Nursing Commons^™

Faculty Experiences In Simulation Debriefing In Nurse Practitioner Programs, Jodi Duncan

Liberty University Research Week

Doctoral

Theoretical Proposal

Strategies To Improve Nclex Pass Rates In An Undergraduate Program: A Systematic Review, Kaylyn Mcaninch

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Vitamin D Deficiency And Covid-19 Illness Severity: A Systematic Review, Randi Acheson

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

The Efficacy Of Simulation-Based Training In Nursing Education Compared To Traditional Teaching Methods: An Integrated Literature Review, Nancy Jütte

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Improving Postpartum Hypertension Discharge Education: A Pilot Project, Kathryn Barth

Dissertations

Problem: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal morbidity, mortality, and postpartum readmission. Several evidence-based algorithms and protocols have been implemented in the inpatient setting to treat severe blood pressure and prevent complications. However, there remains an opportunity to improve the postpartum care transition and discharge education for patients with these conditions in an attempt to decrease 30-day postpartum hypertension readmissions.

Methods: This pilot project utilized a descriptive design and took place on a postpartum unit at a Midwest metropolitan high-risk obstetrical teaching hospital. Interventions included patient-specific discharge education, distribution of a home blood pressure …

Liquid Biopsies For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Biomarkers For Disease Risk And Diagnosis, Stephanie Chidester

Dissertations

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. There is a critical need for earlier and more effective screening and diagnostic tools. Innovative liquid biopsy technologies may play a key role in meeting this need. Liquid biopsies are a non-invasive, adjunctive tool for determining diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response. This dissertation focuses on two potential applications of liquid biopsy technologies to T2DM: (1) epigenome-wide association studies to identify epigenetic markers of risk for T2DM, and (2) extracellular vesicle (EV)-based biomarker studies to identify and detect markers associated with T2DM development and progression. Dissertation studies: …

Self-Healing With Reiki For Homeless Individuals Suffering From Past Traumatic Events, Kathryn Piha

Theses and Graduate Projects

Living with symptoms that resemble PTSD from past trauma can be detrimental to health, healing, and quality of life. Symptoms that resemble PTSD are intrusive and disruptive to daily life and can cause anxiety, vivid flashbacks and nightmares, and intense memories. Homeless individuals navigate challenges and are at increased risk for developing symptoms that resemble PTSD. This project explored Reiki as a healing modality to improve health, healing, and quality of life from the negative implications of past traumatic experiences. Guided by Martha Roher's SUHB Theory, this project connects Reiki with energy as healing. Understanding energy and energy fields can …

Addressing Lgbtq Anxiety With Mindful Meditation, Mark Pequignot

Theses and Graduate Projects

The current study investigated the effect of mindful meditation on anxiety levels in the LGBTQ+ urban student population. An incorporation of Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and theoretical concepts of living in the present moment guided these participants in exposing traumas and relational development forming anxiety. Ten LGBTQ+ urban students (N=10) were randomly selected to examine their involvements via the practice of mindful meditation, further determine past traumas associated with identifying within the LGTBQ+ community, and examine how these impact daily experiences of anxiety. Participants completed Likert Surveys to ascertain the effect that mindful meditation had on …

Sleep Deprivation And Delirium Development In The Icu, Cynthia Howell Msn Fnp-Bc, Stacy Murillo Msn Fnp-Bc, Amy Wilson Msn Fnp-Bc, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Ag-Acnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Delirium is an acute syndrome characterized by disturbances in cognition occurring in critically ill patients, particularly those over 65 in the intensive care unit (ICU). Numerous risk factors are associated with delirium development, with sleep being a modifiable factor. This review explores existing literature regarding the relationship between sleep deprivation and delirium development while evaluating the effectiveness of a sleep promotion protocol to decrease the incident of delirium in those ICU patients 65 years or older.

Method A literature review of peer-reviewed studies from PubMed and additional search engines was completed. Articles reviewed were published within the last five …

Naps: A New Approach To Decrease Patient Adverse Outcomes, Ayesha Lakhani

MSN Capstone Projects

Hospitals have been short staffed, especially during the pandemic. Due to this many staff members have been overworked causing them to become stressed, exhausted, and not alert which is resulting in adverse patient outcomes (Aiken et al., 2004). One of the solutions suggested so far is nap. Nap is a low-cost solution which can help reduce the adverse outcomes of working and help promote positive patient outcomes. This benchmark study is a guide to institute naps and will provide a detailed step-by-step instruction to anyone to ensure a successful implementation of the project.

