Nursing Commons^™

Metabolic Syndrome Screening Among Inpatient Psychiatric Patients, Susan Magorno

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: More than 50% of patients with severe mental illness carry undiagnosed Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) comorbidities of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes. These patients are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular-related causes; however, this population is not routinely assessed for MetS and frequently lack appropriate treatment.

Objective: The objective is to implement a screening tool designed to identify risk for MetS and trigger appropriate treatment.

Design: The screening tool triggers the provider to address positive criteria through interventions such as further evaluation, medical and/or diabetes educator consultation.

Results: Although overall rates of screening improved significantly, follow-up interventions were …

Can Pokémon Go “Protect The World From Devastation”?, Hannah Schmidtlein, Dr. Neil Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purposes of this project were to assess how Pokémon Go impacts physical activity levels in players and whether it produces short- or long-term health benefits. This project was an observational study. Subjects were required to meet three requirements to be eligible: (1) they started playing Pokémon Go when it launched in July 2016, (2) they currently use a device such as a FitBit or Apple Watch to track physical activity, and (3) they began wearing the activity tracker at least one week prior to beginning to play Pokémon Go. Once subjects were determined to be eligible, they filled out …

Organizational Learning On Hospital Units: Instrument Development Cognitive Interviews And Content Validity Stages, Hannah Hoyt, Dr. Bret Lyman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Approximately 400,000 deaths occur each year due to preventable errors in hospitals.¹ Organizational learning² is the process through which organizations progress toward achieving their desired outcomes. Hospital units can use principles of organizational learning to reduce errors and achieve excellent performance outcomes.³ Unit managers have limited evidence-based resources to guide their organization’s development toward achieving desired outcomes. The purpose of this project was to develop two reliable survey instruments to measure the presence of certain contextual factors (environment) and mechanisms (actions) that are conducive to organizational learning on hospital units. These contextual factors and mechanisms emerged from …

Parental Experiences Of Raising A Child With Type 1 Diabetes To Adulthood, Claire Christiansen, Sn, Donna Freeborn, Aprn, Phd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this research was to better understand parental experiences of raising a child with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) to adulthood in order to help parents and educators better understand how to facilitate child(ren) with T1DM in transitioning into adulthood and managing diabetes independently. T1DM is commonly diagnosed when someone is younger than 18. This life-changing diagnosis not only affects the child, but the whole family unit. Although there is research involving parents who are currently raising T1DM children, there is very little research involving parents whose children with T1DM are now adults. As parents reflect on their …

Law Enforcement Trauma Informed Response Training In Adult Sexual Assault Cases, Chelsie Lawter, Julie Valentine

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sexual assault (SA) is one of the most common crimes in the state, affecting one in three Utah women (Mitchell & Peterson, 2008). Despite this, shockingly low numbers of Utah SA victims see their cases progress to prosecution; for example, in Salt Lake County from 2003-2011, only 6% of SA cases were successfully prosecuted (Valentine, Shaw, Lark & Campbell, 2016). These numbers reflect an urgent need in Utah to identify barriers to prosecution and take steps to eliminate those barriers. Police officers, as first responders when victims seek to report an incidence of SA, have an important role in determining …

Utah Immunization Module, Erin Marshall, Lacey Eden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Herd immunity requires that 95% of a population is immunized in order to be effective. In Utah, only 75.2% of children have received all of the recommended vaccinations by age two1. Herd immunity is of great importance to a population because it protects those who cannot be immunized (such as newborns and those with chronic illnesses). These individuals are offered some protection because when the majority of a population is immunized, the disease has little opportunity to spread within the community2. In Utah, the number of individuals that choose not to immunize themselves or their children is constantly increasing. Those …

Improving Healthcare Through Interdisciplinary Education, Johnathan Jacobs, Katreena Collette-Merril, Phd, Rn

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The culture of education prepares healthcare professionals in silos, then expects them to work collaboratively upon graduation. Medical errors, resulting from communication issues, are considered a leading cause of patient death. Interdisciplinary education of future professionals may prevent communication issues and reduce patient deaths. Interprofessional education (IPE) of undergraduates may improve communication of future professionals educated in universities without medical schools. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of interprofessional education (IPE) on undergraduate students’ attitudes of interprofessional work, perceptions of working together, and ratings of teamwork.

