Nursing Commons^™

Gestational Weight Gain Patterns, Hope R. Farquharson Phd

Dissertations

Background: Managing gestational weight gain (GWG) remains a global health priority as obesity among women of childbearing age and their children have been linked to excessive GWG. Excessive GWG has been linked to increased rates of cesarean sections, preterm births, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age newborns, postpartum weight retention, long-term obesity for the woman and her children. Conversely, adverse outcomes resulting from weight gain below recommendation could potentially include preterm births, increased rates of neonatal intensive care admission, and newborn morbidity and mortality. Previous studies indicate the need for healthcare providers to help women gain within the …

Delirium Rate And Risk Factors In Palliative Care Outpatients And Caregiver Coping Strategies, Sarah Deur Livermore Phd, Fnp

Dissertations

Background: Delirium causes suffering and in terminal illness undermines important goals to die at home. Improved knowledge about delirium among palliative outpatients can lead to improved patient outcomes through early identification and treatment in the home. Conversely, a missed diagnosis leads to costly hospital admissions, and is the most common reason to seek long-term care placement (Breitbart & Alici, 2008). Medicare stresses the importance by listing it as a common cause of falls among non-reimbursed hospital events. Prior evaluation of outpatient delirium rate was 14% among demented community dwelling elders (Steis, Evans, et al., 2012a). It is hypothesized that frail, …

Identification Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Post-Icu Patients, Heather Warlan Phd, Rn, Ccrn

Dissertations

Background: Patients receiving critical care are experiencing post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) as a result of life-saving interventions received in the intensive care unit (ICU). PTSS is associated with poor patient outcomes and decreased quality of life compared to post-ICU patients without PTSS. Personal and clinical characteristics that place patients at higher risk for PTSS are still being examined. It is also unknown to what extent patients are being screened for ICU-induced PTSS. Objectives: This body of work aims to examine the risk factors associated with ICU-related PTSS and describe the screening experiences of patients who recently received care in an …

Hospital Fall Prevention Using Interactive Patient Care Technology, Verna A. Sitzer Phd, Mn, Rn, Cns

Dissertations

The impact of patient engagement in hospital fall prevention using interactive patient care technology is not known. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the engagement of hospitalized patients in a computer-based, interactive patient care fall prevention pathway, comprised of a self-assessment of fall risk questionnaire and a fall prevention video, and hospital fall outcomes. The aims were to 1) formulate an interactive patient care technology conceptual framework to guide the study, 2) provide reliability and validity evidence for a patient self-assessment of fall risk questionnaire, and 3) explore the relationship between the fall prevention pathway engagement characteristics and …

A Phenomenological Study Of Acceptability Of Preexposure Prophylaxis Therapy Within The Lived Experiences Of Hiv Negative Male-To-Female Transgender Young Adults, Gloria N. Nwagwu Phd

Dissertations

The male-to-female transgender (MtF-TG) are individuals assigned a male gender at birth but self identify as female. MtF-TG young adults experience discrimination, stigmatization, isolation, and homelessness as a result of gender identity and gender expression. The transgender populations are linked to high rate of new HIV infection. The use of Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy demonstrated a decrease in HIV infection risk ranging from 42% to 73% among sexual minority individuals. The goal of this three-part study was achieved through concept analysis, data collection, and analysis. The following aims were addressed; analyze the concept of transgender, explore currently used HIV prevention …

Fetal Heart Monitoring, Nursing Surveillance, And Cesarean Birth, María Del Carmen Colombo Phd

Dissertations

Purpose: Birth by cesarean delivery is a major public health issue with nearly one in three births delivered by cesarean section. Cesarean birth may be necessary to save mother or baby, but the rapid rise since 1996 without concomitant reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality may indicate this mode of delivery may be over utilized. Cesarean births pose significant maternal and newborn health risks. Identification of factors that may contribute to reduction in the first cesarean birth in low-risk women who are nulliparous, term gestation, with single fetus in head down position (NTSV) is a health priority. The …

