Nursing Commons^™

Peer Counseling For Perinatal Depression In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Alexander Cuncannon, Kailyn Seitz, Aneel Signh, Aliyah Dosani

Brain and Mind Institute

Perinatal depression is associated with adverse maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. Treatment gaps and sociocultural factors contribute to its disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Task-sharing approaches, such as peer counseling, have been developed to improve access to mental health services. We conducted a scoping review to map the current literature on peer counseling for perinatal women experiencing depression in LMICs. We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Global Health and EMBASE for literature with no date limits. We included 73 records in our analysis, with most being systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials and qualitative studies. …

The Effects Of Care Handoffs And Hospital-Wide Flow, Abbey Siulinski, Kaitlyn Leavitt, Ryan Pullen, Katie Schmid

Nurse Residency

Introduction: Observed extended boarding of admitted patients and increased length of stay in the ED due to delay in handoff resulting in decreased ability to provide full extent of care.

Shared Trauma: An Evolutionary Model Concept Analysis In Light Of Covid-19, April Hutto, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Beverly Baliko Phd, Rn, Pmhnp-Bc

Publications

Shared trauma (ST) is a term historically applied to social work experiences, but other healthcare professionals (HCP) also experience ST. With the occurrence of COVID-19, ST has impacted HCP globally and has led to new discoveries and more questions regarding its scope, impact and duration. This article aims to explore the concept of ST applied to nurses in light of COVID-19 using the Rogers and Knafl Evolutionary Model for Concept Analysis. Further examination and evolution of ‘shared trauma’, particularly during COVID-19, has led to the development of an adapted model to explore the implications of ST on health-related outcomes for …

Prazosin As An Adjuvant To Increase Effectiveness Of Duloxetine In A Rat Model Of Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Monica A. Wagner, Naji Ayyash

Faculty Scholarship

Objectives: Duloxetine, the only American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) treatment recommended for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer survivors, is not effective for 40% of survivors. This study examined the ability of a duloxetine-prazosin combination to prevent the development of allodynia and hyperalgesia in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OPIN). Methods: Female (n = 24) and male (n = 41) rats were started on duloxetine (15 mg), prazosin (2 mg), or a duloxetine-prazosin combination one week prior to administration of the chemotherapy drug, oxaliplatin, and continued the duloxetine-prazosin combination for 32 days. Behavioral testing for mechanical allodynia …

Examining Relationships Among Nursing Students’ Views Of Suffering, Positive Thinking, And Professional Quality Of Life, Ruth A. Engbers, Abir K. Bekhet, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Norah L. Johnson, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Exposure to suffering can lead to compassion fatigue in undergraduate nursing students.

Objective:

Guided by resilience theory, a cross-sectional, correlational design was used to investigate the potential moderating effect of positive thinking skills on the relationships between views of suffering, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction.

Results:

In 157 undergraduate nursing students, multiple regressions revealed that views of suffering and positive thinking explained 23.8% of the variance in compassion satisfaction (F11,145 = 4.121, P <  .001), and 21.9% of the variance in burnout (F11,144 = 3.786, P <  .001). The Suffering God view, which stresses the presence of a compassionate deity amid suffering, and positive thinking had significant main effects on compassion satisfaction (β = 0.349, P = .025; and β = 0.309, P <  .001, respectively). Positive thinking, the Suffering God view, and the Random view, in which the occurrence of suffering is random and purposeless, had significant main effects on burnout (β = −0.280, P <  .001; β = −0.392, P = .014; and β = −0.206, P = .014, …

Using Screen-Based Simulation In Family Nurse Practitioner Education, Angela M. Mcnelis, Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst, Sarah L. Beebe, Majeda El-Banna, Mary S. Dietrich

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Innovations in nursing education are crucial for developing new learning approaches to ensure quality preparation and an adequate number of nurse practitioners (NPs). This necessity prompts exploration and implementation of alternative clinical educational approaches, such as screen-based simulation (SBS), to address challenges posed by limited clinical sites and preceptors.

Purpose

The study aim was to compare the effectiveness of SBS with that of traditional precepted clinical experiences in students’ attainment of mastery of knowledge in the domains of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation across the pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations.

