Nursing Commons^™

Effects Of A Multi-Tiered Approach To Impact Immunization Compliance Of Students Attending A Medium-Sized Public University, Emily Watson, Stephanie Muertz, Kate Traum

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: College students in Illinois must comply with laws regarding proof of immunity for specific vaccines. These laws, however, do not guarantee compliance with immunizations. Unvaccinated persons living in highly-vaccinated communities, such as college campuses, are at risk for many preventable diseases. Objective: The primary aim of this project is to collaborate with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Health Service to develop, implement, and evaluate the effects of multi-tiered interventions to increase immunization compliance rates of first-semester college students. Methods: A brief YouTube video was presented to freshmen students, an eye-catching educational flyer was distributed by advisors and throughout campus, …

Developing A Ketamine Infusion Protocol To Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Nikolas M. Kozul

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) has been studied under different names dating back to the American Civil War. Despite being studied for over 100 years, CRPS is still not a very well understood disease process and there is no consensus on the best way to treat it (O’Connell, Wand, McAuley, Marston, & Moseley, 2016). One treatment that has shown to be effective in reducing pain scores in patients with chronic CRPS is a multiple day infusion of ketamine (Sigtermans et al., 2009). The purpose of this doctor of nursing practice project was to develop a ketamine infusion protocol for anesthesia …

The Effectiveness Of Implementing A Diabetic Checklist To Improve Patient Care Documentation, Evans Mutua, Edwilyn Colwell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The Effectiveness of Implementing a Diabetic Checklist to Improve Patient Care Documentation of Treatment and Outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012, about 29.1 million Americans had diabetes with about 1.4 million Americans being diagnosed with diabetes yearly (CDC, 2017). Diabetes is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United states and in Illinois, the cost is $6,490 per person with a treated population of 774, 600 (CDC, 2017). Complication due to diabetes include; diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, end stage renal disease, amputations and death.

The American Diabetes Association, provide evidence-based guidelines for the …

Lung Protective Ventilation During General Anesthesia: A Staff Education Project, Carrie L. Hasenstab

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Lung protective ventilation has shown to be an effective strategy of ventilation in perioperative patients. However, anesthesia providers often still employ traditional modes of ventilation. To improve the knowledge and utilization of lung protective ventilation during general anesthesia a clinical practice tool was developed. A PowerPoint educational program was utilized as the initial implementation of the lung protection tool. The practice guide and educational program was presented to anesthesia providers and PACU staff at a Southern Illinois Hospital. A pre/post survey served as the method of evaluation. The pre/post survey assessed the participant’s knowledge and utilization of lung protective ventilation …

Promoting Empowerment And Innovation: A Technology Initiative, Theresa Marcotte

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Improving empowerment through a supportive organizational culture can lead to innovation in practice and promote positive outcomes. Supporting employee empowerment, through a supportive organizational culture and environment, provides opportunities to innovate and creatively meet desired outcomes. Using these concepts, an Associate Degree Nursing Program empowered faculty to address a strategic planning opportunity to improve practice. The innovation, a Technology Initiative, provides opportunities for evidence-based testing practices, leading to improved, first-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). Technology use in the classroom can improve dissemination of nursing knowledge and retention strategies and therefore improve program retention. The utilization …

The Effect Of Home Health Interventions On Hospital Readmission Rates In Patients With Congestive Heart Failure, Lindsay Reavis

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Heart failure is a common diagnosis that affects millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, heart failure is associated with a high risk of 30-day hospital readmission rates. Home health nurses have the potential to bridge the gap between discharge and hospital readmission by providing up-to-date patient education on a one-to-one basis. Research indicates home health nurses lack knowledge of the disease process, nurse management of the disease, and treatment. This project focused on an educational session about the pathophysiology of heart failure, fluid/weight monitoring, diet, medications, and exercise with a pre- and post-tests evaluating home health nurses understanding of heart failure. …

Sugammadex Protocol, Brenna M. Thomas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Sugammadex is a new medication used for the reversal of muscle relaxation induced by rocuronium, vecuronium, and pancuronium. Sugammadex is available for use at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL. However, they did not have a protocol regarding the use of this medication. A sugammadex protocol was written for the operating room (OR) staff after a thorough, evidence based literature review was completed. The OR staff included certified registered nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and pharmacy. The protocol was implemented and evaluated with a pretest, an educational PowerPoint regarding sugammadex, and a posttest. A paired samples t test was …

