Nursing Commons^™

Quality Improvement Project: Addressing Appointment Non-Adherence Through Social Needs Screening, Dorathy Anderson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Mental health care access in the US faces systemic barriers that delay treatment and disrupt care, often worsening patient outcomes. Unmet social needs of health, such as transportation, financial, and housing issues, lead to missed appointments and fragmented care, thereby increasing health disparities. This quality improvement project evaluated whether targeted staff education improved the identification and response to social needs that affect appointment adherence. Adult Learning Theory guided the training, while Lewin’s Theory of Change and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework informed implementation and evaluation. The intervention population consisted of five clinic staff members. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate …

The Impact Of Telephonic Versus Video Platforms On Nurses’ Intrinsic Motivation: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Brittney Saldierna

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Ambulatory pediatric nurses frequently rely on telephone-only encounters for telehealth triage and patient education despite the availability of video-enabled technology. Literature demonstrates that the inability to visually assess patients limits clinical assessment accuracy, communication effectiveness, and nurse confidence. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to evaluate whether educating ambulatory pediatric nurses on the integration of video-enhanced telehealth encounters impacts intrinsic motivation and perceived competence compared with telephone-only encounters. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and the ADKAR Change Management Model, this quantitative, quasi-experimental project was applied utilizing the PDSA cycle implementation framework in ambulatory pediatric specialty …

Quality Improvement Project: The Impact Of Standardized Handoff Communication In A Home Acute Care Setting, Antonius Devon Speed

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Effective nurse-to-nurse handoff communication is essential in hospital-at-home telehealth care, where remote nurses depend on accurate electronic health record documentation and structured shift-to-shift communication. This quality improvement project evaluated whether education and implementation of a standardized Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) workflow improved staff-reported handoff quality and reduced communication-related near-miss events over 8 weeks. Lewin's Change Theory, Rogers's Diffusion of Innovations, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework guided implementation and sustainability. A quantitative, quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The intervention included SBAR education, a workflow checklist, and a handoff template. Outcomes were selected Handover Evaluation Scale (HES) responses and aggregate near-miss …

Quality Improvement Project: Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Care Education In An Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic, Ornela Claude Ika

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an evidence-based approach that promotes safe, patient-centered care for individuals with a history of trauma. Many patients receiving services in psychiatric settings have experienced trauma, placing them at risk for retraumatization during healthcare encounters. Despite the recognized benefits of TIC, the outpatient psychiatric clinic involved in this project lacked a formal trauma-informed care education program for staff. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether implementation of a structured trauma-informed care educational intervention improved staff attitudes toward trauma-informed care. Lewin’s Change Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework guided project implementation. A quantitative pre-intervention and …

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Adjunct Clinical Faculty Mentorship On Self-Confidence: A Quality Improvement Project, Fairah Solomon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Novice adjunct clinical faculty transitioning from expert clinicians to nurse educators face many challenges, particularly in understanding their roles, responsibilities, and educational frameworks. Despite an established orientation at the project site, a structured mentorship program to support the role transition is lacking. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve novice adjunct clinical faculty’s self-confidence through the implementation of a structured mentorship intervention. Guided by Lewin's Change Theory and Constructivist Learning Theory, the project utilized a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design. Implementation was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. A purposive sample of seven novice adjunct clinical faculty with less than …

Staff Education Project To Improve Nursing Knowledge And Patient Safety, Njideka Maureen Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Stress Management And Coping Strategies For Psychiatric Nurses, Chidinma Uwakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Critical Care Nurses’ Self-Efficacy In Responding To Emergency Code Situations, Nesheemah Sabree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Quality Improvement Project The Impact Of The Interact “Stop And Watch Tool” In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Lorraine Hicks

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Avoidable hospitalizations from skilled nursing facilities (SNF) contribute to increased healthcare costs, resident distress, and adverse health outcomes. Many readmissions result from delays in identifying and communicating early signs of resident deterioration. The purpose of this project was to implement an evidence-based intervention to recognize early changes in residents’ conditions, empower nursing staff to detect and promptly communicate concerns, and impact 30-day hospital readmission rates. Problems identified included delayed recognition of early changes in residents’ conditions, fragmented staff communication, and the absence of standardized reporting practices, which were associated with preventable hospital readmissions. A quasi-experimental pre-/post-intervention design guided by Jean …

Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness Through Professional Development For Part-Time Nursing Faculty, Amanda Moss

