Nursing Commons^™

The Predictors Of Success For Pre-Licensure Bsn Students: An Exploratory Analysis Of Assessment Methods, Nihimu Nkechinyere Evulukwu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Success in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on the first attempt is essential for continued program accreditation, sustainability, and maintaining the national nurse workforce. Admission policies and assessment methods contribute to student enrollment and success. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated the admission requirements of cognate and overall GPAs and assessment requirements of Health Education System Incorporated (HESI) scores in the School of Nursing to determine the best predictors of the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. This project aimed to determine whether the use of admission requirements in the School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing …

Experiences Among Parents Caring For Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis At A Tertiary Referral Hospital In Kenya, Hassan Silim, Susan Wamithi, Roselyter Riang’A, Angela Migowa

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood. Despite the availability of effective treatment strategies such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), JIA is reported to have a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. Ascertaining the perceptions of the parents will help facilitate more effective management strategies and improve outcomes for these patients. This study aimed to ascertain parental experiences and perceptions of caring for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: This was a single-center facility-based qualitative study. An in-depth interview guide was used to collect …

Professional Identity In Nursing: A Narrative Review Of The Ispin Definition And Domains Usage, Sarah M. Geoghan Marold, Susan M. Strouse, Dan Butcher

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Introduction

Established in 2020, the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) developed a definition of professional identity in nursing (PIN). This definition encompasses four domains: values and ethics, knowledge, nurse as leader, and professional comportment.

Objective

This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize identified published evidence, the extent of discussion of PIN domains, and literature gaps for the ISPIN definition of PIN.

Methods

Sources included peer-reviewed literature published between 2018 to 2025 from CINAHL and PubMed. Gray literature through Google Scholar and ISPIN archived publications were also searched. These were identified by two researchers and a PRISMA …

Nursing Leaders’ Perceptions Of A Revised Patient Dismissal Policy, Judi L. Brendle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient aggression related to behavioral health and emotional issues is an ongoing concern in primary health care. Disruptive patient behaviors include a broad spectrum of outward conduct, from verbal violence to physical assault. The focus of the Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a quality improvement project. The purpose encompassed improving the perception of primary care nursing leaders and provider practice leadership by enhancing the current organizational policy on patient dismissal from practices. Analytical strategies included pre- and post-surveys to determine the perception of the nursing supervisors and provider practice leadership. Survey questions encompassed an understanding of the original policy, …

A Nursing Education Intervention In An Adult Inpatient Setting To Improve Compliance Rate With Pressure Injury Prevention Intervention, Brooklynn Jane Janke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pressure injuries can lead to life-threatening health complications for patients and cause physical, psychological, and financial stress to patients suffering from them. The literature review demonstrated that bedside nursing staff often have not received the appropriate education about pressure injury prevention and care. The literature review also revealed that nurses prefer to be educated one-on-one and peer-to-peer. Therefore, providing focused and frequent education on pressure injury prevention and improving nurses’ understanding of the importance of pressure injury prevention can improve the quality of care a nurse provides, and patients receive, thus reducing the number of health care-acquired pressure injuries. The …

A Nurse-Led Blood Pressure Program To Improve Blood Pressure In The Underserved Population Of Patients With Hypertension, Kyiana P. Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hypertension is one of the most chronic conditions in the United States and worldwide. Patients with lower socioeconomic class tend to have poor control of their blood pressure and higher morbidity and mortality rates. The scholarly project was conducted to identify if a nurse-led eight-to-10-week telehealth program improves blood pressure in the uninsured and underinsured community. The project was conducted in a community cares clinic that is part of a large organization. The criteria included adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with hypertension without resistant hypertension. Participants were required to agree to having a phone call once weekly for four …

Implementing An Exercise Program In Prediabetic Patients On Glp-1 Ras To Increase Self-Efficacy And Decrease Hgba1c, Bmi, And Weight, Tamara Alston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a significant factor in the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity is a condition of excess adipose tissue caused by an imbalance between the calories a person takes in, the absorption of those calories, and energy expenditure or how many of those calories a person burns. In 2022, the total cost of care for people with diabetes was $413 billion. Evidence indicates increased physical activity is directly associated with weight loss and decreased waist circumference. The literature supports that 150 minutes of weekly exercise can reduce HgbA1c, weight, and body mass index. Additionally, improved self-efficacy …

