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Post Masters Doctor Of Nursing Practice Online Program Nursing Student Guide, 2022-2023 Edition, Dr. Susan L. Davis, Rn & Richard J. Henley College Of Nursing

News, Magazines and Reports

The Nursing Student Guide is the official student handbook and provides essential DHCON policies and procedures for academic progression and graduation. This guide is intended to supplement the University Catalog and provide information specific to the nursing programs.

Information Literacy Data Group 1 And 2, Taralyn Mcmullan, Clista Clanton, Jo Ann Otts, Wilma Powell Stuart, Angela Rand

University Research Data and Datasets

Objective: This exploratory study examined perceived self-efficacy in information literacy skills in nursing students and discusses how collaborative relationships between nursing faculty and librarians can strengthen curricular efforts to support information literacy.

Methods: Using the Information Competency Assessment Instrument, a survey research design was used to determine student perceptions of their information literacy skills. Participants included nursing Baccalaureate, Master's and Doctoral students in each of these programs.

Results: The Information Competency Assessment Instrument identified low self-efficacy in the following categories: using an index, determining information needed for assignments, use of governmental documents, media sources, producers of information and citing sources. …

Emily Lemoine Loveridge (1860-1941): Pioneer And Leader In Nursing, Pamela Wheeler

Faculty Publications

The life of Emily L. Loveridge reflects the context of the times in which she practiced as a nurse and assumed leadership roles as a superintendent of nurses and subsequently a hospital superintendent. Over the course of her remarkable 40-year career, she would begin the first training program for nurses in the Northwest and shepherd a foundling hospital from a wooden structure housing 50 patients to a brick structure of over 330 beds. She would also advance the professionalization of nursing while contributing significantly to a variety of professional organizations.

As an 1889 graduate of Bellevue Hospital in New York …

I-Bid Handoff Tool, Francisco Guido-Sanz

Nursing Handouts, Tools, and Other Documents

No abstract provided.

Enhancing The Accuracy And Effectiveness Of The National Institute Of Health Stroke Scale In A Rural Emergency Departmennt, Emily Nicole Addington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

A rural facility in the foothills of North Carolina found a need for process improvement regarding the emergency department and completion of the NIHSS. The DNP student and the Stroke Coordinator along with the Quality Improvement Coordinator agreed with the need for education of staff concerning accurate assessment and documentation of the NIHSS. The DNP project implemented additional training for the emergency department nurses and paramedics in the form of face-to-face classes with a PowerPoint. A pre-and post-survey was conducted to gauge the comfort level of staff with the NIHSS and stroke processes of the rural emergency department. The Stroke …

Superwoman Schema: Fighting Back With Holistic Therapy, Chavonne Good

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

For decades, Black women have upheld the stereotype of being consistently strong, capable, tenacious, and unwavering throughout life’s many challenges. Unfortunately, while being resolute in their desire to succeed against all odds, many Black women have unknowingly embraced the characteristics of a phenomenon known as Superwoman Schema. Superwoman Schema consists of five characteristics that are not inherently negative. However, when Black women consistently embody these traits which include the determination to succeed and to be strong, and an obligation to help others; they may neglect their own self-care needs. Subsequently, while neglecting themselves, focusing on others, and continuously trying to …

Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence In A Retail Clinic Setting Of Practitioners In Treating Primary And Secondary Hypertension, Ravon Mckoy

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Many adult and adolescent patients in primary care settings are diagnosed with primary hypertension, however the workup often does not include an evaluation of secondary causes. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension for patients seeking health care in a retail clinic setting. The PICOT question was, what is the effect of an educational offering on hypertension standards of care in enhancing knowledge and confidence for providers working in a retail health clinic setting? The sampling frame was 40 Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants employed at CVS Minute …

Improving Utilization Of Palliative Care For Heart Failure Patients, Devin Tilley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this program was to educate providers regarding palliative care for heart failure patients. Palliative care is underutilized in conjunction with usual heart failure management despite proven benefits of decreased symptom burden, reduced hospitalizations, and improved overall quality of life. Provider education has the ability to improve provider knowledge of palliative care for heart failure patients. A brief education session was given to hospital providers in an acute care setting to evaluate the benefits of provider education on palliative care utilization for heart failure patients. Findings included improved provider confidence in referring heart failure patients to palliative care. …

Thinking Inside The Food Pantry Box, Elizabeth Shoaf

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Prior research has indicated a varying relationship between food security and obesity risk. Food insecurity is a known complication of men and women’s underlying health issues, such as hypertension and diabetes, because of altered food choices.

