Nursing Commons^™

Senior Nursing Students’ Confidence In Communicating And Providing Patient Teaching, Carmen Bandy

Honors College Theses

In the field of nursing, effective nurse-patient communication and teaching are among the most important indicators of patient satisfaction. Research shows that improved communication can result in more favorable patient outcomes and compliance with treatment. Additionally, improved communication with other members of the healthcare team can create a better work environment and result in increased patient outcomes, as well as decreased errors. The aim of this thesis is to assess the confidence of seniors in the Murray State University Nursing program in communicating with patients and other healthcare professionals and in providing thorough, accurate teaching to patients. Strategies to improve …

The Effects Of Sleep Disturbances On Patients In The Intensive Care Setting, Bronwyn Schmidt

Nursing | Senior Theses

The objective of this research proposal is to identify short-term and long-term health consequences due to sleep disturbances in patients admitted to intensive care units. When reviewing published literature regarding sleep loss in the intensive care unit (ICU), it was discovered that adult patients admitted to a variety of ICU settings both in the United States and abroad reported disruptions in sleep to be a common complaint and barrier to their recovery. This is due to noises made by bedside alarms such as IV pumps, lights in the unit, and interruptions made by medical staff members to provide time-sensitive care. …

A Critical Narrative Inquiry To Understand The Impacts Of An Overdose Prevention Site On The Lives Of Site Users, Abe Oudshoorn, Michelle Sangster Bouck, Melissa Mccann, Shamiram Zendo, Helene Berman, Jordan Banninga, Marlene J. Le Ber, Zayya Zendo

Nursing Publications

© 2021, The Author(s). Background: Globally, communities are struggling to gain support for harm reduction strategies being implemented to address the impacts of substance use. A key part of this discussion is understanding and engaging with people who use drugs to help shape community harm reduction strategies. This study focused on how an overdose prevention site has influenced the lives of people who use drugs. Methods: A critical narrative method was utilized, centred on photo-narratives. Twenty-seven individuals accessing an overdose prevention site were recruited to participate in preliminary interviews. Sixteen participants subsequently took photographs to describe the impact of the …

Health Service Experiences And Preferences Of Frail Home Care Clients And Their Family And Friend Caregivers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lori E. Weeks, Sue Nesto, Bradley Hiebert, Grace Warner, Wendy Luciano, Kathleen Ledoux, Lorie Donelle

Nursing Publications

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a major upheaval in the lives of older adults and their family/friend caregivers, including those utilizing home care services. In this article, we focus on results from a qualitative component added to a pragmatic randomized controlled trial that focuses on the experiences of our study participants during COVID-19. A total of 29 participants responded to the COVID-19 related questions focused on their health services experiences and preferences from March-June 2020 including 10 home care clients and 19 family/friend caregivers in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada. Results: Many participants were affected …

Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation For Supraclavicular And Femoral Nerve Blocks Utilizing Ultrasound Guidance For Student Nurse Anesthetists, Mitchell Fowler, Christopher Bond

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this DNP project was to create a tool to teach and evaluate student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) at TheUniversity of Southern Mississippi (USM) on supraclavicular and femoral nerve blocks to promote safety in the clinical setting. An objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE) for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and femoral nerve blocks was created as the basis for this project. Best-practice techniques as identified by the AANA’s 14^thstandard of nurse anesthesia practice were researched and used in the development of the OSCE to promote a culture of safety for SRNAs and patients (AANA, 2019).

A culture of safety …

Impact Of Covid-19 Related Deaths On New Nurses In Rhode Island, Jessica Petonak

Senior Honors Projects

The purpose of this project was to identify the impact that COVID-19 related deaths have had on nurses with limited bedside experience in the state of Rhode Island. Exploring the level of preparedness that nurses felt to deal with death can provide insight into nursing and employer education. Hearing about nurses’ experiences during the pandemic helps illustrate the current state of nurses’ mental health. Gaining a better understanding of the amount and types of support that nurses on the frontlines are receiving can identify current gaps and potential areas of improvement. I found that the COVID-19 pandemic and related deaths …

Stress As A Contributing Factor For Pediatric Obesity: Literature Review And Internship Experience, Jessica Handley

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article is an examination of how stress drives diet and physical activity behaviors that contribute to pediatric obesity in the United States. An increasing rate of childhood obesity is being reported in the United States and therefore a multitude of studies and reviews have been conducted on the topic. This review of the literature systematically analyzes how stress, diet, and physical activity behaviors contribute to this rising rate of pediatric obesity. An analysis of the chosen articles for review indicates that stress and its counterpart (resilience) tend to be driving forces in how American children and adolescents participate in …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Informal Caregivers Related To The Role Of Social Support While Caring For Stroke Victims, Zara Sajwani