Professional Quality Of Life And Emergency Department Nurses' Communication Patterns, Elvira Dominguez-Gomez Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods embedded design study was to examine relationships between compassion satisfaction, burnout, compassion fatigue/secondary trauma, and perceived levels of communication difficulty in emergency room nurses employed at a health care system. Quantitative data was collected from a purposive sample of 43 emergency room nurses using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), the Silencing Response Scale, and a demographic form. The study's embedded qualitative component was participants' experiences with traumatic cases in the emergency room. Qualitative data was collected via telephone interview with 10 emergency room nurses obtained from a subset of the original sample …

Efficacy Of Mantram Repetition Program On Sleep In Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lindsay Cosco Holt Phd

Dissertations

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects over seven million (3.5%) of the US adult population. In 2011, 476,515 veterans were currently seeking treatment for PTSD. Statistics show that 87% of veterans with PTSD report sleep disturbances and 52% experience frequent nightmares, making sleep the second most common reason why veterans seek mental health care upon return from deployment (Germain et al., 2006). Studies have sought to find a link between PTSD and sleep, and the importance of sleep in the recovery process, but there is a gap in the research on sleep disturbances and interventions for improvement in veterans with PTSD. …

Transitioning Adolescents With Type I Diabetes To Adult Care, Kathyann Kenny Marsh Phd

Dissertations

Background: Care transitions, defined as hospital discharge or movement from one healthcare setting to another, are currently a major concern for healthcare providers and policy makers alike. These care transitions are occurring in the context of increasingly fragmented care and have been known to result in hospital readmissions, adverse events, and medication errors. The adolescents' transition between pediatric and the adult care system is not only fragmented but occurs at a time when they are most vulnerable and ill equipped for change. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to conduct a feasibility study to examine if the use of …

Cultural Competency In The Medical Workplace: A Look At Outpatient Clinic Nurses At A Children's Hospital In New England, Evelyn S. Callahan

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper analyzes the current state of progress toward cultural competency in the medical workplace, specifically in the hospital setting. It compares the current writing on the topic to research done at a large New England children’s hospital. The nurses are all individuals who work in an out patient setting so they often see the same patients regularly for longer periods of time. This differs from the in-patient or floor nurses who only spend limited time with a constantly changing population of patients. The research involved one-on-one interviews and a focus group with nurses at the hospital. The focus group …

The Relationship Between Weight Locus Of Control, Self-Rated Abilities For Health Practices, Selfcompassion And Weight Loss Outcome Among Adults Post-Bariatric Surgery, Gina M. Kearney

Theses & Dissertations

Overweight and obesity have become growing threats to our nation’s health. Bariatric surgery, although its incidence has been reported to have reached a plateau, remains the most effective weight loss therapy available for the extremely (morbidly) obese. However, significant weight regain is often observed and evidence of weight loss maintenance has not been clearly or consistently demonstrated. Through the use of Self-Determination Theory as a theoretical underpinning and guiding model, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological variables (weight locus of control, self-rated abilities for health practices, and self-compassion) and weight loss outcome (downward change …

Cuba’S Maternal-Child Health, Colleen Marzilli

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose is to elucidate the differences between the Cuban and United States (U.S.) maternal-child health delivery systems by providing a descriptive, retrospective evaluation based on a convenience sample of data gathered through observations with Cuban public health officials, including physicians, nurses, and citizens. U.S.and Cuban data were analyzed using available United Nations data. In Cuba, there are several programs that contribute to excellent maternal-child health outcomes. Two health interventions for the mother and child are regarded as “hygiene” and include the maternity home and vaccination program. Maternity homes provide comprehensive, residential care for at-risk mothers until the onset of …

Relationship Between Horizontal Violence Among Registered Nurses And Falls, Elizabeth Densford Rocha Phd

Dissertations

Background: Horizontal violence is a manifestation of oppressed group behavior leading to low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness among nurses. Horizontal violence leads to the creation of a hostile, unsafe work environment preventing nurses from performing at their highest potentials. A hostile work environment leads to a culture of unsafe patient care which may result in increased harm to patients. An understanding of why horizontal violence occurs and the implications of this phenomenon are the first steps in addressing this destructive behavior as well as protecting patients from harm. Health care environments must support nurses to perform at their best …

Relationship Between Participation In Nurse Externship Program And Rn Retention And Quality Care, Lourdes C. Salandanan Phd