Patient Care Advocacy Through Electronic Communication, Jared T. Holton, Scott A. Kahre

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Patient advocacy is a primary role of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). While engaged in the legislative process, CRNAs have failed to materialize significant gains in political potency on a national scale. This project involved the development of prototype software for mobile communication devices to augment the CRNA community’s ability to advocate for patients in the healthcare policy arenas. After a demonstration of the software to key leaders of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), an anonymous survey was distributed to the AANA executive administrators. All six executives in attendance for the demonstration of the software completed and …

Postoperative Delirium Education, Aaron Wede

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Surgical patients, aged 65 and older, comprise the largest surgical population. Increased age correlates with an increased incidence of postoperative delirium. Postoperative delirium (POD) can drastically increase healthcare costs, length of hospital stay, and overall morbidity and mortality. A clinical reference tool was created to have available for perioperative staff members at a 200-bed community hospital in the Midwest. The tool describes risk factors, prevention methods, and treatment options for POD. The initial implementation of the project was achieved with a PowerPoint presentation which was created to summarize the information found in the literature review and to instruct perioperative staff …

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Staff Educational Program And Protocol, Aaron Michael Quach

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep breathing disorder. Despite its prevalence, OSA often goes undiagnosed. This can result in negative sequelae. By educating healthcare providers about OSA, screening patients, and altering the plan of care, better outcomes will arise and complications can be minimized.

The purpose of this project was to develop an obstructive sleep apnea educational program and protocol based on available current literature for anesthesia providers at a community hospital. The educational project and protocol consisted of an informational PowerPoint, pretest and posttest surveys, an OSA screening tool and identification of a high risk OSA patient …

Health Information Security And Privacy: A Social Science Exploration Of Nurses' Knowledge And Risk Behaviors With Security And Privacy Issues Focusing On Mobile Device Usage, Keith Richard Weiner

Theses & Dissertations

Background. Health information system security and privacy are critical issues that impact the wide use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in healthcare including hospitals, providers and health systems (Breaches Affecting 500 or More Individuals, 2017). These issues have been researched from a technology standpoint in this era of accelerated electronic health record adoption, but less has been done related to the EHR users in the United States. Most of the literature related to security and privacy explores research topics, peripheral and direct, regarding policy adherence mechanisms. Yet to be studied is a social science exploration of nurses’ risk knowledge …

Self-Care In Bsn Students: Developing A Self-Care Plan, Jamie Davis Brandon

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Stress is an issue of concern in nursing practice and nursing education. Stress leads to burn out and compassion fatigue in the nurse and student nurse. To combat stress, professional organizations advocate for self-care practices. Research indicates self-care practice can reduce stress levels and increase health and wellness. An evidenced-based DNP project was conducted over a seven-week time frame during a mental health nursing course to educate senior BSN students on different dimensions of self-care to reduce stress levels and increase use of self-care practices.

Text Message Intervention For Latino Adults To Improve Diabetes Outcomes In An Urban Free Clinic Setting, Sharon R. Allen

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Introduction: This text message intervention sought to help patients at a free clinic in the Southeastern U.S. that have uncontrolled diabetes (DM) (A1C > or = 7) improve their DM clinical and behavioral outcomes, and thereby help them to live healthier, more hopeful and productive lives as they deal daily with this chronic illness. Eight weeks of educational text messages were sent to help improve DM care and outcomes. Method: Free clinic patient Latino adults with DM (n=25) pre-post one group design. Results: Statistically significant results (p < .05) were seen in three (SKILLD, p=.001, DSES, p = .000, and SDSCA, p = .042) of the four tools/surveys administered. A1C improvements were significant from the pre-intervention (M = 9.10, SD = 1.51) and the trended post-intervention values/results (M=8.26, SD = 1.29, t [21] = 2.79, p = .0110). Discussion: Does personalized communication, education and follow up for patients at the free clinic improve diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and self-care? This text message intervention shows great promise to improve outcomes for diabetes self-management.

Rescue The Clinical Nurse Educator With A Transformative Mentorship Program, Sue J. Beaman

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a transformative mentorship program for clinical nurse educators. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (THC) was used as the theoretical framework for the development of this program. The population for this evidenced-based project was 12 clinical nurse educators who work in a private baccalaureate liberal arts college. These educators provide supervision for students in the hospital as well as community clinical practice settings. This evidence-based project examined if the implementation of a mentorship program would help increase the confidence level of the clinical educator. The project was implemented over a three-month period …

Guide Lines Vol. I, Issue 15 - May 2018, College Of Health And Human Services

GUIDE Lines

Periodic Newsletter of the Governors State University - University of Illinois, Chicago - Disparities Education Cancer research training and education project (The GUIDE Project).

