Nursing Commons^™

Optimizing Vitamin D Status To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk: An Evidentiary Review., Guiyun Zhou, Jill Stoitzfus, Beth A. Swan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general public and in patients with cancer. Optimizing vitamin D intake is increasingly recognized in cancer risk reduction, particularly in decreasing colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, summarizing the current evidence to promote best practices related to vitamin D intake and colorectal cancer risk reduction is important. The objectives of this article are to examine the current evidence regarding the impact of vitamin D on colorectal cancer risk reduction and provide practice recommendations for clinicians. Relevant research articles from 2002-2008 were retrieved from multiple electronic databases. Reference lists of relevant articles also were searched manually. …

Adult Student Satisfaction In An Accelerated Lpn-Rn Nursing Program, Kathy French Batton

Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the importance and degree of satisfaction placed by adult, nontraditional, accelerated LPN-RN students on student service item scales as measured by the results of the Noel-Levitz® Adult Student Priorities Survey™. In addition, the study examined the correlation between satisfaction with each of the scales and student success as measured by current nursing course grade point average (GPA). The student service scales of importance were: academic advising effectiveness, academic services, admissions and financial aid effectiveness, campus climate, instructional effectiveness, registration effectiveness, safety and security, and service excellence. The conceptual framework for the study was derived …

Postpartum Patients Reports Of Satisfaction With A Welcome Meal After A Vaginal Delivery, Jessica R. Pinilla

Master's Projects

Objective: The purpose of this research study was to assess patient perspectives regarding a special Welcome Meal. The focus was on patients' feeling welcomed and important because prior research has shown that when a patient's expectations are exceeded, patient satisfaction increases. This study suggests that receiving a Welcome Meal may improve their experience on a postpartum unit. Design: Prior to discharge, each patient on the maternity unit was served a special Welcome Meal. A questionnaire was given to patients that consisted of six questions. The six questions incorporated six themes found in research literature on improving patient satisfaction. These themes …

Current Medical Research Winter 2007/Spring 2008, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Nursing Faculty Experiences And Perceptions Of The Implementation Process To A Learner-Centered Teaching Philosophy: A Case Study, Sharon L. Colley

Dissertations

This study explores nursing faculty's experiences with and perceptions of, their school of nursing's change to a learner-centered teaching philosophy. The primary research goals are to determine faculty perceptions of what learner-centered approaches they are utilizing in their classes, what change conditions they perceive as significant to the implementation process, and how they perceive the overall faculty progress and unity toward the goal of adopting a learner-centered teaching philosophy. Using the theoretical frameworks of Carl Rogers and Donald Ely, a case study approach is used to examine the faculties' use of five key concepts associated with the learner-centered philosophy, as …

Self Perceptions Of Clinical Performance Of Accelerated First Degree And Accelerated Second-Degree Graduates, Neelam N. Murthi

Master's Projects

Currently in the United States, motivated by nursing shortages, numerous ways have been created to recruit nurses in nursing schools. Accelerated nursing programs are increasing rapidly. Colleges and Schools of Nursing around the nation are accepting students seeking their first degree, as well as those with a second degree. This study compared perceptions of clinical performance of accelerated first-degree and accelerated second-degree bachelor of nursing graduates. The intention was to identify whether, after graduation, the two groups held different self-perceptions of performance in the clinical environment. This was to determine if one group has better self-perception of performance than the …

Does “Asymptomatic” Mean Without Symptoms For Those Living With Hiv Infection?, Suzanne Willard, William L. Holzemer, Dean J. Wantland, Yvette P. Cuca, Kenn M. Kirksey, Carmen J. Portillo, Inge B. Corless, Marta Rivero-Méndez, María E. Rosa, Patrice K. Nicholas, Mary Jane Hamilton, Elizabeth Sefcik, Jeanne Kemppainen, Gladys Canaval, Linda Robinson, Shahnaz Moezzi, Sarie Human, John Arudo, Lucille Sanzero Eller, Eli Bunch, Pamela J. Dole, Christopher Coleman, Kathleen Nokes, Nancy R. Reynolds, Yun-Fang Tsai, Mary Maryland, Joachim Voss, Teri Lindgren

