Other Nursing Commons^™

Exploring The Relationships Between Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Organizational Support, Job Satisfaction, And Intent To Stay Among Minnesota School Nurses, Kristin K. Coudron

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

School nurses face escalating job demands driven by increasing student health complexity, chronic condition management, and expanding public health responsibilities. Often serving as the sole healthcare professional within a school or district, they work in settings characterized by high autonomy, variable organizational support, and growing concerns about job satisfaction and retention. Limited empirical research has examined how personal and organizational resources jointly relate to school nurses’ intent to remain in practice. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) theory and the National Association of School Nurses School Nursing Practice Framework, this quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study explored relationships among emotional intelligence, …

The Impact Of Virtual Discharge Interventions Compared To Traditional Methods On Adult Patient Population Readmission Rates: An Integrative Review, Tiffany Providence, Carrie Brooks, Nannono Kayondo, Courteney Lovell, Alice Smith

Master's Projects

Hospital readmissions are a persistent quality and cost burden to the healthcare system, prompting evaluation of modern strategies to strengthen transitional care. This integrative review synthesized findings from thirteen studies published between 2011 and 2025 to assess the effectiveness of virtual discharge interventions in reducing readmission rates among adult patients. Virtual discharge interventions included programs utilizing technology, such as phone calls, video visits, apps, or remote monitoring, to help patients understand their care and improve positive outcomes. Many of these studies showed that virtual support can reduce hospital readmissions, especially for people with heart failure. Some programs also improved patients’ …

Improvements Upon Reprocessing Of Orthopedic Single-Use Instruments, Alyssa P. Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Internal Medline data for Hospital A, a level I academic trauma center, identified a quality gap due to improper segregation and underutilization of orthopedic single-use device reprocessing bins. The baseline reprocessing rate of 4% for orthopedic products results in missed sustainability opportunities, financial strain, and increased regulated waste. A proposed quality improvement intervention implemented updated communication strategies, visual management tools, and education modules to reinforce current reprocessing workflows and close knowledge gaps. Outcome measures include the percentage of SUDs collected for reprocessing, survey results on reprocessing awareness, and potential financial savings in Appendix I. Early data showed a 10% year-to-year …

Safer Together: One Purpose, One Future, Tara Haines

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

This art quilt is based on the theme that working together creates a safer future for our patients. The patient is at the center and is surrounded by the care team to help them navigate towards health and better outcomes. Our student nurse is on the left with angel wings, supported by their professor, the patient, the care team, and their nurse, all guided by Florence Nightingale's lamp over the often uneven path towards a safer future

Critical Care Catalyst: The Impact Of Trauma Nurse Leads On Mortality, Patient Outcomes, And Throughput, Danielle Brady, Jessica L. Brady, Hannah Dice, Parker Hu

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Trauma is the leading cause of years of life lost in the United States. Dedicated trauma nurse leaders (TNLs) coordinate resuscitation and streamline care, but data evaluating their clinical impact at level I trauma centers are limited. We evaluated the association between a newly implemented dedicated TNL program and patient outcomes.

Methods

This single-center, preimplementation and postimplementation observational study at an urban level I trauma center compared adult tier 1 and tier 2 trauma activations from the pre-TNL period (January 1, 2017, through April 30, 2020) with the post-TNL period (May 1, 2020, through December 31, 2023; 8 dedicated …

Time Is Brain: A Nurse-Informed Multicenter Analysis Of Hospital-Based Mechanical Thrombectomy Pathway Efficiency (Haste), Gina M. Remington, Gita Nadimpalli, Michael Rolli, Nicki Roderman, Rebecca Cain, Sarah Pieprzyca, Debra Philpot, Elizabeth Wiggins, Edward C. Jauch, Shanna Arnold-Egloff

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Swift response and successful reperfusion are major determinants of outcome in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Quality initiatives in stroke care have shown that organized, protocol-driven practice can shorten treatment times and improve safety-sensitive clinical outcomes, yet thrombectomy workflow variation persists across health systems, and few studies have translated workflow findings into operational recommendations.