Using An Educational Session To Improve The Knowledge, Confidence, And Beliefs About Psychopharmacology For Behavioral Health Clinicians, Sharon Bennett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Psychiatric illness is unpredictable, has spasmodic tendencies, and represents one of the most reported types of disabilities in the United States. Behavioral health clinicians are front line respondents and considered a major ally to providers by supporting medication management recommendations and referring new patients for medication management. Basic evidence-based psychopharmacology improves behavioral health clinicians’ knowledge, however, is inadequate in curricula, and many undergraduate and graduate programs lack one dedicated psychopharmacology class. This abbreviated knowledge contributes to inadequate referrals for treatment and poor confidence in supporting the practitioners’ medication recommendations.

Method: This project examined behavioral health clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and …

Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention On An Inpatient Unit, Cherilyn Schumacher

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

The aim of the project is to improve the process and delivery of care with established and accepted standards by implementing evidence-based change. The plan is to create a HAPI prevention plan with the main expected outcome to reduce the HAPI occurrences on the unit to zero by July 30, 2018. This will be accomplished by increasing awareness among nursing staff members through education and diligent monitoring of prevention practices and treatments.

The education portion of the plan will include reviewing basic pressure injury education and HAPI prevention and management in the form of visual aids provided by the …

Oxygen Consumption In Sepsis, Julie Graham

Dissertations

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can lead to septic shock and death. With over 300,000 annual cases (AHRQ, 2011) costing a staggering $1.5 billion (Health Care Utilization Project Brief #185), the importance of sepsis is becoming clear. However, some basic biological mechanisms are poorly understood. Study Purpose: This study investigated the relationships between select demographics, resting energy expenditure (REE), serum lactate, SOFA score mortality index, oxygen consumption [by way of measuring net oxygen consumed, (V02) and net carbon dioxide produced (VC02)], and sepsis. Specific Aims: Aims were to describe 1) patient demographics, serum lactate, SOFA score mortality index, …

School Of Nursing News, Georgia Southern University

Nursing: News & Publications (2013-2023)

• Georgia Southern nursing students receive 2018 Abbie Lorene DeLoach Memorial Scholarships

A Qualitative Exploration Ofdoctors And Nurses Experienceson The Management Of Tubercu-Losis And Hiv Co-Infection In Atuberculosis-Hiv High Burdencommunity In Northernkwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Mbuso Mabuza, Constance Shumba

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

South Africa is faced with a huge challenge of addressing the high burden of tuberculosis-human immune virus (TBHIV) co-infection, and this challenge is more pronounced in the province of KwaZulu-Natal which has one of the highest burdens of TB-HIV co-infection in the world. The study explored the experiences of doctors and nurses with regard to the management of tuberculosis and HIV coinfection in a TB-HIV high burden community in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The particular focus was to provide insight and to inform policy and programme development for effective management of TB-HIV co-infection in the TB-HIV high burden community of …

Effectiveness Of Early Postpartum Follow-Up On Breastfeeding Attrition, Joyce Bouknight-Gant

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of early postpartum follow-up in decreasing breastfeeding attrition rates among postpartum mothers in the first three weeks after delivery. Of special interest is the ability to identify possible differences among maternal characteristics such as age, ethnicity, race or parity. Although the benefits of breastfeeding are widely known and breastfeeding in the United States continues to rise, the breastfeeding rates among African-American women and other races remain lower with a notable significant gap. As of 2013, African American mothers lagged behind their white and Hispanic counterparts in the practice by at least 20 percentage …

Student’S Perceptions Of Spiritual Preparedness And Contribution To Their Community Following An Emergency Preparedness Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Simulation, Elizabeth J. Scott, Ronda M. Christman, Sonia K. Wrate, Rebecca Retzer, Laura Racovita, Faith A. Laughlin, Leslie Ann Schwarazer, Cynthia F. M. Gettys, Maureen Baksh-Griffin

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This presentation highlights findings from a study exploring student perceptions of spirituality and contributing to their community after participating in an emergency preparedness interprofessional simulation. Mixed methods were utilized and an online survey was emailed to a convenience sample (N=338). The majority self-reported they can better contribute to their community.

Student’S Understand Their Care Role And Have The Ability To Provide Care Following A Multi Patient Collaborative Practice Simulation, Barbara James, Ronda M. Christman, Christina Shrode, Laura Racovita-Szilagyi, Caroline T. Mcarthur, Sonia Wrate, Christy Showalter, Leslie Ann Schwarazer, Michael Liedke, Christine A. Moniyung, Jill Buchholz

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This presentation highlights findings from a study exploring student perceptions after participating in a Multi Patient Interprofessional Collaborative Practice simulation. Mixed methods were utilized and an online survey was emailed to a convenience sample (N = 81). The majority self-reported they understand their care role and abilities to provide care.