Methods

A quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design was employed. Family …

Reimagining Supportive Approaches At The Intersection Of Mandatory Reporting Policies For The Mother–Infant Dyad Affected By Substance Use, Kelly Mcglothen-Bell, Diana Cartagena, Kathryn J. Malin, Dorothy Vittner, Jacqueline M. Mcgrath, Rebecca Koerner, Ashlee J. Vance, Allison Crawford

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: As rates of substance use during pregnancy persist, the health and optimal development of infants with prenatal substance exposure remain a key priority. Nurses are tasked with identifying and reporting suspected cases of child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, which is often assumed to be synonymous with substance use during pregnancy. While policies aimed at protecting infants from child abuse and neglect are well intentioned, literature regarding the short- and long-term social and legal implications of mandatory reporting policies is emerging.

Purpose: In this article, we explore the intersections between the condition of substance use in pregnancy and policies …

Impact Of Social Risk Screening On Discharge Care Processes And Postdischarge Outcomes A Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Clinical Trial During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Andrea S. Wallace, Alycia A. Bristol, Erin Phinney Johnson, Catherine E. Elmore, Sonja E. Raaum, Angela Presson, Kaleb Eppich, Mackenzie Elliott, Sumin Park, Benjamin S. Brooke, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: 

Social risk screening during inpatient care is required in new CMS regulations, yet its impact on inpatient care and patient outcomes is unknown.

Objectives: 

To evaluate whether implementing a social risk screening protocol improves discharge processes, patient-reported outcomes, and 30-day service use.

Research Design: 

Pragmatic mixed-methods clinical trial.

Subjects: 

Overall, 4130 patient discharges (2383 preimplementation and 1747 postimplementation) from general medicine and surgical services at a 528-bed academic medical center in the Intermountain United States and 15 attending physicians.

Measures: 

Documented family interaction, late discharge, patient-reported readiness for hospital discharge and postdischarge coping difficulties, readmission and emergency department visits …

Executive Summary: Clinical Practice Guideline, Bona Eze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a gap in practice in an outpatient clinic in the Northeastern United States. The gap in practice was a lack of standardized patient education on self-care management strategies for adult patients with diabetes, leading to increased rates of noncompliance, readmission, and poor health outcomes. The guiding question asked whether an expert panel could evaluate and validate a clinical practice (CPG) developed from current, evidence-based literature and recommendations from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Diabetes Association on self-care management strategies for the adult patient with diabetes. The project followed …

Efficacy Of, And Barriers To, Treatment Options For Pans/Pandas, Kayla E. Pray

Senior Theses

Background: PANS/PANDAS are pediatric autoimmune disorders that cause an acute-onset of OCD-like symptoms and/or severe restricted eating, as well as anxiety, irritation, deterioration of fine motor skills, hyperactivity, and other psychiatric symptoms. An estimated 1-2% of the pediatric population is affected. Currently, there is little research published on the treatment options for PANS/PANDAS and there is no evidence-based consensus on the best treatment option.

Purpose: This study aimed to discover the efficacy of, and barriers to, available treatment options for PANS/PANDAS.

Methods: A convenience sample of individuals diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS or their parent/caregiver was recruited anonymously through Facebook support groups. …

A Scoping Review Of Substance Use Brief Interventions In Africa, Florence Jaguga, Sarah Kiburi, Eunice Temet, Matthew Aalsma, Mary Ott, Rachel Maina, Cyprian Mostert, Lukoye Atwoli, Juddy Wachira, Gilliane Kosgei

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: The burden of substance use in Africa is substantial. Brief interventions (BIs) are a recommended public health strategy for the prevention and early intervention for substance use problems. The objective of this scoping review was to map the literature on substance use BIs in Africa, identify gaps, and provide directions for future research.

Methods: The scoping review was guided by the Arksey O’Malley Framework and the PRISMA-Scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A search of five bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Professionals (CINAHL) and Cochrane Library) was conducted from inception until 1st November …

Application Of A Mepilex Border Dressing To Prevent Heel Pressure Injury, Melissa Sterlin

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

• Problem:

Heel pressure injuries (HPIs) are preventable, yet they can easily occur when policies specifically targeting heel protection are lacking. A quality improvement methodology was implemented on two intensive care units (ICUs) within an organization which involved revising existing policies to standardize practices and mitigate occurrences.

Aim of the Project:

To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based protocol that utilizes Mepilex border dressings to prevent hospital-acquired HPIs in ICUs.