Aiken, L. H., Hwang, W., Dines, D. …

Prioritizing Sleep In The Cardiac-Surgical Patient, Ashley North

MSN Capstone Projects

Purpose: This project aimed to improve cardiac-surgical patients’ perception of sleep using earplugs and eye masks to reduce noise and light disturbances.

Implications: Sleep is imperative in the post-operative period, and many patients suffer from a lack of sleep. Earplugs and eye masks are a simple, cost-effective tool that can reduce incidences of delirium, reduce post-operative pain, and improve quality of sleep.

Methods: The Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was used to survey patients’ perception of sleep pre-intervention. Information sheets were given to the patients about the eye masks and earplugs available in the room and the benefits that could from …

Cross-Cultural Validation And Psychometric Testing Of The Debriefing Experience Scale (Des): A Cross-Sectional Study, Ya Dian Xie, Xin Yi Li, Qian Liu, Run Huang, Ting Li, Ya Xuan Fang, Dan Luo, Yonghui Wan, Bing Xiang Yang, Shelly J. Reed

Faculty Publications

Background

The Debriefing Experience Scale (DES) is a tool that is used to explore nursing students’ subjective experiences during a debriefing and to help determine best debriefing practices. A Chinese version of the scale has not been found; its development can enhance learning in simulation activites in Chinese healthcare education programs.

Methods

A simplified Chinese version of the DES was developed and tested using 34 Chinese undergraduate (second year) nursing students. They participated in six simulation scenarios and debriefings. Eight experts were consulted to determine the content validity of the scale. Critical ratio method, Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, correlation …

Nurses' Implicit Attitudes Regarding The Lgbtq Population, Carolyn Howard

DNP Projects

Health inequities such as chronic medical conditions, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and suicide are prevalent in the LGBTQ population, resulting in part from minority stress, stigma, discrimination, and isolation. Studies showed mixed results regarding nurses’ and other healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward these individuals. Relatively little research has focused specifically on nurses, and most studies have centered on healthcare professionals’ explicit attitudes. Given the lack of studies on nurses and implicit bias, more research is needed on nurses’ implicit attitudes regarding LGBTQ patients. Using a retrospective design with secondary data from Project Implicit, the study compared United States (US) nurses’ …

Comparing An Evidence-Based Screening Tool To Standard Substance Abuse Screening Questions In Identifying Pregnant Women At Risk For Substance Abuse, Nicole Y. Romero

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The purpose of the study project was to compare a nonspecific substance screening questionnaire with a well validated, evidence-based substance screening tool designed specifically for the pregnant population Evidence has shown use of an evidence-based screening tool improves maternal and fetal outcomes and reduces the risk of missed cases, stereotyping, and stigma. This study project utilized the social learning theory model, which defines human behavior as a reciprocal, continuous interaction among cognitive, behavioral, and environmental determinants. A pilot observational study project was conducted within a focal organization in a specified women’s health clinic over a 12-week period comparing their currently …

Development Of A Care Management Program Within An Urban Health Center, April M. Butler

Masters Projects

Abstract

Care management (CM) services offered in primary care settings are used to increase patient engagement in self-care and improve communication between patients and health care providers. The aim of this article is to describe the creation of an evidenced-based toolkit within an urban health center that addresses the structures, processes, and outcome measures necessary for the development of a sustainable CM program. Based on the findings from an organizational assessment and comprehensive literature synthesis, several policies, procedures, and workflow diagrams of processes within the health center were created to guide the implementation of a CM program.

