Nursing Commons^™

Assessing The Integral Role Of School Nurses In Suicide Prevention Among Adolescents, Isabel Rafanan

Nursing | Student Research Posters

This research discovers aspects of school nursing's role in mental health for young adolescents.

Intentions To Seek Mental Health Services Among Nursing Students In The United States: The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Psychological Distress, Zainab Almogheer

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Supporting the mental health of university/college students is a crucial issue facing institutions of higher learning in the U.S. A web-based survey encompassing 196 campuses in the U.S. found that rates of diagnosed mental illness among college students has significantly increased in the last decade from 21.7% in 2007 to 35.5% in 2017 (Lipson et al., 2019). Despite the availability of mental health services within universities/colleges, students with mental health problems do not often utilize these services. Recognizing the significance of assessing the mental health of nursing students is paramount, as evident from a study where 35% of 170 participants …

Improving The Postpartum Depression Discharge Education To Increase Quality And Safety Of Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Amanda Lucia

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent psychological condition to affect mothers following childbirth which can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and spouse (Wang et al., 2021). Globally, postpartum depression affects 17.2% of the world population, and in the United States 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported symptoms of PPD, and 1 in 10 women reported experiencing a major depressive episode within a year following delivery (CDC, 2023). Patients’ spouses and family members are in a unique position to identify early manifestations of PPD which can lead to …

Hidden And Unacknowledged: The Mental Health And Psychosocial Interventions Delivered By School Nurses In Western Australia, Anita Moyes, Shirley Mcgough, Dianne Wynaden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Schools are an important setting for the early identification, assessment and intervention of mental health problems in children and young people. Internationally, many nurses work in schools, but the role of this group with young people experiencing mental health problems has had only limited investigation. This study explored the activities school nurses undertook with young people experiencing mental health problems in Australia. Reporting was guided by the COREQ checklist. Thirty-one nurses participated in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method of analysis as developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967). The findings identified that nurses working in …

Maternal Health Considerations: Highlighting And Advancing Opportunities For Improved Maternal Health, Caitlin Fox-Harding

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The special collection on Maternal Health Considerations offers a comprehensive exploration of critical issues surrounding maternal well-being across diverse contexts and disciplines. Recognising that maternal health extends beyond the physiological realm, this collection delves into the multifaceted dimensions of maternal well-being, including physical, mental, and socio-ecological factors. The collection comprises a series of interdisciplinary studies that investigate various facets of maternal health, from conception to postpartum stages. It addresses the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants that influence maternal health outcomes. By adopting a holistic approach, the contributors shed light on the interconnectedness of maternal well-being. Key themes …

Student Perspectives On The Adequacy Of Mental Health Curriculum Within The College Of Health And Human Services At Unh, Brianna Lee Meyer

Honors Theses and Capstones

This study aims to understand the confidence students in future healthcare oriented majors feel in regards to treating or interacting with individuals with mental health conditions. It also aims to understand the effect of students' in-major education, outside-major education, and lived experience on this confidence level. Students within the College of Health and Human Services at UNH were the participants who completed a short Qualtrics survey online. The survey collected data from Likert scales and short-answer questions. The Likert scales were then analyzed with a regression and descriptive statistics, while the short-answer questions were analyzed with thematic analysis. The study …

Supporting Mental Health In Children By Providing Basic Skills And Knowledge Of Mental Health To Middle-School Teachers, Mariaelena Falcon

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Mental health first aid training in middle school is an effective way to help teachers gain the necessary knowledge and confidence needed to support students with mental health distress and provide early interventions.

Local Problem: Lack of mental health training may result in teachers facing challenges in identifying and addressing mental health issues among their students. Specific problems resulting from this include limited awareness, insufficient skills, and strategies to effectively communicate and engage with students in mental health distress, and stigma surrounding mental health may make teachers uncomfortable discussing mental health.

Methods: The project will take place at Harper …

Promoting Parent-Child Relationships Through Community-Based Family Wellness Programs To Improve Mental Health In Children, Maria Elena Falcon

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences can affect a child mentally and lead to mental, health, and learning problems later in life. Establishing healthy parent-child relationships through family-oriented programs can promote mental well-being, improve behavior and learning in children and strengthen positive parent-child relationships.