• Review of the Evidence:

Across various studies, common themes emerged, notably the utilization of prophylactic Mepilex foam dressings as effective interventions specifically targeted in the ICU.

• Project Design:

A protocol …

Reducing Patient Falls In A Behavioral Health Unit: Improvement Through Audit Implementation, Kristin Gardner

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Fall-related events are a significant source of harm, with more than 700,000 patients falling every year in U.S. hospitals. The project was implemented in a 41-bed acute inpatient adult behavioral health unit (BHU). Over the last eight quarters, the BHU experienced an average of 3.16 falls per 1,000 days, exceeding the benchmark's median of 2.53 total falls.

Aim of the Project: The primary aim of this project was to decrease overall falls in an acute inpatient behavioral health unit.

Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review identified intervention prevention bundles, compliance auditing, and staff education as effective ways …

Reducing Falls Through Enhanced Staff Compliance With The Fall Bundle, Lester Lubuguin

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem:

Patient falls represent a critical issue that incurs significant health and economic burdens for both individuals and healthcare organizations. Annually, falls and fall-related injuries are responsible for nearly 3 million emergency room visits and 1 million hospitalizations, costing an estimated $50 billion. Evidence suggests that a multi-factorial approach—often referred to as a "fall bundle"—is effective in reducing the incidence of falls. However, staff non-compliance with this bundle can undermine its effectiveness.

Aim of the Project:

The project aimed to reduce the incidence of falls by enhancing staff compliance with fall prevention measures through audits and feedback conducted by designated …

Nursing Student Voices: A Qualitative Thematic Synthesis Of Education Elements Supporting Nursing Students' Clinical Learning During Placement, Robyn Cant, Colleen Ryan, Lynda Hughes, Christine Ossenberg, Simon Cooper

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: to report a thematic synthesis of students’ narratives in free text comments from a national quality survey of Australian nursing degree students’ clinical placements. Background: Nursing student evaluation surveys are submitted to the Australian National Placement Evaluation Centre. Students in 36 Australian nursing programs are included. Design: Thematic synthesis of nursing students’ narrative comments. Methods: Data were sourced from 10,226 surveys submitted between July and December 2023. From these, the 3640 free text comments were extracted and tabulated to form the sample for synthesis. Three authors conducted a thematic synthesis and all five authors agreed on the findings. Findings: …

Factors Affecting The Transition From Pediatric To Adult Care Among Culturally Deaf Young Adults And Young Adults Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Anna Strickland Kell

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Adolescence to adulthood is marked by many transitions, including the transition from a pediatric to an adult medical home, also referred to as a health home. For young adults who are culturally Deaf, deaf, or hard of hearing, this transition may be complicated by population-specific needs related to language, literacy, and accessibility. Prior research with transition-age adolescents and young adults who are culturally Deaf, deaf, or hard of hearing has primarily focused on education or hearing health exclusively. The purpose of this research was to investigate the transition of health care from pediatric to adult services among culturally Deaf …

Student Voice: Perceptions Of Sense Of Belonging And Involvement Among Underrepresented Prelicensure Nursing Students, Maria Peña

Dissertations (1934 -)

ABSTRACT STUDENT VOICE: PERCEPTIONS OF SENSE OF BELONGING AND INVOLVEMENT AMONG MINORITIZED PRELICENSURE NURSING STUDENTS Maria Y. Peña, MSN, RN, CNE Marquette University Efforts like holistic review admissions by nursing programs to create a more ethnically diverse student body have led to increased enrollment of students with underrepresented ethnic and cultural social identities. However, these students continue to experience higher attrition rates compared to their White, middle-class peers. Although both sense of belonging and student involvement are positively correlated with academic success, limited research explores these constructs together from the perceptions of students with underrepresented ethnic and cultural social identities …

Vaccine Decision-Making Among Pregnant Women: A Protocol For A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Method Study In Brazil, Ghana, Kenya And Pakistan, Jessica Schue, Prachi Singh, Berhaun Fesshaye, Emily Miller, Shanelle Quinn, Ruth Karron, Renato Souza, Maria Laura Costa, Ferdinand Okwaro, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Maternal immunization is a critical strategy to prevent both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality from several infectious diseases. When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available during the pandemic, there was mixed messaging and confusion amongst the broader public and among those associated with health care systems about the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy in many countries. A multi-country, mixed-methods study is being undertaken to describe how vaccine decision-making occurs amongst pregnant and postpartum women, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccines. The study is being conducted in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan. In each country, participants are being recruited …

Severe Hypertension In Postpartum: How A Nurse Driven Protocol Can Be Used To Decrease A Delay In Treatment, Kayleigh Momme

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: The problem at the practicum site is a delay in the treatment of severe range hypertension in postpartum patients due to IV push antihypertensives being administered by resident physicians who are clinically stationed in another building as opposed to the primary nurse.

