Nursing Commons^™

The Relationships Among Job Satisfaction, Length Of Employment, And Mentoring Of Nursing Faculty, Zelda Suzan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The shortage of faculty in nursing education programs has been well documented by the National League for Nursing. Job satisfaction is important in retaining nurse educators, and one New York nursing program was interested in examining the potential impact of mentoring on satisfaction. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine job satisfaction, measured by the Job Descriptive Index/Job in General scale (JDI/JIG), between nurse faculty participants in formal mentoring programs compared to participants receiving an informal type of mentoring. In addition, the length of employment was examined as a possible factor in predicting job satisfaction. The theoretical framework …

Development And Evaluation Of A Heart Failure Tool For Homebound Patients, Matthew Kaspar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With more than 700,000 new diagnoses annually, congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that affects the chambers of the heart. When not managed correctly, the disease rapidly progresses to substantial fluid volume overload that impacts activities of daily living and the overall quality of life. The financial implications for poor CHF management cost a mean annual medical expenditure of $33,427 per patient per year. The need for a diagnostic and prognostic at-home protocol is needed in the medical community, as there is currently no such tool on the market. Donabedian's framework was used to guide the formulation and …

Nurses' Experiences Transitioning From Staff Nurse To Management In A Community Hospital, Jennifer Sylvia Buffenbarger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project study addressed the problem of frequent turnover of nurse managers at a Northeastern community hospital. The lack of retention of nurse managers has led to attenuated support for the nursing staff who continued to hold the front line in patient care. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to explore nurse managers' experiences with turnover in order to identify strategies for enhancing retention. Work empowerment and servant leadership theories served as the frameworks for the study. Research questions focused on nurse managers' perceptions of empowerment and servant leadership characteristics that were important in decisions to assume …

An Obesity Needs Assessment With African American Adults In Central Virginia, Nicole Michelle Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The risk for obesity is especially prevalent among African American adults in Central Virginia, who have one of the highest rates of obesity in the nation. Efforts to address obesity in African American adults through diet, weight reduction, and increased physical activity in settings such as schools, worksites, healthcare organizations, churches, and communities, are among the initiatives of Healthy People 2020. The objective of this project, conducted with 91 African American adults (33 females and 58 males) in central Virginia, was to complete a community needs assessment that related to obesity among members of an African American church. The needs …

Effect Of Healthy Food Demonstration On Minority Women's Dietary Habits In San Antonio, Texas, Staria Hudson Black

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has become a global epidemic. Healthcare cost continues to increase due to co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease associated with obesity. The purpose of this project was to examine whether teaching nutritious food choices to obese African American and Hispanic females in healthy cooking demonstrations would have an effect on their dietary behavior. The holistic self-care model was used to develop healthy strategies for weight loss. The model guided the development of nutritional support, exercise, and spiritual strategies for weight reduction. African American and Hispanic females between the ages of 25 to 64 were solicited from …

Using Sbar To Decrease Transfers From The Long-Term Care To The Emergency Room, Phyllis Marie Bowers Garrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Care of the elderly, long-term care resident in the emergency department is an issue of importance because of the overall impact on healthcare costs, potential for negative outcomes for the resident, and the loss of revenue. The purpose of this project was to decrease avoidable transfer of residents to the Emergency Department. Using the Antecedent, Target, Measurement logic model, poor quality assessment data was deemed the antecedent of the avoidable transfer. The goal of the project was the implementation of a standardized process of assessment that would have decreased avoidable transfer of the resident. The project would have involved training …

Characteristics Of The Informal Caregiver: An Integrative Literature Review, Jonanna R. Bryant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The needs of the informal caregiver can be difficult to determine apart from those related to caring for the terminally ill loved one. Often, informal caregivers' individual needs are lost because of their day-to-day responsibility and care of their terminally ill loved one. The purpose of this project was to discover the characteristics of informal caregivers of the terminally ill. An integrated literature review was conducted using the Fineout-Overhalt, Melnyk, Stillwell, and Williamson's (2010) analytical approach to reviewing the evidence. The approach consisted of 7 levels for evaluating the hierachy of evidence. Inclusion criteria were studies limited from January 2004 …

Decreasing Surgical Site Infections In Vascular Surgery Patients, Charlene Knight Little

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postoperative surgical site infections are common complications in the operating room. Infections prolong hospital stays, heighten costs, and increase morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to develop policy, program, and practice guidelines to prevent surgical site infections in vascular surgery patients. Rosswurm and Larrabee's change model was used to develop materials using the best evidence for the recommended practice changes. The Plan, Do, Check, Act model was selected to guide quality improvement. The project goal was to decrease the surgical site infection rate to below the national average. Products of the project include policy, …

