Nursing Commons^™

Improving Access And Delivery Of Mental Health Care To Veterans Through A Care Coordination Pilot At A Texas Department Of Veterans Affairs Hospital, Jacqueline Buval

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Mental health (MH) disorders are among the leading cause of disabilities in adults, with an even greater prevalence among Veterans who served in combat. Forty percent of troops returning from combat zones report suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression and 33% report trouble accessing MH care. Access to care is directly influenced by care coordination procedures in health care systems. If care coordination is poor or lacking, patients remain in settings that are inappropriate for their level of care. Implementing a care coordination program can improve care transitions, provide the necessary support for patients to successfully …

Community Isolation Project, Natalie M. Danhof, Lydia Santucci, Abigail Dempsey, Nathaniel Navarro, Ivy Mills, Samantha Thompson

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Introduction

The authors of this summary are nursing students at Seattle Pacific University, and the project goal is focused on understanding feelings of isolation in elderly communities and whether fostering social activities, such as Bingo, would improve social interaction between residents in this community.

For the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered various aspects of social interaction. From masking to social distancing, societal norms and expectations evolved in a manner that promoted isolation and minimal interaction to inhibit the spread of Covid infection between individuals. Of the general populace, the most vulnerable and at risk for infection are …

Improving Mental Health Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: Increasing Resilience In Nursing School, Hannah Hilliard

Senior Honors Theses

Nursing students face a unique set of obstacles during their time in school. Beyond the normal stressors of college life, they are required to spend several hours in the hospital per week, study for exams, and complete high acuity simulations, and they struggle with coping with these new demands. Undergraduate nursing students need to be supported in their mental health and coping strategies to improve their resilience in nursing school and, hence, their ability to function as a nurse in the future. This study has ascertained what students believe is helpful in supporting their mental health while in nursing school. …

Trauma-Informed Care In The Emergency Department, Kayla Kvell, Kristin Oscarson

Nursing DNP Projects

Introduction: This project aims to analyze the effectiveness of trauma-informed care (TIC) education on attitudes of registered nurses (RNs) and psychiatric associates (PAs) towards TIC. The purpose of this project was to educate ED (emergency department) RNs and PAs on the effects of trauma and increase attitudes towards implementing a TIC approach to care for mental health (MH) patients in the ED.

Method: This project followed a pre–post-survey design with quantitative data. Participants included RNs and PAs newly hired to the ED, and/or if they had no previous TIC education. Data were collected utilizing a 10-question Likert scale survey.

Results: …

The Unspoken Grief Of Multiple Stillbirths In Rural Pakistan: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study, Muhammad Asim, Sehrish Karim, Hajra Khwaja, Waqas Hameed, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Background: Pakistan has the highest rate of stillbirth (30.6 stillbirths per 1000 total births) as compared to other South Asian countries. The psychological impact of stillbirths on bereaved women is well documented; however, there is a dearth of literature on lived experiences of women with multiple stillbirths in Pakistan.
Objective: The purpose of this research is to understand the lived experiences of women who had multiple stillbirths in Thatta, Pakistan.
Methods: An interpretative phenomenological study was conducted in district Thatta with eight women who experienced more than one stillbirth. A semi-structured in-depth interview guide was used for data collection. The …

Educating Healthcare Providers On The Impacts Electronic Device Overuse Has On Health, Lacy Estes

DNP Projects

Healthcare concerns develop from various external mechanisms that impact health. Overtime it has been witness that such mechanisms can include the food we consume, environmental hazards, lack of activity, chronic exposure to carcinogens, and even natural parts of the eco system such as bacteria or virus. Electronic devices have evolved over the past century and can be contaminates of health. They decrease physical activity times, limit face-to-face communication, and may interfere with mental health. As technology continues to evolve limitations and safe use should be well understood to decrease the negative impact electronic devices may have on health. Electronic device …

Streamlining The Referral Process For A Mental Health Clinic: A Dnp Project, Ashley Barr

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Mental health providers are in short supply in the United States. Access to mental health is impacted by the process used to refer patients. To bridge this gap, this DNP Project sought to increase mental health referrals to the partnering organization through strategic outreach to primary care and an online social media presence. After IRB approval, outreach to twenty-one primary care providers across eleven clinics was completed, a social media campaign was conducted, and the intake form for the partnering organization was updated for tracking the source of the referral. Results of the interventions included high satisfaction on the …

A Self-Compassion Intervention For University Students: A Dnp Project, David Coffey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

