Nursing Commons^™

English As A Second Language Nurse Experiences With Collaborative Learning During Pre-Licensure, Baccalaureate Nursing Education: A Phenomenological Study, Candice Tart Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how ESL nurses experienced collaborative learning with their native English-speaking peers in traditional baccalaureate-accredited nursing programs across the United States. The theories guiding this study were the Social Learning Theory (SLT) of Academic Self-Efficacy (ASE) by Albert Bandura and the Sociocultural Theory of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) by Lev Vygotsky. The central investigative research question was: What are the lived experiences of novice ESL nurses who participated in collaborative learning with their native English-speaking peers during baccalaureate nursing education? Sampling methods used included a purposive and a snowball sample …

The Ability Of Algebra Final Grades And Teas Scores To Predict Undergraduate Nursing Student Grade Point Averages: A Quantitative, Non-Experimental, Predictive Correlational Study, Jeanna L. Kerchner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A major concern for many nursing programs is student completion rates. This is due in large part to the demands and rigor of curriculum in accredited nursing programs. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, predictive correlational study was to determine if final nursing program GPA can be predicted by the linear combination of college algebra final grades and TEAS scores in an undergraduate nursing program at a private university. A quantitative, non-experimental research design was used to address the proposed study’s purpose. The study’s sample of participants was purposive and convenient in nature, and was accessed using an existing, archival …

Palliative And End-Of-Life Care Education In Undergraduate, Pre-Licensure Nursing Program Curriculums: The Lived Experience Of Students, Whitney Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study with a transcendental phenomenological approach is to investigate and describe nursing students’ experience with palliative and end-of-life care education within their undergraduate, pre-licensure nursing program curriculum. The study utilizes Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory as its theoretical framework to answer the central research question and three sub-questions. The central research question is: what are nursing students' lived experiences with palliative and end-of-life care education within their undergraduate, pre-licensure nursing program curriculum? Twelve senior level nursing students participated in the study. The data collection methods included one-on-one interviews, observations, and journal entries. Data was analyzed using …

Pharmacogenomics-Guided Treatment Of Depression Evidence-Based Practice Scholarly Project, Richard A. Sonnier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pharmacogenomics is a popular topic in psychiatry today that is poised to replace the outdated trial-and-error paradigm of prescribing psychotropic medications. For patients suffering from a myriad of psychiatric disorders, it has been a frustrating period for those who have struggled with multiple failed trials of medications before finding relief from debilitating depression, anxiety, and many other mood-dysregulating disorders. Often, patients are forced to endure several weeks or months of trying psychotropic agents with poor responses and intolerable side effects before finally finding a medication that yields a desired outcome. In some cases, no therapeutic response is ever achieved. With …

Meanings And Understandings Of Racial-Ethnic Minority Prelicensure Associate Degree In Nursing And Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students Who Experience Uncivil Faculty Behaviors In United States Nursing Programs: A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry, Lenora Valdez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the meanings and understandings of racial-ethnic minority (REM) prelicensure Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who experience uncivil faculty behaviors in United States nursing programs. The literature points to a wide range of faculty behaviors that nursing students experience as incivility. However, little data was found in the literature regarding REM prelicensure ADN or BSN students’ experiences with nurse faculty incivility. Purposive snowball sampling was used to recruit 10 REM currently enrolled junior and senior prelicensure ADN and BSN students who experience …

Effect Of Multiple Simulation Exposures On Nursing Students' Critical Thinking In First Direct Patient Care Practice, Dawn Veltre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Critical thinking is a core competency essential for nursing practice, and nursing students must develop these skills to become competent nurses. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design is to determine the effect of multiple simulation exposures on nursing students' critical thinking during their first direct patient care practice. A convenience sample of 39 first-year nursing students enrolled in an associate degree nursing program in the western United States participated in this study. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) to measure critical thinking skills before multiple simulation exposures, two exposures, or four exposures …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of Implicit Bias Teaching Using High-Fidelity Simulation, Eva Wangia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nursing education lacks explicit, effective teaching methods for recognizing and managing student biases, which could potentially impact patient outcomes and perpetuate health disparities. This study may influence changes in the associate degree nursing program curricula to include implicit bias teaching, which in turn helps nurses understand the concepts associated with health equity, such as health disparities. This quasi-quantitative experimental study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of implicit bias teaching using high-fidelity simulation to nursing students at a community college in the Pacific Northwest. A convenience sample of first-year nursing students was utilized in the study. Participants completed demographic surveys and …

