Nursing Commons^™

Nursing Strategies To Meet The Communication Needs Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elizabeth A. Voss

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Parents reported their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) needs are unmet or delayed in health care settings. Health care providers stated they were not comfortable caring for children with ASD. Since communication impairment is the hallmark of ASD, nurses have a duty to know how children with ASD communicate and provide strategies to meet their communication needs. Purpose: The purpose of this critical review was to examine the literature for answers to the practice questions: How do children with ASD communicate? And, what strategies could a nurse implement to meet the communication needs of children with ASD? Results: …

Mitigating Depression In Intensive Care Unit (Icu) Patients: A Review Of The Literature, Heidi L. Wiertzema

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Many patients who become critically ill spend an extended period of time in the intensive care unit (ICU). Oftentimes, patients experience depression as they navigate the healing process. Experiencing these symptoms may influence the road to recovery and life after critical illness. Purpose: The prevalence of symptoms of depression can range from 10 to 30% in ICU survivors (Myhren, Ekeberg, Tøien, Karlsson, & Stokland, 2010; Peris et al., 2011). Strategies to prevent and manage symptoms of depression are some of the current trends in critical care research. Therefore, a literature review of the interventions was conducted in order to …

Level Of Postoperative Pain As It Relates To Patients Undergoing Robotic And Open Thyroidectomy Surgery, Lucinda E. Zeilinger

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: With the growing popularity of robotic surgery, more research should be performed to compare the outcomes with the conventional, open approaches. In particular, comparison of postoperative pain is needed as it has significant implications for nursing practice. Purpose: The purpose of this critical review of the literature is to examine evidence on postoperative pain scores between the robotic thyroidectomy and the open approach. Results: Eighteen articles were identified for review and were analyzed using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Research Evidence Appraisal tool (Dang & Dearholt, 2018). The literature revealed no significant differences in postoperative pain and discomfort …

Current Best Practices, Evidence, Safety, And Efficacy Regarding Hormone Therapy Use For Menopausal And Postmenopausal Women, Kelly Lynn Zschoche

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Every woman will experience menopause, however each woman’s experience is individual and has varying degrees of symptoms. As a woman ages estrogen production declines and eventually ceases. Hormone replacement therapy has been used for menopausal symptom management and for other conditions associated with declining estrogen. Information regarding hormone replacement therapy is conflicting and confusing. Evidence exists regarding safety and efficacy of hormone replacement therapy. Purpose: The purpose of this critical review of the literature is to answer the practice questions of: What are the current best practices around hormone therapy use for menopausal and postmenopausal women? What is the …

Nursing Annual Report: 2019, Centracare Health

Nursing Annual Report

Message from the CNO and Hospital President

CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital Statistics

Nursing Strategic Plan FY2019

Patient Experience

Nursing Care Delivery

Exemplary Professional Practice

Shared Governance

Working Relationships

Professional Development

Nursing Makes a Difference

Journey To Zero Ng-Related Hapi's, Kristin Gaarder

Nursing Posters

From October 2015 to April 2016, there were five Stage II or higher inner nares hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) caused by nasogastric (NG) tubes, with one being unstageable. These occurred despite previously implemented evidence- based prevention strategies, which included:

• Two-person skin assessments on admission and return from surgery

• Two-person skin assessment upon transfer from unit to unit

• Daily skin assessments including under devices

• Access to the Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) team

What? Not Another Fall!: Reducing Falls In The Neuroscience Patient Population, Elizabeth Plante

Nursing Posters

The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to reduce the fall rate from 5.52 to less than 4.80 on a Neuroscience/Spine Unit through increasing staff and patient awareness of fall risk and application of evidence-based fall prevention practices of communication, patient involvement and bedside report.

Neuroscience Spine Float Buddy Program, Jenna Czech

Nursing Posters

Why?

In our commitment as a unit to role model best practice as we support the staff that float to us from other departments, we initiated a new process so all staff that come to our unit will feel welcome, well-prepared, and supported in their roles with our patient population, environment, and our team. It has been identified that we had opportunities related to resources for staff floating from other units.