The Anxiolytic Effects Of Aromatherapy On Preprocedural Anxiety: An Integrated Review, Rebekah Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Mindfulness Meditation Using A Smartphone App To Decrease Perceived Stress In Nursing Students, Beth Kelley

Liberty University Research Week

Doctoral

Applied

Mindfulness Meditation Program For Parents, Jennifer L. Lothert

Theses and Graduate Projects

A literature search on parenting stress determined there is a need for treatment options to reduce parenting stress. Stress resulting from parenting can be physically and emotionally damaging to both the parent and their child. Mindfulness meditation provides parents with the skills to become conscious of their emotions before acting upon them. Newman's (1994) Health as Expanding Consciousness Theory (HEC) explained that as a person continues to develop, the persong's consciousness expands and coexists with the universe, resulting in higher levels of consciousness. The more conscious parents become will help to reduce the parenting stress they are experiencing. The scholarly …

Building Resiliency In Children Through Mindfulness, Karissa Buck

Theses and Graduate Projects

This scholarly work recognizes the profound impact of toxic stress on children as a result of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). According to the MDH (2011), ACEs are the main contributor to toxic stress within children. ACEs include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, mental illness of a household member, drug or drinking problems of a household member, divorce or separation of parents, domestic violence between adults in the household, and incarceration of a household member (MDH, 2011). Fifty-five percent of Minnesotans experience at least one adverse childhood experience during childhood. Results of toxic stress can include impaired brain development, behavioral …

Adolescent Anxiety: Implementing Mindfulness Techniques To Lessen Mental Health Crises, Britt Schultz

Theses and Graduate Projects

Adolescence is one of the most challenging times in life as many transitions occur while a child grows into a young adult. In a school-based program, this doctoral of nursing practice project implemented mindfulness techniques to lessen mental health crises in anxious adolescents. This scholarly project educated adolescents in a small town in rural southeast Minnesota on the effective coping exercises of mindfulness and deep breathing to lessen anxiety and decrease mental health crises. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is the framework for the project and three of her Carative Factors guided this project. A literature review identified opportunities …

Improving Advanced Practice Nursing Care To Children With Autism In The Emergency Department, Suzanne J. Bartell

Theses and Graduate Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence rates are increasing within the pediatric population. Often, these children present to emergency departments (EDs) for care that could typically be managed in a primary care setting. Furthermore, pediatric patients with ASD utilize EDs at a rate higher than children without (Baio et al., 2018). Parents, patients, and providers within the pediatric ED setting report a lack of understanding and tools needed to provide quality and meaningful care to this population. The utilization of nurse practitioners in the ED setting is increasing due to affordability and quality of care delivery. The intersection of these two …

Wellness Review 2021, Part 2, Brian A. Ferguson, Martin Huecker

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This article presents Part 2 of the biannual JWellness Review of literature from 2021 (July – December). We emphasize new science and resilience initiatives published outside of JWellness that seek understanding of burnout and thriving among healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Methods: For the interval of July 1 to December 30, 2021, PubMed was queried for empirical and observational research studies, review articles, guideline summaries, letters, and editorials. Of 93 results, we reviewed methods and salient points to arrive at a final list of 48 articles for inclusion.

Literature in Review: Common themes that emerged included teamwork, EMR optimization, group decompression, …

A Scoping Review: Trauma Informed Care For Justice Involved Youth To Decrease Recidivism, Tamika Beecham, Marissa Gray, Shelby Husband, Diana Dedmon Dnp, Fnp, Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose The purpose of this scoping review was to address trauma-informed care, juvenile justice systems, and recidivism rates. The literature review conducted identified key research and analysis of effective trauma-informed treatment methodologies, referrals, and accessibility of care for justice-involved youth, and the rate change of recidivism related to trauma-informed treatment and interventions.

Background The high rates of recidivism in the juvenile court systems matched with the increased prevalence of psychological trauma in justice-involved youth represent the need for implementing trauma informed care. The scoping review analyzed the research implementing the intervention of trauma informed care to determine if it resulted …

The Use Of Mobility And Medication On Patient’S Perception Of Pain In Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Back Pain Benchmark Study, Katherine E. Zaske Merenda Mrs., Katherine Merenda

MSN Capstone Projects

According to Boss & Huether, twenty-nine percent of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This pain can affect every part of their lives leading to lost wages and decreased quality of life. CLBP is an issue experienced by many hospitalized patients. These patients may not be able to mitigate their pain as they normally would due to safety protocols in hospital settings. Exercise or mobility has been shown to decrease a person’s perception of pain. The importance of exercise and mobility in a hospital setting to help decrease a patient’s perception of pain needs further research. …

