Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Commons^™

The Effect Of Education On Healthcare Personnel's Knowledge Of Lymphedema Detection And Prevention, Dolly Wilson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Secondary lymphedema (SLE) is a serious problem for many of the 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. It is estimated that 28 - 38% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema. The five-year incidence ranges from 43% to 94% (Armer, 2010). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an education program on healthcare personnel's knowledge of the risk of and preventive measures for upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients. A sample of healthcare personnel (N = 32) included both trained healthcare personnel and ancillary staff who are employed in a single oncology center …

Medication Errors: It's A Matter Of Time, Thomas D. Smith Jr.

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

A retrospective review of medication errors is presented as a measurement tool. Times of medication errors are separated into categories. The numbers of errors are associated with the numbers of medication administrations. The first data set contains errors that occurred within the first 8 hours of a 12-hour shift and the second data set contains errors that occurred during the last 4 hours of a 12-hour shift.

Data was obtained from a 108 bed critical care hospital in the southeastern United States. A time period will be reviewed between the months of September 2010 until August 2011. All reports of …

Introducing Telehealth To Nursing Students In A Pre-Licensure Program, Dwayne F. More

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Telehealth has emerged as an enhancement to health care, giving clients greater access to care providers than ever before. It has benefited persons living in remote areas who cannot readily access health services and it has helped clients who have chronic disease conditions that require frequent monitoring, saving themselves and hospitals thousands of dollars. Nurses are an important part of delivering telehealth, yet it is not currently being taught in many nursing courses. The purpose of this project is to introduce telehealth into a pre-licensure nursing program via a learning module and to assess the students' understanding of the material …

Increasing Participation In The North Carolina Controlled Substances Reporting System Registration Among Western North Carolina Nurse Practitioners, Elizabeth Scism

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The misuse of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes is a risk to public health and safety. The rates of misuse and diversion of prescription drugs have nearly doubled since the 1990s. This project explored the importance of educating Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in North Carolina (NC) regarding the registration and utilization of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Reporting System (NCCSRS). This reporting system was designed to identify and prevent diversion and to reduce morbidity and mortality of unintentional drug overdoses among primary care patients. A website was developed to showcase the multiple benefits and encourage registration and utilization of the NCCSRS …

The Use Of Peppermint Oil To Reduce The Nausea Of The Palliative Care And Hospice Patient, Mary Seale

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

A descriptive study was initiated to investigate the use of peppermint oil to reduce the nausea of the palliative care and hospice patient. Two local palliative care and hospice programs were used as sites for the study. Patients eighteen and older complaining of nausea were invited to participate in the study. The study was conducted for one and a half months. A total of eight patients consented to participate in the study with a mean age of seventy one years. The Bieri Scale, a visual-numeric analog, was used as the measurement instrument for the patients to evaluate their nausea. Results …

Second-Year Associate Degree Nursing (Adn) Self-Efficacy In Relation To Simulation Lab Experiences, Sarah W. Tate

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Second-Year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Self-Efficacy in Relation to Simulation Lab Experiences utilized a convenience sample of second-year associate degree nursing students to conduct a survey of their perceptions of an increase in self-efficacy or self confidence in relation to their simulation lab experiences. Albert Bandura's theory of self-efficacy was the theoretical framework for the study. Students who have high levels of self-efficacy have been shown to handle obstacles with less stress, perseverance, and success. In this study, 85% of the students agreed that simulation lab experiences were beneficial in increasing their confidence to perform safely in their preceptorship and …

Characteristics Of All-Terrain Vehicles And Their Operators On Kentucky Farms, Jessica L. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were first developed and marketed in the U.S. in the 1970s. They have soared in popularity for occupational and recreational uses since that time. In 2008, there were approximately 10.2 million all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in use in the United States. In 2001, it was estimated that 23 million Americans rode ATVs; 69% were adults and 31% children (CPSC, 2003). Deaths and injuries from ATVs have increased over time. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kentucky led the nation for ATV deaths from 2002-2006, with increasing numbers of fatalities annually.