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter study evaluated mechanical thrombectomy workflow performance across 16 facilities in a large United States health system from August 2020 through December 2021. Elastic net regularization was applied to patient-level characteristics to generate residual durations for door-to-imaging, door-to-puncture, imaging-to-puncture, …

A Nurse-Driven Escalation In Trauma Team Activation Reduces Mortality Of Injured Patients, Darrell L. Hunt, Yingxian Liu, Jordan S. Rahm, Bailey Segura, Mercedes Huens, Emily Lopez, Esther Krinsky, Joe Spinell, Andrea Palmer

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

There is a dearth of literature examining the clinical outcomes of injured patients who experience physiological deterioration in the emergency department (ED). At our trauma center, injured patients who develop hemodynamic, respiratory, or mental status instability after arrival are retriaged and upgraded to a full trauma team activation (fTA). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with fTA based on prehospital signs and symptoms (initial) versus upgraded fTA patients.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of injured patients presenting to a tertiary trauma center between June 1, 2022, and June 30, …

Bathrooms As A Patient Safety Blind Spot In Emergency Departments: A Narrative Review And Nursing Practice Framework, Carmelo Villani

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Emergency department (ED) bathrooms preserve privacy and dignity but interrupt direct observation. Risks described across clinical publications and professional guidance include falls, unrecognized deterioration, overdose, hazardous ingestion, infection, inaccessible environments, and unmet elimination needs. This review integrated those risks and translated them into a nursing practice framework.

Methods

For the structured narrative review, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus were searched on July 30, 2026, without date, language, age, or publication-type filters. Backward and forward citation chasing and a targeted search for professional documents supplemented database searching. Publications were categorized by ED relevance and synthesized thematically. Professional guidance was analyzed …

Unheard Voices: Reducing Psychological Barriers To Publication In Nursing Research, Caryn R. Alper

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Despite their interest in clinical inquiry, many nurses face psychological barriers, including imposter syndrome (IS), that prevent them from engaging in research and disseminating their findings. This editorial explores how psychologically safe work environments can help counter these barriers through supportive leadership, respect, and mentorship to strengthen skills and confidence and reduce vulnerability in scholarly work. Normalizing self-doubt and creating environments where nurses feel safe asking questions and testing ideas can help more nurses recognize the value of their expertise and contribute their voice to the base of evidence.

How Does Nurse-To-Patient Ratio Impact Patient Satisfaction?, Kathryn G. Courtney, Alexa Nicholson

Scholars Week

This evidence-based practice project examined the relationship between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient satisfaction. A review of current literature, guided by Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement framework, found that lower nurse-to-patient ratios are associated with improved communication, higher patient satisfaction, better patient outcomes, and increased patient safety. Based on these findings, recommendations and a Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Policy were proposed to support acuity-based staffing, enhance quality of care, and improve both patient and nursing outcomes.

Developing An Emergency Department-Specific C. Difficile Infection-Prevention Policy, Katelyn M. Wuest, Chris Bray

Scholars Week

Our evidence-based practice project focuses on the need for an Emergency Department (ED)- specific Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection-prevention policy that adapts the existing facility-wide guidelines to the unique workflow and environment of the ED. Using infection-prevention literature and environmental disinfection recommendations as a foundation, the project proposes the need for clearer guidance regarding applying precautions, managing shared equipment, and maintaining environmental cleanliness. Implementation and evaluation using a Plan-Do-Study-Act approach can help assess staff adherence and identify opportunities to improve consistency in infection-prevention practices.

Improving Fall Risk Assessment In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Sarah B. Flick, Aaliyah Garcia, Trista Hamblin

Scholars Week

This evidence-based practice project examines how fall-risk assessment can be improved for patients in inpatient rehabilitation by incorporating rehabilitation-specific functional factors into the existing assessment process. A review of four research studies identified toileting, transfers, ambulation, cognition, previous falls, and functional limitations as important considerations for fall-risk identification. The project proposes a structured functional review to supplement current assessment tools, with a phased implementation plan using staff education, a pilot program, and ongoing evaluation to support patient safety and individualized fall-prevention interventions.

Enhancing Care Coordination: Nurse-Physician Bedside Communication To Improve Outcomes, Harriet Chinakwe

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Inconsistent nurse-physician bedside communication on a 28-bed hybrid intermediate stepdown unit contributed to gaps in care coordination, patient engagement, and discharge readiness. Baseline Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) (2026), Press Ganey (2022) communication scores were below the national 90th-percentile benchmark; nurse communication at 58% and doctor communication at 46%, indicating the need for a structured communication process.

