Other Nursing Commons^™

Enhancing Pain Documentation In Medical Surgical Units: Integrating Supportive Tools With Pain Nursing Education, Mariana Arias

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Pain management in in-patient care, particularly involving opioids, is critical due to the associated risks. Proper pain assessment is essential to ensure safe medication administration and mitigate adverse effects.

Context: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve opioid assessment and documentation rate above 90% compliance in two medical-surgical units, focusing on bedside nurses who play a crucial role in patient safety and effective pain management.

Interventions: A baseline survey provided nurses' understanding on compliance criteria and assessment timing. Interventions included visual reminders, informational posters, and instructions on how to access individual compliance reports.

Measures: A post intervention survey …

Application Of Lymphedema Education Toolkit For Nurse Coordinators, Julian K. Miranda

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: There is approximately one in five breast cancer survivors affected by breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a potentially debilitating condition affecting the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of individuals. Context: This Quality Improvement (QI) project was conducted at an outpatient facility of Hospital X’s Women’s Cancer Center. Within this microsystem, there are 24 permanent clinical nurse coordinators and advanced practice providers, with 15 nurse coordinators dedicated to care for patients with breast cancer or gynecological conditions. Intervention: The intervention aims to evaluate if a standardized educational tool improves early interventions for patients with lymphedema and knowledge among healthcare providers …

The Impact Of Electronic Health Record Unintended Consequences On Quality Of Care Within A High Complexity Healthcare Organization, Joetta Powell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

“Unintended consequences are unexpected, and unwanted outcomes that can limit the value of EHR implementation and adversely affect quality of care and patient safety” (Lee & Kang, 2021, p. 898). Few organizations have redesigned the EHR to improve usability to mitigate potential patient safety concerns. This study aims to identify unintended consequences in patient care workflows and determine educational needs related to EHR usability. A mixed method approach was used to investigate unintended consequences in deidentified patient safety reports submitted Jan 1, 2020, through December 31, 2023. The data was analyzed to identify error types and educational deficits. The Acute …

Barriers, Facilitators, And Competencies In Advocating For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities With Health Disparities, Carol Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities are positioned to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities and other health disparities. This study explored nurses’ perceived competencies, barriers, and facilitators when advocating for improved health status in adult patients with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Twenty-five nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Barriers identified in advocacy were: Funding, Communication, Negative Perceptions and Misperceptions, Lack of access, and Diagnostic Overshadowing. Nurses were also facilitated in advocating for improved health status in people with intellectual disabilities. Facilitators …

Improving Mental Health Support For Nursing Students Through Mental Health First Aid (Mhfa) Training Of Clinical Faculty, Amy Sands

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

This project aimed to implement a process improvement program at the Louisville campus of Galen College of Nursing to improve the mental health support for nursing students through the training of Clinical Instructors (CIs) in using adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and the ALGEE actions described within that program.

Dnp Final Report: Central Line Dressing Change Regimen To Decrease Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Ann Campbell

DNP Final Reports

Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are dangerous and costly occurrences in healthcare facilities. This evidence-based project's purpose is to implement interventions to reduce CLABSIs in a healthcare facility that has higher than the national average of reported cases. The practice problem PICOT question is: In inpatients with indwelling central venous access devices at the facility, (P) how does implementation of evidence-based guidelines for central line dressing changes every seven days and as needed (I) compared to the current practice of dressing changes on Fridays (C) affect CLABSI rates over a three-month period (O). The body of evidence obtained in …

Dnp Final Report: Effects Of Open-Access Scheduling On Patient No-Show Rates In An Outpatient Clinic, Maria Aileen A. Wilkinson Msn, Mba, Rn

DNP Final Reports

No-show rates in a South Texas outpatient clinic have been as high as 16% to 20% which increases wait times to be seen in the clinic and decreases patient access to outpatient care. This no-show rate data has continued despite multiple interventions that have been implemented in an academic health science center. Physical, socio-economic, geographic, and health/lifestyle factors affecting no show or missed appointments are crucial to determining the most appropriate interventions to alleviate this issue. No-show rates are important metrics to improve because it directly affects the organization's revenue, access to care, and appointment wait times. Research evidence regarding …

