Nursing Commons^™

Individuals’ Experiences Of Care Partner Involvement In Heart Disease Management: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth Richards

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction: Heart disease impacts both those diagnosed and their families, often due to lifestyle modifications that can alter family dynamics. While existing literature focuses on men and married individuals, understanding care partner involvement for both men and women independent of marital status is important, given gender disparities in heart disease experiences, caregiving roles, and widowhood rates. We explored differences in characteristics of men and women with heart disease, with and without a care partner. Additionally, we explored involvement of care partner beyond spousal relationships. We further examined gender differences in these experiences. Method: Cross-sectional Prolific survey pilot data of persons …

Educating Emergency Department Nursing Staff: Early Identification Of Sepsis, Cynthia A. Chaney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sepsis remains a life-threatening health challenge, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality within healthcare systems. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address knowledge deficits among emergency room nurses regarding the early identification and management of sepsis, mainly through the implementation of the 3-hour sepsis bundle. The practice-focused question guiding this project was whether educating nurses on the 3-hour sepsis bundle would increase their knowledge. This project aimed to educate nurses on how to identify sepsis early and implement the sepsis 3-hour bundle in a timely manner, with the overall goal of improving nursing knowledge. The sources of …

Peer Education Programme To Improve Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health In Rwanda, Aimable Nkurunziza, Michael Habtu, Germaine Tuyisenge, Nadja Van Endert, Godfrey Katende, Assumpta Yamuragiye, Justine Bagirisano, B.H. Jean Hitayezu, Olive Tengera, Edward Rwagasore

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: A peer education programme was developed in response to the tendency of high school students in Rwanda to seek sexual and reproductive health information from peers who are often inadequately informed.

Aim: To assess the effect of Sexual and Reproductive Health Peer Education Programme (SRH PEP) on knowledge and the attitudes of SRH among high school adolescents in Rwanda. Setting: The study was conducted at selected high schools in Rwanda.

Methods: This pre-test and post-test design study was conducted in two selected high schools. The pre-test data were collected in February 2020, followed by the post-test data in May …

Keys For Success When Using An Integrative Interprofessional Teaching Model: A Synergistic Approach, Hon-Vu Quang Duong, Nina Marcellus, Sandip Thanki

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study presents a longitudinal analysis of the qualitative experiences and quantitative outcomes associated with integrative, interdisciplinary teaching in the context of a specific nursing course, Pathophysiology (NURS 337), at a public, 4-year, state college (now university). Spanning an 8-year period, from 2014–2022, the research compares two distinct student cohorts: one exposed to collaborative interdisciplinary teaching methods, the other to traditional non-collaborative instructional approaches. The findings reveal that integrative, interdisciplinary teaching yielded significant benefits across multiple metrics. Notably, integrative, interdisciplinary teaching contributed to a more normalized distribution of grades, higher student retention rates, and an elevated cumulative GPA at the …

Improving Nurse Adherence To Medication Reconciliation During Patient Admissions To Reduce Medication Errors Through Targeted Education, Wendy J. Marlowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication reconciliation errors are a significant clinical concern because they have the potential to result in serious or even life-threatening harm to patients. Implementing risk-reduction strategies through targeted education and systematic processes for medication reconciliation is crucial to enhancing patient safety and mitigating the risk of errors. Over 40% of medication errors occur during patient transitions, such as admissions, which are mainly due to inadequate medication reconciliation. The project addressed a practice-focused question to increase patient admission medication reconciliation by improving nurse knowledge by 20% and reducing medication errors by 60% within 2 months. I employed a pre-/posttest design in …

Improving Icu Nurses’ Knowledge Of Early Mobility Through An Educational Intervention, Mohini Chand

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project sought to close a critical knowledge gap in the implementation of early mobility (EM) practices among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Guided by the ADDIE instructional design model, the initiative centered on developing and delivering a six-week educational intervention aimed at enhancing nurses’ comprehension and application of EM strategies for critically ill patients. Despite robust evidence supporting EM’s role in mitigating ICU-acquired weakness, reducing delirium, and improving functional outcomes, its clinical adoption remained inconsistent prior to this intervention. The project was anchored by the practice-focused question: “To what extent does an educational intervention improve ICU nurses’ knowledge …