Methods: A systematic electronic search using databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and PsycINFO, contextualized current research on the importance of parent-child relationships and their influence on mental health. The inclusion criteria for the review used were articles in the English language and relevant dates from 2014 to 2021. The key terms used …

Animal-Assisted Therapy In Mental Illness, Chanae Cypress

MSN Capstone Projects

Mental health disorders are a significant global health concern, with a growing need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Animal-assisted therapy has gained recognition for its potential to improve the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals struggling with these disorders.

This Capstone Benchmark proposed project explores the potential positive impact of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on patients with mental health disorders during inpatient hospitalization. The project outlines a 4-week intervention program involving 45-60 minutes sessions with dogs, which patients receive 2-3 times per week. For this Capstone Benchmark project, the selected PICOT question is: In patients with mental health disorder (P) how does …

Implementing Community Health Workers To Improve The Management Of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Minority children from low-income families, especially those with environmental disadvantages, face additional risk factors for the development of these diseases. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to help address these negative health externalities by being attuned with the linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional needs of members of their communities. Research has demonstrated success in CHW-led interventions curtailing the negative impacts associated with these diseases in low-income, minority communities.

Methods: A literature …

Implementation Of A Protocol To Improve The Intake Assessment And Treatment With Suboxone Among Patients’ Dependent On Opioids On Two Mental Health Crisis Units, Maeghan Dillon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: In 2021,106,699 people died from a drug overdose and of these deaths, over 75% were related to illicit or prescription opioids (Centers for Disease Control, 2023). At two in-patient community crisis stabilization units for psychiatric care, many patients have a comorbid diagnosis of a substance use disorder and another mental illness. Treatment with Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is associated with decreased opioid overdoses and related deaths; however, Suboxone inductions have not been a part of admission treatment.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project initiated a Suboxone protocol for eligible patients on two crisis in-patient stabilization units. The outcomes …

Prevalence Of Substance Use Among Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual High School Students In 2019 Vs. 2021, Jordyn Lee, Elisabeth Hayes, Adam Wyatt

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Studies suggest that LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, plus) youth are at increased risk of engaging in alcohol and substance use. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many students to isolate in 2020 and 2021, and the impacts of this have been purported to be detrimental. This study examines the prevalence of alcohol and substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) U.S. high school students before the pandemic in 2019 versus 2021. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study used results from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the 2021 Adolescent Behavior and Experiences Survey (ABES). The 2019 YRBS …

A Quality Improvement Project To Screen For Food Insecurity In Adults With Anxiety Or Depression, Kelsie Evelyn Kroll

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background Food insecurity is the limited availability and inconsistent accessibility of healthy foods (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2022a). Food insecurity contributes to mental health problems. Individuals with food insecurity have greater odds of screening positive for depression and anxiety (Wolfson et al., 2021). The Hunger Vital Sign™ screening tool is a 2-questions evidence-based tool used to identify food insecurity (Hager et al., 2010). Purpose. Implement the Hunger Vital Sign™ tool at a non-profit behavior health clinic to identify food insecurity in adults who screened positive for anxiety or depression, offer resources for them to obtain nutritious food, and provide additional information …

Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older People In East-Coast Malaysia, Siti Suhana Zakaria, Siti Nur Illiani Jaafar, Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan, Nik Noor Kaussar Nik Mohd Hatta, Wan Nor Aliza Wan Abdul Rahman

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Older people are increasing in number globally, and they are likely to have mental health problems, including de- pression. In this population, the risk of having depressive symptoms is very high due to multidimensional factors, but these symptoms are often undertreated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of de- pressive symptoms among community-dwelling older people living on the East Coast of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in several areas of the state of Terengganu based on multilayered stratified sampling. A total of 240 participants were randomly selected. Several instruments were employed, such as the Geriatric …

Reducing The No Show Rates For Mental Health Appointments Among Young Adults, Johnnie Carrico

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Missed patient appointments have become an increasingly significant issue for healthcare organizations, private practices, and clinics. No show appointments can negatively impact the operational functions of these organizations including lost revenue. The clinical practice site’s pre-intervention no-show rate for young adult mental health appointments was 21%. The high percentage of missed mental health visits has resulted in both lost revenue for the clinic and disruptions in patient care.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In young adults 18-25 years with mental health appointments (P) how does patient preferred appointment reminders (I) compared to …

Concussion Exposure And Suicidal Ideation, Planning, And Attempts Among Us High School Students, Jacob J. Kay, Colt A. Coffman, Adam Harrison, Abbas S. Tavakoli Drph, Mph, Me, Toni Torres-Mcgehee Phd, Lat, Atc, Steven P. Broglio, Robert Davis Moore Ms, Ph.D.

