nursing students. The Transtheoretical Model of Change guides this non-experimental, correlational study and measured readiness for change. The Student Nurse Stress Index was used to measure stress. The abbreviated COPE Inventory was used to measure coping. Online recruitment, consent forms, and surveys were distributed to nursing students via the Student Success Center in the College …

Effects Of Nonpharmacological Interventions On Outcomes In Neonates With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review, Alexandrea Gray, Rachel Smith, Trina Miller, Nina Vaccaro, Ashlyn Milhoan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing issue in today’s society, especially in women of the childbearing age who use substances during pregnancy. As use of substances, such as opiates, increases in the United States, the healthcare industry has noticed a significant rise in the number of neonates born with symptoms of NAS withdrawal. Through the analysis and synthesis of research, the purpose of this paper is to appraise the evidence regarding the effects of supplemental nonpharmacological interventions, specifically rooming-in and breastfeeding, compared to standard pharmacological treatment, on NAS withdrawal symptoms. Twenty peer-reviewed research studies conducted between 2010 and 2018 …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Alcohol, Marijuana, And Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Hannah Safranek, Madeline Frausto, Amy King, Stoneking Madison

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge? Diagnosis of substance use disorder is increasing and with it comes increased risk of complications to mother and neonate including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other negative neonatal and maternal outcomes. Evidence was identified on the online …

The Relationship Between Intensity Of Fitness Tracker Usage And Motivation, Rachel Cannata, Abigail C. Daugherty, Madison O. Dirocco, Julianne Green, Pial Dasgupta

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Many college students engage in unhealthy behaviors which may contribute to diseases. Additionally, some students may lack motivation to rectify these behaviors to improve their long-term health. This study assessed the relationship between intensity of fitness tracker usage and motivation among health professions students at a large, public Midwestern university. This non-experimental, correlational study used convenience sampling and a theoretical framework based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Online recruitment announcements were emailed and included links to the consent form and survey. Motivation was measured with Deci and Ryan’s modified self-determination tool. Intensity of tracker usage was measured using a scale …

Effects Of Interventions On Violence Against Nurses, Shelby Secreto, Morgan Suponcic, Taylor Gatts, Erin Ross

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Violence against nurses is a problem in the healthcare system that is becoming more prevalent. The purpose of this systematic review is to critically appraise the evidence about the effectiveness of interventions to outcomes indicating that nurses are better prepared to handle violent situations and possibly prevent them all together in acute care settings. The following PICOT question, a question that addresses patient problem, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time, will be answered: What effect does preventative and educational interventions have on violence against nurses in the hospital setting and influence nurses’ perceptions regarding their ability to handle episodes of violence? …

A Systematic Review: Effectiveness Of Complementary Therapies On Mental Status Of Pediatric Oncology Patients, Sara Fredricks, Jessica Lloyd, Whitney Wendling

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Children with cancer frequently suffer from depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and psychological stresses related to knowledge of potential risks, associated treatments, and the illness itself. These psychological problems can cause many additional physiological problems for these already chronically ill patients and may be detrimental to their overall health. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically appraise the evidence to determine if the use of Complementary and Alternative Methods (CAM), along with standardized care, affects mental health outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Twenty-one primary source publications between 2013 and 2019 were analyzed for this systematic review. …

Systematic Review: The Effects Of Nonpharmacological And Pharmacological Measures In Neonates With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Hannah R. Magyar, Laura D. Metzger, Ariel N. Schrage

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

With the increasing incidence of drug addiction among pregnant women, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has become a significant problem in the United States and has led to increased hospital costs, longer lengths of stay, and more serious health problems in neonates. This systematic review will explore the evidence about outcome differences for neonates with NAS that receive breastfeeding, rooming-in, and acupuncture in addition to pharmacological agents when compared to infants only receiving pharmacological agents. Twenty-one articles, retrieved from the databases PubMed and CINAHL and published between the years 2000-2017, were described in an integrated review, analyzed with critical appraisal, and …

Evaluating State Anxiety Levels In Nursing Students, Rachel Stevens, Rachel Nussbaum, Tyler Blake

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Anxiety, dependent upon the frequency and severity, can be a serious problem that reduces physical, cognitive, and clinical performance. Nursing students have been found to experience especially high levels of state and trait anxiety which, according to Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory, causes a deficit in health promotion and the health of oneself. There is little evidence available about how progression through a baccalaureate nursing program in the United States impacts anxiety. This research investigates anxiety in baccalaureate nursing students and how progression through the program influences self-reported anxiety levels. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on a convenience sample …