Scoping Review Of Algorithms For Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Katherine Sabatier, Kate Fouquier Cnm, Phd, Facnm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The purpose of this scoping review is to review the use of an algorithm in evaluating continuous external fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring in labor as opposed to clinician judgment for improved fetal outcomes, including earlier recognition of abnormal tracings (Clark et al., 2017). FHR monitoring was created to evaluate for fetal hypoxia in labor and has become standard practice (Gyllencreutz et al., 2018). One of the goals of the use of cardiotocography is to decrease hypoxia-induced fetal metabolic acidemia and neurologic injury. There are multiple options for individual or computer-based algorithms in evaluating FHR to reduce fetal acidemia …

Improving No-Show Rates At A Federally Qualified Health Center (Fqhc), Christelle M. Hernandez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve no-show and missed appointments among adult patients at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) located in greater Houston, TX in the adult medicine department. This intervention aimed to decrease no-show and missed appointment rates to 20% or below to improve productivity, yield less staff burnout, and improve patient healthcare outcomes. A 4-week initiative was completed to identity top reasons and to reduce no-shows. A no-show outreach initiative was developed and used in the electronic health record (EHR) and targeted to patients identified as most likely to not show cancel an …

Surgical Smoke Evacuation Quality Improvement Project, Angela Howell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Surgical smoke is a byproduct produced during surgical procedures when high-energy producing devices are used to vaporize tissue. This smoke poses health risk to anyone present in the operating room.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to educate and minimize the exposure of both staff and patients to the hazardous toxic fumes and vapors produced by energy-generating electrocautery devices.

Methods: The intervention based on the Kim Ball Smoke Evacuation Compliance Model was implemented in a large military hospital with 20 operating rooms and three labor and delivery suites. Implementation included formal education strategies, equipment …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Dance Movements In Enhancing Activities Of Daily Living For Geriatric Patients And Relevant Implications For Nursing Care, Rachel Ann Bruce

Student Scholar Showcase

Within the healthcare industry, the geriatric population holds a unique set of patient-care needs due to a myriad of physical and cognitive challenges. The presentation of these challenges can negatively impact the quality of a patient’s life and overall independence. One specific challenge providers must account for when providing care to geriatric patients is a decreased range of mobility as age increases. Reasons as to why mobility decreases varies, and include but are not limited to degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, poor nutrition, poor physical mobility or lack thereof, and other comorbidities.

According to peer-reviewed resources, by engaging in frequent Dance Movement …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Providing Religious And Spiritual-Based Care For Patients Currently Receiving Palliative Care Services, Rachel Ann Bruce, Cynthia Dien, Kinnice Jordan Turner, Rebecca Kay Tisdale

Student Scholar Showcase

This literature review explores the effectiveness of providing spiritual and religious-based care to patients currently receiving palliative care settings. In the context of this research, palliative care is defined as the six month period before a person’s death. By examining peer-reviewed journal articles from 2020 to 2024, this literature review will incorporate findings from multiple studies (both qualitative and quantitative) in order to effectively compare and contrast spiritual and religious beliefs and practices for patients receiving palliative care. After thorough examination, collected research has demonstrated that individuals who receive both timely and frequent religious and spiritual-base care while on palliative …

Nursing Education On The Health Benefits Of Animal Assisted Therapy, Sara C. Barker, Allie P. Dunlap, Daniel T. Do, Charde Willis

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Background: Does nurse education for pediatric oncology families teaching daily animal-assisted therapy (AAT) health benefits reduce anxiety from 35% to 18% compared to current practice?

Methods: A literature search was conducted using CINAHL (356 articles), PubMed (412 articles), and Google Scholar (289 articles) with keywords including animal-assisted interaction, pediatric cancer, pet therapy, psychological support, caregivers, and psychosocial outcomes. Filters applied included peer-reviewed articles, English language, full text, publication within the last five years, randomized controlled or quasi-experimental study design, and relevance to nursing practice. 4 articles were chosen due to being directly relevant to education related to AAT and psychosocial …

Responsible Pain Management For Postpartum Patients, Anna Beth Wyatt, Isabella B. Conwell, Kaley E. Edelbrock, Missy M. Sterkel

SPARK Symposium Presentations

At Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s postpartum unit on 4 East, uncontrolled pain is a leading cause of decreased patient satisfaction and increased risk for complications. Effective, timely, and conscientious pain management plays a crucial role in improving patient satisfaction and promoting safer recoveries. Given the wide range of pain management needs due to varied birth experiences and complications, nursing judgment and clear patient communication are essential in ensuring both comfort and long-term safety. This makes 4 East an ideal unit to explore standardizing communication strategies to optimize patient care. The primary goal of our intervention is to enhance patient satisfaction …

Effectiveness Of Music Therapy In Managing Pain And Anxiety In Pediatric Burn Patients Compared To Traditional Methods Alone, Alejandro Miguel Santos, Maekalagail Santos

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Introduction:

Burn injuries are among the most painful conditions for children. While pharmacological interventions are commonly used, non-pharmacological strategies like music therapy are gaining attention for their potential to improve patient outcomes. Previous research indicates that music therapy can reduce pain and anxiety in various settings, but its impact on pediatric burn patients remains underexplored.

