Nursing Commons^™

Health And Healing In Compariative Perspective: U.S. And Mexico, Mary Scheerhorn, Jonathan D. Hagood

Faculty Presentations

A global experience comparing the development of the healing professions, the economics of the modern health sector, and practices of health and healing in the U. S. and México. An intense three week cultural experience in Querétaro, México in health clinics and hospitals under the supervision of faculty from the Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro and the Hope College Nursing Department. Cultural enrichment for nursing, pre-physical therapy, pre-med and other pre-health major students.

The Relationship Between Epidural Anesthesia During Labor And Successful Breastfeeding Behaviors Of Newborns, Kevara Wilson, Dr. Debra Hobbins-Garbett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Every mother wants to give the best to her baby, and many mothers feel breastfeeding is doing just that—giving the best. For these mothers, the effect of epidural anesthesia on those first breastfeeding encounters is an important one. Unfortunately, few researched-based answers about these effects exist.

Cultural Competence Of Taiwanese Nurses, Chin-Nu Lin

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Research on the cultural competence in nursing care in Taiwan is scarce. Little information has been documented regarding the level of cultural competence among its health care professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of cultural competence among Taiwanese nurses. This study employed a quantitative design using a self-report online survey. Research findings indicated that Taiwanese nurses had low to moderate level of cultural competence. They perceived themselves as being not culturally competent when caring for clients from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. While Taiwanese nurses scored high on cultural sensitivity and awareness, they scored low …

Daily Needs Of Family Members Of Icu Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Christy Rae Lee, Dr. A. Elaine Bond

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the intensive care unit (ICU), family members of severe traumatic brain-injured (STBI) patients struggle with the possibility of future dysfunction or untimely death. This is a vulnerable and precarious time for the families. In this crisis time, nurses must be able to provide holistic nursing care that includes the family as well as the patient. To determine and react to the family’s ongoing needs, nurses could return some stability to the family, aiding the patient’s recovery.

Childbirth Experience Of Chinese Women, Robin Kartchner, Dr. Lynn C. Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Women across the world share in the same biological process of childbirth. However, their experience with childbirth can vary widely depending on their cultural and spiritual background. The quality of care a woman receives during and after her pregnancy is deeply influenced by the understanding of these factors that the nurse brings to their interaction (1). This research built on previous studies of women from other cultures (2) by interviewing Chinese women in China about their childbirth experience.

An Educational Approach: Increasing College Freshmen's Knowledge Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, Jennie Mcclain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

According to the Centers for Disease Control (2009), young adults account for only 25% o fsexually active persons in the United States, but account for 50% of the newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some young adults may not have received appropriate or credible information on sexual health by which to make knowledgeable decisions that may influence the rest of their lives. High schools are not required to offer comprehensive sex education. Therefore, some students may have received abstinence-only sex education. Risk reduction and disease prevention are important in college health. This evidenced-based practice project included the creation, …

A Matter Of Choice: Perceptions Of Personal Mastery And Control After Giving Birth, Melissa A. Dalton-Richardson, Dr. Lynn Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Within recent years, there has been a steady increase of births attended by midwives in the United States. The reemergence of midwives to the medical scene provides pregnant women with alternative methods of birth. In order to provide women with the most information possible about these two options of maternity care, there has been a good deal research done in the area of comparisons between obstetricians and certified nurse-midwives (CNM). Thus far, the research has done much in demarcating the differences in treatment and satisfaction of pregnant women. My research question took the next step in the research comparison. I …

Postpartum Depression And Help-Seeking Behaviors In Immigrant Hispanic Women, Glauco Souza, Dr. Lynn Clark Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe the experience of having symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) and identify help seeking behaviors in immigrant Hispanic women.

The Experiences Of Siblings Of Children With Autism, Elizabeth Ward, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The social and behavioral issues of autism are very unique and have a deep impact on families, particularly siblings, as they learn to cope and live with a child with autism (CWA). However, there is limited information in the literature relative to the experience of the sibling, and the information that does exist is often conflicting. The research shows that siblings of CWA experience stress, frightening behavior, and violence in the home (Benderix & Sivberg, 2007). Furthermore, some researchers found that siblings demonstrated less intimacy in sibling relationships, and were negatively affected socially and emotionally (Hastings, 2003; Kaminsky & Dewey, …

Information From The Experts Themselves: What Children With Diabetes Need And Desire, Corinne Jackman, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purposes of this research are to 1) discover perceptions children/adolescents with diabetes have about their lives/illness and 2) develop appropriate interventions based on these perceptions. A number of youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes face difficult challenges concerning their care and causing great stress on their family. Asking youth about their perceptions of living with type 1 diabetes can be useful in developing interventions that are exactly what the youth need/desire as they cope with their chronic illness. Hopefully, adjustment to the illness will be smoother and the family unit helped as the needed interventions are provided.

Measuring Cultural Competence In Nursing: A Qualitative Comparison Of Education And Workforce Measures, Robin Ellis, Dr. Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The most recently published United States census indicates that nearly one fourth of the United States population is non-Caucasian (“Race and Ethnic Distribution,” 2001). Unlike the general population, nearly 90% of registered nurses identify themselves as primary Caucasian. Consequently, cultural awareness in health care has become an imperative issue.