Dissertations

Study Background. Nurse externship programs were initially developed by healthcare institutions as a recruitment tool for new nurses. Literature has demonstrated the positive outcomes of the program on the participants and healthcare institutions but during times of economic difficulties, health care institutions discontinue the program. The studies that demonstrate the value of the program are limited to the recruitment phase and the 2-year retention of the newly graduated nurses. There is a need to demonstrate the value of the program in terms quality of care and long term RN retention. Research Questions. The three research questions this study addressed include: …

Factors Affecting Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors Among Arab American Women, Kholoud Khalil Phd

Dissertations

Guided by Pender and colleagues' (2006) revised health promotion model (HPM), this descriptive correlational study was designed to explore the relationships between personal factors (comprised of sociodemographic factors, degree of acculturation, and perceived stress), perceived health self-efficacy, perceived social support, and health promotion lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) among a group of Arab American women (AAW) living in Southern California. A second purpose was to explore the psychometric properties of the translated version of the perceived health competence scale (PHCS). A convenience sample of 267 AAW were administered a paper copy of a self-reported survey. Four of the study's five standardized measures …

Does Participation In A Multi-Modal Activity-Based Program Impacts On Functional Recovery, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Spinal Cord Injury?, Carolyn S. Gerber Phd, Msn, Rn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between relevant personal factors, participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program, and the program's impact on an individual's level of functional recovery, and overall quality of life in adults with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). A descriptive, correlational design was performed on a secondary analysis dataset to conduct this study. Inferential statistics were performed with mixed ANOVA's on measures of ASIA UEM and LEM scores, EuroQol, and SWLS to compare their means. The study proposed that participation in a multi-modal activity-based training program would be associated with greater functional recovery, less …

Padlet: Closing The Student Feedback Loop, Gary S. Atwood

University Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Breathable Under Pads To Decrease Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers: A Nurse Resident Project, Sara Meshino, Bsn, Rn, Bridget Trefz, Bsn, Rn

Department of Nursing papers and presentations

PURPOSE

To reduce the rate of hospital acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU), in June 2013, a large urban academic medical center switched from non-breathable to breathable under pads for incontinent patients lying on either a standard bed (low risk patients) or low-air-loss mattress (high risk patients). Standard pressure ulcer prevention measures were maintained. Staff on two oncology units sought to determine the effectiveness of breathable vs. non-breathable under pads in reducing the rate of HAPU and UAPU.

Development Of The Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire (Ncaq): A Rural Nurse Recruitment And Retention Tool, M. P. Prengaman, J. L. Bigbee, E. Baker, D. F. Schmitz

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: Health professional shortages are a significant issue throughout the USA, particularly in rural communities. Filling nurse vacancies is a costly concern for many critical access hospitals (CAH), which serve as the primary source of health care for rural communities. CAHs and rural communities have strengths and weaknesses that affect their recruitment and retention of rural nurses. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool that rural communities and CAHs can utilize to assess their strengths and weaknesses related to nurse recruitment and retention.

Methods: The Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire (NCAQ) was developed based on an extensive literature …

Determinants Of Physical Activity In Arab American Children, Wearn Alkhatib Phd

Dissertations

Physical activity is an integral part of preventing and managing childhood and adolescent obesity. Lack of regular physical activity has negative impact on physical and psychosocial health. Arab Americans (AAs), one of the most rapidly growing minorities in United States, tend to have a high prevalence of obesity and low participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to describe determinants of physical activity, including self-efficacy, social support, physical environment, and selected demographics among AA children in Southern California. A descriptive correlational study using a cross sectional design was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by children (N=206) recruited …

Harassment: A Challenge At Workplace, Muhammad Younas, Salma Rattani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Health care professionals are deeply involved in caring for the human life and during this process, they come in a close contact with the care recipients. This, at times, positions the health care professionals in a vulnerable situation including workplace harassment which is an offensive verbal or physical act and comprises of an unwanted behavior or advancement or demand for sexual and other favors. This conduct creates an intimidating, unfriendly, and offensive work environment (Sigal, 2006). Consequently, it impacts on care providers' performance, quality care and their retention in the system. Hence, it is important that the health care personnel …

The Ins And Outs Of Change Of Shift Handoffs Between Nurses: A Communication Challenge, John S. Carroll, Michele Williams, Theresa M. Gallivan

