Nursing Commons^™

International Cardiac Advanced Life Support Course: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis, Nilufeur Mckay, Jody Ede, Jessica Stokes-Parish, Adrian Levine, Helen Walthall, Debbie Massey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Recognising and responding to cardiac surgical deterioration requires a systematic, structured approach that encompasses monitoring, identifying and managing signs and symptoms of post-surgical complications. Cardiac Advanced Life Support (CALS) was originally developed in recognition of this educational requirement and consists of a series of protocols aimed at supporting clinicians’ recognition and response to the deteriorating cardiac surgical patient. Aim: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate participant perceptions of a CALS course using a descriptive online survey. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of post-course online survey responses assessing participant’ perceptions of the CALS course. Results: 331 surveys were returned …

Midwifery Students' Definitions Of Normal Labor And Birth: A Study From Five Countries, Jalana Lazar, Juliet Wood, Jane Fry, Barbara Baranowska, Urszula Tataj-Puzyna, Debora Dole, Emma Ritchie, Clare Davison, Cindy L. Farley, Felicity Agwu Kalu, Maria Healy, Maria Węgrzynowska

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Internationally, many women and birthing people are receiving maternity care interventions as a routine with no medical indication for their use. This medicalized environment influences midwives' practice and, by extension, midwifery students' clinical learning experiences, gaining knowledge and confidence in facilitating normal labor and birth. To educate midwifery students in the provision of high-quality maternal and newborn care, it is important to explore their understanding of normal labor and birth, as this underpins their philosophy of care and will inform their future practice. Methods: An online survey was developed from a review of current evidence. Following ethical approval, the …

Preparation Of Australian Nurses For Contemporary Disability Care: A Desktop Review, Lesley Andrew, Martina Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Approximately 18% of Australians experience disability, with significant health inequities documented in this population. Despite nursing’s crucial role in addressing these inequities, questions remain about nurses’ preparedness to work effectively with people with disability. The review assessed Australian nursing education’s approach to prepare its graduate nurses for disability care in today’s Australia. Using a rigorous desktop analysis methodology, the review evaluated the publicly available undergraduate nursing degree curricula materials from all 32 Australian public universities that offered a preregistration nursing degree in 2024. The review found 50% of nursing degree curricula course materials omitted to mention disability in their publicly …

Personal Family-Centred Care For Lgbtq+ Individuals In Acute Hospital Settings: A Scoping Review, Gideon U. Johnson, Bianca Ysabelle Esmeralda, Stephen Pearson, Beverley Ewens, Louise Rose

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To identify and synthesise existing evidence on family-centred care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and other diverse identities (LGBTQ+) people in acute hospital settings, including hospital-based palliative care, oncology, general in-patient and intensive care. Design: A scoping review guided by the JBI methodology. Methods: Nine databases and grey literature sources were searched. Inclusion criteria focused on LGBTQ+ adults and family-related care experiences in hospital-based acute settings. After screening, qualitative, quantitative, and narrative data were extracted. Thematic analysis synthesised findings, with quantitative data narratively integrated. Data Sources: Searches were conducted across nine databases and grey literature up to April …

Npd Winner's Circle: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome In New Clinical Specialties, Leanna Ross

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Nurse Workforce Outcomes: 8-Hour Vs. 12 Hour Shifts Among New Graduate Nurses, Jared Boyd, Lauren Kim, Gisel Olvera, Lauren Rifkin, Berenice Saldana, Marc Soriano, Bailee Tobias, Angela Torre

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Skin Integrity In Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients, Chelsea Lannoo

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

The Experience Of Homelessness Among Older Adults In Bhutan - A Narrative Inquiry Study, Phuntsho Om

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A shift in the demographics of homelessness started to occur in the 1900s, with a significant increase in the number of middle-aged or elderly men and women being recognised as a part of the homeless population. The rising urgent global concern of homelessness of older adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the lived experience and holistic well-being of these marginalised adults. This thesis aimed to explore the phenomenon of homelessness of older adults in Bhutan, which is an often neglected topic in both national and international gerontological research.

Employing narrative inquiry within the constructivist approach as articulated by Pino Gravidia …

Barriers To Mental Healthcare In Rural Agricultural Communities, Monica Salonga

Research Honors

Mental health diagnoses have become increasingly concerning in the United States (US). In 2024, 60 million adults in the United States experienced a mental illness, and over 14 million adults stated they had suicidal thoughts (Reinert et al., 2025). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports around 4,000 suicide-related deaths in the United States every year (CDC, 2025). One population that suffers from disproportionate rates of suicide is farmers and farm families. Farmers are ranked #4 in the United States regarding suicide rates (Miller & Rudolphi, 2022). Between 2003 and 2018, there were 1,935 suicide-related deaths committed by farmers (Miller …

Seasonal And Geographic Patterns Of Gastroschisis In Canada: Protective Effect Of Periconceptional Sunlight Exposure, Shiliang Liu, Shin Jie Yong, Dunjin Chen, Gavin C. Hughes, Claude L. Hughes