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

There are many expectations and responsibilities associated with stroke caregiving. The influence of social support on coping with stressors of stroke caregiving is important to explore. Using Pearlin's Stress Theory of caregiving, this research aimed to explore experiences of stroke caregivers related to their role expectations. It also revealed the availability and nature of social support for stroke family caregivers. The researcher applied a qualitative phenomenological descriptive exploratory design for this study. The participants were recruited from support groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted along with demographic data collection. There were ten informal caregivers of stroke patients that participated in the …

Depression Screening Upon Admission At An Addiction Facility: A Quality Improvement Project, Eric Aniekwena

Doctor of Nursing Practice

More than one in six Americans will have a diagnosis of a substance use disorder at some time in their life. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020), those with a substance use disorder will have an increased rate of having a comorbidity of depression or depression symptoms during treatment, leading to poorer outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase provider and staff adherence to the treatment standards outlined in the Veteran’s Affair/Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Major Depressive Disorder (Veteran’s Affairs/Department of Defense, 2016). During this 10-week process, …

Formalizing An Obstetrical Program For High-Risk Patients: Focus—Diabetes During Pregnancy, Valeria Jimenez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Within the last 10 years, the number of pregnant women with gestational diabetes increased 56%, and the number of women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes before pregnancy increased 37% (CDC, 2018). The management of a pregnancy complicated by diabetes involves a multidisciplinary approach, medical nutrition therapy, glycemic control, and occasionally, pharmacological therapies (Nurain et al., 2019). In 2017, the total cost of diabetes in the United States was $237 billion (Riddle & Herman, 2018). The purpose of this DNP project was to standardize a Federally Qualified Health Care’s (FQHC) High-Risk Obstetrical (OB) Initiative, which attempted to provide in-person …

Strategies To Prevent Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries In The Intensive Care Unit, Theresa Ann Pomerleau

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Despite prevention strategies, hospital acquired pressure injuries continue to occur, especially in intensive care units. This led to an impetus for nurses to have a robust knowledge of pressure injuries to promulgate prevention strategies in their practice. Significance of the Problem. The hospital acquired pressure injury rate in the medical surgical intensive care unit for the year 2019 at Hospital X was greater than the national benchmark. Purpose. The global aim statement was to improve the quality of patient care by developing an evidence based educational suite in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members for prevention of hospital acquired pressure …

Expansion Of A Comprehensive And Standardized Well-Woman Exam Program In A University-Based Clinic, Gabriela Trevino

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Well-woman exams are an opportunity for women to receive focused screening, counseling, education, and care from a healthcare provider. Studies have found that 68% of women received well-woman exams between 2010 and 2016. During COVID-19 well-woman exams decreased by 80% in the United States. Standardized, comprehensive exams facilitate identification of the need for lifesaving care. Objective(s). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to expand a comprehensive and standardized well-woman exam program in a university-based clinic. Methods. Processes were implemented to promote well-woman exams, patient comfort measures, and completion of an evidence-based standardized comprehensive exam …

Implementation Of An Interprofessional Fall Prevention Program To Reduce Falls On An Older Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Teresa Woodson

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Falls are the most reported incidents in the hospital setting, especially among older adults. According to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI), the number of falls in inpatient psychiatric units is 13-25 per 1,000 patient days, compared to 4 per 1,000 days for medical-surgical units. This DNP project aims to implement an interprofessional fall risk team to reduce falls in an older adult inpatient psychiatric unit. Problem. The psychiatric inpatient units had a total of 31 falls, with 13 (40%) occurring on the older adult unit. Interventions. Education of nursing staff, providers, and physical therapy (PT) …

Providing Resources To Caregivers Of Pediatric Mentally Ill Clients And Assessing For Caregiver Burden, Stacy Dee

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Provision of educational and supportive resources to the caregivers of children with mental illness can help create an environment of advocacy and understanding between the child, caregiver, and provider. In depth and comprehensive learning about their child’s mental illness cannot be accomplished in a one-hour new patient appointment or established patient appointment of 20 minutes. Purpose. The purpose of this practice improvement project was to facilitate educational and community support for caregivers of pediatric clients with mental illness and evaluate if caregivers require additional support due to burden. Objectives. (a) 100% of caregivers of pediatric clients who have appointments …

Implementation Of Comprehensive Footcare Program Within Primary Care, Moses Ademola-Ojo

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The incidence of diabetes and its complications is escalating, with over 34.2 million adults in the US having diabetes (CDC, 2020). Despite a decade-long decline in lower-extremity amputations, the incidence is growing (Nichols, 2019), with little emphasis on preventive foot evaluations within primary care. The purpose of this project was the implementation of a multi-faceted program aimed at early identification of lower extremity complications with focused patient education, improved assessment, and documentation, and referral for specialty care. The intervention process included staff training, patient education, foot examination, monofilament testing, pinprick tests, ankle reflex, and tuning fork test. Foot abnormality, loss …