Objective:

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of music therapy in managing pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients, comparing it to traditional pain management methods alone.

Research Question:

Does music therapy affect pain and anxiety in pediatric burn unit patients when added to …

The Health Impact Of Clinical Training On Nursing Students In Cambodia, Kimberly Aguilar Mondragon, Felicia Kim Yee

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Clinical training presents significant challenges for nursing students worldwide, particularly evident in developing countries like Cambodia, where these difficulties are intensified by a lack of training, resources, and health issues like stress and fatigue. Many students struggle without adequate guidance, forcing them to navigate complex clinical environments independently. These factors not only impact students’ confidence and academic performance, but also their health and well-being. Through this study, we can gain insight into nursing in a developing country that hasn’t been widely studied, contributing to global nursing research. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the health impact …

Launching A Neonatal Resuscitation Escape Room To Combat High Infant Mortality Rates In South India: A Quality Improvement Project, Ellen M. Campos, Kathryn L. Dambrino Dr., Jennifer Sternberg Dr., Taryn Mccoy, Shelby L. Garner Dr., Kendell Natt, Lyn S. Prater Dr., R. David Phillippi Dr., Weiming Ke Dr., Leena Lourduswamy Dr., Sheela Victor Dr., Vernonsiya Kirubha, Beth Hallmark Dr., Julie Honey Dr.

DNP Projects

Background: In South India, infant mortality rates are high, and nurses require advanced training to respond to infants in fetal distress. Evidence shows that improved nurse competency in neonatal resuscitation and the ability of students to recognize and respond to distressed infants have led to decreased infant mortality rates.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to design and implement a simulated escape room to improve neonatal resuscitation outcomes among undergraduate students in South India.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive design was used. N=310 undergraduate nursing students from six schools in India participated in a simulated neonatal resuscitation (NNR) …

Nursing Educators’ Perceptions Of Using Virtual Simulated Games In Nursing Education, Ruhee Waheeda Mir

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing educators of Trinidad and Tobago have limited experience with virtual simulated games (VSGs) as a part of their teaching methodology. This lack of experience was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic as educators had to use virtual approaches in their classrooms and struggled with unfamiliar technologies. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study, guided by the extended technology acceptance model, was to explore the perceptions of Trinidadian and Tobagonian nursing educators regarding the use of a VSG as a teaching tool. The sample consisted of eight nursing educators from an educational institute in Trinidad who met the criteria of being …

Impact Of Shift Length On Burnout And Job Or Life Satisfaction Among Allied Healthcare Professionals, Tareq F. Alotaibi, Abdulmohsen Altayyar, Muteb Al Muflih, Nawaf Alqahtani, Naif Alhawiti, Badi A. Alotaibi, Sami Al Ossaimi, Hassan Y. Aljohani, Mobarak Alqahtani, Taha Ismaeil, Mohammed Al Qahtani, Saleh Al Garni

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Healthcare professionals are critical to community well-being, but the 12-versus 8-hour shifts on their stress and burnout are unclear. This study examines the effects of work patterns on the quality of life, job satisfaction, and burnout among allied healthcare professionals. Method: a validated questionnaire was used. A descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used, and the significance level was p < 0.05. Results: Among the 340 participants, the mean age was 28 years, and most were women (63.5%), single (58%), and worked 8-hour shifts (54.4%). Most (78%) of the participants reported their job satisfaction …

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines For Perioperative Insulin Pump Usage And Glycemic Control During The Perioperative Period, Duane Robinson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

According to the International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects approximately 537 million people, representing approximately 10% of the worldwide population aged 20 to 79. Approximately 400,000 people with DM use continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pumps. CSII pump therapy mimics pancreatic insulin release, aiding in maintaining adequate insulin levels. Individuals with DM are more likely to require surgery than individuals without the disease. Among diabetics, people with Type 1 DM (T1D) are more likely to need medical interventions than individuals with Type 2 DM (T2DM). CSII therapy maintains blood glucose levels within a programmed range and decreases blood glucose …

Staff Education For Nursing Staff, Tina Clarke Cherry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project

Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorders (Pmads): A Scoping Review, Christina Willis Bsn, Rn, Nia Wells Bsn, Rn, Miranda Smith Bsn, Rn, Kate Fouquier Cnm, Phd, Facnm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, significantly impact maternal and infant health. This scoping review consolidates current literature on PMADs, emphasizing prevalence, risk factors, screening, and treatment. The primary aim is to identify research gaps and inform clinical guidelines to enhance perinatal care.