Transformational Leadership As A Means Of Improving Patient Care And Nursing Retention, Carla D. Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Joint Commission (TJC) sets standards to assist healthcare organizations in improving performance. The hospital for which this project was developed did not meet national TJC benchmarks for patient satisfaction and nurse retention. Based on direct observation, discussion with staff, and results of the Multifactorial Leadership Questionnaire given to 39 staff nurses before this project was chosen, evidence suggested that the leadership style of the charge nurses was transactional, which is less effective than transformational leadership (TFL). Framed within the Plan, Do, Study, Act model, the purpose of this quality improvement project was to design an educational curriculum including didactic …

An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Problem-Based Learning In Nursing Education, Yvette Marie Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Critical-thinking is an essential skill that graduate nurses need to make sound clinical decisions. While traditional lecturing is the method most commonly used in nursing education, incorporating problem-based learning (PBL) into nursing curricula has been suggested as a better option for students' learning of theory and practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the difference in critical-thinking and problem-solving skills between nursing students taught using PBL versus those taught with traditional classroom lectures. A quasi-experimental approach, with cognitive learning theory as the foundation, was used to compare the results of an Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Comprehensive Predictor posttest …

Development Of A Guide To Successful Onboarding Of New Nurse Graduates, Jacquelyn Estelle Young

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The literature indicates that serving as a preceptor for new nurse graduates can be challenging and stressful without proper training in this role. Many organizations appoint preceptors without providing training and support for the role, which negatively impacts both the new nurse and the preceptor. Evidence shows that a preceptor workshop can cultivate the knowledge and skills needed to train and precept new nurse graduates. Further, there is evidence that preceptorship programs ease new graduates' transition to practice, increase employee satisfaction, and improve the quality of care provided to clients. The purpose of this developmental project was to develop a …

Standardized Assessments, Care Planning, And Improved Quality Of Life For Residents Of Adult Family Homes, John A. Rogers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality of life for adults living in adult family homes requires further attention as the elderly population continues to grow and moves from minority to majority. There is a lack of data on residents in adult family home settings and their quality of life. The purpose of this project was to identify if individualized nursing care plans had an impact on the residents' quality of life in the adult family home. In this study, a registered nurse assessed the residents to create an individualized nursing care plan that would be implemented to improve quality of life. These care plans were …

Exploring Test Anxiety In Bsn Nursing Students, Annette Marie Keller

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Test anxiety is a phenomenon that was identified through research in the domains of education and psychology during the 1950s – 1960s. As test anxiety and its effects have been identified and addressed in nursing programs, the same treatment modalities have been applied without evidence that nursing students experience test anxiety in the same manner as other students. The purpose of this study was to describe test anxiety as experienced by BSN nursing students using the sequential explanatory mixed methods design in an effort to gain insight into the anxiety experience of nursing students. A sample of 73 junior and …

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part I: Definition, Associated Behaviors, Prevalence, Diagnostic Process, And Interventions, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold, Margaret W. Bultas

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising, along with the potential for challenging behaviors during health care encounters.

Method

We present an overview of the emerging science related to ASD diagnosis and interventions for children with ASD.

Results

Emerging science on ASD reveals common associated challenging behaviors, increasing prevalence, emphasis on early diagnosis at 18 to 24 months of age, changes in the diagnostic process with criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, and interventions with medication, education, and behavior management.

Discussion

Family and health care provider preparation strategies facilitate …

Translating Research To Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Part 2: Behavior Management In Home And Health Care Settings, Margaret W. Bultas, Norah L. Johnson, Karen Burkett, Judy Reinhold

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Managing home and health care for children with autism spectrum disorder can be challenging because of the range of symptoms and behaviors exhibited.

Method

This article presents an overview of the emerging science related to the methods to foster family self-management of common concerns regarding activities of daily living and behaviors, as well as for the health care provider in primary and acute health care settings.

Results

Recommendations are provided to enhance the overall delivery of services, including understanding and managing a child's challenging behaviors, and supporting family management of common activities of daily living and behaviors.