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Gastroschisis is a right-sided, full-thickness defect with extra-amnionic herniation of abdominal contents directly into the amniotic cavity. The causes of gastroschisis remain obscure. We hypothesized that limited periconceptional sunlight exposure might lead to insufficient vitamin D during fetal development and play a role in gastroschisis etiology.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study of infants conceived in Canada between April 2006 and March 2020. We used winter months (i.e., November and December) and northern geographic latitudes as indicators of insufficient sunlight exposure, while summer months (July and August) and southern geographic latitudes were considered as reference. We examined the …

Clinical Challenges Associated With Enhancing Hypertension Among The Underserved African American Population, Ashley Richardson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background 

African Americans face a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, tend to develop complications at younger ages, and have disproportionately higher mortality rates. Key social determinants of health (SDoH)—including food deserts, unequal access to healthcare, and geographic disparities in healthcare resources—contribute to these ongoing inequities. Addressing both systemic and individual barriers is crucial for effective hypertension management.

Objective

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a culturally relevant, community-based intervention designed to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among Black adults with uncontrolled hypertension.

Methods 

Quality improvement (QI) initiatives typically employ multicomponent, equity-focused models. The primary components of …

Correlates Of Recovery Capital Among Women In Jails: Leveraging A Dimensional Recovery Framework, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Martha Tillson, Jaxin Annett, Hartley Feld, Michele Staton

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Recovery capital encompasses internal and external factors that support recovery from substance use disorder, such as employment, social support, and physical and mental health. There is a need for more research on recovery capital among women who are incarcerated, who often face complex barriers to recovery, such as poverty, unemployment, and histories of trauma.

Methods: Women (N ¼ 900) were recruited from Kentucky jails as part of the broader NIDA-funded Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) cooperative project. Measures from baseline interviews (during incarceration) were selected in alignment with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)’s four …

“Being Treated As The Expert:” A Blueprint For A Community Advisory Board Approach To Elevate The Voice Of People With Living Experience With Substance Use In Academic Research, Trevor Moffitt, Survivors Union Of The Bluegrass, Bryson Henson, April M. Young, Sharon L. Walsh, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Junior Cruz, Jeremy Byard, Brook West, Amanda Fallin-Bennett

Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction: Researchers have traditionally engaged Community Advisory Boards (CABs) to meaningfully involve community members in the research process. However, CABs are often formed only after a grant is funded, leading to criticisms of functioning merely as “ethical approvers.” For substance use researchers, the inclusion of people with living experience (PWLE; current experience with drug use) across all stages of research is especially important as they have historically been the experts in the needs of their community.   Methods: In response to this need for community engagement in research, the University of Kentucky, in partnership with a local recovery community center (RCC; …

Coalition Building And Citizen Science For Radon Risk Reduction, Stacy Stanifer, Kathy Rademacher, Whitney Sedio, Naomi Cheek, David Gross, Caitlyn Curtis, Amanda Thaxton-Wiggins, Mary Kay Rayens, Ellen J. Hahn

Nursing Faculty Publications

We evaluated the implementation of local coalitions led in partnership with citizen scientists, community-based organizations, and public libraries in four rural communities to lower exposure to radon in the home. The objectives were to (1) describe the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Implementation-Maintenance (RE-AIM) of four radon coalitions, and (2) compare RE-AIM factors among citizen scientists who participated in the coalitions and those who did not. A larger community-engaged research project embedded coalition building using a citizen science approach. Three of the four coalitions focused on health and wellness more broadly (18–34 members); one focused solely on radon (10 members). Coalition membership and activities varied …

Evaluation Of A Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program Targeted To Behavioral Health Professionals, Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli, Sarret Seng, Bassema Abu Farsakh, Emily Koyagi, Heather Beck, Audrey Darville

Nursing Faculty Publications

Tobacco use remains disproportionately high among adults living with mental illnesses (MIs), contributing to excess morbidity and mortality, particularly in high-burden states such as Kentucky. Behavioral healthcare providers are well-positioned to address this disparity but often lack formal training in evidence-based tobacco treatment. Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) training provides healthcare providers with skills to deliver evidence-based tobacco treatment; however, traditional TTS training models often rely on synchronous, in-person or live virtual formats, which may limit accessibility for some healthcare workforces. Asynchronous, web-based delivery models may reduce these barriers. This study evaluates a targeted, asynchronous TTS training program designed for providers …

Artificial Intelligence And Mental Health: Promise, Pitfalls And Ethical Priorities, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Mental health conditions are prevalent across the lifespan, yet workforce shortages, long waiting times, and fragmented systems mean many people never receive timely, evidence‑based care. Artificial intelligence (AI), including machine‑learning classifiers and large language models (LLMs), is being explored to support earlier detection, closer symptom monitoring and scalable psychoeducation. Early studies suggest AI can surface risk signals from language, sleep/activity traces and clinical notes; summarise complex records for clinicians; and deliver structured self‑help at scale. At the same time, safety, bias, privacy and accountability concerns remain salient.