Objective: Provide healthier food options to the food insecure within the facility’s food distribution boxes, as available, for the two most common health issues (diabetes and high blood pressure).

Methods: Clients at a local food pantry were interviewed individually to learn more about food insecurity and complicating health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension) while simultaneously offering alternative food …

Not A Phase: Lgbtq+ Teens -- How We Can Save A Life, Jennifer Carner

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP project was conducted to address suicide and risk-taking behaviors of LGBTQ teens and how adults can improve the long-term outcomes of LGBTQ teens by being supportive adults. LGBTQ+ teens are at 4 times higher risk of suicide than their non-LGBTQ+ peers (The Trevor Project, 2021). The Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2008, found a teen having one caring adult in their lives decreases the risk of suicide. The project's goal was to educate adults to increase their comfort levels in terminology, their understanding of the developmental stages of teens, and how to provide protective factors to help reduce the …

Standardized Daily Family Updates To Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores On A Pulmonary Medical Progressive Care Unit, Quentin Butterfield

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Communication remains one of the most challenging aspects of healthcare. COVID-19 added another layer of communication breakdown in the form of visitor restrictions that limited or removed visitation for hospital-positive patients. Guided by the principles of Jean Watson’s theory of human caring, a literature review was performed to determine best practice evidence related to improvements in communication.

A daily family update form was drafted to guide the nurses of a pulmonary medical progressive care unit in providing standardized daily family updates to improve communication through consistency of information shared. Patients identified family members they would like to receive daily updates …

Benefits Of Ambulation In Older Adult Population, Kelsie E. Wilkes

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Loss of mobility is an outcome of aging. Decreased ambulation leads to a loss of mobility and ultimately a loss of independence. There are additional health risks associated with loss of mobility. There can be challenges to facilitating ambulation and mobility in an aging population.

Objective: A literature review of the benefits of ambulation/mobility and the risks of loss of mobility was conducted. The purpose was to promote ambulation/mobility in a community-based setting and educate those caring for the adult population about the importance of ambulation.

Methods: A presentation was provided to staff and participants of …

Implementation Of Lean Principles During Operating Room Turnovers, Makenzie Marshall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Many operating rooms across the country face the daunting task of making their turnovers between surgical patients quicker and more efficient. Turnover time is defined as the time it takes to clean an operating room and set up the next sterile field between surgical patients. The time begins when the patient leaves the operating room suite and stops when the next patient enters the same suite. Running an operating room is a complex and costly endeavor, and even small shortfalls can have a snowball effect, leading to delays, wasteful spending, and substandard patient outcomes; therefore, it is imperative to …

Incorporating Quality Improvement And Problem-Solving Into A Unit Safety Huddle, Kay M. Rowles

Theses and Graduate Projects

The complex nature of healthcare creates significant risks of harm to patients. Safety huddles are a mechanism some hospitals utilize to raise awareness of safety concerns and minimize risks. Typically occurring at the start of each shift, safety huddles generally take the form of a brief, structured discussion with visual management for information sharing. In addition, safety huddles create a safe space for nursing staff to escalate concerns, supporting a culture of safety. This quality improvement project describes the expansion of a safety huddle process that has become a mere ritual at the start of each shift on a 25-bed …

Integration Of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (Sane’S) Care Program, Erin B. Mehta

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sexual assault is a public health issue, especially for individuals experiencing homelessness, violence, and victimization. Barriers to post-sexual assault health care must be addressed to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness receive effective and adequate care. Traditionally found in Emergency Departments, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) offer patient-centered, comprehensive health care to sexual assault survivors. To reduce barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness, SANEs must be accessible where health care services are utilized. Guided by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and trauma-informed principles, this project aims to embed a SANE program into a homeless-specific Midwest Health Care Center. The SANE program will …

The Efficacy Of The Role Of Therapeutic Play In Alleviating Pain Or Anxiety In Pediatric Cancer Patients, Savannah B. Duke

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic play in alleviating pain or anxiety in the pediatric cancer patient.