An Assessment Of Maternal Mortality In Papua New Guinea: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Approach, Jennifer Litau

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Research into the serious manifestation of maternal mortality in Papua New Guinea is essential for formative knowledge and intervention. Explanatory sequential mixed methods approach employed first involved SPSS analyses of Gulf Provincial Hospital’s obstetric data revealing high rates of home deliveries by mothers. Interviews in high incidence communities provided explanations and mortality experiences.

Teaching Compassionate Care: Nurse Educators' Perspectives, Jane Defazio

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: The provision of compassionate care to patients is a core competency expected of nurses, thus nurse educators must help students develop the necessary skills, understanding and motivation to achieve that competency. These educators face the challenge of preparing student nurses for the realities of healthcare delivery, while fostering a meaningful understanding of what constitutes compassionate care in professional practice. They can influence their students both during clinical interaction with patients and through the academic nursing curriculum.

Problem: A considerable amount of research has been published on the value of providing compassionate nursing care; however, there is only minimal research …

Musculoskeletal Disorders In Healthcare Workers, Josephine Lauer

Master's Projects and Capstones

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) are one of the leading causes of disability in hospital nurses and nursing aids and is a high cost problem in the healthcare industry. Working in a complex environment of an acute medical floor where repetitive nature of patient handling, can lead to musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare workers. This is evidenced by work-related injuries in hospitals nearly doubling compared to private industry and hospitals are one of the most hazardous work environments in the country. Musculoskeletal injuries of healthcare workers are an ongoing problem which requires investigation due to high risk of reoccurrence. This is especially true …

Building The Foundation Of A Mentoring Program For Chief Nurse Executives, Patricia Gooch

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The chief nurse executive (CNE) is the senior leader whose primary responsibility is to assure quality of care and patient experience in acute care hospitals. Uncertainty in the political arena and further changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) highlight the need for hospitals to maintain continuity of leadership for the executive closest to patient care – the CNE. In a large and complex health system, the role of the CNE can be an overwhelming responsibility for seasoned professionals – and especially daunting if you are new to the role of CNE or new to an organization as an experienced …

Creating A Healthy Work Environment Using Communication And Recognition, Rachel A. Coicou

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Working in a healthy environment is of interest to nurses at every level of employment. Whether a frontline nurse or a nurse executive, it just feels better to wake up each morning and go to work in a place that respects clear communication and recognizes the great work that is being done. Working in such an environment is engaging and encourages employees to thrive (Shirey, 2006). Teamwork, camaraderie, and work satisfaction will increase in a healthy environment (Hall, Doran, & Pink, 2008). Thus, nurse leaders’ imperative is to meet the obligation of creating a healthy work environment (HWE) for the …

Development Of An Advanced Practice Provider Onboarding Structure, Amy Ziegler

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Advanced practice providers, also referred to as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are increasingly being employed to function in a variety of healthcare settings. As organizations grow their advanced practice provider staff, they must develop a distinct advanced practice provider orientation and onboarding program. Finding the right staff is only half the battle; if you do not orient and onboard staff properly the will not stay (National Systems Contractors Associations [NSCA], 2017). Administrators, certainly directors of advanced practice providers, are pursuing unique and dynamic ways to facilitate credentialing, privileging, orientation and onboarding of these individuals. The director for advanced practice …

Building The Business Case For Clinical Nurse Leader Integration Into A Hospital Staffing Model, Shelley Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a newer role in the nursing profession. This generalist Registered Nurse (RN) role was designed to help address fragmented healthcare delivery and care coordination, emphasize and facilitate evidence-based practice, and improve patient quality outcomes at the microsystem level (AACN, 2011). This paper describes a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project that took place from January through December 2017 focused on making the business case to incorporate CNLs into a hospital staffing model. The CNLs focused on reducing hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The CNLs’ work reduced HAIs by 48% in 2017 as compared to 2016 …

On-Line Simulation In Clinical End User Training, Genoveffa Devers

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

In today’s ever-changing, do more with less environment, nurses and clinicians must be thought of as adult learners who are self-motivated with a need to know and master the technology they are using. In busy hospital and clinical environments, training nurses and clinicians in the traditional classroom setting can be both difficult and costly. On-line simulation training provides access to all staff to gain hands on end-user experience before new equipment is implemented. As hospitals look to embrace new technologies in this complex healthcare environment, assuring staff training is a required part of the vendor selection process and incorporated …