Publications

CONTEXT: Interest is growing in the association between repetitive concussions and mental health. However, studies on the relationship between concussion frequency and adverse mental health outcomes among female and male youth are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between self-reported concussion frequency and nonfatal suicidal behaviors among youth and to explore the possible interaction of biological sex. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. SETTING: National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: United States secondary school students (N = 28 442). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Exposure variables were the frequency of self-reported sport- or recreation-related concussion in the previous 12 months …

Coping Strategies To Promote Mental Wellness, Luma Aziz, Domonique Jackson, Jessica Herzog, Molly Mcdonough, Ashley Kim, Arianne Faye Villaflor

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Coping Strategies to Promote Mental Wellness

Over eight weeks, our nursing school leadership team collaborated with a Seattle non- profit agency whose mission is to provide resources, planning, and housing to families with children experiencing homelessness. Our team’s overarching goal by the end of this project, based on the needs expressed by the agency, was to create a tool that provides resources and coping skills to families experiencing homelessness to improve mental health and promote wellness.

Background

The population that is served by the agency includes families with at least one child under the age of eighteen, children with medical …

Integrative Review: Job Satisfaction Among Nurse Leaders, Meghan Wheeler, Sharrissa Beckford, Chelsey Smith

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

The intention behind this research was to identify trends and factors that impact the job satisfaction of nurse leaders in the healthcare setting in America today. The organizational support provided to nursing leaders was consistently found to be a key part of job satisfaction. Mental health and well-being were also identified as integral pieces to ensure nurse leaders were confident in their role and decrease intent to leave. Work/life balance was also found to be an important factor in ensuring nurse leaders experienced high levels of job satisfaction. The burnout of nurse leaders can happen for a variety of reasons …

Community Health Worker Program: Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions, are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to address these negative health externalities by leveraging linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional connectedness within their communities.

Local Problem: Minority children in the Central Valley of California, face additional risk factors for the development of CNDs. CHWs working in this area require enhanced training on CNDs to improve their practice.

Methods: In partnership with Save the Children (STC), the University of San Francisco (USF) …

Impact Of Resiliency And Self-Care Training On Student Nurses, Johanna V. Grimaldi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The nursing workforce is currently facing a predicted shortage which has been further exacerbated by the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Factors such as increased patient load and acuity, poor staffing conditions, violence in the healthcare system, burnout, and poor mental health among nurses contribute to the complex situation. There is immense need to prepare the next generation to prevent high turnover and low retention rates within the nursing profession.

The purpose of this project was to create and implement a training program to improve the knowledge and application of resiliency and self-care tactics among nursing students at a …

The Effectiveness Of Microcurrent Neurofeedback On Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, And Quality Of Life, Gloria Duke, Courtney N. Yotter, Beverly Sharifian, Gary Duke, Sandra Petersen

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: The world faces a mental health crisis with elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, leaving a profound impact on daily quality of life (QOL). Current treatments show varying degrees of efficacy and carry burdensome challenges. Evidence exists for use of an innovative neurotechnology to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the science is lacking for use in the general population. Purposes: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effects of microcurrent neurofeedback on depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and QOL in adults. Methodology: This was a one-group, exploratory pilot study …

Shift Change: Minimizing The Covid-19 Nursing Shortage And Decreasing Nursing Burnout, Suzanne R. Baker

MSN Capstone Projects

Burnout and the nursing shortage of the healthcare system is not a new issue for nurses, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused this problem to only get worse (Young, 2021). Most healthcare facilities are severely understaffed. The nursing shortage and symptoms of burnout among nurses working in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) and other high-demand COVID-19 nursing units have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inferior working conditions such as increased work times, increased workload, and decreased training in the care of COVID-19 patients magnified nursing burnout and the ongoing nursing shortage (Galanis et al., 2021). Discovering ways to reduce the …

Evaluation Of Sensory Room Education To Promote Usage In An Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: A Quality Improvement Project., Breanna M. Coulardot

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Seclusion and restraints are intended to be used as a last resort intervention if a patient presents as harmful to themself or others. However, the use of seclusion and restraints in mental health practice has been questioned for several decades. A 26-year study that researched restraint-related fatalities among children and adolescents in the United States from 1993 to 2018 disclosed 79 deaths (Nunno et al., 2022). Seclusion and restraints also restrict autonomy which can cause retraumatization if a patient was previously neglected or abused (Hammer et al., 2011). Many patients presenting to the project site are survivors of neglect and …

Mental Health And Parenting Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness With And Without Their Children, Rebecca Bergh

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Parent-child separation and custody loss are common among parenting young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH). These experiences may be traumatic for YAEH, a population already vulnerable to mental health disorders and high levels of trauma. Little is known about how YAEH who have their children with them compare to YAEH separated from their children in terms of mental health and risk and resilience factors. Further evidence is needed to better understand the parenting and mental health support needs among YAEH, particularly surrounding parent-child separation.