Michele Williams

Background: Communication breakdowns have been identified as a source of problems in complex work settings such as hospital-based healthcare. Methods: The authors conducted a multi-method study of change of shift handoffs between nurses, including interviews, survey, audio taping and direct observation of handoffs, posthandoff questionnaires, and archival coding of clinical records. Results: The authors found considerable variability across units, nurses and, surprisingly, roles. Incoming and outgoing nurses had different expectations for a good handoff: incoming nurses wanted a conversation with questions and eye contact, whereas outgoing nurses wanted to tell their story without interruptions. More experienced nurses abbreviated their reports …

Kerr, Searing Receive Nurse Educator Fellowships, Kim Hill

News and Events

No abstract provided.

Spirituality In Nursing Practice, Regina Conway-Phillips

Nursing: School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

Annual Report, 2013-2014, Mennonite College Of Nursing

Annual Report

The Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University creates a dynamic community of learning to develop exceptionally well-prepared nurses who will lead to improve health outcomes locally and globally. We promote excellence in teaching, research, service, and practice with a focus on the vulnerable and underserved. We are committed to being purposeful, open, just, caring, disciplined, and celebrative.

Core Professional Nursing Values As Experienced By Baccalaureate Nursing Students Who Are Men, Bonnie Schmidt

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Experts have called for greater diversity in the nursing workforce; however, men remain underrepresented in the nursing profession. The presence of cultural dissonance among male nursing students has been documented in prior research but little is known about their values that are culturally influenced. The purpose of this study was to understand and interpret the meaning of core professional nursing values to male baccalaureate nursing students. The research question was: what is the meaning of core professional nursing values to nursing students who are men.

The study setting was an undergraduate baccalaureate school of nursing in the Midwest. Using a …

Using Video Games For Decreasing Pain Caused By Acute Painful Crisis In Adolescents With Sickle Cell Pain, Talal Ali

Wayne State University Dissertations

Purpose: The most common symptom of sickle cell disease is pain, which occurs as the cells clump compromising further blood flow to distal organs. Despite the advancement in pain management, many children and adolescents' pain remains under treated. The purpose of this study is measure the effectiveness of a videogame as a developmentally appropriate non-pharmacological modality on pain in adolescents 12-21 years of age with sickle cell crisis.

Methods: A one-group repeated measure quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of using videogames on pain in a sample of adolescents 12-21 years of age. Using a repeated measures design …

Defining Professional Nursing Accountability: A Literature Review, Lorretta Krautscheid

Faculty Publications - College of Nursing

Professional nursing accountability is described by both professional nursing organizations and nursing education credentialing agencies as a core aspect that underpins professional nursing practice. Although accountability is foundational to professional practice, a review of the literature revealed no consistent language or definition regarding professional nursing accountability. Instead, the literature itself reveals that professional nursing accountability is challenging to both describe and define. The ambiguity surrounding how to define professional nursing accountability contributes to challenges associated with both teaching and evaluating student nurse accountability within nursing education curricula. This article provides a reliable and comprehensive definition of professional nursing accountability derived …

Instilling Diet And Exercise Confidence: Influence Of Nurse Body Size, Erin Murdock Spaulding

Honors Theses and Capstones

This paper reports a research study focused on perspective of nurse body size and how it affects confidence in a nurses’ ability to provide education on diet and exercise. The study followed a descriptive method design guided by a cross-sectional survey with quantitative variables. Results show that there is increased confidence in a nurse’s ability to provide education and influence habits regarding diet and exercise when the nurse role models such behaviors. Other findings presented include respondents’ perception of their body mass index versus their actual body mass index, percentage of respondents with health care conditions related to obesity, and …

The "Globesity" Trend: Exploring The Ethical Concerns Of Registered Nurses Caring For Bariatric Surgery Patients, Casey L. Lowden-Crook

Theses

Obesity is a major global health problem. The comorbidities associated with obesity (for example: diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease) are multisystem and require continual medical management which places a great strain on the healthcare system. Australia is ranked the 5th most obese population in the world and deaths associated with obesity and obesity related illnesses are estimated at 7,200 per year (Medibank, 2010). This lifestyle disease is now the leading cause of premature death in Australia. The obesity epidemic is blamed on changes in the social, economic and physical environment (obesogenic environments) which have influenced people to over-consume …