ATV use on farms is increasing …

Tobacco Treatment In College Health, Joanne Brown

DNP Projects

ABSTRACT: Tobacco Treatment in College Health

The college years are a critical time in the development of smoking behavior and tobacco use. Smoking is linked to 30% of cancer deaths, 80% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and early cardiovascular disease and death. Effective treatment interventions at this time provide an opportunity to drastically reduce premature morbidity and mortality.

This document follows the progression from the discussion of the problem to evaluation of an intervention. The first manuscript is a review of existing literature on Internet interventions with young adults, including methodology, theoretical frameworks and outcome measures for tobacco …

Occupational Health Assessment: A Tool For Nursing Faculty, Sherry R. Lovan, M. Susan Jones

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Self- Caring Tree: A Model Of Nursing Self-Care, Cynthia M. Severson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Being a nurse can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting. Nurses are exposed to sickness, sadness, trauma, suffbring, terminal illnesses, and potentially harmful contagions in their daily work. Nurses tend to care for others more than they care for themselves and can become overwhelmed, lose their resilience, and burnout. Nurses who practice daily self-care benefit by experiencing greater self-esteem, resilience, and ultimately wisdom and compassion. This project focuses on the development of a self- care model for nurses to help nurses learn how to care for themselves. The model is grounded in the work of Dr. Jean Watson and her …

Comparison Of Workplace Protection Factors For Different Biological Contaminants, Kyungmin Jacob Cho, Tiina Reponen, Roy Mckay, Alok Dwivedi, Atin Adhikari, Umesh Singh, Rakesh Shukla, M. Susan Jones, Gordon Jones, Sergey A. Grinshpun

Nursing Faculty Publications

This study compared workplace protection factors (WPFs) for five different contaminants (endotoxin, fungal spores, (1→3)-β-D-glucan, total particle mass, and total particle number) provided by an N95 elastomeric respirator (ER) and an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR). We previously reported size-selective WPFs for total particle numbers for the ER and FFR, whereas the current article is focused on WPFs for bioaerosols and total particle mass. Farm workers (n = 25) wore the ER and FFR while performing activities at eight locations representing horse farms, pig barns, and grain handling facilities. For the determination of WPFs, particles were collected on filters simultaneously …

What Is The Caregivers' (Certified Nursing Assistant) Perception Of Their Role While Caring For A Patient In The Household Model?, Daniyele Feaster

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This was a mixed design study that assessed the caregivers' perception of their role while caring for patients in the household model. A sample of 12 caregivers currently employed in a long-term care facility operating in the household model was asked to complete a survey and answer 11 questions during a one on one interview. This interview tool allowed the caregivers the opportunity to rate their personal experiences, environment and express their feelings associated with their role as a certified nursing assistant working in a household model. The results indicated that the caregivers enjoyed working in the household environment and …

Protocol Adherence During Inter-Facility Transfer Of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated With Iv Rtpa, Robin Reed Jones

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Stroke is a common and serious health disorder, affecting approximately 795,000 people in the United States every year. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA) is the only FDA approved thrombolytic for treating acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset. Patients treated at rural health centers are often transported within hours to the closest primary stroke center. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the structure, process and outcomes related to the inter-facility transport of ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous rtPA. The Quality-Caring Model© was the guiding framework.