Sustainable Healthcare In Action: Six Practice Changes That Make A Difference, Christine Catling, Carol Crevacore, Melisa Young, Wayne Varndell, Jack Cornish, Sue Sheppard-Law, Elaine Correia Moll

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: Planetary health, linking the well-being of human populations with the stability of Earth's natural systems, is increasingly recognised as essential for all organisations. Healthcare is a major contributor to environmental harm, responsible for an estimated 4.4% of global net emissions. As a result, healthcare workers have an important role in driving sustainable, low-waste practices within clinical settings. Aim: This paper outlines six practical, evidence-informed changes that can be introduced within healthcare organisations: adopting reusable tourniquets, reducing unnecessary glove use, recycling medication blister packs, promoting reusable nappies, using reusable or compostable blueys, and reintroducing stainless steel holloware. Discussion: These examples …

Investigating The Role Of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine For Cancer Symptom Management In Older Adults: A Rapid Review, Isabelle C. Karshner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Patients with cancer often experience symptoms related to disease, complications, and treatment. One potential method of alleviating these symptoms is traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHM). This rapid review explores the role of traditional Chinese herbal medications in treating cancer-related symptoms in older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this rapid review is to gain and provide a better understanding of the effects of TCHM on cancer-symptom management in the older adult population. This review explores the association between TCHM and effects on cancer symptoms in older adults, including interactions, toxicity, and signs/symptoms of TCHM use that may be useful information …

Recruitment Agency-Mediated Onboarding, Acculturation, And Contract Completion Among Internationally Educated Nurses In The United States: A Questionnaire Survey, Jasper Erwin Tolarba, Jennifer Orbeso, Reynaldo R. Rivera

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background

Internationally educated nurses play a vital role in addressing global nursing workforce shortages and supporting healthcare systems across many high-income countries. As international nurse migration continues to increase worldwide, effective transition, onboarding, and acculturation practices have become important determinants of workforce integration and retention. In the United States, internationally educated nurses comprise a growing segment of the nursing workforce; however, variability in onboarding practices may affect successful integration and retention.

Aim

To examine recruitment agency–mediated onboarding and acculturation practices and their association with contract completion among internationally educated nurses in the United States.

Design

Cross-sectional descriptive correlational study.

Methods …

Preventing G/J Tube Dislodgement: A Device And Communication Innovation, Sarah Clark

2026

The Problem
G/J tube dislodgement is a frequent complication in pediatric patients
Leads to:

• Emergency department visits
• Hospital admissions
• Delays in nutrition/medication

Impact on Patients & Families:

• IV placement (traumatic)
• Radiation exposure
• Overnight hospital stays

Impact on Nurses & System:

• Increased workload (admissions, coordination)
• Occupied inpatient beds for stable patients
• Inefficient care processes

Aims/Objectives
Aim: Reduce unplanned G/J tube dislodgements and related hospital utilization.
Objectives: Develop a breakaway connector prototype

Implementation and Evaluation
Setting: Pediatric inpatient & outpatient system
Participants: Nurses (bedside, GI, IR), caregiver, innovation team
Process:
Roundtable discussions → identified workflow gaps
Communication/workflow audit
Developed device …

Quadriceps And Ankle Weakness In Inclusion Body Myositis: Impact On Descending Balance Control And Rehabilitation Strategies - A Systematic Review, Woohyoung Jeon, Ashley Dalby, Melinda Hermanns, Manuel Lubinus

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a progressive neuromuscular disorder, is characterized by quadriceps and ankle muscle weakness, leading to impaired balance control and increased fall risk during functional activities. Existing research highlights inconsistent evidence on fall risk reduction and a lack of standardized rehabilitation protocols, creating gaps in effective management. This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on the impact of muscle weakness on balance and fall risk and evaluate rehabilitation strategies, including task-specific interventions, to improve functional outcomes in IBM patients.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception …

The Murdock Daily Reilly (M.D.R.) Scale: A Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Scale For Critical Care, Ann Murdock, Andrea Daily, Deby Reilly, Shih-Ting Chiu, Melissa Robinson

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Enteral Nutrition Guidelines Improve Critically Ill Patients’ Outcomes: A Quasiexperimental Study, Marwa Abdo, Sara Elsayed Hegazy

Nursing

Background: Optimal nutritional support is a fundamental element of treatment for critically ill patients. Adherence to evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines is essential to promote patient care and prevent potential complications. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of enteral nutrition guidelines in improving critically ill patients’ outcomes. Method: A quasiexperimental study evaluated 68 critically ill patients divided into 2 groups. The intervention group received their nutrition based on the evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines, while the control group received their nutrition based on the unit’s routine care. The study was conducted in the surgical intensive care units of Mansoura Emergency Hospital in Egypt. …