Demographic And Environmental Factors Associated With Alarm Fatigue In Critical Care Nurses, Amanda Szczesniak

Nursing Undergraduate

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore what demographic and work environment factors in the critical care setting influence alarm fatigue in critical care nurses who have patients on continuous monitoring, if any. These influencing factors may allow for future interventions on alarm safety based upon demographics and unit set-up.

Background Alarm fatigue is a multi-dimensional issue in healthcare that can have harmful impacts on patients. Critical care nurses are among those who are consistently affected by the phenomenon. Current literature supports that alarm fatigue is a prevalent problem within the health care setting, but very few studies …

Establishing A Hybrid Wound And Ostomy Continuing Education Program, Vivian K. Wong

Faculty Publications

Wound and ostomy nurses receive specialty training and certification to provide care in abdominal stomas, ostomies, wounds, fistulas, and pressure injuries. The eight existing nationwide programs in 2011 were inadequate to meet increasing patient population demands. We developed an innovative nondegree, postbaccalaureate continuing wound and ostomy education program using a hybrid design. The program integrated interactive online classes with intensive onsite classes and skills training. The program has been granted seven-year accreditation; student evaluations have been positive.

The Impact Of Quick Response (Qr) Technology On Anxiety With First Semester Nursing Students Related To The Performance Of Psychomotor Skills With Patients In Clinical, Lee-Ann Terri Kenny

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Anxiety seen with first semester nursing students in a clinical setting when performing psychomotor skills can be a root cause of fear, lack of confidence, ill symptoms, and can lead to unsafe practice ultimately causing injury to patients. The learning and practicing of psychomotor skills occur prior to students first clinical experience, and in most cases over a short period of time. Implementation of Quick Response (QR) technology linked to psychomotor skills during didactic, allowed students quick access to review skills prior to performing skills within the clinical setting. In conclusion, a decrease in anxiety was noted by first semester …

Frailty Screening In Cardiac Surgery Patients: Improving Risk Stratification, April P. Hargett

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Frailty has been noted throughout the literature to have a negative effect on patient outcomes especially in patients undergoing major surgical interventions such as cardiothoracic surgery. Preoperative assessments have historically included assessment of all body systems, however fails to evaluate patients for baseline physical functioning or frailty. The American College of Cardiology has recommended frailty screening on all cardiac surgery patients; however, facilities have failed to educate staff providing care to this population on the impact of frailty and use of commonly used frailty screening tools. This project hypothesized that Cardiothoracic Surgery Nurses and providers would have improved knowledge and …

Discharge Risk Screening And Interdisciplinary Communication: A Method To Mitigate Discharge Delays, Tammy Linton

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Identification of discharge barriers early during the hospital stay is essential to coordinate services post-discharge. Timely discharge of patients when medically safe controls costs, promotes positive health outcomes, and increases quality of care. Discharge planning is a multifaceted interaction that relies heavily on effective communication between all disciplines and the patient. Research suggests interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication as leading strategies to mitigate discharge delays. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on discharge planning and length of stay for medical surgical patients. A daily discharge team meeting was implemented as a best practice …

Nurse Confidence Levels In Malignant Hyperthermia, Paige Wilson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Malignant hyperthermia is a life threatening medical emergency. When individuals with a certain genetic predisposition are exposed to certain pharmaceutical triggering agents, a malignant hyperthermia crisis can occur. If the crisis is not recognized early and symptoms are not treated, the ending result will be patient death. The ability to recognize and intervene in a malignant hyperthermia crisis demonstrates knowledge and confidence by the nurse. Simulation training is an educational tool that nurses can use to increase confidence levels in recognizing and intervening in this type of medical emergency in a safe environment. The findings from this research indicate a …

Improving Self-Efficacy In Persons Experiencing Chronic Back Pain, Mechell Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The effects of chronic pain are extensive and negatively impact the health of an individual. Negative impacts of chronic pain include issues with sleep, cognitive processes, mood/mental health, cardiovascular health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Self-efficacy is an important predictor of outcomes associated with persons experiencing chronic pain. The use of technology in healthcare is supported in the literature and is a promising way to enhance self-efficacy of those experiencing chronic pain. An evidenced-based project was conducted at a rehabilitation and pain specialty office in the northeastern part of North Carolina. The project evaluated if text message reminders of …

2018 Dnp Graduate Project Abstracts, Uthealth Cizik School Of Nursing

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects 2018-2023

The UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing proudly presents the DNP Project abstracts for the 2018 Class of DNP Graduates.