Discussion

Health …

Perinatal Nurses: Key To Increasing African American Breast-Feeding Rates, Karen Marie Robinson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants for at least the first 6 months of life. Despite women in the United States reaching national objectives for breast-feeding initiation (75%), racial disparities persist. According to the most recent data, 83% of white mothers initiated breast-feeding whereas only 66% African American mothers did so. Breast-feeding initiation may be amenable to perinatal nursing intervention. Breast-feeding may be a practice that helps bridge the racial divide in perinatal outcomes among African American families. Nurses have an essential role in embracing breast-feeding promotion and support to patients who are least likely to …

Current Medical Research Winter/Spring 2015, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Concept Analysis: Music Therapy, Carolyn J. Murrock, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Down through the ages, music has been universally valued for its therapeutic properties based on the psychological and physiological responses in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms of the psychological and physiological responses to music have been poorly identified and defined. Without clarification, a concept can be misused, thereby diminishing its importance for application to nursing research and practice. The purpose of this article was for the clarification of the concept of music therapy based on Walker and Avant's concept analysis strategy. A review of recent nursing and health-related literature covering the years 2007–2014 was performed on the concepts of music, …

Exploring Student, Family, And School Predictors Of Self-Determination Using Nlts2 Data, Karrie A. Shogren, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Chantelle Dowsett, Todd D. Little

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study conducted secondary analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) to examine the degree to which student, family, and school constructs predicted self-determination outcomes. Multi-group structural equation modeling was used to examine predictive relationships between 5 student, 4 family, and 7 school constructs developed from NLTS2 data and self-determination outcomes (autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization) across disability groups. The pattern of predictive relationship between the constructs and self-determination outcomes across disability groups was complex. Only one construct—self-concept—showed a positive predictive relationship with all three self-determination constructs across most disability groups. Implications of the complex pattern of …

Latina Adolescents' Perspectives On Relationships, Kristin Haglund, Ruth Ann Belknap, Juanita Terrie Garcia, Aimee A. Woda, John O'Hara

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To explore adolescent Latinas’ perspectives on relationships and generate knowledge to inform interventions. Setting: Seven Latina adolescents participated. Design: This qualitative study was guided by principles of community-based participatory research and utilized the photovoice method. Method: Participants took photos depicting elements of relationships and participated in guided discussions. They identified and named five elements of healthy relationships. Results: The five elements included commitment, communication, faith, amigos y amores (friends and lovers) and play. These elements occur across all forms of relationships. Conclusion: The results revealed important information that may be used to tailor health promotion interventions for Latina/o youth.

Concept Analysis: Music Therapy, Carolyn J. Murrock, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Down through the ages, music has been universally valued for its therapeutic properties based on the psychological and physiological responses in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms of the psychological and physiological responses to music have been poorly identified and defined. Without clarification, a concept can be misused, thereby diminishing its importance for application to nursing research and practice. The purpose of this article was for the clarification of the concept of music therapy based on Walker and Avant’s concept analysis strategy. A review of recent nursing and health-related literature covering the years 2007–2014 was performed on the concepts of music, …

Nurses' Perceptions Of Diagnosis And Prognosis-Related Communication: An Integrative Review, Amy Rose Newman

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Disclosure of diagnostic and prognostic information has become the standard in the United States and increasingly around the world. Disclosure is generally identified as the responsibility of the physician. However, nurses are active participants in the process both intentionally and inadvertently. If not included in initial discussions regarding diagnosis and prognosis, the nurse may find it challenging to openly support the patient and family.

Objective: The aim of this study is to synthesize published literature regarding nurses’ perceptions and experiences with diagnosis and prognosis-related communication.

Methods: The Whittemore and Knafl method guided the integrative review process. …

Reactions Of Low-Income African American Women To Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Karen Marie Robinson, Leona Vandevusse, Jamarrah Foster

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To examine the influence of breastfeeding peer counseling on the breastfeeding experiences of African American mothers who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Design

Qualitative study using focus groups.

Setting

Two WIC clinics in Southeast Wisconsin were used for recruitment and data collection.

Participants

A convenience sample of nine African American mothers participated in one of two focus groups.

Methods

The women responded to a series of open-ended questions about their breastfeeding experiences and the effect of breastfeeding peer counselors (BPCs). Content and thematic analyses were used to analyze patterns related to …

Pediatric Kennedy Terminal Ulcer, Megan Reitz, Christine A. Schindler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Engaging In Culturally Informed Nursing Care With Hmong Children And Their Families, Shoua Xiong, Nora Degroote, Hayley Byington, Jamie Harder, Krystal Kaminski, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The Hmong are an ethnic hill tribe group originally from Southern China with concentrated populations throughout Southeast Asia, especially the mountains of northern Laos. Following the Vietnam War, the Hmong started immigrating to the United States in waves to escape prosecution for fighting communism alongside the United States. Today, the Hmong population in the United States is growing rapidly, with a median age of 20.4 years. As the Hmong move and redistribute themselves across the country to be with family or pursue new opportunities, it is more and more likely that nurses everywhere will interact with Hmong children and their …