Public Health and Community Nursing Commons^™

Job Satisfaction Of Nursing Home Administrators, Cathy Abell

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: The older adult population, age 65 and older, in the United States has increased 30% since 2005 and is projected to continue to grow. Nursing homes have become the living arrangement for some older adults. Nursing home administrators (NHAs) can play a vital role in the long-term care industry. Job satisfaction is important as it can enhance retention of NHAs.Methods: A purposive sample of NHAs was utilized for this descriptive correlational research study to examine job satisfaction. A researcher developed demographic questionnaire and the Nursing Home Administrator Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (NHA-JSQ), which has six specific domains, were utilized to …

Unrecognized Epidemic Kills Farmers, M. Susan Jones, Deborah B. Reed, Matthew L. Hunt

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploration And Description Of Faith Community Nurses’ Documentation Practices And Perceived Documentation Barriers., Susan M. Dyess, Donna M. Callaghan, Andra S. Opalinski Dr.

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Purpose: Documentation within Faith Community Nursing is an expected aspect of the professional specialty but is under-studied. Findings in previously published studies suggest there is a lack of consistent documentation practices among FCNs. Therefore, the aim of this research study was to explore and describe documentation practices of FCNs, and identify the perceived barriers to documentation.

Methodology: This mixed methods research had both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative inquiry involved three live focus groups and three telephonic key informant interviews (n = 28). Conventional content analysis was used to examine all qualitative data. The quantitative inquiry involved a survey …

General Nutrition Knowledge And Perceived Stress In A Rural Female Faith Community, Lori Alexander, M. Laurie Branstetter Dnp

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

In rural America, high rates of obesity are influenced by a lack of education and limited community resources. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an educational intervention on recommended nutrition and body mass index knowledge and to describe the perceived stress in a rural female faith community. A quantitative quasi-experimental pre-test post-test research design was used. English speaking female participants (N=49) 18 years of age and older from two rural community churches received an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model. Participants completed a demographic survey, self-reported height and weight, general nutrition …

Practice Matters: Red Flags In Evaluating Adult Abdominal Pain, Mary Branstetter Dnp, Dawn Garrett-Wright Phd

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

Acute abdominal pain is the leading cause of presentation to an emergency department in the United States. Over 5.6 million annual visits have been reported for abdominal pain and represent 18% of emergency department visits and 1.5% of all office-based visits. Acute abdominal pain can be described as visceral, somatic, or neuropathic in origin. Faith community nurses have tools, such as OLDCARTS, to take a good history in order to make sound decisions regarding patient referral to a higher level of care. Identifying red flags for abdominal emergencies and awareness of signs and symptoms of colon cancer allow faith …

Examining The Relationship Between Medical Concerns And Overall Mental Health Rating, Sarah M. Wilson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

It is widely supported that there are significant, positive relationships between the occurrence of some mental health symptoms and physical illnesses. Research indicates that the burden experienced by those with a physical and mental illness are magnified compared to individuals who do not experience an illness. More specifically, one of the burdens experienced by individuals is the monetary burden of affording the necessary health services to properly manage their illness.

This study attempts to reveal a difference between mental health symptom count for individuals who do and do not experience difficulty affording health care for their physical problems. The first …

Promoting Influenza Immunizations For Seniors In South Central Kentucky, M. Susan Jones, Matthew L. Hunt, Sujaya Thogaru

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Dangerous Waters: An Exploration Of Bathing Procedures Used In Kentucky’S Acute And Long Term Care, Lisbeth P. Sturgeon, Dawn M. Garrett Wright, Lorraine B. Bormann Phd, Rn, Mha, Cphq, Sonya House, M. Susan Jones, Grace Lartey

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Practice Matters: Red Flags In Adults With Mental Illnesses, Lynette S. Smith Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp, Fnp, Tonya Bragg-Underwood Dnp, Fnp-Bc, Cne, W. Spencer Cole Msn, Rn

