Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Commons^™

Streamlining The Specialty Weight Management Clinic Referral Process, Callie Ann Talley

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Obesity affects a vast amount of the population within the state of Arkansas and has a high prevalence across the US. Weight management is notoriously difficult in the primary care setting. Currently the referral process to a specialty weight management clinic in Northeast Arkansas is incredibly lengthy and inefficient, often leading to missed or inappropriate referrals. As a result of a needs assessment within the health system, this DNP Quality Improvement Project focused on improving the referral process to a specialty weight management clinic. The aim was to create a more efficient referral process to benefit both the clinic, the …

The Effects Of Administrative Support On Registered Nurse Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cassandra Fox

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Attention to the well-being of nurses is necessary to ensure the healthcare system can operate effectively, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The workplace environment and support from nursing leadership strongly contribute to nurses’ well-being. Currently, there is little evidence on the effect nursing leadership has on nurses’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. This DNP clinical inquiry project sought to learn more about the effects of caring leadership behaviors on nurses’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey composed of questions from previously validated and reliable surveys used in the field of nursing was used to collect data. Neuman’s systems theory …

Exploring The Phenomenological Experience Of Precepting, Erica Fowler

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Nurse practitioners and physicians are increasingly sought to volunteer as preceptors for nurse practitioner students. Preceptors serve a crucial role in student education in providing mentorship, instruction, and supervision in the clinical setting. However, preceptors are often difficult to come by, leaving a shortage of available clinicians willing to participate in preceptorships. There is a paucity of information related to exploring the experiences of precepting among clinicians who have served as preceptors. Insight into these experiences are imperative in identifying the impetuses that drive or dissuade clinicians to commit to the preceptor role. This DNP project implemented a survey designed …

Risk Factors For Workplace Sexual Harassment In Female Truck Drivers, Kimberly Marie Riddle

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Sexual harassment is one of the most common forms of workplace violence in the United States. Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted verbal and physical behaviors of a sexual nature (e.g., physical advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate sexist or sexual comments or jokes, pornography, or other unwanted conduct) that creates an uncomfortable working environment or interferes with the employee’s job responsibilities. In general, it is estimated that nearly one in every two women have experienced sexual harassment at the workplace over their lifetime. In male-dominated occupations, such as truck driving, law enforcement, firefighting, and construction, females may have a …

Workplace Lactation Support And Breastfeeding Practices In Employed Mothers, Robin Ray

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Low rates of breastfeeding are a global public health issue. Despite national and international health agency recommendations for breastfeeding until infants are six months of age when solid foods are introduced and continued breastfeeding until 12 months of age or older, many mothers in the United States discontinue breastfeeding at an early age. Return to work after childbirth is one of the leading contributing factors to early cessation of breastfeeding in employed mothers. Understanding the association between individual and organizational factors and breastfeeding practices in employed mothers is essential for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies to …

Improving Employee Mental Health: Addressing Depression At The Workplace, Gerald G. Chia Dr.

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract Background: Depression is a serious mental health challenge in the US. As frontline workers who are responsible for taking care of a myriad of patients daily, health workers are usually exposed to depressive situations which eventually results in them developing the mental health condition. The purpose of the current project was, therefore, to develop an intervention which helps to improve employee mental health in healthcare settings with focus on depression and examine workplace factors which influence depression among employees of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic in Washington District of Columbia. Methods: A pre-intervention survey was conducted among 43 employees. …

The Effect Of Multimethodological Emotional Intelligence Training On Emotional Intelligence Levels In Nurses At An Academic Medical Center, Chad Eldridge

DNP Projects

Background: Stress levels associated with the nursing career can be amplified by hostile social environments in the workplace, horizontal aggression, lack of leadership support, and poor communication. This can lead to poor retention rates and increased burnout.

Conversely, supportive work environments positively influence nursing sensitive quality indicators such as patient satisfaction, nosocomial infections, patient falls, pressure ulcers, and medication errors. Strong relationships enhance workplace social capital leading to an increased sense of belonging, strengthened mental health, and improved job satisfaction ratings.

