Nursing Commons^™

Impacts Of Birth Plans On Maternal Satisfaction A Literature Review And Focus Group Study, Kaylyn Brooks

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to investigate existing research for the relationship between birth plans and maternal satisfaction of the labor and birth experience.

Design: The research found and utilized in this paper is formulated into a literature review format and includes research obtained from a focus group of midwives.

Population/Sample: The population of the research obtain for this literature review consisted of pregnant women (at various stages of their pregnancy, labor, and birth) and post-partum women whom had prepared written birth plans.

Variables Studied: Maternal satisfaction of expectant mothers with their personal labor and birth experience …

Genetic Influence On Resilience To Potentially Traumatic Events, Kosuke Niitsu

Theses & Dissertations

Most individuals experience at least one potentially traumatic event (PTE), such as a natural disaster. When exposed to PTEs, some individuals are more vulnerable to develop psychopathology, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In contrast, others are less adversely affected by PTEs, who are often described as “resilient”. A concept analysis of resilience (Manuscript #1) revealed: the antecedent is PTE; the defining attributes are ego-resiliency, emotion regulation, heredity, and social support; and the consequences are none to mild psychopathological symptoms and positive adaptation. Based on a systematic review of genetic influence on resilience (Manuscript #2), the following 10 polymorphisms were …

Peer Intervention To Increase Physical Activity Among Working Women, Sheri A. Rowland

Theses & Dissertations

Most Americans do not engage in enough healthy physical activity (PA), with working women particularly at-risk for inactivity. Workplace PA interventions have been effective, however studies using peers as the central theoretical strategy, have not been found. Social cognitive theory and social comparison theory were used to develop a peer-modeling workplace PA intervention. The aims of this experimental, two-group, preliminary study were: 1) assess intervention feasibility, 2) determine the intervention effect on cardiorespiratory fitness (primary outcome), and PA behavior, cardiovascular risk, self-efficacy, motivation, and social comparison, and 3) describe participant perceptions of the intervention using qualitative focus-group data. Female employees …

Effect Of Activity Trackers And Text Messaging On Exercise, Fitness, And Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students, Alison F. Pittman

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

A decrease in physical activity as children age is a contributing factor to the U.S. obesity epidemic. Middle school children are particularly vulnerable to sedentary activities. Activity trackers show promise as a means to motivate children and adults to increase physical activity (PA). This study examined the effect of a text messaging intervention and use of activity trackers with a companion social website on the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, physical fitness, and PA self-efficacy of middle school children. Children aged 11-14 (n=102) were randomly assigned to one of three groups for a 10-week intervention: activity tracker group; …

Treatment-Related Decisional Conflict, Quality Of Life, And Comorbid Illness In Older Adults With Cancer, Jeannette Kates, Phd, Msn, Gnp-Bc

College of Nursing Posters

As the aging population in the nation increases, cancer diagnoses in this age group will also increase. The many chronic medical conditions associated with older adults are confounded by a diagnosis of cancer. Older adults with cancer are at risk for physical, psychological, and functional decline as a result of not only the cancer, but also the cancer treatment. In their current research agenda, the Oncology Nursing Society identified the need for research related to multiple comorbidities in older adults with cancer. This study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design to explore the relationships between and among treatment-related decisional …

The Relationship Between Just Culture, Trust And Patient Safety, Linda Ann Paradiso, Nancy Sweeney

Publications and Research

PROBLEM: Medical errors are now considered to be the third leading cause of death in the United States, estimated at more than 250,000 deaths per year. The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report, To Err is Human, identified that errors are not the fault of individuals, but systems, processes, and various conditions. In healthcare, the cornerstone of the process by which we learn from errors has been voluntary reporting. The primary barrier to reporting errors is the negative response from administrators, and the potential risk of disciplinary action. An environment of trust and fairness is known as “Just Culture” and …

Delirium Prevention, Identification And Management In The Oncology Setting: A Unique Partnership With Patients And Their Family Caregivers, Mary Kate Eannielo, Christine M. Waszynski, Kerry A. Milner