Aim of the Project: The quality improvement project aimed to improve nurse-physician communication during daily bedside rounds by implementing a TeamSTEPPS-informed, structured bedside rounding process using the PATIENT tool over 12 …

Cdc’S Steadi Fall Toolkit To Decrease Adult Inpatient Medical-Surgical Fall Rates, Kevin Graham

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Adult inpatient falls are a persistent patient safety concern that can result in injury, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare utilization. The identified medical-surgical unit had a baseline fall rate of 4.88 falls per 1,000 patient days, exceeding the organizational goal of fewer than 3.0 falls per 1,000 patient days. An organizational assessment identified inconsistent fall-risk assessment, documentation, patient education, and individualized prevention strategies as practice gaps.

Aim of the Project: The aim was to reduce the inpatient fall rate to fewer than 3.0 falls per 1,000 patient days through implementation of the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries …

Improving Patient Safety Through Daily Evaluation Of Central Line Necessity, Lakeesha Cunningham

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: At the project site, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates and central line utilization exceeded national benchmarks. Between July 2025 and March 2026, 32 CLABSIs occurred hospital-wide, with a standardized infection ratio (SIR) of 1.35, more than seven times the national target of 0.19. The standardized utilization ratio (SUR) was 0.72 (target: 0.57), while the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) baseline SUR was higher at 1.06.

Aim of the Project: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project used an evidence-based central line checklist from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to improve the timely …

Improving Prn Pain Medication Reassessment For Veterans In Acute Care, Safo Adu-Gyamfi

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Chronic pain is a significant health problem, and veterans experience higher pain severity than nonveterans. On an acute care unit of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, pro re nata (PRN) pain medication reassessment was inconsistent and below the facility’s 92% benchmark. PRN pain reassessment compliance averaged 81.6% from November 2025 to January 2026. The Joint Commission requires timely pain assessments. The facility’s Medical Center Policy (MCP) mandates reassessing PRN pain medication within 120 minutes of administering it. The acute care unit leadership identified limited visual or electronic prompts as contributing factors to the practice gap.

Aim of the Project: …

Loma Linda Nurse - Vol. 35, Loma Linda University School Of Nursing

Loma Linda Nurse

FEATURES

4 | From Behind the Lens to by the Bedside—Nicole Mackey

6 | Coming Home— CRNA Alumni Faculty Feature

8 | From NICU Miracle Baby to Nurse—Nito Gil

10 | Change the Game— Miguel Aguayo

12 | Standing in the Shadow of a Miracle—Joyce Rusch

LLUSN HIGHLIGHTS

14-21 | ALUMNI NEWS

22-29 | ACADEMICS

30-33 | HOMECOMING

34-38 | FACULTY UPDATES

Implementing Medication-Focused Fall Risk Assessment To Reduce Falls In Acute Care, Jill Shultz

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Falls are a significant patient safety concern among hospitalized older adults. The existing fall risk assessment did not evaluate medications, creating a gap in identifying fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDS).

Aim of the Project: The aim was to improve FRID identification by implementing a medication-focused fall risk assessment tool (MFRAT) for older adults admitted to an orthopedic and neurological medical-surgical unit. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists & National Council on Aging Falls Risk Checklist was the chosen tool.

Review of the Evidence: Evidence identified three recurring themes: standardized MFRAT use, FRID identification, and healthcare worker education on FRIDs. Findings supported …

The Experience Of Wellness And Self-Care For Graduating Bsn Students, Jenny Pappas, Terri A. Clark, Tasha Ruffin, Deborah Ellison, Adrienne Wilk, Debra Rose Wilson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The aim of this study was to explore how graduating prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students experience self-care and wellness, with the goal of informing future curriculum development. Nursing students face significant academic, emotional, and sociocultural pressures that heighten vulnerability to burnout. Despite widespread agreement that self-care is a professional expectation, little is known about the students’ experience within demanding programs. Guided by Orem et al.’s (2001) self-care deficit theory, a qualitative study using interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology was used to examine lived experiences of self-care and wellness. Sixteen graduating BSN students participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews. Interviews were …

Validity And Reliability Of The Turkish Nursing Students’ Self-Perceptions About Safe Medication Management, Derya Şimşekli, Bedriye Cansu Koyunoğlu, Elanur Yilmaz Karabulutlu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Safe medication management is central to nursing education and patient safety. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no validated Turkish instrument specifically designed to assess nursing students’ self-perceptions regarding safe medication management. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Nursing Students’ Self-Perceptions about Safe Medication Management (NURSPeM).

Methods: This methodological study was conducted at a single university using convenience sampling. Data were collected from a sample of 400 nursing students using the NURSPeM. Construct validity was examined with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was evaluated …