Family Practice Nursing Commons^™

Protecting Your Largest Organ: A Journey In Skin Cancer Education, Prevention, And Early Detection, Krista Schneider

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Rates of skin cancer diagnoses continue to increase globally, making skin cancer one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. Despite rising incidence, many individuals lack knowledge of risk factors, warning signs, and effective prevention strategies. This quality improvement project aimed to improve skin cancer awareness by providing targeted skin cancer education to young adults enrolled at a university in the Midwestern United States. Conducted from August 18 to December 1, 2025, this project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Educational presentations were delivered to students enrolled in freshman seminar courses over a two-day period, accompanied by distribution of digital flyers and pamphlets. …

Evaluation Of A Nicotine Prevention Program In A Third Grade Classroom, Jennifer A. Pile

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase knowledge of nicotine products and promote negative perceptions of nicotine use among third-grade students through early prevention education.

Background: Prevention is key and to prevent nicotine use, there must be an educational program with that aim in a much younger population. Third grade encompasses 8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds. This group is in the middle childhood stage and begin more complex thinking and problem-solving skills. There is physical and emotional development among this group.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study among third grade students in Breckinridge County Kentucky with pretest and …

A Multimodal Intervention To Improve Treatment And Clinical Outcomes In Children With Recurrent Otitis Media, Daniel Courtaney

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acute otitis media is the number one cause for primary health care visits and antibiotic prescriptions in the pediatric population (El Feghaly & Jackson, 2023). Upwards of 27% of children experience multiple episodes of otitis media (OM) that meet recurrent otitis media (ROM) diagnosis criteria (Pelton & Marchisio, 2023). Guided by the Iowa Model (Iowa Model Collaborative, 2017), the project’s purpose was to implement a multimodal intervention to decrease recurrent OM and repeat clinic visits. A comprehensive literature search of 5 databases yielded 16 sources ranging from levels I-IV (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). Using the AGREE II and JBI Critical …

Promotion Of Women’S Preventative Health Behaviors For Breast And Cervical Cancer, Shelby Lopez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Women’s health prevention is typically not a significant topic for discussion. Health prevention measures are often discussed after a new diagnosis, rather than being a proactive approach toward improving women’s health. Breast and cervical cancer continue to be prevalent today and, to decrease the number of women diagnosed with late-stage cancer, this scholarly project will focus on improving the participation in prevention behaviors among women 18-45 years of age, but also acknowledge the role self-efficacy and perception of health behaviors has on the participation in prevention measures. Pender’s Health Promotion Model will help acknowledge how social-behavioral factors affect prevention behaviors. …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Non-Punitive Fall Prevention Program, Nicki Roderman, Shandlie Wilcox, Cynthia Lang

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Our single-center, quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a fall reduction plan while using a Just Culture Algorithm that included weekly fall reviews involving front line staff using a non-punitive structure. The project has shown successful results.

Methods

Prior to starting the program, data at this institution indicated falls were higher than the national fall rate of 3-5 per 1000 patient days. To achieve the goal of reducing the fall rate to below 3.1, an interdisciplinary fall committee was formed, consisting of nurses, nursing leaders, patient care technicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists. The committee operated in a non-punitive …

The Primary Care Np's Guide To Prevention And Management Of Falls In Older Adults, Janice Mark

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Falls are a growing health concern affecting older adults (defined as ages 65 years and older) that can lead to devastating consequences. NPs in primary care settings play an important role in the prevention and management of older adult falls. Methods and resources to screen for fall risk, assess risk factors, and manage falls in older adults are discussed.

Prevention Of Obesity-Related Morbidity & Mortality In Adults, Rachelle Virgin

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Poster presentation on the prevention of obesity related morbidity and mortality in adults.

The Emerging Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity Amongst Young Children, Juliana Morales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background:

In the past years childhood obesity has increased tremendously and currently ⅓ of children in the United States are obese today. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are illnesses that can later on lead to more severe health complications when as a child enters adulthood. Children who are obese have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and currently more than 80% of children who already are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are obese. In school and often by health care providers we are told daily physical activity and healthy diet are the best ways to maintain optimal health, …

Multimodal Approach To Chronic Pain Management And Prevention Of Opioid Use Disorder, Hannah Elston

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background. Chronic pain (CP) is a major public health problem that affects one-third of the population and can interfere with the activities of daily life and cause decreased quality of life. Patients with CP have been increasingly prescribed opioids, contributing to the rise in the opioid epidemic. Due to the long-term nature of CP, the use of opioids as the sole treatment for CP can cause tolerance and increased dosages overtime which can lead to addiction and potentially overdose. Therefore, CP treatment should include multimodal approaches to treatment to prevent opioid misuse, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose. Multimodal treatments …

Diabetes Prevention Program, Ashley L. Stine

MSN Capstone Projects

The prevalence of diabetes in Texas has increased 40 percent over the last decade and will continue to rise as of 2019. New onset diabetes, chronic, and children with diabetes has significant rise in hospitalization rates. COVID and its restraints of limiting physical activity, restrictions of gyms and sedentary lifestyles. Chronic diabetics who were frequent flyer hospitalizations rates increase due to poor social support, mental health and stressors increased during COVID also. This diabetes prevention program that consists of 16wks for new and current diabetics would decrease complications of diabetes such as DKA, retinopathy, nerve pain, chronic pain, AMS, amputations, …