Executive nurse leaders can promote an empowering environment dedicated to the physical, mental, and social well-being of their staff …

Association Between Dietary Macronutrient Intake And High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels Among Obese Women In Kuantan, Malaysia, Siti Zuhaidah Shahadan, Azlina Daud, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Lokman Md. Isa, Samsul Draman

Makara Journal of Science

Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In general, an individual’s dietary intake may influence the hs-CRP level. However, evidence on the influence of dietary macronutrient intake on hs-CRP levels among obese Malaysian women remains fragmented. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between the hs-CRP level and dietary macronutrient intake of obese adults living in Kuantan. The assessment of 24-hour dietary recall and venous hs-CRP levels were investigated in 67 women with a body mass index of 27.5 to 39.9 kg/m². The findings revealed that obese women living …

Oral Chemotherapy: Safe Handling In The Home, Cynthia Huff

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2016), oral anticancer agents (OAC) are hazardous drugs (HD) and require the same safe handling interventions in the home setting as in controlled health care environments. The use of a safe handling checklist for OAC administration is a way nurses can provide safe handling education to patients and caregivers and assess for understanding and competency for critical tasks. Effective home management strategies outlining caregiver protections, proper storage, administration of OACs, spill clean-up, and waste disposal could reduce exposure risks to toxic agents.

Objective: To present a safe-handling checklist …

Usp <800> Compliance: A Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Ppe Toolkit For Infusion Nurses, Cynthia Huff

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Safety concerns have existed for more than 40 years about how hazardous drug (HD) exposure contributes to long- and short-term adverse health outcomes for healthcare workers (HCWs). Careless handling may cause toxic residues to infiltrate hospital environments and patient care areas, and can even be traced to patients’ homes. New government regulations will require healthcare organizations to minimize exposure risks to HCWs by fully implementing the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Convention Chapter 800: Hazardous Drugs: Handling in Healthcare Settings (USP, 2016) on December 1, 2019. According to Polovich and Olsen (2017), “The implementation of the USP <800> Standards will represent …

Valley Fever: Education For Primary Care Providers And Allied Health Care Professionals, Michelle Elizabeth Bergen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Valley Fever: Educating Primary Care Providers and Allied Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Problem: Coccidioidomycosis (cocci), informally Valley Fever (VF), infects the lungs with the fungal spore coccidioides. It is prevalent in areas where soil disturbance occurs. Currently, there are no related educational or standardized guidelines exist for primary care providers (PCPs) in California’s Central Valley, where VF is highly endemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).

Context: A Doctor of Nursing Practice project educational program for PCPs and allied healthcare workers (AHWs) at the Adventist Health Central Valley Network (AHCVN) clinics. The project aimed to educate PCPs to …

Huddle And Safety, Jaelynn Hall Bsn, Rn

MSN Capstone Projects

The purposed evidence-based practice (EBP) project focuses on a nursing intervention (team huddles) to increase safety and reduce inpatient fall rates. Negative outcomes to consider from an inpatient fall are harm and injury to the patient along with increased health care cost for the patient as well as hospital facility. Accrued cost associated with an in-patient injury resulting from a fall is not reimbursed according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The additional cost for hospital-acquired falls is estimated to be $6,694 (95% CI: -$1,277 to $14,665) (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2017). This was only related …

Usp<800> Compliance: A Hazardous Drug Safe-Handling Quality Improvement Project For Ambulatory Care Infusion Nurses, Cynthia Huff

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP, 2016) Convention Chapter 800: Hazardous Drugs: Handling in Healthcare Settings took effect on December 1, 2019. According to Polovich and Olsen (2017), " The implementation of the USP <800> Standards. will represent an important step forward to protect nurses and other potentially exposed healthcare workers (HCWs): (p.1).

Context: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented a hazardous drug (HD) safe-handling personal protective equipment (PPE) toolkit in accordance to USP <800>standards and hospital policies at an ambulatory cancer infusion center to improve nurses' adherence with PPE use.

Interventions: The project consisted of (a) a safe-handling PPE …

The Impact Of A Digital Intervention On Perceived Stress, Resiliency, Social Support, And Intention To Leave Among Newly Licensed Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Lisa Concilio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The nursing shortage has been deemed a public health crisis with the turnover rate of newly licensed nurses (NLNs) growing (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2014). One out of five NLNs are leaving the profession due to work dissatisfaction and feelings of inadequacy (National Academy of Medicine, 2017). NLN attrition during the first year of hire has been associated with feelings of overwhelming stress and decreased sense of support which negatively impact patient safety (Spence Laschinger et al., 2016). As seasoned nurses are attempting to retire amidst a nursing shortage (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2018), NLNs require more support …

Occupational Health Nursing - Musculoskeletal Disorders & Stretching, Katherine Hale