Background: Therapeutic play is an intervention often incorporated within the care of pediatric cancer patients and children with other disease processes to promote well-being. Even though play therapy is supported by research, nurses have the option to implement nursing care interventions in a play-like manner. Therapeutic play is an individualized technique that provides an intentional opportunity for children to express their emotional responses in a controlled environment.

Method: The databases used in this search included CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, ERIC, and Education …

Stroke Patient Outcomes When Fever Is Present, Anthony Grant

Nursing Masters Papers

Introduction to the Problem: Prescribers in the acute care setting differ in opinions with the role fever plays with stroke patient outcomes. This is evident by contrasting guideline recommendations and differing plan of care development amongst prescribers. This lack of clarity has led to the question; does fever affect stroke patient outcomes in that acute care setting.

Supporting Literature: The research utilized for this inquiry was specific to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patient outcomes when fever is present.

Methods Used for Inquiry: An integrative literature review was conducted for this inquiry. A total of ninety articles were …

The Feasibility Of Transitional Psychiatric Care Service In A City With A Population 20, 171 In A Midwestern State, Aubri Ashbacher

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Psychiatric patients are a known vulnerable population. This population often ends up in a cycle of decline post-hospitalization that leads to rehospitalization. The purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility for bringing psychiatric transitional care services to the local community. The methods for the study include a qualitative analysis of common themes discussed from the presentation of the idea of transitional care services for this area to area mental healthcare providers. Using a qualitative approach, the project will involve conducting interviews with mental healthcare providers in a midwestern community via Zoom about the feasibility of transitional psychiatric care …

Healthy Work Environment And Outcome Improvements For Nursing, Haley Kepley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this study was to educate registered nurses about healthy work environments and the importance the relationship of the environment has on nursing outcomes. The project was conducted online using Qualtrics survey software. Data was collected from November 11th, 2021, to December 4th, 2021. Registered nurses currently working in a southeast Kansas hospital participated by completing a two-part survey. The survey consisted of a pretest, an educational resource, and finished with a post-test identical to the pretest except for the demographic questions collected in the pre-test. The data collected from completed surveys were used to measure participant knowledge …

A Provider Needs Assessment For A Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program At A Rural Community Hospital, Shelbie Cosby

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive rehabilitation program that utilizes exercises and education in order to assist with the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by decreasing COPD exacerbations and increasing patient quality of life. A critical component to proposing a pulmonary rehabilitation program at a rural community hospital involves the support for a program by the potential referring providers. It is theorized that positive thoughts and attitudes towards pulmonary rehabilitation by providers correlates with support and ongoing success of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. A survey of providers associated with Labette Health was conducted to assess such attitudes and thoughts …

Sepsis Identification In The Long-Term Care Facility, Shonna Bible

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

BACKGROUND: Each year approximately 1.7 million people in the United States develop sepsis, and an estimated 270,000 Americans die from this disease (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Early recognition, and identification is essential in decreasing potential for mortality in this population.

METHODS: During a two-week period six individual sessions via a one-hour presentation was provided on evidence based best practice of sepsis recognition. A pretest was utilized to determine prior knowledge of sepsis recognition. A post-test was provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational material. Finally, a survey was conducted to provide input for …

Improving Parent/Guardian Awareness Of Kindergarten Entry Health Requirements, Paul Prince

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Ensuring students meet health requirements to enter Kindergarten is a time-consuming process. By improving education to parents to help them discern differences between PreK and Kindergarten requirements, the health of students can be optimized and the time burden for administrators and school nurses can be reduced. There is evidence that parents/guardians better respond to non-written material delivered through push notification or email. A 5-minute video presentation was distributed to 24 parents/guardians of PreK students. Project impact was measured through a pre/post survey evaluating levels of confidence in child readiness for Kindergarten. Results identified that parent/guardian confidence was increased after education. …

Implementation Of New Teaching Strategies By Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center Staff To Increase Member Participation And Retention Of Newly Referred Members, Joseph Warren Ledesma Perez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Non-profit organizations like psychosocial rehabilitation centers operate largely on reimbursements and funding from government agencies and charitable organizations, respectively. Since reimbursements are based on units of service provided, the center’s operations rely heavily on the attendance and participation of its members in the provided sessions. Charitable institutions, also require fund recipients to provide a report of outcomes and the impact the funds have on the recipients or the community at large. Members’ participation at the chosen site was reported to be low, which led to a projected unsustainability of operations if the numbers did not improve. Equipping the staff facilitating …