University students are reporting increased levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Trends for mental health distress among this population have been increasing over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this trend. It is important to provide college-age students with the knowledge and skills for self-compassion necessary to navigate the difficult transition from high school to university. Self-compassion skills have been shown to positively affect mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression. A brief, two-part intervention was developed focusing on the major components of self-compassion and offered to university students over a two-week period. Results of the …

Cardiology And The Brain: How An Individual's Cardiovascular Health Relates To Their Mental Health, Megan Shea Kopicko

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

A scoping review was conducted to explore the relationship between the cardiovascular system and neurological system to determine if there is a connection between certain mental illnesses and heart health. This study was guided through implementation of Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework for scoping reviews. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Of the 934,251 sources found, only 21 studies met the study criteria and were ultimately selected for this study. Upon review, three themes were identified: (a) anxiety and cardiovascular disease; (b) schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease; and (c) depression and cardiovascular disease. …

The Rhythm Of Your Life: The Effects Of Daily Routine On Mental Health, Kristen Brown

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Ptsd In Covid-19 Frontline Workers, Samantha Gagliano

Graduate Research Projects

No abstract provided.

Improving Self-Care Awareness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, D'Anna Helms

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this DNP project was to improve self-care (SC) awareness among undergraduate nursing students by educating on the use of constructive SC activities. Twenty-two senior level nursing students attended an educational seminar, completed the Mindful Self-Care Scale – Clinical (MSCS-C) pre- and post-survey, and reflective journaling. A paired-samples t test was calculated to compare the mean pretest score to the mean posttest score. The mean on the pretest was 77.68 (sd= 9.33), and the mean on the posttest was 75.27 (sd= 31.59). A significant increase from pretest to posttest was found (t (21) = .307, p < .05). Thematical analysis revealed enhanced awareness and incorporation of constructive SC activities. Educational interventions which seek to improve SC awareness will generate practical and sustainable acts of SC, thus improving students’ overall success and further empowering students in their transition from graduate to licensed nurses.

Cognitive Continuum Theory: Can It Contribute To The Examination Of Confidentiality And Risk-Actuated Disclosure Decisions Of Nurses Practising In Mental Health?, Darren Conlon, Toby Raeburn, Timothy Wand

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Nurses practising in mental health are faced with challenging decisions concerning confidentiality if a patient is deemed a potential risk to self or others, because releasing pertinent information pertaining to the patient may be necessary to circumvent harm. However, decisions to withhold or disclose confidential information that are inappropriately made may lead to adverse outcomes for stakeholders, including nurses and their patients. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of contemporary research literature to advise nurses in these circumstances. Cognitive Continuum Theory presents a single-system intuitive-analytical approach to examining and understanding nurse cognition, analogous to the recommended single-system approach to decision-making in …

More Than Physical: Covid-19'S Devastating Impact, Sadie Wood, Kathryn Pond

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Covid-19 has impacted our world in many ways. In this autoethnographic research paper, two college nursing students share their own unique perspective related to the topic. Through their journaling over the pandemic, they derive three main themes in their writing. These themes included vaccine hesitancy, burnout in healthcare professionals, and online schooling because of isolation protocols. Each theme is explored through research which includes personal experience, scholarly journals, website articles, blog posts, social media posts, and personal interviews. Vaccine hesitancy is explored, and research concludes that misinformation is widely to blame. Burnout in healthcare workers is shown to increase during …

Impact Of Mindfulness Practice On Compassion Fatigue In Pediatric Cardiovascular Critical Care Nurses: A Quality Improvement Project, Kendy Luu

Doctoral Projects

Background: A considerable proportion of the extant literature on healthcare has documented compassion fatigue (CF) as a major factor that contributes to poor job performance, satisfaction, and negative patient outcomes (Figley, 2002). CF is well known to negatively impact patient care and outcome, relationships, and job satisfaction among pediatric cardiovascular intensive care (CVICU) nurses. Developing interventions to reduce burnout and CF bear the potential to reduce costs and improve quality care; one particularly promising approach in this regard is the practice of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to determine the impact of an abbreviated MBSR …

Mental Illness As A Vulnerability For Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Study Of 7,455 Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examinations, Leslie Miles, Julie L. Valentine, Linda Mabey, Nancy R. Downing

Faculty Publications

Background: Persons with severe mental illness (MI) are at a high risk of becoming victims of sexual assault (SA). Vulnerability for SA with any type of MI is unknown. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of preexisting MI and other significant factors in patients reporting preexisting MI at the time of their SA medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs).