Implementation Of The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 As A Screening Tool For Depression, Nathalie Teboh Njofri Bih

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a common mental health issue that is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed in primary care practice due to a lack of appropriate screening. The practice problem addressed by this project was the inconsistent use of standardized tools, like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which hinders timely and accurate depression diagnosis. The practice-focused question was: Does educating staff impact their knowledge of the recommended use and interpretation of the PHQ-9 and their confidence in administering the tool? I aimed to enhance depression screening practices by educating nursing staff on administering, scoring, and integrating the PHQ-9 into routine patient care. For …

Does Staff Education About Diabetic Self-Management Improve Knowledge And Intent To Educate Their Patients?, Bambi Lee Lane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an education program for staff aimed at increasing their knowledge about diabetic self-management compliance. With improved knowledge, they will be better prepared to educate their patients. Diabetes is a highly complex disease that requires self-management care, including monitoring of blood glucose levels, control of diet, and medication adherence. Despite extensive pharmacology and diet counseling, irregularities between staff training and education program implementation have led to variable results in patients' compliance and control of glycemia at the project site. The significance of such an issue lies in its direct impact on patient morbidity, avoidable complications, and increased …

Addressing The Impact Of Workplace Violence On Staff Injury And Turnover Rates, Kia Denae Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is an evaluation of a quality initiative (QI) project to determine the effectiveness of the 2023 workplace violence prevention training program in reducing workplace violence-related injures increasing the staff’s self-reported confidence in managing violence-related injuries and increasing the staff’s self-reported confidence in managing violent incidents during the six-month evaluation period. The objective of this QI evaluation project was to analyze the effectiveness of staff education intervention in reducing workplace violence and its costs. The level of increase in staff’s knowledge, level of compliance with safety measures, and number of violence-related cases and claims was the focus of the post-implementation …

Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls among older adults in long-term care facilities constitute a pressing concern, affecting 30% to 40% of residents each year due to physiological changes associated with aging. Such incidents precipitated injuries, extended hospitalizations, elevated healthcare costs, and increased the potential for legal liabilities. This project investigated the effect of a structured educational intervention on nursing staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies in a long-term care facility where the fall rate of 3.4% exceeded the state average of 2.5% and the national average of 3.3%. The project explored the question: In a long-term care facility, does staff education increase staff knowledge …

Comparing Fall Champions Versus Standard Protocol To Enhance Fall Prevention In An Adult Medical-Surgical Unit, Lily Denney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I conducted this quality improvement (QI) initiative with the aim of reducing inpatient falls within an adult medical-surgical unit through the implementation of a Fall Champions model supported by structured education and decentralized nursing leadership. Inpatient falls pose a persistent threat to patient safety, often leading to injury, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Internal audits conducted through VigiLanz reporting revealed inconsistent protocol compliance and minimal accountability, signaling the need for targeted practice reform. Framed by the guiding question of whether Fall Champions could reduce inpatient falls compared to standard protocols, I evaluated the role of frontline leadership in reinforcing …

Orthostatic Hypotension In Older Adults And Its Economic Impact On The Healthcare System: A Systematic Literature Review, Olushola E. Ilogho, Jennifer Broyles, Viet Le, Denise Rizzolo

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) has been shown to lead to poor quality of life, falls, and death. Literature suggests that falls from OH may be preventable, therefore opportunities to reduce its associated cost to the healthcare system exist. This literature review aims to evaluate the importance of diagnosing and treating OH in older adult patients. OH is the drop in blood pressure upon changing to an upright position. This acute hemodynamic drop in blood pressure causes hypoperfusion in the brain, leading to dizziness, syncope, and falls. An extensive literature search for publications in PubMed and Cumulative Index in Nursing and …

Reducing Burnout And Improving Staff Retention In Critical Care, Shane Rhodes

Nurse Residency

For hospital-based nurses, how do team-level or systemic interventions, compared to approaches focusing on individual resilience or well-being, affect burnout, retention, and perceptions of patient safety?

Importance Of Interdepartmental Communication In Relation To Patient Outcomes, Murphy Duffy Rn, Joseph Sargent Rn

Nurse Residency

No abstract provided.