Addressing Stroke Care Disparities Through Patient Education, Christina Annerino

Honors Capstones

It has been found across current studies and evaluations of stroke care and patient outcomes that there is a disparity in disability and mortality between male and female patients who have experienced stroke. The aforementioned studies did not identify the cause of this disparity, although a number of hypotheses for this phenomenon were provided. This study then conducted a preliminary survey of 130 participants, both men and women, aged 18-80 years old, to evaluate potential barriers to accessing stroke care and receiving treatment effectively. Preliminary survey data demonstrated consistent gaps in knowledge related to stroke risks, stroke symptoms, and when …

Home Based Primary Care Program Evaluation Of Loneliness, Depression, And Multimorbid Conditions Of Older Midwest Veterans, Renee R. Sullivan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objectives: This program evaluation of Veteran Administration’s (VA) Home-Based Primary Care Program (HBPC) measured the differences in loneliness, diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and multimorbid conditions in rural and urban older adult veterans compared with older adult community-dwelling veterans. The correlations of loneliness using the 11- Item Revised University of California Los Angeles (R-UCLA) Loneliness Scale will describe the relationship of loneliness to mental health diagnoses, multimorbid conditions, demographic data, caregiver presences and the number in-person and phone contacts with the HBPC providers of a Midwestern Veterans Administration …

Incorporating A High Fidelity Transgender Simulation Into Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum, Kacee Child, Jenniepearl Spencer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students participating in a high-fidelity transgender patient simulation. The aims were to increase student knowledge and confidence to improve communication and provide more inclusive and equitable care.

Healthcare providers are not adequately prepared to manage the unique health needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Nurses are ideally positioned to address gaps in LGBTQ healthcare by providing culturally competent care. Yet, LGBTQ health education is lacking in most undergraduate nursing school curriculums.

Methods

62 undergraduate nursing students participated in a post-surgical …

Experiences Of Registered Nurses Returning To Practice After A Career Break, Jill V. Scott

Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the complex experiences of Registered Nurses (RNs) returning to practice, with a particular focus on the impacts of self-efficacy, recruitment strategies, and regulatory barriers. The first article, a literature review, examines the self-efficacy of RNs returning to practice, emphasizing the importance of refresher programs and support to facilitate this transition. This review also evaluated the preparedness of RNs re-entering the workforce, and evaluated the role of self-efficacy in successful reintegration into clinical practice. The second manuscript delves into the challenges of reaching and recruiting health professionals who have left the profession, identifying community partnerships, social media, and …

Second Victim Syndrome: Nurses Suffering In Silence, Matthew Riehm

Dissertations

Medication errors are inherent in health care due to human fallibility and inherent systemic complexities. Nurses are often unjustly blamed after committing a medication error despite the multitude of contributing factors. Formal education and healthcare organizations focus on preventing medication errors, but little has been done to support nurses involved in these tragic incidents. Recent cases, including RaDonda Vaught and Kimberly Hiatt, demonstrated the victimization of nurses after committing medication errors that plague the healthcare system potentially causing profound psychological trauma, often known as Second Victim Syndrome, SVS. There is limited research on the phenomenon of SVS in nursing due …

The Association Between Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, And Social Determinants Of Health Among Accelerated Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students: A Multi-State Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study, Kwanza Thomas

Dissertations

This study investigated the association between emotional intelligence (managing and understanding), empathy, and social determinants of health (SDOH) among accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students. Despite the exponential increase in ABSN programs in the United States, little is known about the association between these variables among this nursing student population. A cross-sectional, correlational descriptive design was used to survey 104 students completing ABSN programs in Georgia, Mississippi, Philadelphia, and Texas. Participants self-reported their socioeconomic and programmatic characteristics using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Emotional intelligence (managing and understanding) was measured using two instruments, including the Situational Test of Emotional Management …