The Clinical Impact Of A Standardized Pathway For Chest Pain Evaluation In The Urgent Care Setting, Tysheena L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to evaluate the deficiencies in the current chest pain evaluation practices compared to standard of practice at urgent care centers and to develop an evidence-based clinical workflow prioritizing the reduction of the door-to-EKG times utilizing the Marburg heart score assessment tool. Conducted in three urgent care centers within a larger not-for-profit healthcare system, the retrospective pretest-posttest design involved 44 patients presenting with chest pain. Utilizing t-tests, the study found a significant reduction in door-to-EKG times from 39 minutes pre-intervention to 14 minutes post-intervention (p < 0.05). The pre implementation chart reviews revealed that 7 (32%) of the charts had the required risk assessment tool used, and score documented in the EMR. The post implementation chart reviews revealed that 6 (27%) of the charts had the required risk assessment tool used and score for chest pain documented in the EMR. The Marburg Heart Score facilitated timely identification of high-risk patients while minimizing unnecessary EKGs for low-risk individuals, though protocol adherence and external workflow disruptions were noted limitations. The findings underscore the importance of standardized workflows in enhancing care efficiency and patient outcomes, suggesting that future research explore long-term sustainability and broader implementation in urgent care settings.

The Differences In Perceived Stress And Coping For Prelicensure Nursing Students After A Positive Reappraisal Coping Intervention, Deanna Lynne Walborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic stress has become a common problem among nursing students, which can lead to undesirable student outcomes if their stress goes unabated. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest/posttest study is to determine if an intervention using a positive reappraisal coping intervention (PRCI) can reduce student nurse stress. Knowles’ theory of adult learning along with Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping (TMSC) provided a foundation for the study. Olejnik’s (1984) table was used to determine the minimal total sample size required for this research. A sample of 26 nursing students from those who are enrolled in a public …

Building Capacity For Trauma-Informed Care: Enhancing Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practice Of Trauma-Informed Care Among Nurses, Kim G. Cudjoe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Exposure to trauma is a global and pervasive phenomenon that is known to have negative consequences on the health, health outcomes, and well-being of individuals and at-risk populations to include Veterans. The implementation of trauma-informed care concepts and principles in the delivery of healthcare services among all staff and across the span of healthcare allows healthcare professionals to realize the impact of trauma on individuals, to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, to respond to trauma through improved practices, procedures, and policies; and to prevent re-traumatization while receiving care. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to develop and …

Staff Education Project Staff Education To Encourage The Accurate Use The Dynamic Appraisal Of Situational Aggression In A U.S. State Psychiatric Facility, Tracy Ann Reid-Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project involved the development and implementation of a staff education program to enhance the use of the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression (DASA) tool. The aim of the project was to address the inconsistent and inaccurate applications of the DASA tool by health staff, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention to address patient aggression and increased risk of violence to both staff and patients. The importance of addressing this issue within the context of nursing practice rests on the DASA tool’s importance as a means for nurses to assess patients with aggressive behavior, …

Hollow Fiber-Based Strain Sensors With Desirable Modulus And Sensitivity At Effective Deformation For Dexterous Electroelastomer Cylindrical Actuator, Yang Zhang, Keqi Deng, Tingting Shen, Yong Huang, Zhenjin Xu, Jinhui Zhang, Hang Jin, Xin Liu, Lida Xu, Lianjie Lu, Shiying Li, Daoheng Sun, Dezhi Wu

Publications

The electroelastomer cylindrical actuators, a typical representation of soft actuators, have recently aroused increasing interest owing to their advantages in flexibility, deformability, and spatial utilization rate. Proprioception is crucial for controlling and monitoring the shape and position of these actuators. However, most existing flexible sensors have a modulus mismatch with the actuation unit, hindering the free movement of these actuators. Herein, a low-modulus strain sensor based on laser-induced cellular graphitic flakes (CGF) onto the surface of hollow TPU fibers (HTF) is present. Through the electrostatic self-assembly technology, the flexible sensor features a unique hybrid sensing unit including soft HTF as …

Analysis Of Interprofessional Education Perceptions At The Team Level: A Study Across Three Student Cohorts, Tina Gunaldo, Kelsey Witmeier, Harun Mazumder, Sharon Duffy, Colette Baudoin, Henry Sauviac, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, Scott Edwards

Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Papers

The interprofessional education (IPE) literature showcases many studies reporting results at the all-student and academic program levels. However, if the purpose of IPE is to develop collaborative-practice ready professionals, analysis at the team level would better support the advancement of the IPE literature and future health care goals. Pre-licensure students engaged in a two-year IPE curriculum and individually completed the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised survey, version 2 (SPICE-R2), at the end of the first and second year. Teams were comprised of health profession students from 12 academic programs associated with the university. Exploratory and longitudinal analyses of the …

Education Module To Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice, Linda Ikegwuoha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Education Module to Improve Staff Medication Administration Practice by Linda C. Ikegwuoha BSN, Austin Community College, 2021 ADN, Austin Community College, 2019 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University May 2025

Staff Education Project Enhancing Provider Knowledge And Integration Of Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitoring In A Family/Occupational Health Clinic, Kesha Lebron