Increasing Cancer Survivorship Knowledge Through Individualized Cancer Survivorship Packets, Ashley Atkins

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project was developed with the aim of formulating an individualized educational packet that would improve patients’ knowledge of their initial cancer diagnosis and provide additional information to facilitate a smooth transition from treatment to remission. Using a pretest and posttest, quantitative data was collected pertaining to 10 different types of patient education. The pretest survey collected eight questions that related to gathering information about their cancer diagnosis, resources, and knowledge level. The DNP Project Leader secured a Cancer Survivorship Guide through the American Society of Clinical Oncology that was added to the initial cancer survivorship education for all patients. …

Implementing Obesity And Comorbidity Education In A Faith-Based Setting, Tammy Lynn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The aim of the study was to increase knowledge of the damaging consequences of obesity and related comorbidities. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions on a global scale and increases the potential health risk of many associated diseases. Faith-Based organizations have been found to be optimal resources for public health education. The shared beliefs and comradery are a source of support and encouragement for those who face many of life’s challenges, as well as life’s joys. The purpose of the project was to investigate the effectiveness of education delivered in a Baptist church on the topics of obesity and related comorbidities. …

Changing The Ways Bedside Nursing Staff Think About ‘All Things Urinary Catheters, Angela Foard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this project was to bring attention to the importance of the bedside nursing staff’s "back to the basics" approach to nurse-led interventions to help reduce the number of increasing hospital-acquired infections (HAI), specifically catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The motivation to address this problem was due to the bedside nursing staff under-utilizing best practice interventions to prevent insertions and re-insertions of urinary catheters. A high number of urinary catheter insertions and re-insertions increases the risk of a CAUTI. Evidence-based interventions should be reinforced and utilized by bedside nursing staff to prevent insertions and re-insertions. Evidence-based nurse-led practices …

Improving The Mental Health And Wellness Of Middle School Educators Post-Covid19, April Pearson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

U.S. public school teachers of all educational levels were challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide education to students in alternative ways; face-to-face, hybrid model, or remote learning. This resulted in teacher stress, dissatisfaction, and turnover. Locally, after the 2020-2021 school year at East Iredell Middle School, 9 out of 22 educators resigned or transferred due to the stress and fatigue of teaching students in a hybrid model during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this project was to promote the health and wellness of middle school educators. The PICOT statement is, what is the effect of an educational program …

Improving Care Of Women Experiencing A Pregnancy, Belinda T. Ferguson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to provide evidence-based staff education at a pregnancy resource center to increase staff/patient engagement and communication by implementing a clinical practice change and use of a DNP student-developed discharge summary referral form (DRF) to assist with assessing patient’s needs, evaluating access to services and utilization of medical care and health promotion services. The overall aim of this project is to increase care with medical follow-up and seek to address improving engagement and communication with patients during their care and after discharge from the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC). The major …

Incentive Spirometer Use In Trauma Patients 65 Years And Older With Rib Fractures/Chest Trauma, Sharon F. Ali

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Geriatric patients 65 years old and older admitted to the medical surgical trauma unit with rib fractures had increased readmission rates to the trauma ICU, due to respiratory insufficiency within the last 12 months. This DNP project followed all patients admitted to the trauma service of a Level I trauma hospital with rib fractures/blunt chest trauma during the months of February 2-April 30, 2022. The focus was on the nurse-driven protocol, which included providing incentive spirometer education to the trauma patient for aggressive pulmonary hygiene and documenting patients’ achievements and goals into the medical record. Registered nurses (RN) were asked …

A Quality Improvement Evaluation On A Nurse Residency Program, Mary Christine Richards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this DNP project was to explore new graduate nurse (NGN) residency program retention data in a large healthcare system to assess if participant retention met or exceeded identified retention benchmarks. The second project question explored NGNs’ reasons for leaving the organization after the first year of experience. The Plan Do Study Act model framed this quality improvement evaluation project. The total number of NGN residency participants for the system in 2020 was 586 and 680 in 2021.Year one retention in 2020 was 539 (92%). Year one retention in 2021 was 625 (92%). Year two retention data were …