Nursing Commons^™

Implementation Of A Zen Room And Mindfulness Techniques To Decrease Perceived Burnout, Danika Scott

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a Zen room and mindfulness techniques, aiming to improve job satisfaction by 65% and reduce perceived burnout by 10% among behavioral health staff. The project was conducted at a substance abuse center in Deer Park, TX.

Background: Behavioral health staff face high levels of emotional exhaustion and job-related stress, leading to increased burnout.

Methodology: The Plan-Do-Study-Act model guided the QI methodology using a sample of 23 behavioral health staff. Interventions included an equipped Zen space and wellness resources. Data collection utilized the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a …

Reporting And Tracking Of Occupational Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures, Olivia Smith

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose/Background: Underreporting of occupational bloodborne pathogen (BBP) exposures remains a significant patient and employee safety issue. At UT Health, outdated paper-based systems hindered accurate tracking, timely follow-up, and reporting compliance. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to achieve a 30% increase in quarterly BBP exposure reports, from 30 to 39, by implementing an electronic reporting system between January 1 and March 31, 2025.

Methodology: Guided by the Health Belief Model and using the Implementation and Improvement Science (IIS) Framework, the project replaced the existing paper form with an external, user-friendly digital system. Staff received structured training, and …

Using Meta-Analysis: What Exercise Helps Kids With Excess Weight The Most?, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Childhood Obesity Body Mass Index And Gut Microbiome: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Pilot Feasibility Study, Marilyn Frenn, Nita Salzman, Vy Lam, Mary Holtz, Andrea Moosreiner, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Prebiotic fiber has been examined as a way to foster gut bacteria less associated with obesity. Tests of prebiotic fiber in reducing obesity have occurred mainly in animals, adults, and Caucasians when the highest obesity rates are in African American and Latinx youth. Response to prebiotic fiber is determined by the pre-existing intestinal microbiota. The type of microbiota varies based on diet and physical activity (PA), so it is important to examine acceptability and response to prebiotic fiber in those most at risk for obesity.

Methods:

This cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial included an online program designed to improve …

The State Of The Science Of Natural Family Planning: A Report From Nfp Scientists’ Meeting Held In Orlando, Fl, September 4, 2024, Michael D. Manhart, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

A one-day meeting was held as a pre-conference to the Catholic Medical Association Annual Educational event in 2024. A panel of eighteen physicians, scientists, and researchers involved in NFP work was convened to review the available evidence in four topical areas: (i) evidence for effectiveness of NFP methods to postpone and achieve pregnancy, (ii) evidence for effectiveness in the postpartum and perimenopause transition periods, (iii) evaluate the current state of technology in NFP (specifically app and quantitative hormone monitoring), and (iv) evidence examining the impact of NFP on marital relations. In each topical area, the panel worked to reach a …

Midwifery Students' Evaluation Of Midwifery Practice Experiences In Australia: A National Survey, F. Bogossian, A. Hyun, D. Bloxsome, A. Brown, S. Cooper, S. Hunter, L. Kearney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To report the findings of the first 12 months of a national survey of midwifery students’ evaluation of midwifery practice experiences in Australia. Background: Accreditation standards for midwifery programs globally and in Australia, require evidence of monitoring and evaluation of student midwifery practice experiences. In 2022 the National Placement Evaluation Centre was commissioned to measure and enhance the quality of nursing and midwifery practice experiences. Design: Survey Methods: A national survey of midwifery students who completed midwifery practice experience in Australia between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Results: Midwifery practice experiences (n = 871) were evaluated; most …

A Mixed Methods Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Shared Trauma In Psychiatric Nurses During Covid-19, April Lynne Hutto

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Psychiatric nurses (PNs) had a unique lived experience of shared trauma (ST) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These nurses experienced the same traumatic event, COVID-19, with associated trauma symptoms as their patients. This mixed methods study aims to triangulate data on ST in PNs using a quantitative and qualitative study. Methods: PN (N=24) completed a semi-structured interview during the summer and fall of 2024. A quantitative study PN (N=552) in spring 2023, using the Shared Trauma and Professional Posttraumatic Growth (STPPG) inventory, was completed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS 9.4. A thematic analysis of the interviews was completed …

Postoperative Care Pathways For Patients Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: An Observational Study, Dima Nasrawi, Sharon Latimer, Debbie Massey, Brigid M. Gillespie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the postoperative care pathway, with phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery, for adult patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery at one large hospital in Queensland, Australia. Design and methods: This observational study involved structured observations, patient electronic medical record audits, and field notes to gather postoperative data. Four continuous hours of patient and healthcare professional (HCP) observations gathered at 30-min intervals occurred on 12 separate days over a 1-month period (February–March 2023). We observed post-CABG patients and HCPs involved in delivering direct care. Data were gathered on the clinical …