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on enhancing provider knowledge and supporting the integration of FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology in a family medicine and occupational health clinic. A gap in provider understanding of CGM technology and its role in diabetes management was identified. The intervention targeted a diverse group, including medical assistants, management, clerical staff, occupational health specialists, and medical providers. A pre- and post-education knowledge assessment was conducted, and results showed an increase in provider understanding. The pre-intervention average score was 76.52 (SD = 2.64), which increased to 98 (SD = 3.34) post-intervention. While …

The Nurseonetap Project: Staff Education To Rio Vista Behavioral Health, Justin Benedict

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The NurseOneTap Project is a staff education initiative designed to improve nursing documentation accuracy and efficiency through the implementation of a culturally sensitive electronic health record (EHR) system. This project addressed a critical gap in nursing practice—transitioning from paper-based documentation to EHR systems—by providing structured educational interventions to enhance staff proficiency, confidence, and documentation accuracy. A pre- and post-evaluation methodology was employed to assess improvements in system navigation, real-time data access, workflow optimization, and documentation accuracy. Results demonstrated a 54.5% increase in staff proficiency, a 50% improvement in documentation accuracy, and a 76% rise in staff confidence in using the …

Staff Education On Phq-9 Screening Tool Implementation, Sweetie Hope Doychinov

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this DNP project was to evaluate whether a staff education program could measurably improve healthcare professionals' knowledge of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression screening at the practicum site. Depression remains underdiagnosed in primary care, largely due to inconsistent use of standardized tools like the PHQ-9, which is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. This project addressed this gap by educating healthcare staff on the administration, scoring, and integration of the PHQ-9 into patient care, thereby enhancing their confidence and competence in its consistent application. The practice-focused question was the following: For healthcare staff at an …

A Standardized Approach To Patient Teaching Regarding Medication Adherence For Schizophrenic Patients, Ifeanyi Christian Onye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence in schizophrenic patients is one of the most challenging facets of mental healthcare management. This chronic problem affects leads to worsening symptoms and a higher hospitalization frequency. This project was a staff education project designed to address the practice problem of knowledge deficit of staff regarding medication adherence for schizophrenic patients. The practice-focused question was “Does staff education on a standardized approach to medication adherence provide increased knowledge and ability of the staff in the support of schizophrenic patients?” The practice question addresses identified gaps in nursing knowledge and lack of defined teaching standards for the improvement of …

Training For Tomorrow: Ensuring School Staff Are Ready For Medical Emergencies, Lisa Garamella

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project explores the implementation of a training curriculum for emergency response team (ERT) members in schools. Using a pre-and post-test questionnaire to assess knowledge aims to increase the understanding of identifying emergencies and responding to school personnel. Emergencies can happen at any time or place. School districts need to ensure they are prepared to respond appropriately to help during these situations. Having a plan in place to manage medical emergencies will help lessen the impact of a medical event (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], 2010). Most school staff are not thoroughly trained to assist students, staff, or visitors during …

Staff Education For Intake Clinicians On A Behavioral Health Unit At A 137-Bed Safety Net Hospital In An Underserved Community, Latisha Stennis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health conditions among adolescents are rising across the nation. This project consisted of an educational intervention implemented at a 137-bed safety net hospital that is expanding psychiatric services for adolescents, and numerous personnel at the organization reported having limited knowledge and experience working with this population. The project aimed to reduce the knowledge gap by accentuating the signs and symptoms of adolescents with anxiety, depression, suicidal, and self-injurious behaviors. The practice question that was developed to address this problem was as follows: Does implementing an educational intervention focused on adolescent anxiety, depression and recognizing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors enhance …

Workplace Violence Prevention, Solomon Soroibe Okwueze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education and quality improvement project was created to reduce workplace violence incidents within a psychiatry and primary care health group. Research has shown that the frequency of workplace violence events can create a critical practice problem that severely impacts the safety, morale, and, ultimately, retention of nursing staff. Addressing workplace violence in the healthcare field not only can ensure a safer working environment but also can increase the well-being of staff and assure high-quality care for patients. The project highlights a proactive approach to mitigating violence, promoting safety culture, and improving workplace ambiance. The central practice-based question guiding …

Relationship Between Years Of Experience, Age, Teamwork, And Medical-Surgical Nurses’ Intentions To Stay, Kimberly Dawn Reddish

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States is currently experiencing a nurse staffing crisis that is significantly impacting the medical-surgical (MS) nursing workforce. With MS nurses providing the most care for inpatient beds, hospital administrators must identify strategies that support MS nurse retention to preserve access to care for patients and support patient safety. The purpose of this study, guided by the complex adaptive systems theory, was to understand the relationship between teamwork, age, years of experience, and MS nurses’ intentions to stay in their roles in acute care hospitals. MS nurses were recruited via invitations from the chief nursing officer of a system …