Nicu Nurses’ Varying Levels Of And Experiences With Moral Distress While Caring For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Sarah Battaglia

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is both a physical and psychological dependence on opioids. When a woman with OUD becomes pregnant, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) can occur in her child. NAS occurs when the infant shows manifestations of withdrawal, due to the exposure to opioids in the womb being abruptly discontinued once born. Nurses that care for mothers with OUD and their infants with NAS report varying degrees of moral distress related to preexisting stigmas, a lack of education on the chronic disease of addiction, and the multitude of ethical dilemmas experienced while caring for this vulnerable population of mothers …

Making Wishes Known: An Evidence-Based Practice Project For Advanced Care Planning In Oncology, Hazel Torres

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: An advance directive is a tool that patients use to maintain control of their care, plan for potential life events, identify their health proxy and communicate their wishes with their healthcare team. Despite the stated importance, the percentage of patients with completed advance directives in the Oncology clinic was less than 10%. This meant that the majority of patients did not have the tools to make their wishes known to the healthcare team.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this EBP project is In adult oncology patients within the outpatient setting, does implementing a formal advanced …

Evidence-Based Best Practice Toolkit For Competency-Based Orientation In Integrating An Adult Pneumococcal Protocol To Improve Vaccine Rate: A Program Evaluation Review, Magda Angel Cifuentes

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Low pneumococcal vaccine uptake among high-risk adults is partly due to underutilized or lack of nurse-driven vaccine protocols, limited understanding of vaccine intervals and indications by nurses, and lack of proper training. Currently, physician-driven orders are the only avenue for high-risk adults to obtain this vaccine in ambulatory sites.

PICOT: In adults 65 years or older within an ambulatory setting, does the use of an adult pneumococcal vaccine protocol, compared to a physician order (no vaccine protocol) impact the rate of vaccination over 2 months?

Evidence: Utilization of two or more interventions provided higher immunization rates. …

Implementation Of Daily Nhppd Calculator In The Acute Care Setting, Spencer Y. Cho

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: In the United States, it is estimated that hospitalized patients experience an adverse event that require a rapid response and/or code blue event in 3% to 18% of hospitalizations.

PICOT: In the adult medical-surgical inpatient (P), does the implementation of a daily NHPPD calculator (DNC) (I) compared to an annual staffing methodology for calculating NHPPD (C) reduce rapid response calls, code blue episodes, and unplanned admission to critical care (O) over 8 weeks (T).

Evidence: Seven studies provided evidence that implementation of staffing methodology, nursing surveillance, and nurse staffing that supports meeting targeted nursing hours per patient …

Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection Prevention With Use Of Disinfection Caps: A Scoping Review, Marianne E. Person, Jessica Biggs, Elizabeth Ross, Margaret Harvey Phd, Aprn, Acnp-Bc, Chfn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Central lines provide lifesaving uses, but they also place the patient at risk for central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI). Catheter location, length of stay, handwashing, dressing changes, and disinfection of ports before use are all factors to prevent CLABSIs, yet sometimes these measures are not enough. Disinfecting caps are another way to decrease central line infection, however not all hospitals use this method. This scoping review aims to compare CLABSI rates with and without the use of disinfecting caps for the duration of central line use in intensive care patients.

Methods From August 2019 to September 2021, …

Impact Of Spontaneous Breathing Trials On Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia In Adult Intubated Patients: A Scoping Review, Jireh R. Johnson Bsn, Rn, Hamzha Aysheh Bsn, Rn, Keianna Luckett Bsn, Rn, Margaret Harvey Phd, Aprn, Acnp-Bc, Chfn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background For ventilated patients in the intensive care unit, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major source of morbidity. It is difficult to diagnose due to many of the diagnostic criteria being subjective, its clinical signs that are broad, and its association with various respiratory disorders. Hospitals have developed varying ventilator bundles in expectation to prevent the incidence of Ventilator-associate pneumonia. We performed scoping review to determine the impact of spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) on reducing VAP.

Methods From August to November of 2021, using the MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases and MeSH search terms, we identified over 20,000 articles containing …