Reducing Falls In The Neuroscience Patient Population, Elizabeth Plante

Nursing Posters

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to reduce the fall rate from 5.52 to less than 4.80 on a Neuroscience/Spine Unit through increasing staff and patient awareness of fall risk and application of evidence-based fall prevention practices of communication, patient involvement and bedside report.

If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: Building An Escape Room To Meet Learning Needs, Katherine A. Schulz, Melinda Jennings

Nursing Posters

Use an Escape Room as an effective learning strategy to fill a gap in knowledge and practice in a fun, interactive, and competitive learning atmosphere.

Collaborating To Develop And Implement A Family Bike Program., Jamie Hunsicker

Nursing Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

A Clinical Documentation Practice Improvement To Increase Insurance Reimbursement, Allison R. Hamilton

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The National Institute Mental Health (2015) estimated there were about 44.7 million people diagnosed with a serious mental illness and 62.9% of those diagnosed were without mental health services. The loss of services was due to unemployment, reoccurring hospitalization, inabilities to care for themselves, and lack of participation in societal norms (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). According to Insel (2011/2015), the U.S. cost of mental healthcare was an estimated $57.5 billion in 2006. This cost was not due to actual care but associated with the economic burden of job loss and the excessive use of community resources. The Affordable …

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Resilience Among Newly Licensed Registered Nurses Transitioning To The Professional Role, Lee Fong-Hong

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: With the current nursing shortage there are fewer experienced nurses and more newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) in the workplace. This shortage may be due in part to inconsistencies between role expectations learned in school and the practice environment. These inconsistencies may make it challenging to transition from nursing school into professional healthcare organizations. Nurses with certain person-level traits, including resilience and emotional intelligence, may be more likely to make a successful transition into practice. Findings may improve our understanding of what person-level traits are important for making the successful transition to the workforce. Purpose: The current study explored …

Improved Use Of Interact To Decrease 30-Day Readmissions From A Skilled Nursing Facility, Folasade Omobowale Adewunmi

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The rising cost of health care in relation to rehospitalizations continues to be a challenge. Medicare 30-day readmissions have an annual estimated cost of $17.4 billion. Irrespective of these costs and the continued improvement in the quality of care, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) still face high readmission rates. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to enhance SNF care processes by improving the utilization of the electronic medical record software program “INTERACT” to increase early identification and treatments of patients to minimize 30-day hospital readmissions. Theoretical Framework: The theory of planned behavior by Icek Azjen was used. …

Implementing A Culturally Sensitive Intervention For Haitian Patients Non-Adhering To Hypertensive Medications, Guilaine Gabriel-Percinthe

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The pervasiveness of hypertension (HTN), morbidity, and mortality in Haitians immigrants are frightening. Nonadherence with hypertensive medications, disease management, lifestyle modifications, and cultural and spiritual beliefs, including prayer; faith healing; use of herbal teas; and a diet that is deficient in potassium, rich in sodium, high in fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates result in increased prevalence of HTN and disability in the Haitian community. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to examine the existing system for adherence to hypertensive medications, standardized clinical practice guidelines, identify patients at risk for nonadherence to hypertensive medications, disease management, medical follow-up, …

Lived Experience Of Post-Licensure Nurses In A Perioperative Clinical Rotation, Amy Stahley

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A projected deficit in the perioperative workforce of 32,000 perioperative nurses retiring by 2024, creates an inability to meet the nursing needs of the United States population. The need for experienced perioperative nurses has been increasing while the availability of nurses with perioperative education has been decreasing. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of post-licensure nurses who participated in a perioperative clinical rotation within their baccalaureate nursing program and did that experiential experience affect the recruitment and employment for perioperative nursing to halt the impending shortage. The integrations of Kolb’s experiential learning theory and …

An Educational Initiative To Promote Self-Care Practices In Hispanic Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Geralde S. Bridges

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become pandemic and is predicted to increase among Americans. Hispanic Americans are at high risk for the disease. T2D is a causative factor in many chronic illnesses among adults in the United States. A major contributing factor to poor adherence to diabetes treatment plans is knowledge deficit related to the disease, its management, and its complications. Therefore, education in self-care practices is critical in diabetes management.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project (QIP) was to promote self-care practices among T2D Hispanic patients through a diabetes self-management education (DSME) program. The project …