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Faith Community Nurses have common beliefs, principles, ethics, and a level of trust with their population making them well-positioned to positively impact parishioners. FCNs provide support for people’s spiritual needs and nursing care. This makes FCNs a vital and approachable resource for parishioners when seeking advisement and assistance regarding their mental healthcare. In this article, we define red flags as suicidal idealization, mania, and psychosis, which if not promptly assessed and referred for treatment may result in serious harm or death. These red flags are predominately found in people with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. People with …

The Tree Of Life Model Of Faith-Based Living: A Practice Model For Faith Community Nursing, Marcus M. Gaut

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The advancement of nursing practice is supported by a plethora of theories, conceptual models, and theoretical frameworks. Additionally, the complexity of nursing and the profession’s ability to respond to diverse manifestations of patient or client response to illness manifests in a number of specialty areas of practice. Faith Community Nursing is a specialty area of nursing practice that appears to lack a specific conceptual model upon which to support the faith-based practice of Faith Community Nurses. The Tree of Life Model of Faith-Based Living, an adaptation of the Activities of Living Model, supports the faith-based practice of Faith Community Nurses …

Ua61/1 Nursing Spirit, Volume 1, Neal Chambler, Dean, Mary Bennett, Director, Susan Megahee, Editor, Creative, Wku School Of Nursing

School of Nursing Publications

No abstract provided.

Practice Matters: Prevention And Care Of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes, Lizbeth P. Sturgeon Phd, Tonya M. Bragg-Underwood Dnp, Maire Blankenship Dnp

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

A Faith Community Nurse (FCN) is tasked with promoting health within a faith-based community. As with any nursing role, the FCN must keep abreast of current issues and be aware of informational resources to keep his/her practice relevant. The area of focus in this issue is type 2 diabetes. During 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults was estimated at 9%. There are numerous risk factors for type 2 diabetes including both modifiable and non-modifiable. The diagnosis of diabetes can be made based on plasma glucose or Hemoglobin A1C (A1C) criteria.Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes affect many people globally. …

Health Coaching In Faith-Based Community Diabetes Education, Janet L. Meyer, Beverley E. Holland

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

A significant health burden exists related to type 2 diabetes. Evidence-based solutions through research are needed to improve diabetes outcomes. Faith community diabetes education can be utilized to provide the knowledge needed to manage the disease. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a faith-based community diabetes education program including health coaching can increase self-efficacy in people with type 2 diabetes.

This pilot study used a pre-test/post-test format for data collection. Following diabetes education for all participants, half of the group received health coaching and the other half no further intervention. A survey consisting of two …

Anabaptist Community Members’ Perceptions And Preferences Related To Healthcare, Dawn M. Garrett Wright, Maria Eve Martin, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

The plain Anabaptists are thought to differ from mainstream U.S. health care beliefs and practices. Many non-Anabaptist health care providers have limited knowledge of the specific health beliefs and preferences of Anabaptists, which can lead to misunderstandings. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to collect information from Anabaptist community members related to health care beliefs and preferences in their communities. Participants, who were members of various plain Anabaptist communities, completed a questionnaire containing open-ended questions about health issues. Seven themes emerged in results: (1) health viewed as a gift from God that provides the ability to work; (2) …

Nurses’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Implementation Of Electronic Medical Records, Cathy H. Abell, Tonya Bragg-Underwood, Lori Alexander, Caitlyn Elizabeth Abell, Vanessa Burd

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

With the growth of Faith Community Nursing (FCN), one topic that needs further exploration is documentation. This includes the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Nurses play a vital role in the planning and implementation of EMRs in the acute care setting and will also play a key role in Faith Community Nursing Programs that stand alone or partner with a health care agency. Individual computer expertise and/or attitude and knowledge of EMRs could be important in the successful implementation. Researchers utilized a modified version of the EMR questionnaire designed by Beiter and colleagues to examine nurses’ knowledge and attitudes …

Demonstration: Development Of A Minimum Set Of Parish Nurse Educational Outcomes And Behavioral Objectives, Deborah Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

A Wisconsin parish nurse educator asked the question, “...who has the authority to say what is parish nursing in the state of Wisconsin and what are the key elements of a parish nurse training curriculum?” This work represents a six year effort to answer that question. This project answers the question by examining the essential core elements of parish nursing (now referred to as faith community nursing) training curriculums taught in the state of Wisconsin. Ultimately the project provided a minimum set of standardized education outcomes and behavioral objectives for training courses throughout the state. The work began with a …