Aim of the Project: The overall aim is to institute a protocol that will prevent a time delay for the treatment of severe range blood pressures in postpartum patients.

Review of Evidence: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Obstetric related governing bodies have come to …

Implementation Of Barcode Medication Administration To Reduce Vaccine Errors, Elizabeth R. Schwarz

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: In the project organization, a large ambulatory medical group, there have been high rates of vaccine administration errors, particularly within family practice locations, which have the most variety of vaccines given.

Aim of the Project: This project aimed to improve the safety of vaccine administration by implementing barcode medication administration (BCMA) in two family practice locations.

Review of the Evidence: BCMA is increasingly recommended for outpatient settings by patient safety groups like the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (2022). Studies show BCMA can save time, improve vaccine data capture and can decrease medication errors by up to 74% (Evanson …

Reducing 30-Day Post-Stroke Readmissions With A Discharge Checklist Tool, Monika Robinson

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: The practice site, a nationally certified stroke care hospital, faced challenges with 30-day post-stroke readmission rates of 8.7%, below the national average of 12.44%. This quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce avoidable readmissions to below 4.7% by implementing a structured education process using a post-stroke checklist for all stroke admissions.

Aim of the Project: The primary goal was to ensure that all stroke patients received consistent discharge education. This was achieved by introducing the American Heart/Stroke Association Post-Stroke Discharge Checklist, aligning with best practices to standardize patient education.

Review of Evidence: Evidence shows inconsistencies in the discharge process, particularly …

Increasing The Frequency Of Behavior Assessment To Reduce Physical Restraint, Breanne N. Ford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a system that routinely assesses for behavior changes in psychiatric patients presenting to the emergency department to improve staff intervention of escalating behaviors and decrease physical restraint use.

Background: The project was implemented in a 45-bed emergency department in a community-based hospital affiliated with a large hospital system in Houston, Texas.

Methodology: The project utilizes the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) to assess patients' behaviors at routine intervals throughout shifts and a comfort cart that houses several non-pharmacological intervention items to use to de-escalate adverse behaviors. The staff …

Little Lungs, Big Care: Prevent Unplanned Extubation, Leslie Huntington, Emily Jordan Ressman, Carmen Yearego

2024

QUALITY

Background: The pediatric critical care unit in a large medical center benchmarks a variety of quality metrics to ensure we are providing our patients with the best care. At the end of 2023, the unit rate of 0.58 was higher than the national benchmark rate of 0.33 for unplanned extubation (UE). Additionally, the unit was lower for failed extubation rate than the national benchmark which led to questioning if the unit was too conservative with when patients are deemed ready to extubate.

Objectives: The primary goal is to lower the rate of UE while maintaining a failed extubation rate …

Exploring Parent/Child Peri-Anesthesia Anxiety And Anesthesia Effects On Children, Ann Johnson, Alejandra Lozano, Pauline Chen

2024

RESEARCH

Approximately four million children undergo procedures with anesthesia yearly. For children and parents, this can be anxiety-provoking. In extant literature, level and timing of pre-anesthesia anxiety in children are not adequately studied; associated factors are largely unknown in humans. Preparing for anesthesia and its effects may cause parental worry, and little is known about these effects on school-age children in the weeks following a procedure. The purpose of this study was to explore longitudinal peri-anesthesia factors of anxiety and behavior in children ages 7 through 12. Spanish and English-speaking dyads consented to four data collection points beginning at the …

Nurse Manager Hiring Practices And The Experience Of New Graduate Nurses, Tiffany Montgomery, Zara Sajwani-Merchant