Assessing Health And Academic Disparities In The Deep South: The Enduring Impact Of Segregation And Redlining In Georgia, Bridget Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Within the American South, marginalized Black populations continue to suffer from health disparities. A key resource that could aid in the prevention of health disparities such as teen pregnancy is the school nurse. School nurses are well positioned to assist in the development of independent health maintenance among student populations. However, school nurses remain understaffed and underfunded throughout most of the United States, which limits their effectiveness. It is possible that within southern states there are inequities in how school resources are allocated that have ties to segregation and redlining practices that systemically marginalized Black populations throughout the 1900s. …

The Effects Of A Triaging Educational Training Program On Triaging Knowledge, Self-Efficacy And Accuracy In Emergency Department Nurses In A Private Hospital In Saudi Arabia, Sawsan Falatah, Janice Hawkins, Craig Cunningham

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

Inaccurate triage decisions can lead to increased length of patient stays in the emergency department, increased rehospitalizations, and increased risk of mortality, all of which are quality of care indicators (Srinivas et al., 2021). The triaging decisions in the emergency department at our facility are conducted by relatively new and inexperienced nurses. Anecdotal evidence from the emergency department leadership suggests that inaccurate triaging decisions are being made. In addition, 60 percent of a limited sample of 30 charts that were recently reviewed contained inaccurate triaging decisions. The accuracy of these triaging decisions has not been systematically evaluated at our facility. …

Correlation Between Drug-Related Problems And The Treatment Cost For Geriatric Ischemic Stroke Patients In Tulungagung, Dhanang Prawira Nugraha, Martanty Aditya

Jurnal Ekonomi Kesehatan Indonesia

Ischemic stroke was one of the diseases that frequently occurred in geriatric patients, while hemorrhagic stroke had a higher prevalence. Geriatric patients who experienced a stroke were not exempt from drug-related problems (DRP) due to the complexity of treatment and comorbid factors they encountered. This study aimed to determine the correlation between DRP and the cost of care for ischemic stroke patients, particularly in the geriatric population. The study design was cross-sectional, with data collected retrospectively, and the sample comprised 53 geriatric stroke patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. DRP was assessed using the PCNE 6.2 criteria, and …

Women Managing Heart Disease: Involvement Of Spouse And Non-Spouse Care Partners, Elizabeth Richards

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: Heart health is integral to promoting women’s overall health and healthcare. Following a cardiac event, engagement in recommended health-related activities (e.g., maintaining a healthy diet) speeds recovery and improves health. We investigate women’s perception of care partners who are involved in helping manage their heart disease. Methods: Data were drawn from two pilot studies (N = 54); interviews with women from hospital-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centers (study one), and online surveys completed by women with heart disease (study two). We compared women’s reports of involvement of their care partner (spouse vs non-spouse) in their health-related activities. Results: The proportion …

Staff Education On Evidence-Based Interventions To Reduce Fall Rates Among Hospitalized Adult Psychiatric Patients, Blessing Rita Ugbor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A staff education initiative was implemented in an inpatient psychiatric facility in the Southern United States to address the significant practice problem: inadequate knowledge of fall prevention strategies among psychiatric nurses. The identified knowledge gap impairs the nurses’ ability to recognize fall risk factors and apply evidence-based interventions. Psychiatric inpatients are particularly vulnerable to falls, which compromise patient safety, increase health care costs, and contribute to poor outcomes. The project was guided by a practice-focused question addressing whether staff education on evidence-based fall prevention strategies would enhance nurses’ knowledge and reduce fall rates. The purpose of the project was to …

An Exploration Of Adventist Nursing Practice In Liberia, Lendeh E. Seboe, Erhuvwukorotu S. Kollie, Boffa L. Kollie Nyumah

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study explored nursing practice in Liberia using the integrated global framework for nursing education and practice. A descriptive Qualitative method was used through a group interview and purposive sampling technique for participant selection. FGD utilized for data collection and theoretical sampling for data saturation. Findings highlighted for improvement at the researched hospital and other SDA health care settings.

Implementation Of An Education Program For A Ptsd Screening Tool To Increase Knowledge Among Providers Within The Primary Care Setting, Kimberly Inez Schat

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in primary care settings, leading to delays in treatment and poorer patient outcomes. This scholarly project aims to enhance primary care providers' knowledge and application of PTSD screening tools, specifically the PC-PTSD-5, through a structured educational intervention. The project follows a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design, assessing providers' baseline knowledge, delivering targeted education, and measuring changes in knowledge and confidence post-intervention.