Aims: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of (1) parenting YAEH living with their children …

Impact Of Mental Wellness Courses On Student Mental Health, Joshua W. Pinson

Theses and Dissertations

A large portion of college students have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and that number is climbing. Most of these students are not receiving treatment, and university counseling centers are unable to meet the increasing demands. The purpose of this study is to fill gaps in this literature by doing an early analysis of a larger, multi-year quasi-experimental study to assess the impact of college mental wellness courses on self-health measures and mental health resource utilization rates. The validated instruments used for evaluating self-health measures and mental health resource utilization were the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) Counseling …

Assessing And Strengthening New Provider Education Related To Extrapyramidal Symptoms And Antipsychotic Medication Usage, Mesiah O'Mar Porter Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Inadequate recognition and treatment of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) pose as a major liability to providers, as EPS can be life-threatening to patients, as they develop into metabolic syndrome, tardive dyskinesia (TD), or even death. Thus, insufficient usage of AIMS testing can negatively impact providers’ ability to meet associated care practice standards, when treating psychotic patients with antipsychotic medications. As a result, an evidence-based practice, quasiexperimental project was completed, utilizing the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Healthcare. In alignment with this version of the revised Iowa Model, a pilot study was initiated to progress toward a formal …

Decreasing Restraint Times On An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit., Maria Siegel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Restraints are widely used on inpatient psychiatric units when psychiatric patients exhibit escalating behaviors. Physical restraints, including seclusion, increase patients’ risk for injury and psychological trauma. Acute inpatient psychiatric units should aim to use restraints only as a last resort and for as little time as possible to keep the patient and others safe. The literature suggests that ways to decrease restraint rates on inpatient psychiatric units include risk assessment for early identification and proper use of alternative measures. Nursing staff education has been proven to play an important role in decreasing overall restraint times on inpatient psychiatric units. The …

Increasing Music Therapy Referrals In A Surgical Intensive Care Unit., Brandi Cecil

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Medications have been the primary intervention in intensive care unit patients due to the fact that the patients are often unconscious, critically medically ill, or unable to actively participate in nonpharmacological treatment. Researchers have found the integration of music therapy in patient care has helped ease pain, anxiety, and stress, and has been useful in vital control, such as decreasing heart rate and respiration count. A study was conducted in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to examine the benefits of increasing music therapy consults. Critical care nurses were educated on the advantages of utilizing interdisciplinary care by consulting music …

Impact Of A Standardized Checklist On Post Discharge Appointment Attendance And Readmission Rates Of Veterans With A Mental Health Diagnosis, Henretta N. Milton-Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Inpatient readmissions are among the most severe problems facing hospitals. Readmissions are most common in the first two to five days after discharge, especially among veterans with mental illnesses at the Columbia Veteran Administration Hospital System (CVAHS) inpatient units. The discharge planning process should begin as soon as a patient is admitted and should be updated throughout the inpatient stay to ensure a safe transition of care from inpatient to outpatient. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project is aimed to develop and implement a standardized checklist to streamline and organize the discharge planning for all veterans admitted …

Stress Reduction In Correctional Healthcare Workers: A Survey Of Healthcare Staff Stress Levels In A Tennessee Correctional Facility Using The Perceived Stress Scale, Lashelle Melton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Correctional nurses’ function in a high-stress environment due to the nature of their clients and the importance of environmental security. Job stress and satisfaction are theorized relational concepts that influence intent to stay, and turnover as described in the anticipated turnover model. Acute stress can occur in correctional nurses when faced with unexpected or intense situations, such as a medical emergency, a violent incident, or a suicide attempt. Several factors can contribute to acute stress in correctional nurses, leading to overwhelming feelings and making it difficult for nurses to provide quality care.

Purpose: The DNP project aims …