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Part-time nursing faculty play a vital role in nursing education; however, many institutions lack standardized professional development opportunities for part-time faculty, resulting in inconsistent preparation and teaching practices. This Doctor of Nursing Practice policy change project examined whether revising an institutional professional development policy to include part-time faculty and implementing a structured faculty development program would improve faculty preparedness, confidence, and comfort with evidence-based teaching practices and instructional strategies that support ACEN faculty development expectations. Guided by the Iowa Model–Revised of Evidence-Based Practice, Kotter’s Organizational Change Theory, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, this quantitative policy change project was conducted over …

Enhancing Sleep Quality Through Sleep Hygiene Education Among Adults In A Faith-Based Community, Denielle Earle-Thompson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Adults between 18 and 64 years of age require at least seven hours of sleep per night; however, many adults do not meet this recommendation, contributing to increased risks for chronic disease, impaired functioning, mood disturbances, and reduced quality of life. Poor sleep quality has been associated with weakened immunity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and decreased daytime performance. Obtaining adequate, good-quality sleep is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. In faith-based communities, combining health education with spiritual support may provide a holistic approach that addresses both physical and emotional contributors to poor sleep.

Purpose

The purpose …

A Scoping Review Of Preventive Interventions To Reduce Violence Against Women And Girls In The Islamic Republic Of Iran, Wahiba Abu-Ras, Leena Babiker Idris, Shahira Amin, Ashley Butler, Patricia J. Kelly, Basil H. Aboul-Enein

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

In Iran, violence against women (VAWG) remains highly prevalent, with reported rates ranging from 22.9% to 66%, underscoring the need for effective, contextually grounded interventions.   This scoping review aimed to systematically identify, map, and critically appraise intervention strategies addressing VAWG in Iran.   Guided by PRISMA-ScR and the PICOS framework, comprehensive searches were conducted across nine databases from 2000 to September 2024. Eligible studies included intervention-based research conducted in Iran that reported outcomes related to violence reduction, psychological well-being, or empowerment. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria.   The included studies demonstrated heterogeneous designs, theoretical frameworks, and outcome measures. Four interventions targeted …

Quality Improvement Project: The Impact Of A Safety Coach Program In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royanne Lickliter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Patient safety remains a critical concern in healthcare, with hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) contributing to preventable harm, mortality, and increased costs, particularly in high-acuity settings such as Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). A recent safety culture survey at a tertiary pediatric hospital identified gaps in proactive safety behaviors, communication, and psychological safety. The primary problem identified was inconsistent engagement in proactive safety practices and limited frontline empowerment to identify and mitigate risks in real time. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate the impact of implementing a structured Safety Coach Program in the PICU on HAC rates, …

Quality Improvement Project: Implementation Of The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Modified For Teens, Hedy Gerber, Leah Buchko, Jennifer Van Winkle

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Background: Adolescent depression is a prevalent and significant public health concern, strongly linked to increased suicidality, poor health outcomes, impaired psychosocial functioning, and substantial societal costs. Although measurement‑based care using validated screening instruments is recommended by clinical practice guidelines, routine use of standardized depression screening tools remains limited in mental health settings.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the impact of implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for teens (PHQ-9M) in depression screening rates among adolescents aged 11-17 years at an outpatient mental health clinic in Southern Colorado.

Methods: A quantitative, quasi‑experimental pre- and post-intervention …

Quality Improvement Project: Impact Of Formalized Debriefing On Correctional Health Emergency Response, Angel Woody

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Structured debriefing following medical emergencies has been identified as an evidence-based strategy to improve communication, reflective learning, and staff confidence within high-acuity healthcare settings. Inconsistent debriefing practices within correctional healthcare environments contributed to a gap in emergency response support and staff preparedness. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether implementation of a formalized debriefing protocol following medical emergencies impacted staff confidence during emergency response situations within a correctional healthcare setting. The project was guided by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and Lewin’s Change Theory. A quantitative one-group pretest-posttest quality improvement design was implemented in a county correctional healthcare …

Preparing Adjunct Clinical Instructors For Success: The Impact Of A Structured Orientation Program On Perceived Capabilities As Measured By The Capabilities Of Nurse Educators (Cone) Questionnaire, Amanda Stone

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Adjunct clinical instructors are essential in helping nursing students connect classroom learning to real-world patient care. A needs assessment within an associate degree nursing (ADN) program identified that adjunct clinical instructors received only a brief overview of policies, contributing to role uncertainty and inconsistent preparation for clinical teaching responsibilities. Current literature supports the use of structured orientation and mentorship to better prepare nurses as they transition into clinical educator roles. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of a structured orientation program on adjunct clinical instructors’ perceived capabilities. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act change …

Staff Education To Enhance Knowledge Of Blood Culture Collection Technique To Reduce Blood Culture Contamination Rates, Whitney Ducharme