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Throughout the history of the HIV epidemic, HIV-positive patients with relatively high CD4 counts and no clinical features of opportunistic infections have been classified as ‘‘asymptomatic’’ by definition and treatment guidelines. This classification, however, does not take into consideration the array of symptoms that an HIV-positive person can experience long before progressing to AIDS. This short report describes two international multi-site studies conducted in 2003 - 2005 and 2005 - 2007. The results from the studies show that HIV-positive people may experience symptoms throughout the trajectory of their disease, regardless of CD4 count or classification. Providers should discuss symptoms and …

Relationship Among Stress Of Labor, Support, And Childbirth Experience In Postpartum Mothers, Sasamon Srisuthisak

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Due to the profound and life-changing aspects of giving birth and to each woman’s individualized birthing experience, it is important to understand the myriad of factors that contribute to a positive childbirth experience. The aims of this study were to: (1) identify factors related to a positive childbirth experience; (2) to examine relationships among women’s perceptions and personal evaluations of their childbirth experience, stress associated with labor pain, support from the nursing staff, initial contact with the baby following birth, support from partners, education, age, and obstetric history; and (3) to identify predictors of a positive childbirth experience. Method: …

The Impact Of Recession On The Health Care Of Rural Citizens, Kathy Reavy

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rural residents within the United States were already at an economic disadvantage before the current recession hit. During the 1980s in states located in the northwest region of the United States, specifically Idaho and eastern Oregon, well paying labor and manufacturing jobs were lost (USDA, 1992), leaving behind higher poverty rates, aging populations, and increased challenges accessing quality health care (NSL, 2002). This editorial explores needs, quality and access to health care for rural citizens during our current time of economic instability.

A Pilot Study Of Bibliotherapy To Reduce Alcohol Problems Among Patients In A Hospital Trauma Center, Paul Amrhein, Timothy Apodaca, William R. Miller, Carol R. Schermer

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Because alcohol use plays a major role in many injuries that require hospital care, there is increasing interest in developing interventions to address alcohol problems among emergency department and trauma center patients. The aim of the current study was to extend past research on brief interventions by investigating the use of a self-help manual to treat problem drinkers in a hospital trauma center. Forty injured patients who were either intoxicated at the time of injury or screened positive for harmful drinking were randomly assigned to receive either a brief assessment and a self-help booklet with no more than 5 minutes …

Relationships Among Perceived Burden, Depressive Cognitions, Resourcefulness, And Quality Of Life In Female Relatives Of Seriously Mentally Ill Adults, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet, M. Jane Suresky

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Providing care and support to a seriously mentally ill (SMI) family member can have deleterious effects on one's health and quality of life. This study explored relationships among perceived burden, depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life in 60 African-American and Caucasian women family members of SMI adults. Caucasians reported greater burden than African-Americans; the groups were similar in depressive cognitions, resourcefulness, and quality of life. In Caucasians and African-Americans, burden correlated with depressive cognitions and both correlated with poorer mental health. In African-Americans, burden also correlated with lower personal resourcefulness and both correlated with poorer mental health. The findings …

The Play And Learn Classroom, Therese Mcgurkin Rn, Msn, Janet Paul Rn, Msn, Terri Schwartz Rn, Msn

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Providing a consistent curriculum to educate and train more than 2,000 members of a nursing department and over 1000 nursing students in a tertiary care hospital on a complex clinical documentation system can be a challenge to the educator. Training new employees on an ongoing basis and an entire department when periodic system upgrades occur requires that the curriculum and methodology be consistent and made available at any time – day or night. In order to maintain consistency of the curriculum and provide the learner with ample opportunity to “play and learn” we use computer – based training video tutorials …

Graduate Nurse Residency Programs: Bridging The Knowledge – Practice Gap, Elissa Harmon Rn, Msn, Ccrn

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Nurse residency programs provide the foundation needed to address the unique needs of the graduate nurse by providing a means to bridge the knowledge practice gap. The evidence based program curriculum developed by University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) is utilized at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The program blends the collaborative atmosphere of peer networking opportunities with the promotion of critical thinking skills and hands on activities. The additional support eases the transition period as the graduate nurse is nurtured from advanced beginner to competent professional nurse. The Nurse Residency program promotes autonomy and effective decision making skills through application based learning …

