Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Commons^™

Colorectal Cancer Screening In The Latino Population At A Family Medicine Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Michael S. Vinson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a preventable and curable disease that affects all genders, races, and ethnicities, and its impact on society can be reduced with early screening. The Latino population is at greater risk compared to groups or ethnicities due to social determinants and health disparities within the community. Review of Literature: Language barriers, low education levels, persistent social stressors, poor healthcare navigation, and structural barriers make it difficult for this population to be properly screened at appropriate intervals. Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project was designed to combat reduced screening rates seen in the Latino population. The target …

Alleviation Of Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms By Implementation Of Standard And Alternative Treatments, Nika Sayvongsa

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatological disease caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. This is a common condition that is primarily diagnosed among children, but can persist throughout adulthood. Twenty peer-reviewed articles are analyzed in this expanded literature review. Various methods were implemented throughout these studies, including randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and single-blind studies; all of the studies shared the objective of evaluating AD alleviation with the use of either standard treatment modalities or alternative/ complementary therapies.

Dnp Final Report: Sane Finder: A Web-Based Mobile Solution To Identify The Location Of Currently Available Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (Sane) For First Responders, Brenda D. Herrmann

DNP Final Reports

Society views sexual assault as one of the most horrific crimes committed by one human being against another, but the “rescue” has the potential to make the experience even more difficult for the victim, in essence re-traumatizing them (Nugent-Borakove et al., 2006). In the United States in 2018, almost 140,000 victims reported being sexually assaulted (U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2019). In Texas, over 6 million individuals have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime (Busch-Armendariz et al., 2015). Getting victims to a specially trained sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) as quickly as possible improves outcomes. SANEs …

The Use Of Active Coping Compared To Self-Distraction To Reduce Perceived Stress In Upper Division Nursing Students, Grace Elizabeth Kimbro

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of E-Cigarettes Versus Traditional Cigarettes On The Health Of Young Adults, Taylor Arnett, Sami Johnson, Victoria Leggett, Miranda Susman

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Electronic cigarettes, more commonly referred to as e-cigarettes, were initially designed as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarette users. Although there are some benefits to transitioning to e-cigarettes, the benefits do not outweigh the health risks both cause to the cardiovascular and pulmonary system. Objective: This study was designed to better understand the consequences that traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes have on young adults' health. Method: Research was conducted using CINAHL, EBSCO, and PubMed. The commonly used phrases to find search results include “traditional versus e-cigarettes effects on cardiovascular system” and “traditional versus e-cigarettes effects on respiratory system.” Boolean …

Effects Of Nonpharmacological Interventions On Disruptive Vocalisation In Nursing Home Patients With Dementia-A Systematic Review, Saad Bilal Ahmed, Alfredo Obieta, Tamsin Santos, Saara Ahmad Muddasir, Joseph Elliot Ibrahim

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: Vocally disruptive behaviour is a common and difficult to treat condition in older residents with dementia. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions in its management in persons with dementia residing in a nursing home.
Methodology: A systematic search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases and reference lists from relevant publications on various nonpharmacological approaches to manage vocally disruptive behaviour in nursing home residents. The method of appraisal was through the National Institutes of Health scoring for the Quality Assessment of controlled intervention studies. Inclusion criteria included residents of …

The Feasibility Of Transitional Psychiatric Care Service In A City With A Population 20, 171 In A Midwestern State, Aubri Ashbacher

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Psychiatric patients are a known vulnerable population. This population often ends up in a cycle of decline post-hospitalization that leads to rehospitalization. The purpose of this study is to establish the feasibility for bringing psychiatric transitional care services to the local community. The methods for the study include a qualitative analysis of common themes discussed from the presentation of the idea of transitional care services for this area to area mental healthcare providers. Using a qualitative approach, the project will involve conducting interviews with mental healthcare providers in a midwestern community via Zoom about the feasibility of transitional psychiatric care …

The Effect Of Virtual Learning As A Result Of Covid-19, Ann Redle Ms., Joel Mcmullen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In the early spring of 2020, the United States began to experience the effects of the question-inspiring, novel COVID-19 viral illness, with the onset of massive business, school, and entertainment closures, initiating a shift towards virtual learning, communication, and professional interactions. This paper is intended to identify the common experiences of two nursing students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a personal narrative, or autoethnographic approach, coupled with reviews of previously published literature relating to shared themes of the authors, including the rapid changes to an online environment from traditional classroom settings, the stressors that were experienced as a result …

Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Related To Covid-19 Among People- A Descriptive Survey, Pramilaa R

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: Corona virus can be deemed as one of the rapidly spreading viral infections. More than 200 countries in less than four months were infected. Findings of a study proved that insight of people in the community is remarkable to render care during pandemics. Characteristics that influence the people to adhere with sound healthy practices and desirable behaviors can be acquired by examining the level of awareness related to COVID-19 among people. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge, attitude and practice related to COVID-19 among people; correlate the knowledge, attitude and practice scores related to COVID-19 …

Exploring Nurse Leader Self-Efficacy, Burnout, And Intent To Leave, Donna Donova Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse leader turnover is an emerging issue in healthcare services. Considerable research has been done over the last decade revealing that nurse leaders are experiencing an increased rate of burnout with an intent to leave their jobs. Less research has been done to understand how to mitigate the rate of nurse leader burnout and retain nurse leaders in the workforce. Higher levels of self-efficacy have mediated the effects of work stress on job burnout in other service related fields. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to explore the possible mediating effect of leader self-efficacy between burnout and …

Careless, Brenna Holland

Capstones

About This Project

I began working on this project six months ago, but my interest in the home care industry can be traced much further back. In the mid-aughts, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Hoping to live independently for as long as possible, he sought out the help of an in-home health aide. It was then that he learned he fell into a coverage gap; one that, even today, prevents many Americans from accessing home care services.

Faced with two options—father-son cohabitation or an institution—my grandfather moved in with my family, where he slipped into a catatonic depression prompted …

The Resilience Vaccine, Sara Horton-Deutch T. Duffy

Master's Projects and Capstones

Healthcare workers have been working in unprecedented circumstances since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers have been taxed with burnout. A large healthcare organization’s 26-bed, medical-surgical, telemetry, COVID-19 overflow unit was significantly impacted. Many healthcare organizations have adopted advocacy for attaining joy in work as an extra dimension of the Institute for Health Improvement’s Triple Aim. Adding this fourth aim supports averting caregiver burnout (CBO) while promoting joy in work.

This quality improvement project examined nurse leaders’ interventions that address CBO, promote healthy work environments, and promote joy in work. From June through August 2021, an 8-week resilience program …

A Performance Improvement Project To Improve Hand-Off Communication Documentation Within The Surgical Services Department, Bobbie J. Wich, Millie Escalona, Judy E. Bowling, Ana L. Santos

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Over 80% of adverse events in healthcare are due to miscommunication. To improve patient safety, The Joint Commission recommended the use of standardized hand-off communication tools in 2012. One acute care hospital in Southeast Florida implemented standardized handoff reports in 2014 with few revisions since that time. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light additional critical information was needed to keep patients and staff safe, such as laboratory results indicating the need for isolation precautions. The nurses within the surgical services noticed this critical information was not sufficiently included in the handoff report. The lack of this information led to unnecessary …

Bedside Shift Reporting: A Benchmark Project, Clydea C. Hale

MSN Capstone Projects

Patient care is forever changing to improve satisfaction, safety, and overall treatment. Over the past few years, patients and their families are more invested in their overall care in the hospital and expect to be informed every step of the way. A common complaint from patients or their families is that one nurse or staff did not know the individuals care or treatment plan, there were no shift goals to work toward discharge, and the nurse did not update the patient/family with changes in care. All of these complaints along with the patient satisfaction scores and communication between the treatment …

Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Increasing Screening Rates Amongst Young- And Middle-Aged Adults By Enhancing Prevention Potential, Sarah Agudelo

Nursing | Senior Theses

As nurses, working towards the best health outcomes for our patients is critical to our care. A large aspect of this care includes being knowledgeable of risk factors and precautions to take to avoid conditions and illnesses. Colorectal cancer remains to be a highly preventable disease, yet it is one of the top five leading causes of cancer deaths in the nation. Preventing colorectal cancer requires the efficient use of screening and education, while also addressing barriers of inconvenience and affordability. This senior thesis delves deeper into colorectal cancer prevention by asking the research question: For young and middle-aged adults, …

Nicu Nurse Burnout: The Influence Of Moral Distress, Compassion Fatigue, And Spirituality On Burnout In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses, Lucia D'Andrea