Nursing Faculty Publications

Significance & Background: Delirium affects a significant number of hospitalized adults each year resulting in negative patient outcomes and family caregiver distress. Clinical identification of delirium by nurses and use of family caregivers as part of a multicomponent delirium prevention strategy are not consistently implemented in the practice setting despite being best practice.Purpose: An interdisciplinary team in this 800 bed level one trauma center has been created to create and implement this best practice delirium protocol. The purpose of this initiative was to incorporate the family caregiver into this existing multicomponent delirium prevention, detection and management protocol. Interventions: Consistent implementation …

Influence Of Socioeconomic Status And Family Support On Disability, Depressive Symptoms, And Perceived Poor Health In Older Korean Adults, Insook Lee, Young Ko

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

This purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with older Korean adults’ disability, depressive symptoms, and perceived poor health, with a focus on their socioeconomic status and family support. This is a secondary data analysis of the initial survey data from a home visiting center in 2009. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and multivariate logistic regression. We observed significant differences in perceived health between men and women based on their socioeconomic status. Type of medical insurance was strongly associated with depressive symptoms among the men and women. Results also indicated that being unschooled was significantly related …

Esophageal High Resolution Impedance Manometry: The Gi Nurse Role., Rosann Buchman Rn Cgrn, Linda Marks Rn, Bsn, Cgrn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Venous Thromboembolism Management In The Oncology Population., Maura Price Rn, Bsn, Ocn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

De-Prescribing, A Solution To The Issue Of Polypharmacy, Megan R. Kampa

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of A Multifactorial Fall Prevention Protocol, Laura Wilkerson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

According to the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare (2016), moderate to severe injuries from falls on average add 6.3 days to a hospital stay and cost approximately $14,056 per patient hospitalization. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement a multifactorial approach to identify patients at risk for falls on admission to the orthopedic/neurosurgical unit and provide individualized interventions necessary to prevent falls. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Orlando’s Nursing Process Discipline facilitated the implementation of this project. A total of 45 staff members on the unit were educated on the multifactorial fall protocol …

Level Up Leveraging Mhealth Tools In Mental Health Management, Susan E. Slocum

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of A Standardized Handoff During Transition Of Care From The Emergency Department To The Intensive Care Unit, Melinda Abbring

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Patient safety and nursing communication are crucial to the nursing handoff during transition of care from the emergency department (ED) to the intensive care unit (ICU). The Institute of Medicine published To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System (1999) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001) highlighting ED handoffs as a safety measure. In 2006, the Joint Commission recognized handoffs with the National Patient Safety Goal 2E. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if implementation of a standardized handoff would improve nursing communication and patient safety during transition of care from the ED to the …

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Care: The Effect Of A Standardized Collaborative Medication Reconciliation Process, Traci R. Pulliam

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Pediatric patients are at an increased risk for medication errors and can benefit from processes that facilitate and promote medication safety (Stone et al., 2010). Medication reconciliation (Med Rec) is a valuable tool in improving patients’ medication safety and reducing adverse drug events (The Joint Commission, 2015). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve the accuracy of the Med Rec process in a Midwestern pediatric hematology/oncology outpatient clinic by developing, promoting, and evaluating a standardized, collaborative Med Rec process. The Stetler EBP model guided the implementation of the intervention, with the goal of integrating current evidence …

The Caffeine Consumption Habits, Sleep Quality, Sleep Quantity, And Perceived Stress Of Clinical Nurses, Mykin R. Higbee

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance worldwide. Energy drinks are a relatively new beverage type that contain three to five times more caffeine than regular sodas. In several workplace settings, energy drinks have become popular as individuals chose to consume these beverages in an attempt to combat fatigue, deal with stress, and boost energy. There is no information regarding the energy drink and caffeine consumption habits of nurses working in the clinical setting. Clinical nurses provide the majority of patient care in the health care setting. Nursing is a mentally and physically demanding profession due to heavy patient …