Perceptions Of Single Parents Raising A Child With Disabilities: A Pilot Study, Dr. Barbara Mandleco, Danielle Nyholm

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Parents raising a child with disabilities (CWD) are subject to a unique experience that is often accompanied by many challenges not experienced by a parent raising normally developing children. The experience requires extensive time and money, and the parents endure many stressors resulting in exhaustion (Green, 2007). In addition, Kelso, French, and Fernandez (2005) found stressors for two-parent families of a CWD include the process of diagnosis, treatment decisions, the ability to function spontaneously as a family, schooling for their child, and lack of professional attention to their CWD. If two-parent families experience these difficulties, single-parent families will likely have …

Parental Perceptions: Religiosity And Depression In Families Raising A Child With Diabetes, Caitlin Herrmann Peterson, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Parents raising children with disabilities (CWD) experience a number of situations and stresses parents not raising a CWD experience. How families adapt to the situation of raising a CWD may be related to a number of variables including the parent’s religiosity and the depression level of the parents. Clearly, religion serves as an important resource to families; however, it may also act as a resource for families who are raising a CWD. In fact, qualitative and empirical studies alike show religious practices and spiritual beliefs predict relational outcomes (Richards & Bergin, 1997). There is minimal literature examining differences in religiosity …

Relationship Between Grief And Sleep Among Grief Group Members, Diana Snyder, Beth Cole

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Grief and bereavement can be defined as experiences created by responses to the loss of a family member or close friend. Such distressing experiences can be amplified by sleep dysfunction because of the devastating effects poor sleep quality has in healthy functioning. In a study done by Richardson, Lund, Caserta, Dudley, and Obray (2003), it was noted that 50 % of a group of 192 bereaved widows and widowers reported sleep disturbance within the first few months after the death of a spouse. Sleep disturbances have been highly correlated with problems such as depression, emotional lability, anger, loss of control, …

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of Learning Outcomes Throughout Simulation Experiences, Christina Hunter, Dr. Patricia Ravert

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Identified learning outcomes when using high-fidelity simulators in a nursing lab are 1) improving communication, 2) increasing psychomotor skills, 3) understanding classroom material, 4) developing critical thinking, and 5) facilitating teamwork (Bambini, Washburn, & Perkins, 2009; McGaghie, Issenberg, Petrusa, & Scalese, 2006). Nursing students in each semester develop different learning outcomes. Communication, improving nursing skills, and developing critical thinking are outcomes of simulation for novice students (Bambini et al.). However, data is limited on outcomes of simulation for other levels of nursing students. The purpose of this study is to determine students’ perceptions regarding learning outcomes and their development throughout …

The Experiences Of Siblings Living With A Child With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Mckenzie Miller, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Up to 40% of children in the United States require health related services above those needed by other children due to a chronic condition or illness, and as the majority of these children live at home, their presence greatly affects family members living with them (Mandleco, 2009). Although several chronic illnesses are seen in children, type 1 diabetes is one of the most common and the number of new cases is increasing each year (Lowes, Gregory, & Lyne, 2005). With the increasing frequency of this disease, it is critical that health-care providers know the effects it has on the diagnosed …

The Effects Of Prenatal Education On Maternal Perceptions Of Labor Experience, Christie Sue Henrichsen, Cassidy Tomao

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This qualitative descriptive study examined the perceptions of the birth experience for primaparous women who had received prenatal education classes (PNEC) compared with those who did not. The researchers surveys 20 women who had received PNEC and 20 who had not. Women were surveyed on the postpartum unit within 72 hours of giving birth and briefly interviewed about their experience.

Disseminating Evidence: Global Health And Nursing Column, Christina Bohn, Dr. Lynn Clark Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to (1) disseminate evidence about global initiatives and individual nurses who are making a difference in the health of women and children worldwide, and (2) identify how nurses can become involved in global efforts. This evidence is published in MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing and was presented at the Brigham Young University College of Nursing annual research conference on October 25, 2010.

Compassion Fatigue: Prevalence Among Nurses At A Midwest Pediatric Hospital, Branch Carole

Dissertations

Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe the unique stressors affecting people in care-giving professions (Joinson in 1992). For nurses, the impact of compassion fatigue may result in stress-related symptoms, job dissatisfaction, decreased productivity, patient satisfaction, safety issues, and job turnover. The purposes of this non-experimental descriptive survey using electronic distribution to collect data were to identify the prevalence of compassion fatigue composed of burnout and secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction among nurses and nursing staff who deliver direct patient care at the hospital and the relationship between demographic variables (age, work category, level of education, work experience) …

A Pilot Project To Develop A Tool To Assess Gain In Knowledge In Third Graders Participating In A Science Based Drug Prevention Education Curriculum, Miriam Dawn Butler

Dissertations

Drug use and abuse presents a significant problem to individuals, families, and law enforcement in communities across the United States. Methamphetamine is a particular concern in one rural eastern Missouri county. Much work is being done in this county by multiple agencies to decrease methamphetamine production and use. Little attention, however, has been focused on prevention in the elementary schools. Substance use and experimentation may begin as early as 12 years old or even earlier. By initiating a proven drug prevention education curriculum before children begin to experiment with tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs, drug use may be delayed or …