The Impact Workplace Violence Has On Nurse Burnout, Olivia Merryman Rn

Nurse Residency

In nurses working in the healthcare field, how does increased exposure to workplace violence, in comparison to an environment with effective violence prevention affect the rates of nurse burnout and retention of staff?

Well Controlled Gdm Vs Poorly Controlled Gdm Effects On Infant Blood Glucose Levels At Birth, Molly Chicoine Bsn, Rn, Cheyanne Greene Bsn, Rn, Ainsley Bryant Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In pregnant women with gestational diabetes, how does well-controlled maternal blood glucose during pregnancy, compared to poorly controlled glucose levels, affect the incidence of abnormal newborn blood glucose levels at birth?

Using Artificial Intelligence Algorithms In Predicting Discharge From The Postanesthesia Recovery Unit (Pacu), Jonathan Vaughn

Nursing Publications

Working in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and the operating room (OR) for the last two decades, the number of daily tasks is growing longer and longer. This increase in the number of tasks for each health care worker is partially due to the shrinking workforce. A 2024 study found that since 2021, there has been a noted loss of competitiveness in health care jobs due to health care workers exiting health care to other industries.1 Along with increased daily tasks, I have experienced the average patient to be more medically complex. My average patient now has more medical …

Identifying And Addressing Barriers To Long Term Follow Up Care Of Patients With Hepatitis C In A Rural Southern Appalachian Clinic, Sarah M. Brown

Doctoral Projects

This project addressed the issue of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), a significant barrier to achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) and improving outcomes. LTFU is particularly critical among marginalized and rural populations who face socioeconomic barriers, stigma, and other social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect treatment adherence. Grounded in the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this project examined systemic, community, interpersonal, and individual factors influencing LTFU (Ahmed et al., 2022; Al-Khazraji et al., 2019; Kilanowski, 2017).

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement initiative sought to improve patient retention in HCV care …

Reducing Falls In Medical-Surgical Patients, Braelyn Bailey Bsn, Rn, Haylee Paione Bsn, Rn, Elizabeth Young Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

PICO: In adult patients at risk for falls on Med Surg units, how does the implementation of fall-reducing interventions compare to standard fall precautions impact inpatient fall rates?

Bridging Education And Practice: The Role Of Academic Ehrs In Developing Nursing Workforce Readiness, Ann Varghese

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Charting plays a vital role in nursing practice, yet many new graduate nurses find it challenging to master as they learn to document accurately while managing multiple patient care responsibilities. The integration of electronic health record (EHR) training into nursing curricula aims to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice. This study explores whether the use of an academic EHR named "EHR Go" helps prepare nursing students for documenting in real-world clinical settings. A thematic analysis of student feedback on EHR Go was conducted using the Delphi technique and Microsoft Copilot 365. IBM SPSS was then used to compare …

Music Therapy: Treating Pain And Anxiety In The Perioperative Patient, Derek Bascom Rn

Nurse Residency

In perioperative patients, what is the effectiveness of music therapy in treating anxiety and pain compared to standard care without music therapy?

Assisting New Graduate Nurses Through Support Systems, Shaianne Kaye S. Intal

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Pap Smear Tracking Tool For Increased Compliance, Meghan Marie Madea Msn, Cnm, Whnp-Bc, Katherine Ferrell Fouquier Phd, Cnm, Facnm, Bobby Bellflower Dnsc, Nnp-Bc, Faan, Faanp, Fnap

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The Papanicolaou “pap” smear screens for cervical cancer in women ages 21-65 with a cervix. Inconsistent locations for lab results lead to a decrease in provider efficiency, and patients are unaware of results or recommended follow-up. This quality improvement project implemented a tracking tool within the electronic medical record (EMR) in a busy midwifery clinic. The outcomes are the identification of patients overdue for pap smears, scheduling the procedure, recording of results, and patient notification with recommended follow-up.

Methods

A one-month chart review was performed of fifty gynecology patients within a midwifery clinic. Results of pap smears were located …

Leading Change: Clinical Coaching In The Icu, Megan Jones, Kristen Mayberry

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Purpose (What): This project aims to describe how transformational leadership by an ICU nurse leader led to the creation of the clinical coach program. This program supports and retains newly graduated nurses and experienced nurses transitioning into the ICU through collaboration with experienced preceptors.