Creating A New Education Paradigm To Prepare Nurses For The 21st Century, Mary Bouchaud, Denise Brown, Beth Ann Swan

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Nurse educators are accountable to keep baccalaureate education responsive to the ever changing healthcare delivery environment. The changing context of healthcare delivery requires focusing on population health and social determinants, providing interprofessional, team-based care, advancing innovation, and preparing practice ready baccalaureate nursing graduates. To be practice ready, nursing graduates must be agile and think and reason on their feet due to increasing care complexity beyond the hospital walls, changing care needs of individuals and families, advancing technology, shifting settings of care delivery, and managing multiple transitions. The purpose of this paper is to consider these healthcare changes and share a …

Efficacy Of Herpes Zoster Vaccine, Kayla M. Stremick

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Rural Emergency Nurses’ Suggestions For Improving End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Kelly E. Smith, Karlen E. (Bethy) Luthy, Janelle L. B. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Many patient visits to emergency departments result in the patient dying or being pronounced dead on arrival. The numbers of deaths in emergency departments are likely to increase as a significant portion of the U.S. population ages. Consequently, emergency nurses face many obstacles to providing quality end-of-life (EOL) care when death occurs. The purpose of this study was to identify suggestions that emergency nurses have to improve EOL care, specifically in rural emergency departments.

Methods: A 57-item questionnaire was sent to 53 rural hospitals in 4 states in the Intermountain West, plus Alaska. One item asked nurses to identify …

A Systematic Analysis On Opioid-Free General Anesthesia Versus Opioid-Based General Anesthesia For Bariatric Surgery, Ina Basha

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

One-third of the American adult population is considered overweight, a figure that is still on the rise. Obesity negatively impacts every organ system in the human body. When minimally invasive strategies such as life style changes fail, bariatric surgery procedures have become the other option. The purpose of this systemic analysis is to look at the outcomes of post-operative pain, post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the length of stay required in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in obese adults undergoing bariatric surgery using opioid-free general anesthesia compared to opioid-based general anesthesia. The studies included in this systematic analysis conclude …

Prophylactic Phenylephrine Infusion Versus Bolus Regimens During Spinal Anesthesia For Cesarean Section, Safira Iddriss

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Hypotension is a well-recognized phenomenon associated with any spinal anesthesia. It is most particularly evident in the parturients as a higher block is required for cesarean section (C-section) (Nagelhout, 2014). These populations are also more prone to the effect of sympathectomy because of decreased sensitivity to endogenous vasoconstrictors in addition to increased synthesis of endothelium vasodilators (Miller, 2009). Sympathectomy results in hypotension and other adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting. Many studies over the decades have examined the best management option for the hypotension. This review seeks to determine the best management regimen for the use of the vasopressor …

The Effects Of Pain On Informed Consent, Bryan Aja

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

It is common for providers to withhold pain medication as opposed to treating pain prior to obtaining informed consent due to the concern of invalid informed consent. Pain’s influence on cognition can significantly impact the cognitive domains required to obtain valid informed consent. Determining if a patient has the capacity or competence to participate in the informed consent process has medical, ethical, and legal implications. The medical use of competence and capacity is not equivalent to the legal use of the same terminology. Legal implications concerning consent include signing consent while in duress or pain, signing under the influence of …

Utilizing Tranexamic Acid To Reduce Blood Transfusion In Hip Fractures, Katherine Balzano-Cowan, Morgan Guerrette

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

Minimizing perioperative blood loss during orthopedic surgery has proven challenging for providers. Perioperative utilization of antifibrinolytic pharmacologic interventions, such as tranexamic acid (TXA), has been demonstrated as a safe and effective technique for decreasing blood loss and allogenic blood transfusion rates. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on-label indications of TXA are for use in short-term treatment of hemophilia patients undergoing dental extractions and in management of patients experiencing menorrhagia (Mayeux, Alwon, Collins, & Hewer, 2016). Despite the current limited scope of FDA approval for TXA, use in elective surgery with otherwise clotting-uncompromised patients is not a new …

Just-In-Time Education For Intensive Care Nurses, Rosemary D. Soriano

Nursing Masters

Background: Continuing education is fundamentally necessary to ensure ongoing competency of nurses in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There are many effective methods of continuing education, but there is a gap in continuing education for ICU nurses for high-risk low-frequency therapies (HRLFT).