Long-Term Effects Of Breastfeeding Compared With Alternative Food Sources: A Systematic Review, Charlotte Bates

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The topic of the long-term impact of breast milk and alternative foods on the health status of children continues to be a focus of discussion and research. The aim of this systematic review was to describe and appraise evidence about the effects of breast feeding on health outcomes in children four years and older. Seventeen studies about on infant feeding were identified using Google Scholar and scholarly databases through The University of Akron. Google Scholar, CINAHL, and MEDLINE PLUS methods of searching were utilized, incorporating keywords, i.e., “breastfeeding” AND “cognitive development;” “obesity,”, “intelligence,”, and “immune system.” Based on appraisal of …

Burnout Syndrome In Critical Care Nurses, Katie Burke, Kelly Claridge, Mallory Bidlen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Burnout syndrome among nurses, especially within the critical care setting, has been a persistent and increasingly prevalent problem in the healthcare field. This systematic review aims to explore the common causes of burnout among nurses associated with working in a critical care setting. Twenty-five peer-reviewed articles, published between the years of 2000 and 2018, were selected for analysis and synthesis using the databases PubMed and CINAHL. The group included research studies conducted in the United States, Spain, France, China and Iran with sample sizes ranging from 42 to 2,392 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The articles included in this review …

Kangaroo Mother Care And Traditional Care, Arianna Smola, Kirsten Lawson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Prematurity and low birth weight are leading causes of infant death. Throughout recent years care methods for this population have evolved from incubator care to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). The purpose of this systematic review was to answer the following PICO question: in the case of preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants, how does the technique of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) compare to traditional incubator use, regarding long and short-term outcomes of preterm and LBW infant recovery. Methods of this study included the selection of twenty peer-reviewed articles that studied the effect of incubators and KMC on premature and …

Comparison Of Crnas With And Without Supervision On Cost And Safety Of Anesthesia, Kelly Mccurdy, Austin Phillips

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

There has been controversy in the field of anesthesia regarding whether certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) or anesthesiologists provide safer and more cost-effective care. This study was done to compare CRNAs with and without supervision of an anesthesiologist and how it affects the cost and safety of anesthesia delivery. The results of this systematic review could provide information to affect policies regarding who is responsible for providing anesthesia, with safety and cost as the necessary variables. Twenty articles, published between the years 1999 and 2017, retrieved from the databases PubMed and Cinahl were analyzed and synthesized as part of this …

The Effect Of Complementary Therapies On The Treatment Of Chemotherapeutic Induced Nausea And Vomiting: A Systematic Review, Kailyn Sickel, Mary Barrett, Abigal Siegenthaler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Chemotherapy is one of the most prevalent treatment options for cancer patients, but a major side effect of this treatment, chemotherapeutic induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), can often be debilitating and problematic for patients. The goal of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of complementary therapies in reducing CINV in adult oncology patients. A total of 20 studies were reviewed of adult populations that received standard antiemetic care, with each study failing to yield the same results upon evaluating the effectiveness of complementary therapies on patients’ CINV. The complementary therapies studied included ginger therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, guided imagery …

The Effect Of Poverty Simulation Participation On Attitudes Toward Children Living In Poverty For Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Amanda Moore, Leah Struhsaker, Kaylee Gutschow

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Poverty is a major issue in the United States. Because perceived discrimination can impact health and willingness to seek care, it is important for healthcare providers to be educated on and exposed to issues that poverty presents to individuals who are poor. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a poverty simulation on attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards children living poverty. The study was guided by Albert Bandura’s social learning theory and used a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design and convenience sampling of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a community health nursing course. Attitudes were measured at …

Vapocoolant Spray’S Effect On Peripheral Inserted Venous Catheter Pain In Adult Patients, Zachary Krol, Fiona Flaherty, Ryan Williams

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Intravenous (IV) cannulation is required to administer medications and fluids to patients. In addition, it is also a recognized source of pain and anxiety in over one-half of all patients requiring IV insertion (Page & Taylor, 2010). Pain management is within nurses’ scope of practice, therefore it’s important to identify effective pain management strategies. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect that a topical vapocoolant spray has on pain in pre-operative adults during IV cannulation. The gate control theory of pain will guide this randomized, experimental study of a convenience sample of adults in an outpatient endoscopic …