The Impact Of An Evidence-Based Multi-Component Intervention On Colorectal Cancer Screening In Primary Care At A Healthcare System, Ahnnya Slaughter

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States; many of the deaths are preventable with early detection. Adherence rates for colorectal cancer screening with fecal immunochemical test kits (FIT) was below the national benchmark at this facility.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: Among veterans 50 – 75 years old requiring average risk colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) seen in primary care at a veterans affairs healthcare system facility (P), how does the use of a multi-component intervention (I), compared to the usual care (C), affect the number of …

Managing Childhood Obesity In A Primary Care Clinic, Linda Nnajiofor

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Childhood obesity and overweight have increased health burdens on health care systems, and contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. Childhood obesity is very complex for healthcare providers to manage in primary care settings.

Purpose: To improve childhood overweight and obesity approach and management in a selected primary care practice (Clinic A) in a large east Texas urban community.

Objectives: 1. Increase the percentage of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 years seen in Clinic A, who received adequate weight management and obesity counseling, to 75%. 2. Increase the number of referrals to …

Getting To Zero: Creating An Infrastructure To Support Fall Prevention In A Medical–Surgical Unit, Krys Elgarico

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Hospital falls are a growing national patient safety concern that cause anxiety, pain, distress, serious injuries, and increased health care utilization. Despite the presence of a well-developed falls prevention protocol since 2017. Internal data from an inpatient medical-surgical telemetry (MST) unit indicate the largest number of fall-related events among the hospital’s departments.

Context: Practice improvement project was initiated in a 217-bed community hospital to determine barriers and potential success factors. This MST is a dynamic, 48-bed unit providing care to mainly geriatric patients who require continuous telemetry monitoring and complex medical, trauma, and surgical services. Senior leaders in the …

A Survey Of Providers And Patients Assessing The Need For And Use Of Prevention Practitioners To Combat Obesity In The Primary Care Setting, Amanda R. Lyons

DNP Projects

Purpose: The overall aim of this project was to gather information from two groups of stakeholders, providers and patients, on the feasibility of implementing prevention practitioners in the primary care system to address overweight and obesity.

Methods: This study utilized a quantitative descriptive design through the use of electronic surveys. Provider surveys were explained and presented during a monthly provider meeting. Patient flyers were posted in exam rooms and surveys were accessible through a provided link and QR code.

Results: Providers (N=10) agreed that they saw a need for the use of a prevention practitioner (Mean=4.44, SD=.88) as well as …

Implication Of Concussion Preventative Behavior Through Youth Education On Playground Safety, Bryan Harris

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The concern with concussions has taken our society by storm as it relates to the health consequences either: acute, chronic, and/or later in life as a result of experiencing a single or multiple concussions. Research is thriving on concussion diagnosis, management, and treatment and will continue to do so in the years to come. Preventative measures in a variety of forms is the cornerstone for dealing with concussions at this time; with evidence showing formal educational programs are effective. ThinkFirst: National Injury Prevention Foundation, provides educational programs for first through eighth grade students on prevention of brain, spinal cord, and …

Provider Based Interventions To Mitigate Risk For Opioid Pain Medication Abuse Among Adult Patients In A Primary Care Setting, Sheree Lamara Conley-Donaldson

Doctoral Projects

Mental and substance use disorders are predicted to exceed all physical disease processes causing major disability by 2020. Misuse and overdose of opioid pain medications is a significant public health concern in the United States. Approximately 1 in 4 patients receiving prescription opioids in primary care settings struggle with misuse. Half of all opioid prescriptions are written by primary care providers, including nurse practitioners. The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if nurse practitioner providers are implementing evidence-based practice guidelines including screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) to mitigate risk of prescription opioid pain medication misuse …

Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention In 18 To 24-Year-Old Heterosexual Men: Pilot Study, Susan P. Mckeefrey

Doctoral Projects

The CDC reported that there were over 20 million cases in the United States and half affected young adults, 15 to 25-year olds. Strategies STD prevention have been developed by the CDC but does not include avoiding alcohol or other similar agents in the context of a sexual encounter. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of STD prevention education intervention by improving Condom Use Self-Efficacy in heterosexually 18 to 24-year old men. It was hypothesized self-efficacy would improve with a face-to-face brief educational intervention. A quasi-experimental, pre-/post-test design with simple randomization of subjects into control and …

Outpatient Medication Error Improvement, Savannah M. Klinginsmith

Master's Projects and Capstones

Patient Safety Initiative -Improving Medication Administration (Outpatient Care)

SPECIFIC AIM: We aim to Improve the medication administration process and involve all staff within 6 months

In the microsystem consisting of 14 family practice and urgent care clinics, there is not a standard process based on evidence based practices for medication administration. With and estimated of 400-600 medications (immunizations included) being administered per day, without a standard of care protocol, the risk for medication errors is evident.

Objectives and changes anticipated based on implementation of the project is to engage staff in support for improving medication administration standard of care based …