Undergraduate Theses

Nurses face a multitude of interpersonal and individual expectations, challenges, and hardships every day of their profession. These experiences accumulate and can lead to burnout. This is especially true for nurses in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) who care for infants struggling with prematurity, congenital diseases, withdrawal, and more, all while working closely with grieving parents. This thesis specifically focuses on research discussing moral distress, compassion fatigue, and spirituality as variables associated with the experience of burnout. A critical review of current literature revealed patterns and inconsistencies in the relationships between these factors. Workplace Stressors and moral distress were found …

Implementing 2nd Milk’S Use Of The World Health Organization Standardized Growth Charts To Better Track The Growth And Development Of The Malnourished And Orphaned Infants In Their Supplemental Nutrition Program In Malawi, Allie Wycoff

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This article considers the history and implications of the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized growth charts as well as the significant impact that growth chart utilization may have on 2^ndMilk’s ability to understand and track the nutritional status of the malnourished orphaned infants in their formula program. Specifically, this literature review examines whether or not the WHO growth charts are a meaningful tool for 2^ndMilk to adopt into their monthly baby assessments. The WHO growth charts are calibrated to express an accepted international “norm” for what an adequately nourished child looks like. In a recent service-learning …

The Best Care Begins With Self-Care: An Educational Initiative For Nurses, Betty Sanisidro

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

An educational initiative was developed and implemented to aid in ascertaining if self-care modalities implemented by nurses lead to decreased symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout, to support current research that self-care practices do prevent compassion fatigue and burnout, and to enhance the growing body of evidence to support nursing and self-care practices. This educational initiative and preventive program included the creation and implementation of a one-hour training session for early identification of burnout among occupational health nurses with a follow up self-enrollment in a four-week initiative focusing on self-compassion interventions and Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) for participating nurses. This …

Osteoporosis Implications For The Aging Adult, Grace Alford

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

This poster describes the pathophysiology, symptoms, implications for care, and treatment of osteoporosis for advanced practice RNs. The research was conducted within health-related databases. The literature review narrowed the search to only include the pathophysiology, interventions, and care for osteoporosis. Literature was restricted to within the past five years. The research showed that osteoporosis reduces mineral density in bones and can be adequately treated within a short amount of time. It is important for nurses and advanced practice providers to be aware of current guidelines, screenings, and treatments for osteoporosis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Aaron Mcneilan

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

The following poster presentation provides a brief overview of the disease process of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide, and its incidence does not appear to be declining. The most common factor causing COPD is cigarette smoking, which is modifiable. Other contributors are environmental air pollutants which some people may encounter depending on where they live or their occupation. This presentation is a culmination of information from different scholarly sources which discuss the symptoms, pathophysiology, causes, management, and prevention of COPD.

Respite For Acute Care Nurses With The Use Of A Resilience Room, Marisella Perales

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background and Significance of the Problem. Nurses are exposed to higher levels of occupational stress in acute care units when compared to other departments within the hospital (Faraji et al., 2019). A qualitative assessment identified a need for resources to be provided for acute care nurses experiencing occupational stress. Purpose. To establish an area for respite and increase nurses’ knowledge about a Resilience Room and a support system to manage occupational stress. Objectives. To educate 75% of acute care nurse on respite care, have 50% of the nurses report utilization of Resilience Room, and increase the nurses use of a …

Improving Surface Cleaning And Hand Hygiene Using Fluorescent Markers, Taryn Whitman

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Compared to inpatient units, ambulatory care clinics have differences in staffing available and frequency to perform room turnover (RTO). Pre-intervention data revealed poor Hand hygiene (HH) and high-touch surface cleaning (HTSC) knowledge and low RTO compliance reliability. Currently, there is no process for objectively monitoring RTO compliance and staff self-evaluation of HH, HTSC, and RTO performance is incongruent with observations.

Context: HH and HTSC are a crucial component of preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Estimated loss of revenue for one northern California tertiary university hospital system (HCO) campus was nearly $1.8 million dollars in Medicare penalties for 2018.