Data analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in providers' ability to identify PTSD symptoms, utilize appropriate screening tools, and refer patients for timely treatment. The project highlights the clinical significance of routine …

Provision Of Transportation To Psychiatric Follow-Up Appointments, Eliane Sandrine Tueche Fankam

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement initiative is focused on the lack of transportation as a significant barrier to obtaining health care services for patients with severe psychiatric disorders. Transportation issues remain an important factor that hinders the attainment of health care services by the members of this population. Transportation challenges should be addressed as much as possible for improving healthcare accessibility and providing timely care. Prior to the implementation of the transportation service, only 30% of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) attended their scheduled appointments, demonstrating the need for intervention. This project focused on whether providing transportation services would improve compliance …

Decreasing Medication Errors Among Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, Tamara J. Carroll

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Unlicensed assistive personnel, although their role is controversial, are present in many different settings and have many varying roles and job responsibilities. Yet, removing this type of healthcare worker from the job pool may lead to increased labor costs, which could be stifling to some organizations and facilities. Digging deeper, data suggests errors are due to lack of a defined scope of practice, a lack of understanding of job roles and responsibilities and decreased confidence when working in the healthcare setting. The purpose of this project utilizes a setting specific educational intervention and skills check off to increase job self-efficacy …

Staff Education To Educate Healthcare Providers On Effective Communication And Support Strategies For Child Sexual Abuse Victims, Njideka Ajemba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With this project, I sought to enhance the quality of care provided to child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors by improving healthcare providers’ skills in trauma-informed communication and support strategies. The project was undertaken at a large, private behavioral health facility located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, where an assessment of the practice environment revealed a critical gap in provider training. This gap often resulted in missed indicators of abuse, limited emotional support, and poor therapeutic outcomes for children affected by sexual abuse-related trauma. To address this, the project implemented a targeted educational intervention grounded in current evidence …

Hypotension-Specific Rapid Response Team Nurse-Geared Protocol, Quennie Xserenity

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was conducted to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) to address a gap at a southeastern hospital where frontline nurses often call rapid response teams for severe hypotension without a standard guideline for necessary interventions. Therefore, the practice gap identified at the project site was the lack of a CPG geared for rapid response nurses (RRNs) to use when responding to a call to intervene on a patient with hypotension. RRNs are nurses with advanced clinical training who provide immediate medical care to rapidly hemodynamically declining patients. The guiding question for this DNP …

Quality Improvement Project Reducing Pediatric Anesthesia In Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Role Of Preparedness And Education, Rachel Turner

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Pediatric hematology-oncology patients undergo general anesthesia (GA) for various medical procedures, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Overexposure to GA increases the potential for long-term neurocognitive effects in pediatric patients. Despite the growing research literature on GA-related neurotoxicity and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) warnings, advanced practice providers (APP) often lack the knowledge to advocate for and support reductions in pediatric GA use. The Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce unnecessary GA in pediatric hematology-oncology patients undergoing MRI scans by addressing the primary clinic APPs' knowledge deficits through interprofessional education (IPE). Structured in …

Did You Clean It? - An Evidence-Based Project To Improve Environmental High Touch Area Cleaning Practices, Lauren Hagglund, Hailey Holt, Ainsley Ingebrigtsen, Emily Keller, Stuti Khadka, Kit Mallari, Gavin Martinez, Sahira Monroy, Hannah Pendarvis, T.A. Stockton

2024

No abstract provided.

Yucky Mouth? Clean It Up., Alexandra Thomson, Catherine Barry, Katie Spallo, Sabreen Al Bashiti, Chandler Conerly, Linda Smith

2024

No abstract provided.

Fostering Bright Beginnings: Exploring The Impact Of Cycled Ambient Lighting On Neurological Outcomes Of Infants In A Level Iv Nicu, Julie Acton, Cameron Hartnett, Abeni Kratzmeyer, Grace Madrinan, Elicha Saunders, Alexis Serrano, Morgan Van Der Weert, Erin Wood

2024

No abstract provided.

Do You Have A Second? Nurse Interruptions And Medication Errors, Beaux Brownlow, Camryn Fleming, Sarah Jermstad, Lydia Moore, Nicole Rickert, Sydney Snyder

2024

No abstract provided.

Increasing Safe Sleep Compliance Among Caregivers & Staff, Alexandra Dyer, Rupanpreet Kaur, Hannah Mueller, Alexis Olivares, Haley Payne, Nancy Silva, Julianna Sicilian, Krista Valencia

2024

No abstract provided.

Burning Questions: All About Fevers, Lauren Bowen, Julia Dyer, Janeth Castillo Hernandez, Coral Lucas

2024

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Bedside Handoff In The Pediatric Emergency Department, Kristina Aryee, Haleigh Hogan, Ainsley Knight, Kelsey Matas, Garrett Matlock

2024

No abstract provided.

Rolling With The Bss: Standardizing Stool Assessments In Pediatric Care, Herlinda Cardenas Arce, Allison Hoffman, Hannah Holmes, Sierrah Martinez, Cinthya Mondragon

2024

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of I-Shaped Nursing Hand-Off To Improve Nurse Hand-Off Satisfaction, Layla Awad, Denise Hood, Octavia Sandifer

2024

No abstract provided.

Preventing Nurse Burnout And Improving Retention Rates, Abigail Rannow, Kayla Bernius, Camellia Le, Stephanie Cardenas Parra, Cesar Lopez

2024

No abstract provided.