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Standardized Mental Health Screening And Referral Protocols For Depression In Patients Aged 65 And Older In Primary Care Settings, Elizabeth Nyambura Irungu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Opioid Treatment Programs’ Preparedness For Meeting The Needs Of Pregnant & Parenting Individuals, Dennis J. Hand, Taylor Carrubba, Katherine Everman, Meghan Gannon, Alie Keegan, Nicole Leighton, Martina Manfra, Melody Mcalister, Kimberly Mclaughlin, Kelliann O'Hare, Vanessa Short, Veronica Virgilio

College of Nursing Posters

Background & Aims

- Methadone has been used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), including during pregnancy, for over 50 years.

- Pregnancy-driven increases in methadone metabolism have long been known to reduce methadone’s half-life, necessitating alternative dosing strategies including providing multiple doses of per day (split-dosing).

- Pregnant and parenting persons with OUD are often have experienced interpersonal violence and other trauma, are less likely to receive adequate reproductive health care, and would benefit from supports to improve the quality of parenting.

- It is not clear whether opioid treatment programs (OTPs) meet the above needs of pregnant and …

Nursing Staff Education On Transgender Patient Care In A Nursing Home, Cyril Shan Madera Tena

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Structured Prebriefing On Pre-Simulation Anxiety In Baccalaureate Nursing Students Participating In High-Fidelity Simulation: A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Nonequivalent Pretest-Posttest Control Group Study, Laura D. Wade

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group study was to examine the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation state anxiety among baccalaureate nursing students participating in high-fidelity simulation (HFS) at a private faith-based university in the South-Central United States (U.S.). Simulation is widely used in nursing education; however, nursing students frequently experience elevated anxiety prior to simulation that may negatively influence learning and performance. Despite recognition of prebriefing as best practice in simulation-based education, limited quantitative research has examined the effect of structured prebriefing on pre-simulation anxiety. A convenience sample of 73 baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in …

Implementation Of A Standardized Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening Process In A Primary Care Clinic, Tanya M. Wonnacott

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risks of chronic disease, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and premature mortality. Despite growing evidence supporting ACE screening, it remains inconsistent in many primary care settings, particularly among underserved populations. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether implementation of a standardized ACE screening workflow increased ACE screening completion and behavioral health referral within a nonprofit primary care clinic serving uninsured, underinsured, and refugee populations.

This project utilized a pre–post quality improvement design guided by Lewin’s Change Management Model and the Chronic Care Model. Interventions included standardized ACE …

Staff Education To Improve Nurses’ Knowledge Of Standardized Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (Crafft) Screening In Outpatient Psychiatric Care, Linda Edeity

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge On Delirium Assessment, Prevention, And Treatment, Michelle Lee Coll

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Triage For Resource Nurses In The Emergency Department, Michelle Donahue Smeltzer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Standardizing Pressure Injury Prevention Documentation Through A Clinical Procedure Flowsheet, Aixa Quijano Palés

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention Bundle In Adult Cardiac Care Units, Marwa Abdo

Nursing

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is among the most common ICU infections for ventilated patients, associated with increased mortality (20-50%), morbidity, and health care costs. Nurses' knowledge of VAP prevention bundles is vital to reducing its incidence in critical care areas. Aim: To assess Nurses’ knowledge regarding the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle in Adult Cardiac Care Units. Study design: A cross-sectional study design was used. Setting: This study was conducted in both the adult cardiac intensive care unit and the cardiac care unit at Aswan Heart Centre–Magdy Yacoub Foundation, Egypt. Subject: A convenience sample of 67 nurses was selected. Data collection tool: …

Safe Medication Administration Practices, Kerisha Gooden-Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Corporal Punishment And Severe Physical Punishment In Egypt: A Mixed-Methods Analysis For Child Protection Policy, Marwa Moustafa Nassef

Theses and Dissertations

Corporal punishment (CP) and severe physical punishment (SPP) remain a major public health, child rights, and child protection policy concern. In Egypt, despite legislative reforms, survey-weighted analysis of the 2021 Egypt Family Health Survey (EFHS) 2021 (CAPMAS, 2022) reveals prevalence rates of 60.5% for CP and 27.4% for SPP among children aged 1–14 (author’s calculations using EFHS-2021, n=7623), yet evidence distinguishing the determinants of routine corporal punishment from escalation to severe physical punishment remains limited in low- and middle-income contexts. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework, this mixed-methods study identifies key drivers of CP and its escalation to SPP among Egyptian …

Staff Education To Registered Nurses On Internal Medicine Unit, Sidonie Alethe Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.