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For employees who work in food processing plants, work related injuries can take a serious physical toll because of the continuous repetition of the tasks that they perform. Occupational health nurses work hard to encourage correct body mechanics in the workplace and are often the ones to treat those injuries. An internship at a food manufacturing plant allowed me to step into the shoes of an occupational health nurse and witness the difficulties that come with the position. The purpose of my position was to educate the food processing plant employees on proper ergonomics as well as create a stretching …

Implementing Ppe And Precaution Use Among Patient Families And Visitors, Ashley Dunn

Scholars Week

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current nursing policy regarding education, knowledge, and compliance of PPE (personal protective equipment) among patient families and visitors, and to further assess whether or not the policy in place needs to be strengthened and improved, or changed altogether. Upon investigation, it was found that PPE compliance and knowledge as well as hand hygiene compliance are lacking and are current issues seen among not only families and visitors of families, but nurses as well. There are few studies about this topic due to the fact that it is an issue that is …

Application Of Auricular Point Acupressure For Pain In Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease And Their Caregivers, Chao Hsing Yeh, Mengchi Li, Jennifer Wenzel, Mollie Fox, Aiguo Nni, Jennifer Kawi

Nursing Faculty Research

Objective: To explore the feasibility of Auricular Point Acupressure (APA) to self-manage pain among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) and their caregivers (patient-caregiver dyads). Methods: A two-phase study design was used. Phase 1 was designed to explore the experiences of the dyads in using APA to manage chronic pain. In Phase 2, we examined the revised intervention protocol to manage pain. All of the study activities were conducted at the participants’ homes. Results: In Phase 1, five dyads (patients and caregivers) who received the APA treatment reported marked and immediate outcomes but there were challenges in applying …

Empowering Nurses Of Minority In The Face Of Incivility And Bullying: Through The Lens Of Phenomenology, Corrine Floyd

Dissertations

Abstract

Up to 85% of nurses have reported exposure to incivility in the workplace (Hunt & Marini, 2012). The often-subtle nature of incivility toward nurses in a minority population may partially explain why it remains a problem. Healthcare organizations realize the need for civility to counter the high turnover rate, staff shortages, and low job satisfaction reported by nurses, but lack understanding of how nurses of a minority population perceive incivility and bullying. This study aimed to answer the research question how do nurses with minority representation experience incivility and bullying versus empowerment in the workplace? A descriptive phenomenological design …

The Use Of Tailored Interventions To Prevent Falls: A Quality Improvement Project In The Telemetry Unit, Roda Galang

Student Scholarly Projects

Background: Every year in the United States, hundreds of thousands of patients fall in hospitals with 30 to 50 percent resulting in injury. In Texas, the fall rate in adult patients is 33.9 percent, and in one teaching hospital in South Texas, patient fall rates have been above the national benchmark for two years (2017-2019), despite increased use of sitters for patient safety and multiple fall prevention strategies. The annual direct care cost of all fall events in the United States for individuals more than 65 years old is about $34 billion.

Practice problem: The objectives of the fall initiative …

Chronic Pain, Sleep Disruption, And Work Performance In The Military, Jeffrey Ransom

Dissertations

Abstract

Background and Significance: Managing pain is a challenge for many organizations, including the U.S. military. The added complication of managing sleep disruption compounds the issue. Examining pain and sleep disruption in the context of work performance within the military is critical to understanding the impact of these conditions on our nation’s fighting forces.

Purpose: Examine the associations of chronic pain and sleep disruption in the context of work performance among active duty military service members.

Research Aims: 1) Describe sociodemographic characteristics, military service characteristics, clinical characteristics, and work performance of active duty service members, 2) Examine relationships between these …

Factors Predicting Sustainability: A Correlational Study Of One Multi-Site Program, Meredith L. King Jensen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Healthcare organizations invest significant economic, physical, and human resources to implement changes and expect sustained benefits for their investments in the long term. Yet, few studies have examined long-term sustainability and factors contributingto sustainability. The primary aim of the study was to gain a better understanding of sustainability and five factors (champions, leadership support, policy, resources, and training and education) that might predict long-term sustainability within the context of one Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) program implemented in a large, nationwide system more than 7 years ago. The secondary aim was to examine the number of nursing staff injuries, …