Use Of Evidence-Based Test Development In Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs: A Descriptive Study Of Faculty Beliefs, Attitudes And Values, Richild Berrick

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Effective testing in pre-licensure nursing programs is a challenge in nursing education. Implementing evidence-based test development is essential to successful assessment of students’ competence and preparation for licensure. Purpose: Identifying the beliefs, attitudes and values of nursing faculty will contribute to the use of best practices in student assessments, ultimately contributing to increased retention of competent students and increasing the workforce within the healthcare industry. Theoretical Framework: This study is based on Rokeach’s theory of beliefs, attitudes and values. Methods: A quantitative descriptive research methodology was used in this study using survey data collection. A purposive, non-probability, convenience sample …

Emergency Department Nurses: Post Code Pause, Lynn Alice Hauck

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The consistent witnessing of death and critical incidents takes an emotional toll on the emergency department (ED) nurses. In addressing critical incident events, research has shown us that debriefing nurses after a traumatic event helped reduce stress and, in turn, decreased staff turnover in the ED at an acute care facility (Hirschinger, Scott, & Hahn-Cover, 2015). Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement a Post Code Pause (PCP) debriefing tool in conjunction with the hospital’s Unit Practice Council (UPC) members and the ED direct patient care nurses for use after adult and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), …

Baccalaureate Nurses’ Experiences And Understanding Of Adults Living With Sickle Cell Disease, Shelia Ann Reid

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic, genetic blood disorder with most treatment interventions geared toward the acute phase of the disease, which often leads to fragmented care. In Canada, the teaching of SCD occurs without a genetic competency, resulting in miscommunication, misunderstanding, and inadequate nursing care. Purpose: This investigator examined baccalaureate nurses’ experiences and understanding of working with adults living with SCD. Methods: A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore baccalaureate nurses' experiences and understanding of working with young adults living with SCD. Results: Lindseth and Norbergs’ (2004) interpretation of Ricoeur’s hermeneutic interpretative phenomenological approach was used …

Factors Affecting The Outcome Of The National Council Licensure Examination Among Nontraditional Learners From Associate Degree Nursing Programs, Angela Cristina Gaud

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. The composition of student population in higher education is a reflection of a globalized society and current socioeconomic conditions. Characteristics of nontraditional adult learners have a significant impact in the achievement of their academic goals. A more diverse composition of students enrolled in nursing programs poses an important challenge to NCLEX-RN pass/fail outcomes. Studies that explore or predict the factors associated with NCLEX-RN performance amongst nontraditional adult learners after graduation are limited.

Purpose. This study analyzed how the demographic, social, and psychological factors observed in the characteristic profile of the nontraditional adult learner are related to NCLEX-RN performance for …

Increasing Hospice Nurses’ Knowledge And Improving Attitudes On Pain Assessment In Dementia Patients, Lyn Marie Peugeot

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Patients with dementia have difficulty articulating pain due to cognitive deficits incommunication, sensation, and overall physical decline due to the aging and disease process. Patients who have dementia are considered at-risk for uncontrolled pain due to under-assessment, under-treatment, or untreated pain. Current research notes gaps exist in pain assessment among nurses’ due to knowledgedeficits and attitudes on pain assessment for dementia patients. Barriers regarding the utilization of evidence-based behavioral pain assessment tools are related to nurses’ knowledge deficit and skills competency.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to increase hospice nurses’ knowledge and improve attitudes …

Handoff Communication Among Senior Nursing Students: A Phenomenological Study, Juanita Hanley-Gumbs

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Despite discussions in health care regarding poor communication and its link to patient safety, it was revealed in the literature that many student nurses are inadequately prepared to conduct handoff communication. Student nurses have difficulty in this area due to limited or no experience with the handoff process, which jeopardizes patient safety. The purpose of this research study was to understand how senior nursing students make meaning of their lived experiences with handoff communication. The guiding research question for this study is: How do senior nursing students make meaning of their lived experiences with handoff communication during the change-of-shift report …

Technostress In Nursing And The Big Five, Paula Hope Jackson

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Information about technostress is scant in the nursing literature even with the ubiquitous amount of technology used in thehospital setting as well as the Big Five personality traits. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of technostress among hospital nurses and to examine the relationship between technostress and nurses’ personality traits measured by the Big Five Inventory -- openness to experience, consciousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (OCEAN). The Technostress Creator instrument developed by Tarafdar, Tu, Ragu-Nathan, and Ragu-Nathan (2007) was utilized to identify the percentage of technostress in the five subscales of techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, and …