Lifeline Of New Products- Destination: The Patient's Bedside, Mary Bent Mangano, Msn, Rn New Products Coordinator, Department Of Nursing Education

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

The lifeline of a new product begins with an innovative process driven by an on-line request through our academic medical center’s intranet system. The individual championing the new product completes the request. Staff nurses have a voice in the decision making process of the acceptance or the rejection of new product(s) being used in a hospital setting. All requested products are thoroughly investigated as the item relates to new technology, cost, reimbursement, medical evidence and evidence-based practice. These critical factors assist in the decision making process to improve the quality of patient care while ensuring cost-containment and standardization, thereby, translating …

Addressing The Unforgettable Killer In A Forgetful Mind: A Look Into The Advances Of Treating Alzheimer's Disease, Heather Tews

Honors Theses

The world's population is getting older. Modern science has ensured that people are living longer and healthier lives. However, as the world ages, there is a looming epidemic of Alzheimer's disease promising to surface at any time. Currently, there are almost 30 million cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide, and that number is only increasing. It is predicted that by 2050, that number will quadruple, and that 1 out of every 85 people will be living with Alzheimer's (Brookmeyer, Johnson, Ziegler-Graham & Arrighi, 2007). This disease kills about 100,000 people each year, which makes it the fourth leading cause of adult …

The Flame, Summer 2009, Mennonite College Of Nursing

The Flame (1985-present)

The Flame is a newsletter of Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing

Growing Ambulatory Care Nurse Leaders: Building Talent From The Primed Pipeline, Beth A. Swan, Janet P. Moye

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

In this article, the first of two on this topic, the importance of leadership and succession planning will be defined, desired leadership competencies identified, different opportunities and approaches for succession planning identified, and organizational strategies identified, as well as personal strategies, that may be employed for leadership succession planning. In the second article, in an upcoming issue of Nursing Economic$, the role played by multiple generations in building talent and leadership succession planning will be described.

Predictors And Outcomes Of Postpartum Mothers' Perceptions Of Readiness For Discharge After Birth, Marianne E. Weiss, Lisa Lokken

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To identify predictors and outcomes of postpartum mothers' perceptions of their readiness for hospital discharge. Design: A correlational design with path analyses was used to explore predictive relationships among transition theory-related variables. Setting: Midwestern tertiary perinatal center. Participants: One hundred and forty-one mixed-parity postpartum mothers who had experienced vaginal birth or Cesarean delivery of normal healthy infants. Methods: Before hospital discharge, patients completed questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics, hospitalization factors, quality of discharge teaching, and readiness for discharge. Three weeks postdischarge, mothers were contacted by telephone to collect coping difficulty and health care utilization data. Main Outcome Measures: Readiness for …

The Catholic Physician And Natural Family Planning: Helping To Build A Culture Of Life, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This paper is based on the author's answer to a question from Theresa Notare, director of the Natural Family Planning Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, about what Catholic scientists and physicians can do to promote NFP and what the Catholic Church in the United States can do to help physicians and health professionals promote NFP. The paper reviews the Church's historical call for health professionals to study and to teach NFP methods, briefly analyzes the current state of NFP in Catholic health care, and provides an answer to Dr. Notare from the perspectives of research, education, and …

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 …

Resilience And Speed Of Recovery After Critical Illness, Tiffany Huffman, R.N., B.S.N.

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Length of stay in the critical care setting is a topic of concern for both patients and the health care system. However, the subject of psychological influences on recovery time after critical illness is a one that little to no research has been conducted. This extensive literature review aims to look specifically at the relationship between resilience and speed of recovery after critical illness and research that has been done on this subject matter. Within this review lies an extensive review of literature, in-depth definitions of resilience, factors affecting length of stay in the intensive care units, a theoretical framework …

How Do Residents Of The Minnesota Veterans Home In Minneapolis Perceive Communication By Care Givers For Whom English Is Not The First Language, Rukhmin Singh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research was to explore how the residents of the Minnesota veterans Home in Minneapolis perceive communication that takes place between them and care givers for whom English is not the first language. These care givers account for approximately 20% of the direct care qivers at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis. A pilot project using qualitative research and the ethno-nursing method was utilized. Information was gathered through individual interviews. A total of four residents, three age from 65 to 80 years old participated in this pilot project. These participants reflected the male to female ratio in …