Using End Of Life Care In A Simulation Scenario In An Effort To Help Increase Student Confidence, Amy P. Davis

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This evidence-based project examined how using the end of life care in a simulation scenario would help in an effort to increase student confidence. A sample size of 28 Practical Nursing Students participated in the simulation scenario. The Confidence Scale (C-scale) developed by Susan Grundy, was administered to the students as a pre-test prior to the simulation and a post-test after the simulation. The C-scale measured student confidence and consisted of five questions asking the students to rate themselves on a scale of one to five in performing a task. The goal was to see if the student’s confidence level …

Stress And Mindfulness Meditation Strategies In Nursing Student Clinical Education And Future Clinical Practice, Joanne Kathryn Mcclave

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of the DNP project was to assist students to recognize, reduce, and manage their stress. The mindfulness meditation interventions are an effective strategy to manage and reduce stress. The project was set in a southeastern part of the United States at a community college that had an associate degree nursing program. At present, nursing education does not include stress and the management of stress in the curriculum. The project targeted associate degree nursing students to teach students how stress influences their lives and evidence-based strategies to alleviate their stress in clinical practice and in future practice through education …

Improving Nurse-Patient Communication Using The Teach-Back Method, Sheila Revis Smallwood

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Effective nursing communication considers health literacy, the person’s ability to understand and make health decisions based on the information given. Health professionals often overestimate the health literacy of patients, thereby affecting patient outcomes. In a hospital environment, patients rate the ability of the nurse to explain things in a way patients understand by completing the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) after discharge. The HCAHPS results are converted to a score which is used in a formula to determine hospital reimbursement; the lower the score, the lower the reimbursement. The purpose of this project was to improve …

Correctional Nursing: Why Is Retention An Issue?, Bethany Jernigan

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The specialty of correctional nursing has its own set of considerations and concerns that impact retention and affect healthcare outcomes for the offender population. The purpose of this research study was to identify specific areas causing poor nursing staff retention and recruitment within the correctional environment. The literature review revealed correctional nursing can benefit from: improved education and training for correctional nurses, emphasis and focus on public health in the correctional environment, role confusion in correctional nursing, and further investigation and research needed in recruitment and retention. Prison nursing staff at a large, rural correctional facility, completed the revised Casey-Fink …

Stress Management And The Novice Nurse, Patrice Lawrency

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The stress of the novice nurse impacts the quality of patient care, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the novice nurse and hospital costs. The aging of the Baby Boomer generation is impacting the nursing profession. These factors should be addressed to promote the retention of novice nurses in the profession. Research has shown that the mitigation of stress in the novice nurse can have a positive impact on the nursing shortage. An inundation of literature exists on the evolution process from the academic to the clinical setting, but few studies identified resources to provide support to the novice nurse. Strategies …

Nursing Documentation Environment In The Hospital Setting, Alice Cavin

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Nurses often document in open nurses’ stations exposed to frequent interruptions. Much has been written on the need to limit distractions while collecting and administering medications but little has been published on the effects interruptions have on nursing documentation. The purpose of this study was to examine the environment in which nurses chart and to gather their perceptions of the documentation environment. Marilyn Ray’s Theory of Bureaucratic Caring was the guiding framework for this study. A review of the literature revealed the effects open work spaces, noise, and interruptions can have on work performance. This study, a focus group discussion, …

Improving Professionalism In New Graduate Nursing Behavior, Debra Brendley

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Professional behavior in nursing is a difficult term to define. There are generational, cultural, and regional aspects that affect the definition of this concept. Nursing, as in other professions, has a set of behaviors it has deemed necessary to guide practice. Professionalism is paramount in that it guides the nurse’s behavior in patient care, in collaboration with healthcare team members, and in serving the community. There is a direct correlation between professional behavior in nursing practice and positive patient outcomes. Unprofessionalism has been noted as an issue in nursing, including the new graduate nurse population. This project sought to develop …