Intervention: …

Post-Operative Nursing Care Of The Renal Transplant Patient, Emily Smith

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ in the United States. All patients who receive a renal transplant must be on lifelong immunosuppressants to prevent rejection of the donor organ. The majority of patients do not take their immunosuppressant medications as instructed, making noncompliance a huge issue for medical professionals. The purpose of this literature review is to explore what evidence-based techniques nurses should employ to increase the long-term compliance of immunosuppressants in renal transplant patients. A literature review was performed of fifteen studies to identify interventions that nurses can employ to increase immunosuppressant compliance. CINAL and Medline were …

The Changing Face In The Workplace: The Arrival Of The Millennial Generation, Sarah Clonch

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The entrance of the Millennial generation into the nursing workforce signifies a bright future for the nursing profession and the nursing workforce. This study began with a current review of available research that identified the Millennial generation and their views toward job satisfaction and work engagement, as compared with Baby Boomer and Generation X nurses.

PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and Google Scholar databases were employed to find 15 peer-reviewed articles for evaluation. The research findings suggest that Millennial nurses have lower rates of job satisfaction and work engagement, compared to nurses of older generations. Overall, the extracted data results were significant …

Breastfeeding In Public: Knowledge And Perceptions On A University Campus, Jessica Tracy Weiss

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Research has shown that exclusive breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants and offers numerous physical and psychosocial benefits for the newborn and mother. Returning to work or attending university courses and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding is a challenge due to barriers such as time, private space, and public perception of breastfeeding in public. The aim of our study is to provide data, identify barriers and assess education needs to support breastfeeding mothers on a university campus. This study utilizes an adapted version of the Breastfeeding Behavior Questionnaire (BBQ), the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), and knowledge …

Letters Against Loneliness: The Effect Of A Pen Pal Program Uniting Older Adults And College Students On Perceived Loneliness, Allyson Miriani, Caroline Crawford

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Surveys within years and particularly the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed increasing rates of loneliness. More research is also emerging linking loneliness with a myriad of negative health outcomes as well as reduced quality of life. There is little research about effective interventions addressing loneliness. This paper reviews the available literature on the topic and proposes a pen pal program for college students and older adults developed based on available evidence.

Promoting Wellness For College Athletes Through Mindfulness Meditation, Lisa R. Braatz

Theses and Graduate Projects

The practice of mindfulness meditation may be beneficial for college athlete’s mental health and wellness. College athletes are in a period of significant personal growth and experience high amounts of stress related to athletic performance, academics, and peer relationships. Integrating mindfulness meditation for college athletes has been linked to improving relaxation, concentration, and performance while decreasing fatigue and negative emotions related to fear or anxiety. This scholarly project explores the implementation of four mindfulness meditation sessions on perceptions of stress, mental focus, athletic performance, and presence in female college track and field athletes. The participants were attending an urban college …

The Efficacy Of A Communication Guide On Stress Experienced By Family Members Of Patients Admitted In The Intensive Care Unit With Covid-19, Kandace Williams

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first introduced in the United States on January 20, 2020, has created worldwide panic due insufficient research and understanding of the nature of this new disease. Patients suffering from COVID-19 often require intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, resulting in stress and confusion amongst patients and their families. The high transmissibility of the disease has caused hospitals to adopt firm visitor restrictions to protect the public from exposure and spread. Families experience increased anxiety and stress due to ineffective communication with staff and restricted access to their hospitalized loved ones. A needs assessment revealed a gap in care …

Adolescent E-Cigarette Use, Carley Lueken

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Adolescent e-cigarette use in the United States (U.S.) is trending upward at a concerning rate. Many of the short-term and long-term effects of e-cigarette use are unknown. However, scientists do know that e-cigarettes can have harmful effects on the respiratory system playing a role in E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Additionally, some e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is widely known to have negative effects on the developing adolescent brain. Previously, there is only one e-cigarette prevention program that has been developed, implemented, and evaluated in the U.S. Thus, showing the need for further research …

The Lost “Doe”: A Quality Improvement Project For Unidentified Patients, Brendi Gale

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

A Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) describes any natural or manmade disaster that stresses a community beyond their normal resources (CMS, 2019). Across the globe, populations have grappled with an increased frequency of natural disasters and a surge of critically ill secondary to pandemic SARs-CoV-2 (Cavallo, Donoho, & Forman, 2020; Smith, 2020; US Global Change Research Program, 2018). In addition, the incidence and severity of mass shootings has risen in the United States with a reported 277 active shooter events between the years of 2000-2018 (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2018; Smith et al., 2019). An Emergency Department (ED) in Northwest Arkansas …