Relevance/Significance (Why): In 2022, hospital leadership charged the ICU nurse manager with stabilizing the ICU workforce by reducing the reliance on costly temporary travel staff, a priority due to turnover during the COVID pandemic. The nurse manager, concerned about the impact of hiring many novice ICU nurses on patient safety, collaborated with experienced preceptors to develop …

Noise-Optimized Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Imaging Of Different Post Materials With Multiple Settings: A Comparative Analysis, Solaleh Shahmirzadi, Dilek Helvacioglu-Yigit, Umut Seki, Maharaj Singh, Sarang Saadat, Husniye Demirturk Kocasarac

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 4 different post materials on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in various tooth regions using multiple cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging settings and metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithms. Materials and Methods Forty single-rooted teeth with 4 different post materials were mounted in a skull and scanned using the Planmeca ProMax 3D Max under different conditions: 90 and 96 kVp; no, medium, and high MAR settings; and voxel sizes of 100 and 200 μm. Image analysis was performed with ImageJ software to calculate CNR. The dose-area product (DAP) was recorded, …

Determinants Of Uptake Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Women Of Reproductive Age In Makueni County, Lola Ndirangu

MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing

Background: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in all women worldwide, with women in low and middle-income countries dying of the disease in disproportionate numbers because of late diagnosis and access to screening services. Sub-Saharan Africa is an under-researched area, and the level of screening uptake in Kenya, especially in rural and semi-arid areas, including Makueni County, is low. This research assessed the factors that determine the reproductive age women's screening uptake of breast cancer in Makueni County.

Methodology: The cross-sectional design was analytical and was conducted in Makueni County Referral Hospital, where 301 randomly chosen women …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 34, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

FEATURES

4 | Jordan Robison Profile

6 | LLUSN Mission Service— A Living Legacy

10 | Steps to a New School

12 | Entry Level Master’s at Murietta

LLUSN HIGHLIGHTS

14-21 | ALUMNI NEWS

22-27 | ACADEMICS

28-33 | HOMECOMING

34-37 | FACULTY UPDATES

Understanding Interprofessional Co-Debriefing Practices Within Large Scale Ward-Based Simulation, Melanie Barlow, Robyn Dickie, Alycia Jacob, Shari Maver, Nick Flynn, Alison Blunt, Susan Darzins, Hugh Davies, Michelle Smith-Tamaray, Elisabeth Jacob

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Despite growing use of interprofessional simulation in healthcare education, there is a lack of published frameworks to guide structured, co-facilitated debriefing between professions. This study explored how nursing and allied health facilitators engage in interprofessional co-debriefing within a large-scale, ward-based simulation program involving over 2000 health students. Methods: Twelve interprofessional co-debriefings were observed and assessed using the debriefing assessment for simulation in healthcare (DASH) tool, with both rater (observer) and instructor (debriefer) versions. Mean debriefing assessment for simulation in healthcare (DASH) scores were compared across five core elements. Qualitative data from instructor short-answer responses and observer field notes were …

Increasing Clinical Internal Mobility Through A Student Nurse Technician Program, Radiance G. Bean

EBP Fellowship

Practice Problem: Currently 67% of internal applicants are hired into our nurse residency program. Feedback from nursing leadership suggests internal candidates often fall short in areas like interviewing skills and professionalism, making external candidates stronger. Given the higher education resources provided to team members and our organization’s commitment to internal mobility, identifying ways to support employees and retaining top nursing talent is a priority. Our EBP question is: Will participation in a Student Nurse Technician (SNT) program increase the percentage of Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) in good standing that are accepted into the nurse residency compared to the current …

Elevating Nursing Leadership: How Nurse Managers Empower Unit Practice Councils, Katie Fields

EBP Fellowship

Problem: Unit Practice Councils (UPCs) are foundational to Nursing Professional Governance (NPG), a structure that is designed to foster autonomy, accountability and authority for nurses. These councils are vital for empowering nurses to engage in decision-making and implementing practice changes. At one large pediatric hospital, UPC effectiveness varied across units, largely due to differences in nurse manager engagement and support. This variation highlighted a critical gap in how nurse managers were supporting UPCs within their unit. To close this gap, it was important to identify leadership best practices and behaviors that lead to successful UPCs. The following PICOT question …