The Role Of The Faith Community Nurse In Fostering Spirituality In Those With Alzheimer's Disease, Verna Carson Phd, Pmh/Cns-Bc

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Alzheimer ’s disease (AD) strips individuals of memories and abilities that have defined them as productive adults throughout their life. While the decline in memory is real and results in a ‘loss of self’ this does not equate to a ‘loss of soul.’ AD patients continue to have spiritual needs throughout their life as do the family, and/or caregivers. This article explores the spiritual needs and care of AD patients and families and the unique opportunity faith community nurses have to help the AD patient and their support system. The Reisberg Functional Assessment Staging System is used to explain the …

Faith Community Nurse Education: A Conceptual Model, Cristy Marie Daffron

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

As a specialty practice, faith community nursing embodies knowledge that is unique to the practice and requires both generic and specialty training. Scarce research has been conducted on the effectiveness of basic faith community nurse curricula. As the landscape of education continues to be refined in the faith community nurse specialty practice, coupled with limited available research for the evaluation of effectiveness, a conceptual model for faith community nurse education is needed. Faith Community Nurse Education Conceptual Model incorporates both internal and external factors that impact the environment in which education occurs and acknowledges God as the author and finisher …

The Development Of A Faith Community Nursing Intervention To Promote Health Across The Life Span, Donna M. Callaghan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Purpose: To report the development of a faith community nursing intervention to promote health across the life span. Studies by Callaghan (2003, 2005, 2006), that investigated the relationships among self-care agency, self-care self-efficacy, and health-promoting self-care behaviors, support the importance of spiritual growth on older adults’, adults’, and adolescents’ initiative and responsibility for self-care. This report will focus on applying these results and the research evidence that supports the integration of these concepts in the development of a health promotion intervention.

Procedures: Data was merged from Callaghan’s studies (2003, 2005, 2006) in order to investigate to what extent do self-care …

Practice Matters: Screening And Monitoring Hyperlipidemia, M. Laurie Branstetter Dnp, Maria E. Main, Tonya Bragg-Underwood Dnp

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide Faith Community Nurses with current information on hyperlipidemia, a chronic disease responsible for the leading cause of death worldwide. Current guidelines for cholesterol screening and a risk calculator resource for estimating cardiovascular risk are provided. Myths and truths are presented for review with patients. Suggestions and resources for lifestyle modifications and patient education are included. Faith Community Nurses are at the center of community health and actively involved with improving health outcomes related to chronic disease.

Factors That Lead To Hospital Readmissions And Interventions That Reduce Them: Moving Toward A Faith Community Nursing Intervention, Deborah J. Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

Hospital readmissions affect over 80 percent of all Medicare enrollees. Hospitals have a responsibility to their Medicare patients to keep them safe after discharge in their homes and communities. With changes in the Medicare reimbursement model, hospitals are examining efficient methods of decreasing avoidable re-admissions. A Faith Community Nurse Transitional Care Program may be just the answer to improve patient’s discharge experience, ensure post-discharge support and reduce re-hospitalization.

Methods

In preparations for testing a Faith Community Nurse Transitional Care Program Model, a systematic integrative review was needed. Using PRISMA, a search was done, inclusion criteria identified, and articles retrieved. …

Examining Faith Community Nurses’ Perception And Utilization Of Electronic Health Records, Carole N. Mattingly, M. Eve Main

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify current faith community nurse documentation practices, explore factors impacting intention to adopt electronic health records, and identify perceived barriers and benefits to electronic health record use among faith community nurses practicing in the Midwest. The technology acceptance model is used to examine impact of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of electronic health records on intention to adopt.

This study is a quantitative exploratory research study utilizing a cross-sectional researcher-developed 39-item questionnaire. Surveys were distributed by mail and e-mail to faith community nurses practicing in South-Central Indiana and Western Kentucky. …

Practice Matters: Screening And Caring For Those With Hypertension, Dawn M. Garrett Wright, Maria E. Main, Mary L. Branstetter

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The purpose of this article is to review best practices for screening and monitoring hypertension for Faith Community Nurses (FCNs). Epidemiological data regarding hypertension will be presented, along with current guidelines for blood pressure monitoring. Information on lifestyle modification and patient education resources is included to assist the FCN to improve service to patients at risk for and with current hypertension.