Methods A literature search followed PRISMA guidelines from August 2022 to November 2024. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using terms such as "perinatal mood disorders" and "maternal mental health." Inclusion criteria were English-language studies from the past decade addressing PMADs during pregnancy and up to one …

Staff Update On Type 2 Diabetes Education, Toochukwu Endaline Mba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current rise in Type 2 diabetes among middle-aged individuals poses significant risks of health complications such as kidney damage, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, vision loss, and skin problems. Research has shown that proper education on the causes and risk factors of Type 2 diabetes would increase people’s knowledge about the medical problem, helping promote positive health outcomes. This project was a staff education program using didactic and interactive case studies.

Clinical Practice Guideline Workflow For Medication Prescription, Patience Morikang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The type of project was a clinical practice guideline (CPG) workflow for medication prescriptions. The practice problem was the lack of an evidence-based approach regarding medication prescriptions, resulting in increased errors. It is essential to address this problem to promote safe prescribing, increase team knowledge, and encourage patient safety in the organization and within nursing practice. The practice focused question was the following: Will a clinical practice guideline for medication prescription workflow be approved by experts for use in an outpatient mental health clinic to promote the reduction of errors? The project aimed to seek expert approval of a CPG …

Staff Education To Structured Bedside Handoff, Kevin Omwanghe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing bedside handover (NBH) strategies as a nursing practice is often implemented at the patient’s bedside to improve communication safety during the shift change. This practice is vulnerable due to inconsistent application among nurses. This staff education Doctor of Nursing Education project consisted of interviews with staff to explore the barriers to successfully implementing a bedside nurse handoff approach in an intermediate care unit and introducing a staff education program to increase staff knowledge of NBH. Ten registered nurses participated in this project. Results of the pre-education program survey revealed that 100% of the participants had participated in interviews related …

Impact Of Hidden Populations Through Faculty Identification And Intervention In Higher Education, Jimmie K. Wetmore

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

College students who have endured trauma through experiences in the foster care system, homelessness, justice system involvement, poverty, violence, and/or abuse are at greater risk of not completing college and returning to the circumstances that perpetrated their initial traumas. These students are known as “hidden populations.” Mentorship and resources can help these students to break the social and economic cycles that have placed them in a high-risk category. Higher education faculty are in a unique position to help bridge the gap that exists for these students. The problem can be impacted by more faculty being aware of the population and …

Improving Same-Day Access To Highly Effective Contraceptives In Middle Tennessee, Jillian Gunderson, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Project Title: Improving Same-day Access To Highly Effective Contraceptives In Middle Tennessee

Background and Rationale: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are highly effective at preventing pregnancy at 99%. A two-visit protocol is a known barrier to access. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends same-day placement to increase access to LARC. A Step Ahead Middle Tennessee (ASA) is a non-profit organization partnered with Belmont University that provides free, long-acting reversible contraceptives. However, most ASA clinical partners offer services with a two-visit protocol, and there is no process to identify patient preference for same-day placement.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this …

Food Allergies On The College Campus: Increasing Awareness, Kelly Wagner

DNP Projects

Project Title: Food Allergies on the College Campus: Increasing Awareness

Background and Rationale: The prevalence of food allergies in the United States is high and continues to increase, affecting approximately 32 million people (10.8% of the population). Food allergies are a chronic disease, and students transitioning to college are in the age group that experiences the highest rate of lethal anaphylactic reactions related to food allergies. Current best practice guidelines recommend that colleges should have a comprehensive, campus-wide approach to food allergy awareness, management, and emergency protocol. At a midsize southeastern university, there was no campus-wide approach to addressing the …

Maternal Carbohydrate-Controlled Diets And The Impact On Neonatal Hypoglycemia Rates, Jenna L. Klopping

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Neonatal hypoglycemia has a profound impact on the diabetic maternal infant dyad and their families. The practice problem negatively affects the quality of care offered by healthcare providers, while also imposing a financial burden on the healthcare system that extends well beyond the perinatal period.

PICOT: In term infants born to diabetic mothers (P), does a regular carbohydrate-controlled diet given at least 8 hours prior to birth (I) in comparison to a clear liquid carbohydrate-controlled diet (C) reduce the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia at two hours of life(O) across an 8-week period(T)?

Evidence: A medical nutrition diet, such …

Implementation Of The Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (Meows) In Obstetric Patients Within A Level Iv Maternal Care Facility, Mei M. Stalder

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Incidences of increasing maternal morbidity and mortality are often preceded by a period of unrecognized deterioration. The lack of an obstetric early warning system in a high-risk Level IV Maternal Care Facility further contributed to delayed identification and intervention of deteriorating mothers.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this DNP project was, in obstetric patients, 18-years or older (P), does the Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (MEOWS) (I), compared to current standard practice (C), affect the number of patients transferred to the ICU (O) within a six-week time frame (T)?

Evidence: Nine evidence-based articles were included in this …