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to determine if the implementation of Just-in-Time Education (JITE) for HRLFT in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) improved nurses’ feelings of competence, comfort, and safety when utilizing these interventions.

Methods: JITE checklists for nurses were developed for HRLFT in the PICU. The checklists were reviewed by the staff …

Self-Affirmation: The Antidote For Lateral Violence In Nursing, Amanda Millan

Senior Honors Projects

Lateral violence or workplace bullying occurs when overt or covert acts of aggression are carried out between colleagues. It is usually perpetrated by someone of higher authority. It is discouraging to discover that nursing, such an esteemed and trusted profession, is plagued by the issue of lateral violence. This worldwide phenomenon not only affects nurses but also the patients in their care. Some of the negative consequences of nurse-to-nurse bullying include increased stress and subsequent health issues, low staff morale, increased absenteeism, and low quality of patient care. Some potential solutions to this issue include implementing zero tolerance policies, interrupting …

The Emotional Cost Of Caring: Compassion Fatigue Experienced By Nurse Staff On An Inpatient Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, Susan Annette Campbell

Theses and Dissertations from 2017

Purpose: Research studies on the prevalence of compassion fatigue (CF) in nursing have been conducted in various clinical settings. There has been limited empirical research conducted on nurses working within the geriatric behavioral health setting, which can present increased nursing challenges related to the chronic health problems of aging coupled with acute behavioral health crises. The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive research study was to identify the prevalence of CF in RN and LPN staff within an inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit setting in two comparably sized hospitals. Design/Methods: An electronic survey design (consisting of demographics and the ProQOL v. …

Preserving Dignity In The Long Term Care Of Actively Dying Residents, Libby-Rose Cronican

All College Thesis Program, 2016-2019

As one goes through the process of aging and approaches death, they experience a series of losses: from the loss of physical or mental ability to the ultimate loss of life. These losses make the individual vulnerable to harms that can come from a variety of sources. One source is found within the everyday interactions of long-term care nurses and aides with their elderly, dying residents. Creating this harm stems from a poor nursing practice where the nurse or aide fails to recognize and promote the resident’s dignity and autonomy. The normal notion of dignity and autonomy does not encompass …

Clinical Performance And The Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Alyson Cronan

Nurse Anesthesia Student Capstones

The clinical component of graduate nurse anesthesia programs continues to be the key factor in evaluating and ensuring student success. Clinical experience has a direct correlation on student development in areas of self-awareness, psychomotor proficiency, critical thinking and professionalism. To effectively create a positive and motivating learning environment for the student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA), the literature recommends instructors theoretically adapt to the individual learning style of the student, and incorporate various teaching techniques and modalities clinically. The overall goal of the clinical rotation is to establish an atmosphere where an individual can modify learning and skills. Positive, respectful and …

Ua1c11/57 Spring Graduation Photos, Wku Nursing

WKU Administration Documents

Unidentified images of 2017 Nursing graduation.

A Clinical Practice Change Initiative To Incorporate Animal Assisted Therapy In Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' Clinical Practice For Children And Adolescents, Donna Rae Cowell

Doctoral Projects

Background: Children and adolescents mental healthcare needs is vital for the future of our nation’s welfare (American Psychology Association, 2014). Research has indicated AAT may be a considerable choice to help with pediatrics mental healthcare and may be utilized as an adjunct to enhance the care within the psychiatric healthcare field (Chandler, 2012). AAT has become popular within the healthcare realm (Friesen, 2009; Uyemura, 2016) and is a unique method for providing “patients” health care, which may improve patient outcomes (Chandler, 2012; Cowell, 2013; McCullough, 2016; McQuarrie & Urichuk, 2008). Research supports that “providers” in the health care field may …