A quantitative, retrospective, non-experimental analysis of inter-facility transport …

The Effect Of High-Fidelity Human Patient Simulation On Stress Levels Of Associate Degree Novice Nursing Students, Sallie Beth Todd

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The clinical learning environment is an important component in the educational development of a student nurse. Nursing students have identified the clinical experience as one of the most stress producing components of their nursing education. Past research has shown high levels of stress can lead to decreased learning, affect clinical performance, increase clinical errors, and threaten physical or psychiatric wellbeing. Nurse educators' primary responsibilities are to help students effectively cope with their initial stress and facilitate student learning by applying the knowledge they gain in the classroom to the clinical environment. To allow students the opportunity to integrate theory into …

Diabetes Understanding Among Staff Nurses: Examining The Actual Versus Perceived Knowledge In The Acute Care Setting, Rebecca B. Ledbetter

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death world-wide claiming a staggering 3.8 million lives globally each year to related complications (World Health Organization, 2011). Diabetes complications account for 20% of all acute care admissions or 1 in every 5 patients have a diabetes-related condition (American Diabetes Association, 2011). Patient education in the areas of lifestyle modification, healthy eating habits, and proper medication administration is research-supported to clinically decrease the likelihood of acute complications. Bedside, acute care nurses are at the front line of patient education delivery and have the opportunity to determine behavioral stages related to a patient's readiness …

A Comparison Of Patient And Nurse Perception Of Problem Areas Associated With Type 2 Diabetes, Kelley Oglesby

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study was to explore the difference in problem areas perceived and reported by patients with type 2 diabetes and registered nurses caring for patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects a large number of patients both physically and fiscally. Decreasing perception of problems by nurse case management intervention has the potential to adversely affect patients. A convenience sample of 20 patients and 10 nurses was obtained and completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire. Statistical analysis found a significant difference in perception of problems among patients and nurses.

Nursing Students' Perception Of Comfort, Norma Mott

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

One of the most important goals of nursing care is to provide comfort to patients and their families. In order to provide comfort, nurses must be able to recognize and respond to patients in distress. Inconsistencies in the delivery of comfort care are based largely on the nurse's educational preparation. The degree to which comfort and comforting is evidenced in nursing performance depends in great measure on the way upcoming nurses perceive the concept during their education.

In this descriptive study guided by Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, the researcher surveyed a convenience sample of Associate Degree Nursing students to assess their …

The Incidence Of Individual Sexually Based Counseling By School Nurses In An Urban School System, Tiffany Dunlap

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of individual counseling on sexual issues by school nurses in a large, urban, public school system in the Southeastern United States (U.S). Utilizing a descriptive, non-experimental method for the study, a secondary data analysis was conducted by the researcher using information self-reported by 117 school nurses regarding individual counseling of students in grades kindergarten through twelve on sexual topics. The topics included in the study were pregnancy, puberty/reproductive health and sexual abuse. There was a relationship established between grade level and rate of individual counseling. School nurses in the school …

The Effects Of Education And Training On Nurses' Perception Of Lateral Violence In The Healthcare Field, Tamara Cook

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The effects of lateral violence are costly for all aspects of the healthcare profession. Lateral violence is an act of aggression directed towards another nurse. Educating nurses of lateral violence and its appearance may prove to increase nurse's perception of lateral violence therefore decreasing its occurrence. This study will explore the effects of education and training on nurses' perception of lateral violence in the healthcare field. Lateral violence threatens the integrity of each nurse, the nursing profession, and the organization. Increasing the awareness of lateral violence attempts to make a culture change among nurses in the healthcare profession. Minimizing lateral …

Preparing The New Graduate Nurse Entering Critical Or Progressive Care Practice Areas: What Is The Effect Of Blended Orientation Approaches On Their Level Of Self-Confidence And Satisfaction With Current Orientation Methods?, Jennifer L. Forbes

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The transition from student nurse to professional nurse is often difficult for the new graduate especially if transitioning into critical or progressive care areas of practice. It is imperative for new graduates to receive a clinical orientation that meets their educational and transitional needs. The orientation process should provide them with a strong foundation in critical or progressive care practices. Educators are challenged to provide educational opportunities while accommodating diverse learning needs and continuing to maintain competency that ensures the highest quality of patient care and improved patient care outcomes.

New graduate nurses hired into the critical or progressive care …