Utilization Of The Reproductive Justice Framework In Contraceptive Counseling With Black And African American Women: A Comparison Of Patient Satisfaction And Provider Knowledge, Simranjeet K. Tagore

Doctoral Projects

Current practice in contraceptive counseling is characterized by great variation in both content and implementation. The literature indicates that African American women desire contraceptive counseling based in respect, trust, and equity. Conducted over 8 weeks, this quality improvement project compared satisfaction in African American and Black patients receiving contraceptive counseling by a provider trained in the Reproductive Justice Framework (RJF) versus those receiving contraceptive counseling by a provider not trained in the Reproductive Justice Framework. This project also evaluated the effects of Reproductive Justice Framework training on clinician knowledge. Inclusion criteria for the patients included identifying as Black and/or African …

Mentorship Program Including Alumni, Nicole Brainin

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The landscape of advanced education in nurse anesthesia presents considerable challenges for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), accentuated by demanding clinical hours and the transition from experienced ICU nursing to novice learners. This study explores the implementation of alumni mentorship within Nurse Anesthesia Programs (NAPs) to alleviate these stressors. An initial survey gauged alumni interest in mentorship roles, while a follow-up survey assessed the program's impact on student satisfaction and communication. Findings suggest that engagement and communication frequencies are lower than optimal, while alumni mentorship is perceived positively. Recommendations for enhancing the program include diversified communication channels, structured interactions, and …

Educating Anesthesia Providers On The Physiological Effects And Anesthesia Implications Of Cannabis, Carmel Loud

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

In the U.S., currently 37 states have legalized cannabis for medicinal use prescribed by qualified medical professionals (National Conference of State Legislatures [NCSL], 2022). In 2012, the legalization of recreational cannabis began; as of 2022, 19 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana (NCSL, 2022). This project aimed to optimize care for patients using cannabis by increasing anesthesia provider knowledge about cannabis. The project's aim was accomplished through a thorough review of the current medical literature and implementation of education to anesthesia providers about the physiological effects and anesthesia implications of cannabis. Thirteen CRNAs took a pre- and post-quiz …

The Lived Experience Of Nurses In Caring For Patients With Covid-19, Jessica Barre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Limited research exists about the experiences of nurses’ caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic post hoc. To understand nurses’ realities of caring for patients with COVID-19, I aimed to understand the lived experience of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in the United States. A qualitative design with a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was used. Sixteen participants were recruited via purposive sampling, augmented with snowball sampling. Data were collected through unstructured interviews and were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 in the U.S. were consolidated into four themes: “a living …

Modifiers Of The Effects Of Different Dimensions Of Social Support On Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence., Melissa Amraotkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a Class I, level A indication for treatment and prevention further complications of CVD. The attendance rate for CR in the U.S. is very low, especially among female patients. Dimensions of social support, sex of the support provider, and the quality of primary intimate relationship are associated with health-promoting behavior and may influence CR adherence in patients. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dimensions of social support and CR adherence, and whether these relationships were moderated by factors such …

Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Of Students In The Nursing Department: A Cross-Sectional Study, Dilek Yılmaz, Gonca Buran

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Nurses take on important roles in disasters. In this regard, the disaster response self-efficacy of nursing students must be evaluated. The study aimed to determine the self-efficacy of nursing students in disaster response.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of 207 nursing students who were in their third or fourth year attending the nursing department of a state university in the Marmara region of Türkiye between October and December 2023. Data were collected using a student description form and the disaster response self-efficacy scale.

Results: The mean age of the study participants …

Investigating Nursing Students’ Levels Of Knowledge About Alzheimer’S Disease, Dilek Doruk Kondakci, Aliye Mandiracioğlu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Given that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a major public health problem, this study aimed to investigate the AD knowledge level of nursing students who are health professional candidates.

Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of 346 nursing students taking up a 4-year program. They were asked to fill out a sociodemographic information form and answer questions from the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS).

Results: Among the participants, 67.6% were female and 98.8% were single. The mean age of the students was 20.55 ± 2.05 years. Their general knowledge about AD was low, with …