Standarized Educational Nursing Intervention In The Prevention Of Implanted Port Infection, Maribel Melendez Ocasio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project addressed the high infection rate of implanted ports at a cancer treatment hospital in Puerto Rico due to the lack of a standardized training program for nurses. The project occurred in the hospital’s oncology unit with 24 beds. The infection rate for newly implanted ports was an alarming 100% in 1 month. Addressing this issue was crucial because port infections can significantly impact patient outcomes, especially for oncology patients. The goal of this project was to develop and implement an educational program based on the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate model to enhance nurses’ knowledge and adherence …

Training Staff To Improve Medication Adherence Among Outpatient Mental Health Patients, Josephine Nada Bondje

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication adherence is a practice issue in the treatment of patients suffering severe mental illness. A suburban outpatient clinic in the Eastern United States did not have standardized staff education regarding medication adherence strategies for treating psychiatric patients diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. The purpose of this project was to enhance the staff’s knowledge regarding methods for helping patients achieve medication adherence. The clinical question that guided the project was: Will staff education regarding medication adherence strategies related to mental health conditions in an outpatient clinic increase the knowledge of the staff? Data were collected from …

Staff Education On Advantages Of Administering Phq-9 Screening To Adolescents And Young Adults Receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Tms) Therapy In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Florence O. Gbadehan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

page This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study filled a practice gap in an outpatient mental health clinic by increasing staff understanding of the PHQ-9 screening tool for teenagers and young adults undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. The project sought to answer the following practice-focused question: will teaching staff about the PHQ-9 increase knowledge? A staff education program was developed and implemented to address this gap, with professional persons examining and approving the content before it was distributed. Twelve voluntary clinical staff members attended a sixty-minute in-person educational session, which was followed by a ten-question multiple-choice pre/post-test to assess …

Reducing Patient No-Show Rates In A Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, John K. Kamau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project is a quality improvement initiative to enhance staff knowledge and confidence through expert feedback validating educational interventions at a mental health outpatient clinic. The practice problem highlighted staff preparedness gaps to effectively address patient-specific barriers, impacting patient engagement and care delivery, resulting in high appointment no-shows. Addressing this issue within nursing practice was essential, as consistent care was critical for managing psychiatric conditions effectively. The question guiding the project was as follows: How does implementing a specialized staff training program impact staff knowledge and confidence in reducing no-shows? This project aimed to equip staff with evidence-based tools …

Cauti Bundle Education In A Long-Term Care Facility, Pius Awandem Tanyifor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most frequent but preventable infections that patients may acquire in healthcare, also known as HAI or nosocomial. A CAUTI bundle is a set of evidence-based practices (EBPs) that, when implemented together, can significantly reduce the occurrence of CAUTIs in any healthcare setting. The practice problem in a long-term care facility was the staff knowledge deficit on the CAUTI bundle. This is a staff education project. The pre- and post-survey results showed an increase in knowledge of the CAUTI bundle, from 56% in the pretest to 97 % in the posttest.

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Reducing Burnout Through Mindfulness Education, Shateria Michelle Boone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on addressing burnout for staff nurses working in a psychiatric hospital. Evidence indicated that burnout among nurses, caused by emotional stress and heightened responsibilities, may result in increased medical errors, diminished patient satisfaction, and significant dangers to patient safety and care. The practice-focused question for this project addressed whether a mindfulness-based educational intervention program would increase staff knowledge and decrease burnout among nurses working in a psychiatric hospital. The program incorporated a pretest/posttest format, educational content delivered via a PowerPoint presentation that included an interactive mindfulness meditation training session, and a …

Implementation Of An Educational Program To Improve Nurses’ Knowledge Of Basic Ostomy Care, Angela Trajcevski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project aimed to determine if an educational program would improve nurses’ knowledge of basic ostomy care in a surgical unit. Nurses in the surgical unit lack the knowledge and skills to perform proper ostomy care. Regardless of the years of experience, nurses may lose skills over time if they do not refresh their knowledge on basic ostomy care. The PICO (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) question for this project was as follows: Does participation in an educational program focused on basic ostomy care improve the ostomy knowledge of staff nurses working on a surgical unit? This project …

Educating The Crisis Unit Staff On Implementing The Brief Trauma Questionnaire, Ambrose Oyemhen Ukpebor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Facility-Based Crisis Unit (FBCS) nursing staff demonstrated an inadequate understanding of how to apply evidence-based trauma screening tools, such as the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ), to patients with substance use disorders. Studies indicate that over 60% of individuals recovering from or actively using illicit drugs report experiencing childhood and lifetime trauma. Integrating trauma screening into nursing practice can significantly improve patient care outcomes. This educational project aimed to enhance providers’ knowledge of BTQ administration using the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate) model to ensure effective learning. The project utilized expertise from content specialists, the Walden University manual, …