Method: A retrospective SAMFE chart review of patients ( N = 7,455) from 2010 to 2020 was conducted. Sexual assault nurse examiners completed SAMFEs. Inclusion criteria included (a) aged 14 years and older, (b) completed SAMFE with SA kit evidence collection, and …

Themes And Associations Concerning The Covid-19 Pandemic: Autoethnography, Amber Mcgannon, Ebunoluwa O. Adedeji

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Per the college of nursing, my proposed project will discuss living during uncertain times and unusual times of change. This APA formatted paper will be an autoethnography, meaning that we will review the perspectives of COVID through the lens of culture, research, and our own perspectives and experiences. Everyone has experienced changes during the COVID-19 pandemic due to self-isolation. Examples of change include changes in learning, working, thinking, teaching, and behaving. Using acquired nursing skills such as critical thinking, reflection, inquiry, and evidenced-based practice; my partner and I will dissect and discuss these changes and how they have affected ourselves, …

Auto- Ethnography With A Deep Dive Into Changes Mental Health During The Pandemic And A Look Into The Way The Pandemic Has Shaped Nursing Protocols For Recent Nursing College Graduates, Audrey Shaffer, Sarah Bereznay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this project we completed a deep dive into how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped our mental health and has affected our preparation for careers as registered nurses through a series of auto- ethnographic narrative journals using scholarly articles to support this idea. By utilizing personal narratives, we analyzed and reflected upon the cognitive and mental changes we experienced throughout this pandemic. We fulfilled this by comprising two personal narratives with inquiries pertaining to each shared narrative by utilizing the common themes of being nursing students and living through a pandemic. Within these personal narratives, we discussed how the pandemic influenced …

Designing And Implementing A De-Escalation Toolkit To Improve Staff Education And Competency On De-Escalation Within A Mental Health Outpatient Setting, Balraj Bajwa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a de-escalation toolkit to help improve memory, retention, and utility of de-escalation techniques within an outpatient mental health crisis stabilization unit.

Problem: The aforementioned crisis stabilization unit has elevated rates of patient aggression/violence and staff present with difficulty recalling de-escalation techniques due to the lapse in memory and/or retention.

Methods: The project was introduced to the stakeholders of the crisis stabilization unit and input was obtained on the design and components of the toolkit. Various analyses were conducted to ensure the appropriate implementation of the project.

Intervention: A de-escalation …

Assessment Of Conduct Disorder In Primary Care: Integrative Review, Chantel M. Kilford

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Conduct disorder and behavioral problems in children are the 6^th most prominent childhood health disorder within the United States of America. Early recognition and interventions have shown to improve outcomes and reduce lifelong adult sequela. Evidence suggests that primary care providers are not confident or knowledgeable about identification and assessment of the disorder. The manuscript examines the prevalence, co-morbidities, trajectories, mortality risk and outcomes of conduct disorder. Health disparities and diagnostic stigma are also addressed. Additionally, the manuscript provides primary care providers with evidence-based research and recommendations for prompt identification and screening. Conduct disorder has devasting individual, social, and …

Providing Resources To Caregivers Of Pediatric Mentally Ill Clients And Assessing For Caregiver Burden, Stacy Dee

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Provision of educational and supportive resources to the caregivers of children with mental illness can help create an environment of advocacy and understanding between the child, caregiver, and provider. In depth and comprehensive learning about their child’s mental illness cannot be accomplished in a one-hour new patient appointment or established patient appointment of 20 minutes. Purpose. The purpose of this practice improvement project was to facilitate educational and community support for caregivers of pediatric clients with mental illness and evaluate if caregivers require additional support due to burden. Objectives. (a) 100% of caregivers of pediatric clients who have appointments …

Mental Health Training, Adrienne Leonard, Seanghai Lim, Emma Booth, Jaeger Mccaulou, Saori Fukuoka

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Introduction

New Horizons is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that serves to aid homeless youth in the greater Seattle area, with an end goal of ending youth homelessness in Seattle and King County. New Horizons has been operating since 1978 and has reached out to homeless youth of all different backgrounds in order to meet their basic needs and help transition them into a stable living environment. (New Horizons, 2016). This type of work requires staff and volunteers to be able to accommodate a wide range of cultural backgrounds, lifestyle habits, and crucially, individuals with differing mental health states and disabilities. …

Assessment Of A Website Aimed At Providing Information On Mental Health To Secondary School Students In Can Tho City, Vietnam, Dat Tan Nguyen, Tam Thi Pham, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Joske Bunders

Publications

BACKGROUND:

The stigmatization of mental health problems is a primary barrier for young people to approach mental health services when they suspect they might have such problems. Nevertheless, the internet has become a common platform on which they are likely to seek information on mental health. As such, this study aimed to explore responses from secondary school students in Can Tho city regarding suckhoetre.vn website. This website provided information on health and mental health, and this study assessed the potential relevance, appeal, accessibility, usefulness, and sustainability of the website.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study included 643 secondary school students in Can …

Breaking Down The Impact Of Resilience On Mental Health: An Analysis Utilizing The Resilience Scale For Adults, Sydney K. Cook

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, and previous studies have determined that resilience has a relationship with mental health. However, the association of each aspect of resilience on mental health, depression, and adverse childhood events (ACEs) have not been closely examined. Discerning which aspects of resilience are associated with mental health issues, depression, and ACEs can help psychiatric nurses determine effective treatments and interventions for at-risk patients.

One hundred ninety-five community-dwelling participants (ages 18 to 89) were invited to Purdue University in Indiana and Scripps College in California for the study. Participants completed the Resilience Scale for …

Evaluation Of Depression, Anxiety And Stress In Graduate Nursing Students, Rachel Dunston

Dissertations

Mental health issues are growing in the United States. Postgraduate school is widely known to increase the level of psychological difficulties (Dyrbye et al., 2006) experienced by students. There is a need to address mental health care in graduate nursing students. This project was a descriptive observational comparison pre-post-intervention design used to see if online modes of delivery would aid in decreasing mental health issues for nursing graduate students. Participants were provided with access to three podcasts and encouraged to use the Sanvello mobile application provided to all students at this university. The first podcast focused on using the Sanvello …

Mental Health Concerns Of Frontline Registered Nurses Associated With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Julie Ingle

Dissertations

Problem

COVID-19 caused local healthcare facilities to admit patients with COVID-19 at increasing rates, critically overloading healthcare system resources. Caregiver-related stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic placed frontline registered nurses (RNs) at risk for mental health consequences (Havlioglu & Demir, 2020; Shechter et al.,2020).

Methods

This quality improvement project used a descriptive design to administer a collection of validated instruments assessing anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and demographics. A purposive sample of RNs were recruited from the COVID-19 units in a local hospital, and the survey was distributed via email.

Results

During the implementation period (April 4, 2021-May 15, …

Mental Health Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Older Adults, Elizabeth Kerr

Dissertations

Problem: Significant psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, stress, and loneliness are shown to affect the older adult population, aged 65 years and older. The social isolation and disconnectedness related to the COVID-19 pandemic potentially worsens anxious and depressive feelings, increasing the risk for adverse outcomes in the high-risk older adult population. This project aimed to identify older adults at risk for acute, situational mental health issues associated with the pandemic.

Methods: A descriptive study design was used. Telephone interviews were conducted to explore effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health responses in older adults. A convenience sample …

Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) In A Federally Qualified Health Center Using The Pediatric Aces And Related Life Events Screener, Melody Albarran-Slovin, Bsn, Rn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Evidence links adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to health issues later in life. Most research has been conducted in adults but there is a lack of recent research on the impact of ACEs in the pediatric population particularly in relation to mental health conditions. Utilizing the Pediatric ACEs Screener (PEARLS) health care providers can screen for ACEs at earlier ages.

Purpose: The aim of this evidence-based project is to determine if there is an increase of newly diagnosed mental health related disorders when using PEARLS compared to not using PEARLS in the previous months before implementation.

Methods: ACEs were identified …

Balancing Provider Stress And Resilience In The Time Of Covid, Zachary Love

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to improve secondary traumatic stress (STS), compassion satisfaction, and burnout amongst providers—physicians, residents, and nurse practitioners—within the acute psychiatry units of the La Jolla Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through a one-time educational training session.

Background: Mental health providers at the VHA acute psychiatry units experience one of the highest risks for the development of STS, CF, and burnout amongst all professions due to a number of individual and institutional factors. STS is characterized by secondhand traumatization with symptoms similar to that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—difficulty sleeping, mood changes, upsetting images appearing …

Developing A Culturally Relevant Mental Health Assessment For Persons Of African Descent, Roberta Iyamu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Problem: Persons of African descent have lower access to mental health care, are less likely to receive needed care, and are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience severe disease, and to receive mental health care through primary care than non-Hispanic Whites. Context: Cultural norms related to mental health as well as the lack of culturally congruent health care delivery contribute to lower mental health care access and uptake among persons of African descent. Interventions: Campinha-Bacote’s cultural competence model and the BATHE technique provided the theoretical framework for the development and implementation of a nurse practitioner (NP) (n = 4) …