Factors Influencing Academic Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students During Covid-19: A Path Analysis, Shinhi Han, Koun Eum, Hee Sun Kang, Kathleen Karsten

Publications and Research

Introduction: The shift to online learning owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is posing an additional challenge to academic success, particularly for students who speak English as a Second Language (ESL). This study aimed to examine the factors that contribute to academic self-efficacy among ESL nursing students.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study using path analysis with 113 undergraduate ESL nursing students in New York City. Data were collected online using self-report measures of the study variables: academic self-efficacy, perfectionistic concerns, acculturative stress, and e-learning stress. A hypothetical path model was tested using AMOS 26.0.

Results: …

The Effect Of The Medilepsy Mobile App On Medication Adherence And Transition Readiness In Adolescents And Young Adults With Epilepsy, Michelle Tall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Medication nonadherence and lack of transition readiness are global challenges for individuals living with epilepsy and their families. Medication adherence measures the level of compliance with healthcare providers' treatment recommendations. Transition readiness is the gradual steps patients take to develop independence and self-management as they transfer from pediatric to adult healthcare models. Factors impacting medication adherence and transition readiness skills include developmental stage/age; forgetfulness; family/caregivers; socioeconomic status; knowledge/attitude about the disease; side effects; number of medications; and subjective and objective quantifications of adherence. One promising intervention for patients and families is mobile technology used for reaching, teaching, and communicating. However, …

The Effect Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine For Migraine Headaches: An Integrative Review, Katelyn Vaughn Spangler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Migraine headaches continue to be a prominent health concern, affecting a large percentage of the population globally. These headaches have many negative impacts on patients’ lives, including decreased productivity, missed time at work or school, increased suicidal tendencies, and a decreased overall quality of life. Pharmacological approaches for treatment are available but often present with safety concerns, unpleasant side effects, rebound headaches, increased expenses, and a higher rate of emergency department visits. Therefore, many people seek treatment options other than conventional medication to address their migraines. Various complementary and alternative medicine therapies have shown promising results in previous clinical trials …

The Influence Of Gender Bias On Male Nurses And Nursing Students In The Obstetric, Maternal, And Pediatric Nursing Profession., Julian Alvarez

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This literature review analyzes if gender bias influences the disproportionate number of male nurses and male nursing students in the pediatric, maternal, and obstetric nursing fields as compared to nursing as a whole. PubMed and CINAHL databases were utilized to find 15 research articles focused on the experiences of male nurses and male nursing students. These articles were compared amongst each other to find common themes of the male experience in the nursing fields of pediatrics, maternity, and obstetrics. The three common themes found were 1) Men tend to encounter situations where their professionalism will be monitored more closely when …

Providing Hypertension Education To African Immigrants At A Southern California Congregation During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Esther Oshunluyi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Objective: To review methods that could contribute to improved knowledge of hypertension among African immigrants at a California congregation. The difference in the management and outcomes of hypertension between African Americans and Whites is most disparate in cardiovascular disease, with lack of education documented as a major contributor for African Americans (Lackland, 2014) and African immigrants (Turson-Ocran et al., 2020). African Americans differ slightly in culture, health, and migration history from Africans who are 21st century immigrants from Africa (African immigrants); however, there are more similarities than differences between them (Terrazas, 2009). This brief report will describe a Doctor of …

Purposeful Nurse Hourly Rounding: A Plan To Decrease Patient Falls During A Pandemic, Robbie Masangkay

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Aims: This paper describes the design of a purposeful nurse hourly rounding pilot to decrease the incidence of patient falls on a COVID-19 designated unit in an acute hospital setting.

Background: Falls in acute care hospitals are a persistent patient safety problem. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to concerns to safely care for high-risk COVID patients while mitigating the risk of infection for frontline staff.

Methods: A PNHR pilot project was designed for implementation in a 28-bed COVID-19 designated unit in a not-for-profit acute hospital in California. A modified PNHR rounding tool guides focus points for every nurse/patient interaction. Pre- …

Nicu Nurse Burnout: The Influence Of Moral Distress, Compassion Fatigue, And Spirituality On Burnout In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Lucia D'Andrea

Undergraduate Theses

Nurses face a multitude of interpersonal and individual expectations, challenges, and hardships every day of their profession. These experiences accumulate and can lead to burnout. This is especially true for nurses in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) who care for infants struggling with prematurity, congenital diseases, withdrawal, and more, all while working closely with grieving parents. This thesis specifically focuses on research discussing moral distress, compassion fatigue, and spirituality as variables associated with the experience of burnout. A critical review of current literature revealed patterns and inconsistencies in the relationships between these factors. Workplace Stressors and moral distress were found …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Social Determinants Of Health In Relation To Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Admissions, Kasey Davis