Teaching In Ghana: Respiratory Illnesses, Rachel Pruitt

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For participants of this teaching project about respiratory illnesses related to smoke, four goals were created. Our first goal was that participants would be able to recognize the health hazards associated with the populations’ current cooking situation using wood stoves. Secondly, participants would be able to verbalize the benefits of utilizing ceramic coal pots for cooking. Another goal was that participants would be able to explain a simple way to protect their family members from smoke exposure and developing respiratory illnesses. Our final goal was that participants would be able to verbalize and/or demonstrate how to use the new ceramic …

Supporting Older Adults Through Aging In Place And Capable Programs, Laura Compton

OTD Capstone Projects

This experiential component or doctoral capstone project involved a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. Through this agency, projects were completed based on identified needs of the Aging in Place and CAPABLE programs. The Aging in Place (AIP) program provides critical home repairs to low-income adults aged 60 years and older. The CAPABLE program provides the same critical home repairs along with a select number of visits from a registered nurse and an occupational therapist to help the older adults age in place safely.

Lifting Teams In The Acute Care Settings, Mary Makalyn Smith

Scholars Week

Research studies have analyzed the importance of lifting teams in the acute care settings of the hospital. Lifting teams provide nurses with the trained assistance they need to refrain from reoccurring musculoskeletal injuries. These lift team members are scheduled and trained staff members who are able to focus on patients’ needs and modes of transportation. The focus of these lift teams would be to add efficiency to the healthcare system and increase patient skin integrity and satisfaction rates. In my first study it examined the effectiveness of a multifaceted minimal-lifting environment on nursing areas. The study was focused on musculoskeletal …

Increasing The Knowledge Of The Importance Of Hand Hygiene Practice In Rural India, Ashley Whaley

Research Horizons Day Posters

No abstract provided.

Hidden Heroes: Tales From Caregivers, Part 4, Singapore Management University

Social Space

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unleash its effects on a global scale, most of us are glued to the news and social media for updates, and bracing ourselves for the impact of the coronavirus on our countries, communities and families. In the face of such uncertainty, it's only normal to feel anxious and afraid. However, if you're holed up at home letting your worries and fears get the better of you, it may be time to slow down and steer yourself into a calmer headspace.

Increasing Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors In Cargo Drivers, Ronda L. Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine the extent to which lifestyle behaviors of transportation drivers in North Texas can be improved with health education. This research study was conducted to examine the health behaviors of transportation drivers as a result of an educational partnership between nursing and the transportation industry. The goal was to improve healthy lifestyles through education to decrease chronic illness and comorbid conditions of a significantly at-risk occupational population. The impact of this education was immediate and verified with quantitative measurement and statistical analysis. Results demonstrated that after nurse-led health education, transportation drivers reported significant …

New Nurse Graduate Mentoring: An Early Implementation Program, Stacy Inman

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Mentoring of new nurse graduates is an opportunity for our future nurses to grow and evolve. This concept is growing in popularity and has proven effective in retention of new nurses as well as improved staff satisfaction. Many mentoring programs for new nurse graduates begin at one year of employment, which leaves open the crucial turning point of transitioning from academia to professional practice. New nurse graduates are vulnerable at this stage of transition and an effective mentoring relationship can help the new graduate gain confidence in the profession of nursing.

Gratitude Journaling As Intervention To Combat Nurse Burnout In Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Nurses, Melinda Simpson

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

As a practicing registered nurse in the intensive care setting, this researcher witnessed an episode of burnout characterized by a public meltdown, crying, and yelling. This sparked an interest in an intervention to combat nurse burnout. Literature was found on gratitude which has been found to increase resiliency. An increase in resiliency, in various populations, has been found to decrease perceived stress and feelings of burnout. This researcher investigated the use of gratitude journaling for 21 days as means to decrease perceived stress and feelings of burnout while increasing gratitude and resiliency. The PSS, GQ, BRS, & BBI tools were …

Correlational Impact Of Workload, Teamwork And Retention Rate For Clinical Nursing Units, Phillip J. Nutter

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Healthcare organizations face an impending shortage of over one million nurses. Staff turnover adds costs to healthcare and decreases the morale of the unit. Teamwork has been shown to be related to engagement as engagement has been shown to be related to retention. Understanding how teamwork mitigates increasing workload at the unit level is critical to reducing turnover at the nursing unit level. This research explored relationships between teamwork and productivity and teamwork and retention rates for nurses. The Neuman Systems Model was used as the framework to guide this retrospective correlational analysis with teamwork as a flexible line of …