Developing A Workplace Sexual Violence Framework Related To Women Truck Drivers, Kim Bourne

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Mine Workers, Heat Related Illnesses, And The Role Of The Occupational Health Nurse, Kim Bourne

Nursing Faculty Publications

Across the United States, workers in m any occupations face weather and related extreme conditions on a daily basis. Hot weather and manual labor increase a person’s core body temperature. This heat gain comes from a combination of environmental and self-generated (or internal) heat. Environmental heat is both weather related and man-made, and internal heat is produced from metabolic processes (Xiang, Bi, Pisaniello, & Hansen, 2014). But, it’s just not the heat that causes problems; it’s the humidity, too. E ach year thousands of workers suffer heat related illnesses as a result of becoming overheated. Between June, 2013 and July, …

Good Intentions?: A Consideration Of Short-Term, Medical Mission Trips, Kayla M. Steele

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

I review the current trend of international volunteer travel with a focus on advantages and disadvantages of short-term (1-2 week) medical volunteer trips and how cross-cultural communication can influence the effectiveness of volunteers. Advantages include making health care available to populations who normally do not have access to care. Disadvantages to trips include a lack of follow-up care and community dependence on outside aid. To increase the effectiveness of these trips, it is recommended that volunteers coordinate with full-time health care workers in target communities and utilize pre-departure training.

A Partnership To Enhance Community Health Education For Rn To Bsn Students., Cathy Abell, Lori Alexander, Tonya Bragg-Underwood

Nursing Faculty Publications

This article shares a unique model of collaboration between a school of nursing and a community business to offer an on-site occupational health clinical experience for RN to BSN students. This activity could be easily replicated by others to provide a learning opportunity for nursing students. Hospitals remain the primary site of employment for nurses. However, with health care reform nurses are exploring many new opportunities including many settings in the community (Black, 2014). Incorporating community health into nursing curriculum is a necessity; however, providing meaningful clinical experiences can be a challenge for faculty. To meet students' learning needs, faculty …

Child Weight And Feeding Patterns In An Old Order Mennonite Community, Dawn M. Garrett Wright, Maria E. Main, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

Feeding practices in some religious communities may decrease childhood obesity. However, there is limited research in these communities to assess maternal perceptions of their children’s weight and feeding patterns. The purpose of this study was to ascertain Old Order Mennonite mothers’ perceptions of their children’s body weight and to examine feeding patterns for their children. Sample: Participants for this descriptive, correlational study were recruited from an Old Order Mennonite community in south central Kentucky. Sampling was achieved using a snowball sampling strategy and the use of a community insider. Methods: Body Mass Index was measured for mothers and child participants, …

A Collaborative Educational Innovation In An Old Order Mennonite Community, M. Susan Jones Phd, Maria E. Main Dnp, Dawn M. Garrett Phd

Nursing Faculty Publications

Forming collaborative, interprofessional partnerships to facilitate the education of future healthcare providers to serve diverse cultures is an overarching goal of Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and supported by the Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2005). This article describes the process of creating and sustaining a collaborative interprofessional health promotion and educational project with an old order Mennonite (OOM) community in south central Kentucky. This ongoing project began over a decade ago and involves the collaborative efforts of the South Central Kentucky AHEC, the School of Nursing at Western Kentucky University (WKU), a family practice residency program affiliated with the University …

Nursing Student Voices: Reflections On An International Service Learning Experience, Molly Kerby, Eve Main

Gender & Women's Studies Faculty Publications

For the past decade participation in service and experiential learning in higher education has increased. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of BSN and MSN students participating in a multidisciplinary service-learning course in a rural, underserved village in Belize. Researchers analyzed student journals utilizing qualitative data analysis techniques. There were eight consistent themes found in the student journals. The findings indicate that international service learning opportunities increase students' awareness of their place in a global society and the potential contribution they can make in society. For the past decade, service and experiential learning in higher …