Ethics Education To Empower Nurses To Effectively Consult The Hospital Ethics Committee, Elaine L. Ware

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Nurses interacting with patients and family members need support when the course of the patient’s care becomes uncertain or conflicted leading to ethical concerns. Educating nurses about the purpose of the Hospital Ethics Committees (HEC) may support nurses with ethical concerns, alleviate moral distress and improve job satisfaction. Utilizing the HEC for ethically challenging care situations enhances the professional practice and supports the code of ethics for nurses. HECs which are often underutilized can provide valuable resources for nurses. This DNP project sought to increase the number of nurses’ ethics consultations to the HEC after providing ethics education using a …

Implementation Of The Win Workforce Stability Tool Kit, Ellen Katherine Kuhnert

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Precise and accurate staffing is vital to healthcare organizations. Comprehensive workforce planning is the foundation for successful staffing. Healthcare leaders need workforce data and tools that provide visibility and actionable intelligence to drive the best possible resource decisions. A workforce tool kit that nurse leaders can use to maintain visibility into their overall workforce picture can drive cost savings and provide operational wins. Lack of visibility into workforce metrics and tools drove the development of a tool kit that would aid in addressing some of these issues. The tools included provided real-time, market-specific data that was used to drive decisions …

Promoting Transgender Cultural Awareness And Sensitivity Through Education: It Starts With A Pronoun, Jacob Adkison

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Health and social disparities affect the quality of life of transgender and gender nonconforming people in a negative manner as opposed to that of their cisgender counterparts (James et al., 2016). Gender discrimination, the lack of medical insurance, and a shortage of culturally competent providers contribute to some of the healthcare barriers in this population. The absence of supportive education for healthcare practitioners for providing culturally sensitive care impacts the transgender and gender nonconforming persons’ desire to seek routine health maintenance due to stigma, which can result in poor health outcomes (Bauer et al., 2009).

Methods: To help fill …

Enhancing Health Literacy Using Teach Back Method To Increase Patient Adherence, Tram Mendoza

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Health literacy is an important component of successful health care delivery and relies on both individual and systemic factors to achieve. For individuals not trained in the medical field, health literacy can be a complicated and perplexing web of information to navigate. Patients can have varying degrees of health literacy affecting their understanding of health conditions, especially the elderly, immigrants, minorities, and the low-income populations. Limited health literacy can pose risks on a patient’s well-being, interfere with their self-care and health maintenance, and possibly create obstacles for the patient if health instructions are not clearly understood. One proven model of …

An Assistant Nurse Manager Leadership Laboratory Program And Its Effect On Nursing Outcomes, Alexandra Wiggins

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Aim: This paper summarizes the project development, implementation and outcomes of an Assistant Nurse Manager leadership laboratory program and elements involved in the coursework. Through lecture, simulation, and mentoring components, noted change in leadership ability of novice/advanced beginner Assistant Nurse Managers were assessed over a six-month period and monitored the effects on quality and financial metrics, as well as the self-confidence of the Assistant Nurse Managers. Evaluation conducted included both quantitative and qualitative outcome assessment.

Background: The literature shows that quality leadership produces quality nursing outcomes (Houser, 2003). Leadership style (Wong & Cummings, 2007), communication skills (Vogus & Sutcliffe, 2011), …

Manager Leadership: Beginning At Novice, Kathy Bay

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

To meet the current and anticipated nursing leadership gaps, there is a critical need for tools and programs to develop of future leaders. Unfortunately, there is a deficiency related to the preparation and readiness of novice nurse managers which impacts turnover, burnout, and the quality, safety and cost of care for patients. The aim of this Doctor of Nursing evidence-based change in practice project was to create an online training program that integrated two national nursing leadership competencies to assist the development of novice nurse managers as they transition to a formal leadership role.

A video-based module system with active …

Advanced Access: Creating An Infrastructure For Success In Primary Care, Kimberly D. Perris

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Humboldt Independent Practice Association (IPA) has sought to improve the health of Humboldt County through practice transformation efforts. To date, Humboldt IPA’s primary care practice, the Priority Care Center, is building a foundation toward an Advanced Access model of care with an overarching aim of effectively improving access to quality care in Humboldt County. The 10 Building Blocks of High Performing Primary Care Practices framework set the stage for the intervention and was used as a roadmap to build an infrastructure for success. Team-based care was highlighted as the project relied on having systems and processes that empower the …