2024

RESEARCH

Purpose
/="/">Hiring decisions have implications for the hiring unit and the healthcare organization, including nursing retention, orientation costs, and organizational culture. Despite available literature, hiring practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are unknown within nurse residency programs. This study explores the experiences of nursing hiring managers and newly hired nurse candidates with the interview and hiring process into residency programs within the DFW metroplex.
/="/">Methods
/="/">A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to describe the nursing manager experiences and thoughts through the hiring process and how they compare to nurse candidate’s perspective hired into an established …

Reducing The Burden Of Tracking Age Of Majority (Aom) Research Participant Consents, Beena Pappen, Lindsay Therrian, Bobby Lawrence

2024

QUALITY

Background
/="/">Reconsenting research participants when they reach Age of Majority (AOM) – age 18 in the state of Texas – is a vital responsibility of the pediatric research world. It requires tracking and planning for an activity that may not happen until months, years, or over a decade later. Not obtaining AOM consent may violate the rights of the research participant, as well as impede the ongoing collection and usage of their research data. At the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) Clinical Research Office (CRO), a very manual process was being used to identify and notify …

Preventing Patient Deterioration By Creating A Reassessment And Escalation Process For The Ed Waiting Room, Virginia Elizondo, Amanda Caipo, Cory Carlos

2024

EBP

Practice Problem:

Long wait times in the emergency department (ED) waiting room significantly impact patient outcomes. Waiting times increase the risk of deterioration, the number of patients leaving without being seen (LWBS), and lead to dissatisfaction with care. 1,2,3 The urgency and significance of early recognition of abnormal vital signs and the appropriate responses cannot be overstated.3 Current ED practices lack a structured process for regular reassessment and escalation in the waiting room.

Literature/Evidence:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted, utilizing EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Ovid. The literature supports continuous reassessment to enhance safety and satisfaction in the waiting room. …

A Transformative Leadership Approach To Reducing Nursing Turnover In A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Deniro Brown, Lindsey Daigle, Brandi Brown, Julia Gerstmann, Emily Hernandez, Delaney O’Brien, Casey Conrad, Christina Whittington, Lindsey Wren, Gustavo Barbero

2024

INNOVATION

Introduction/Objective:
Retention of nurses in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) is essential for optimal patient outcomes, as nurse experience significantly impacts patient mortality and hospital-acquired conditions. In April 2022, our CICU faced high voluntary turnover among direct bedside nurses. Our immediate goal was to reduce this turnover, with a longer-term objective of improving overall nurse retention.

Methods:|
We established global and SMART aims by comparing organizational benchmarks for nurse turnover with unit-specific data from human resources. Co-managers and eight nurse team leaders conducted stay interviews with direct bedside nurses during the first half of 2022. These …

Improving Sepsis Response, Awareness, And Engagement In The Emergency Department, Virginia Elizondo, Nicole Bizzack, Amber Dayton, Angie Rodick, Ashley Collins, Georgina Hernandez, Amber Albiar

2024

QUALITY

Sepsis background:
Sepsis is the leading cause of death in children² and a global health problem³. The primary source of infection is often not apparent¹, making early patient identification, initiation of sepsis protocols, and continued awareness crucial to improve outcomes and prevent mortality in patients at risk for sepsis.

Purpose:
An emergency department (ED) Sepsis Response Team (SRT) and other initiatives were designed to enhance workflow efficiency, improve time to antibiotic administration (TTA) tominutes, improve sepsis recognition, and uphold standards by maintaining staff engagement.

Implementations:
Once a patient screens positive for sepsis risk, an …

Bridging The Gap: Leveraging Cnap To Enhance Professional Development, Align With Organization Goals And Create A Culture Of Safety, Marissa Crosley, Brooke Harris, Gwenetta Hicks, Cornelius Metili

2024

INNOVATION

Abstract: As our organization strives for its fifth Magnet designation, enhancing nurse professional development has become a clear priority. Currently, only half of our nursing staff participate in the Clinical Nurse Achievement Program (CNAP), highlighting a need for increased engagement. Additionally, feedback from the latest Experience, Inclusion, and Engagement (EIE) Survey identified an opportunity to improve nurse recognition within our department. These insights prompted an exploration of how the Team Lead role, uniquely positioned between frontline nurses and leadership, could be more effectively utilized.

A key challenge identified is the time-consuming process of documenting CNAP achievements. Nurses often defer …