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This literature review was conducted in order to examine the correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), social determinants of health and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions. Oftentimes, those admitted as patients in the PICU come from homes in which social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare, and ACEs, such as abuse and neglect, are prevalent. Systematic studies of existing literature and experience in the hospital setting revealed the ways in which these conditions often cause children to reach such poor health conditions that they must be admitted to the PICU. In order to …

The Effects Of Doula Care On Birth Outcomes And Patient Satisfaction In The United States, Lynae Carlson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The visitor policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic limited doula care and called into question the importance of doulas in the birth process. While the Cochrane Systematic Review presents compelling evidence of the benefits of continuous birth support on outcomes ranging from shorter labors to higher 5-minute Apgar scores, there are gaps in literature that exclusively focus on continuous support from doulas. The literature review aims to determine both qualitative and quantitative outcomes of doula care on the mother and baby during the labor and post-partum periods, focusing on specific aggregates, such as adolescents, women with low incomes, and women …

Breastfeeding In Public And The Impact Of Mass Media On Breastfeeding: An Expanded Literature Review, Hannah Underwood

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The choice a mother makes to breastfeed or to formula feed is a hotly debated topic in the United States today. The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are undeniable, but breastfeeding is difficult for some due to a plethora of barriers, notably a lack of social support. This literature review evaluates attitudes towards breastfeeding in public and how varying mass media formats can impact perceptions of breastfeeding and potentially breastfeeding implementation. Twenty articles with both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from Medline Complete EBSCO Host and PubMed for a comprehensive analysis. Among 283 total articles retrieved, …

Implementing 2nd Milk’S Use Of The World Health Organization Standardized Growth Charts To Better Track The Growth And Development Of The Malnourished And Orphaned Infants In Their Supplemental Nutrition Program In Malawi, Allie Wycoff

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article considers the history and implications of the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized growth charts as well as the significant impact that growth chart utilization may have on 2^ndMilk’s ability to understand and track the nutritional status of the malnourished orphaned infants in their formula program. Specifically, this literature review examines whether or not the WHO growth charts are a meaningful tool for 2^ndMilk to adopt into their monthly baby assessments. The WHO growth charts are calibrated to express an accepted international “norm” for what an adequately nourished child looks like. In a recent service-learning …

The Effects Of Social Determinants On Renal Care Among Eskd Patients In The Philippines: Rural Vs. Urban Areas, Melanie Rojas

Nursing | Senior Theses

From a Public Health Nursing (PHN) perspective, populations who are diagnosed with chronic disease or illness are the most vulnerable to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) states that the mortality rate for ESKD amounts to roughly 7 million individuals worldwide. In examining causes of ESKD throughout both history and the lifespan, high mortality rates are attributed to the lack of access to life-sustaining therapies such as dialysis or transplantation. The lack of access to therapy or healthcare services has been an immense Public Health crisis in the last few decades. …

Effects Of Dance/Movement Therapy On Pediatric Oncology Patients, Kaitlin Callorina

Nursing | Senior Theses

Pediatric nursing specializes in caring for patients from birth through adolescence; therefore, pediatric nursing can be spiritually challenging but rewarding. This thesis will explore the questions:

• Does dance/movement therapy have the potential to improve the quality of life for children who are diagnosed with cancer?
• How does dance/movement therapy change the quality of life in pediatric cancer patients throughout their diagnosis and treatment?

To aid in answering these questions, this thesis will examine various research articles related to dance/movement therapy and other creative arts therapy as complementary medicine and integrating the activity into nursing care. Children who are diagnosed and …

The Physiological Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cardiovascular Health, Jenevieve Petray

Nursing | Senior Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly more prevalent in today’s society and is attributed to an alarming percentage of American hospitalizations and deaths. Americans are unhealthier than ever before, and the main contributor is the Western diet. Diet is a double-edged sword that can offer benefits or detriments to one’s health. CVD encompasses numerous diagnoses originating from various underlying physiological alterations. These alterations are downstream effects of increased body weight and BMI, increased cholesterol levels, decreased insulin sensitivity and increased arterial plaque buildup. Research shows that a plant-based diet has the potential to manage and reverse all fundamental physiological alterations that …

Disparities Among Black Women In Maternal Health, Josefina Teresa Estrada

Nursing | Senior Theses

The literature shows that Black women face many disparities in terms of health care access and the quality of care. These obstacles could negatively affect the health of the mother and their child. This paper includes a literature review and proposed research study. The objective of this research study is to identify the outcomes of Black women compared to White women and other women of color in terms of maternal health. A literature review is provided in order to identify how race affects the following factors: obstacles that limit access to healthcare, rates of obtaining prenatal care, postpartum outcomes and …