Increasing Self-Efficacy And Bystander Cpr Rates: A Train-The-Trainer Program, Amanda Constantino

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The majority of cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital, yet a significant portion of the population are not trained to provide bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR). BCPR initiated during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has numerous benefits and increases positive patient outcomes and survival rates. There is currently a lack of structured training programs that focus on increasing BCPR training rates for OHCA, therefore, the number of individuals trained in BCPR remains low within communities despite evidence showing the clear benefits.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based project was threefold: (a) to increase the number of community members within …

Injury Prevention Inclusion In Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate Nursing Curricula, Ali Marie Galindo

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Integrating injury prevention into healthcare education has been recommended for over 10 years. However, the literature reveals little about how injury prevention is incorporated into nursing curricula. This study aimed to evaluate if unintentional injury prevention was being taught in pre-licensure baccalaureatenursing education. The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008), the Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for Public Health Nursing (2018), and the Institute of Medicine’s Initiative on the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011) were utilized as the driving forces to support injury prevention inclusion. The research questions inquired if pre-licensure baccalaureate CCNE-accredited …

Population Based Patient Navigation : 24-Hour Personalized Cancer Care For The Entire Cancer Continuum, Jenna Cowan, Jennifer Kerkvliet

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Cancer One word that bears immense significance for so many individuals For some, it is the word that took them by surprise, imposing new routines and adjustments to daily life as quickly and succinctly as it rolls off the tongue For others, the word evokes complex and multifaceted emotions fear, strength, apathy, gratitude, anger, hope, grief, determination the list is endless and ever changing The impact of this diagnosis extends far beyond the patient to their family, their care team, their community and more In 2017 there will be an estimated 1 688 780 new cancer cases diagnosed in the …

Promoting Cultural Humility: Lgbtqia+ Education For Healthcare Providers, Lexi Robertson, Lauren Connelly

VCU Health Nursing

Abstract:

Purpose:

LGBTQIA+ patients experience devastating mental health and substance abuse disparities. While our organization has a broad non-discrimination statement that includes gender identity and sexual orientation, there is no guidance for how to best serve these patients. Evidence suggests training sessions are a successful means of increasing LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, with “Safe Zone” identified as being especially successful on college campuses. The Healthcare Equality Index also calls for education to demonstrate healthcare organizations’ commitment to LGBTQIA+ patients.

Intervention:

We developed an educational workshop - Safe Zone – with university psychologists. This workshop included interactive exercises that focused on increasing …

Own Your Outcomes: Driving Down Hapis In The Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit, Linda Currie

VCU Health Nursing

Abstract:

Purpose (What): To achieve sustainable reduction of pressure injury (PI) rates through systematic culture change, in a quaternary, level 1, urban academic medical center cardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU).

Relevance/Significance (Why): The CSICU is a high-risk patient population, hosting multiple potential barriers to pressure injury prevention. Prior to 2012, the CSICU pressure injury rate was 17% higher than the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators benchmark, negatively impacting patient outcomes and organizational goals. Leveraging Magnet principles of Evidence-Based Practice, CSICU advanced practice nurse leaders empowered and motivated bedside nurses to lead and sustain unit culture change.

Strategy and …

Unplanned Hospitalization Among Individuals With Cancer In The Year After Diagnosis, Robin Whitney, Janice Bell, Daniel Tancredi, Patrick Romano, Richard Bold, Ted Wun, Jill Joseph

Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Reducing acute care use is an important strategy for improving value in cancer care. However, little information is available to describe and compare population-level hospital use across cancer types. Our aim was to estimate unplanned hospitalization rates and to describe the reasons for hospitalization in a population-based cohort recently diagnosed with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: California Cancer Registry data linked with administrative inpatient data were used to examine unplanned hospitalization among individuals diagnosed with cancer between 2009 and 2012 (n = 412,850). Hospitalizations for maintenance chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or planned surgery were excluded. Multistate models were used to estimate age-adjusted …