The Effect Of Heart Failure Education On Reducing Readmissions, Mayola Lara Villarruel

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Management of heart failure is a significant financial challenge for the health care industry, costing approximately $33.2 billion annually. Common reasons for preventable heart failure readmissions include inadequate discharge education and lack of self-care and health management activities. Education at discharge is a vital component of improving heart failure outcomes. Following a review of the literature, high quality evidence supports that heart failure education should focus on medication adherence, sodium and fluid restriction, daily weights, activity tolerance, identification of deteriorating signs and symptoms of heart failure, and smoking cessation. The purpose of this EBP project was to reduce heart failure …

Outcomes Of A Smoking Cessation Clinic In Cardiology Services, Vancouver, Canada, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Milan Khara

Nursing Presentations

BACKGROUND: Adults who have experienced cardiac events have a high burden of smoking and are likely to continue post cardiac event. Research in this population suggests that smoking cessation services offered to this population can reduce the re-occurrence of cardiac events by assisting patients in cessation. However, few cardiology clinics offer smoking cessation services and few cardiologists refer patients to such services. The Smoking Cessation Clinic (SCC) provides evidence-based smoking cessation treatment within Cardiology services in Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SCC program in terms of its program engagement …

Healthcare Providers Monitoring Of Serum Potassium Levels In The Treatment Of Heart Failure, Sara Burwell, Megan Chaney, Corey Shoemaker

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients older than 65 years of age received the influenza vaccine.

Using The Inverse Transform To Specify Contrasts In Regression And Latent Curve Structural Equation Models, Thomas N. Templin

Nursing Faculty Research Publications

A simple yet general method for specifying contrasts to test hypotheses in regression and latent curve structural equation models is presented. The traditional qualitative variable coding schemes used in multiple regression (e.g., dummy coding) have a more general formulation. Five matrices are involved: The coding scheme, A. The matrix which gives the distribution and ordering of cases, W; WA = X; X is the design matrix. The contrast coefficient matrix C; and C^-1 = A. In practice, only C, C^-1, and A are necessary because the statistical software generates the design matrix. This method has great generality …

Influenza Vaccination Of The Older Adult Patient And Documentation By The Healthcare Provider, Sara Burwell, Megan Chaney, Corey Shoemaker

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients older than 65 years of age received the influenza vaccine.

Suicide Screening In Primary Care With Patients Diagnosed With Depression, Lori Duke, Cindy Patrick

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate healthcare providers' compliance with the recommended 2009 ACCF/AHA guidelines for monitoring routine serum potassium levels in heart failure patients.

Co-Morbidities Associated With Adult Obesity In Mississippi, Richmond Lachney

MSN Research Projects

Obesity rates are rapidly increasing in Mississippi and the entire United States. It is estimated that 34.9% of Mississippi residents and 75 million Americans over the age of 20 are considered obese. Numerous studies have shown the high risk of developing co­ morbidities once a person develops obesity. The number of adult Americans living with obesity and its associated co-morbidities is alarming. The purpose of this study was to determine which co-morbidities are most prevalent among obese residents of rural Mississippi and whether they can be reduced or reversed with significant weight reduction. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model was utilized …

Healthcare Providers Monitoring Of Serum Potassium Levels In The Treatment Of Heart Failure, Lori Duke, Cindy Patrick

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate healthcare providers' compliance with the recommended 2009 ACCF/AHA guidelines for monitoring routine serum potassium levels in heart failure patients.

Prognostic Value Of Heart Rate Turbulence For Risk Assessment In Patients With Unstable Angina And Non-St Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Patricia R.E. Harris, Phyllis K. Stein, Gordon L. Fung, Barbara J. Drew

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Background: We sought to examine the prognostic value of heart rate turbulence derived from electrocardiographic recordings initiated in the emergency department for patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina.

Methods: Twenty-four-hour Holter recordings were started in patients with cardiac symptoms approximately 45 minutes after arrival in the emergency department. Patients subsequently diagnosed with NSTEMI or unstable angina who had recordings with ≥18 hours of sinus rhythm and sufficient data to compute Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores were chosen for analysis (n = 166). Endpoints were emergent re-entry to the cardiac emergency department and/or death at …

Prevalence Of High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus Among Women With Hepatitis C Virus Before Liver Transplantation, P. A. Tarallo, Janice Smolowitz, D. Carriero, J. Tarallo, A. Siegel, H. Jia, J. C. Emond

School of Nursing Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: We sought to assess the prevalence and risk factors for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among female liver transplant (LT) candidates. Traditional health screening before LT listing has included Pap smear and is typically carried out by the patient's local provider. The prevalence of high-risk HPV in this population has not been studied. Methods: With Institutional Review Board approval, 62 LT candidates received a liquid-based Pap smear with high-risk HPV testing as part of their pre-transplant evaluation by a single provider. Clinical variables included age, ethnicity, insurance status, prior Pap smear, and HPV results, HPV risk factors including age …