Exercise Motivation For Breast Cancer Risk Reduction, Maureen Elaine Wood

Dissertations

According to The International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), 25% of worldwide breast cancer cases are due to having a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight or obese (2002). Unfortunately, less than 50% of women participate in physical activity as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine and more than 25% do not participate in any physical activity at all (CDC, 2005). Perceptions of increased personal risk and self-efficacy have been shown to promote exercise participation, and as such, are key elements of protection motivation theory, used as the theoretical framework to guide …

Gender Differences In Depression And Immune Response In Colorectal Cancer, Barbara Anne Rose Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The focus of this descriptive comparative study was to examine the relationship between gender and depression and immune system function in patients with colorectal cancer. The research questions were answered through secondary analysis, using data obtained from the answers of 117 men and women (71 men and 46 women) enrolled in a colorectal cancer study conducted between 1990 and 1991 in Pennsylvania. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and general estimating equations were used to analyze depression and immune system function between men and women. Depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, and immune system function was …

Commencement Program 2009, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

2 | 2009 Events of Commencement

3 | The Academic Procession

4 | Significance of the Academic Regalia

5 | The Good Samaritan

6 | The Speakers

13 | The University Honorees

19 | The School Honorees

30 | The Program

• School of Medicine, 31
• School of Pharmacy, 46
• School of Dentistry, 51
• School of Science and Technology and School of Religion, 63
• School of Nursing, 71
• School of Allied Health Professions - Physical Therapy, 78
• School of Allied Health Professions, 86
• School of Public Health, 95

An Evaluation Of Interventions Designed To Impact Nurses : A Pilot Project, Pamela G. Bing Perry

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This pilot project was designed from a systems approach as defined within the field of marriage and family (MFT). Systems theory has been used successfully in examining and working with organizational relationships as exemplified in the work of Edwin H. Friedman. His contribution includes several books specifically developed for use in organizations; one that was tailored for religious groups; and another for managers (Friedman, 2007). While other MFT modalities have also been used effectively with organizations, the complexity of the influences operating within an organization most closely matches the systems approach. For this reason, this is the conceptual framework applied …

Stepping Beyond The Smith Plaintiffs‘ Reliance On Corso: An Alternative Approach To Recovering Emotional-Distress Damages In Wrongful-Birth Cases In New Hampshire, Parker B. Potter Jr.

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] “More than twenty years ago, in Smith v. Cote, the New Hampshire Supreme Court held “that New Hampshire recognizes a cause of action for wrongful birth.” After so holding, the court then discussed the damages available to a prevailing wrongful-birth plaintiff. Among other things, the court held that when parental emotional distress associated with raising a disabled child, born after the mother had received negligent pre-natal assurance of the baby‘s normal health, “results in tangible pecuniary losses, such as medical expenses or counseling fees, such losses are recoverable.” The court further held that a wrongful-birth plaintiff may not recover …

Contributions Of Supportive Relationships To Heart Failure Self-Care, Margaret Sebern, Barbara Riegel

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Supportive relationships are known to improve outcomes for persons with heart failure (HF). Supporters may do so by improving self-care, but little is known about the influence of supportive relationships on HF self-care.

The purpose of this study was to explore background characteristics associated with supportive relationships, and the contribution of supportive relationships to HF self-care. The construct of shared care was used to operationalize supportive relationships. Shared care refers to a system of interpersonal processes (communication, decision making, and reciprocity) used in close relationships to exchange support. A cross sectional design was employed recruiting 75 HF dyads.

Older patients …

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 …

Father-Daughter Attachment And Sexual Behavior In African-American Daughters, Karen Hill-Holliday

Theses and Dissertations

Although a relationship has been found in some studies between paternal attachment and female sexual behavior, knowledge of this relationship in African Americans has been limited. The purpose of this research was to determine if there was a relationship between father-daughter attachment, parent teen sexual risk communication and early sexual activity, condom use, history of sexually transmitted infection, global/sexual self-esteem and teen pregnancy in African-American females. An anonymous consent and survey was administered online to N=113 African American college women (age 18-21) attending a southeastern university. Measurements included the Parent Attachment Questionnaire (Father), Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem, Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory (short scale), …