Other Nursing Commons^™

Considering Stress In A Nursing Student Context: Pre-Admission To Pre-Graduation, Daniel M. Regner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In moderation, stress is a normal response to a perceived challenge which can motivate an individual to perform at their best. Nursing students consistently report a significant amount of stress which has been found to be greater than their non-nursing peers. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of stress reported by second-semester freshman and sophomore students who have declared nursing as a major, compared with the level of stress experienced by junior and senior students who are enrolled in the university's nursing program. Through this comparison, a conclusion can be drawn as to the level of …

Prone Positioning In Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients, Sarah Rose H. Thornton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), seen in critically ill patients, is a disease process that affects the lungs and directly impacts a patient’s oxygenation. Despite treatment, patients often die of ARDS secondary to systemic complications. Prone positioning has been introduced as a treatment to improve the outcomes of ARDS patients. This thesis summarized and critiqued recent literature on the outcomes of prone positioning in ARDS patients.

Methodology: An initial literature search was conducted using CINAHL Plus with Text, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Multiple search terms …

Complementary And Integrative Therapies For The Treatment Of Fibromyalgia, Jennifer Hushla

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating and chronic condition with an array of symptoms, the most distinguishable being widespread pain. FMS patients experience a marked decrease in quality of life related to intensity of symptoms. Current treatment options and pharmaceuticals do not provide adequate relief. This thesis examines integrative and complementary therapy options for symptom management and improvement of quality of life for FMS patients. A literature review was conducted of English current research using multiple databases. Findings indicate mindful movement therapies (MMT) such as yoga and tai chi, mindfulness, sensory-related relaxation techniques with guided imagery, and cognitive behavioral therapy …

Homophobia In Registered Nurses, Matthew Berry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Homophobia plays a significant role in the treatment of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). The purpose of this study is to explore the presence of these types of negative attitudes as they present themselves in the nursing workforce. 520 registered nurses were contacted via email to partake in a survey assessing homophobic attitudes and perceptions regarding nursing care of LGBT persons. A total of 27 registered nurses responded and the resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A majority of registered nurses were female (89.3%), greater than 40 years of age (75%), white (75%), heterosexual …

The Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy (Hrt) On Surgically Postmenopausal Women: A Review Of The Literature, Leslie M. Hertweck

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the effects of HRT in women with acute estrogen deficiency from surgically induced menopause. The secondary purpose was to evaluate how HRT improves symptoms of acute estrogen deficiency and quality of life (QOL) in women using hormone supplementation. Peer reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2017 that were written in the English language with a focus on the use of HRT in women with acute estrogen deficiency after surgical menopause were evaluated for relevance. Evidence suggests the primary reason for decreased use of HRT is the associated risks outweighing the benefits; …

Online Support Group For Chinese Women With Ovarian Or Cervical Cancer, Yuan Xing

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Women with gynecological (GYN) cancer experience a wide spectrum of physical, emotional and social effects after diagnosis and treatment of their cancer. The insufficient availability of local support groups, limited transportation for the rural Chinese population and a shortage of oncologists make it difficult to have face-to-face support groups for Chinese GYN cancer patients. However, the wide access of Internet has provided an opportunity for people to have online support groups. The purpose of this study was to observe and describe the types of support given to and by Chinese GYN cancer survivors in a QQ chat group. This was …

The Effects Of Emerging Technology On Healthcare And The Difficulties Of Integration, Skyler J. Pavlish-Carpenter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Disruptive technology describes technology that is significantly more advanced than previous iterations, such as: 3D printing, genetic manipulation, stem cell research, innovative surgical procedures, and computer-based charting software. These technologies often require extensive overhauls to implement into older systems and must overcome many difficult financial and societal complications before they can be widely used. In a field like healthcare that makes frequent advancements, these difficulties can mean that the technology will not be utilized to its full potential or implemented at all.

Objective: To determine the inhibiting factors that prevent disruptive technology from being implemented in conventional healthcare.

Methods: …

Exploring What It Is Like To Be An Undocumented Alien In Seek Of Healthcare, Eliany C. Torrez Pon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Currently, there are about 11.8 million undocumented aliens in the United States who are not eligible for public insurance or any type of private coverage obtained through the American Health Care Act of 2017. This creates barriers to healthcare for this large population and has negative implications for the healthcare system. Despite the availability of clinics and low-cost healthcare, this group tends to underuse resources or seek healthcare for emergencies only which leads to increased cost totaling approximately $1.1 billion a year. The goal of this qualitative study is to better understand what it is like to be an undocumented …

A Comparison Of The Quality Of Care And Cost Efficiency Between Anesthesia Providers, Daniel A. Carter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The development of anesthesia has greatly contributed to the safety of surgeries, reduced the level of invasiveness of many procedures, and provided increased comfort for patients. The delivery of anesthetics has been primarily provided by one of two unique health care providers: a trained physician who has specialized in anesthesia, or an advanced practice nurse—the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Both providers have a similar scope of practice, are nationally certified, and often work side-by-side. However, in recent years there has been some controversy between the two providers regarding autonomy, safety, and quality of services. The purpose of this study …

Effects Of Energy-Based Therapies On Postoperative Recovery: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Emily M. Wooten

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Associated with health care reform, there has been a growing interest among healthcare professionals regarding use of energy-based therapies as a complementary therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine the impact of energy-based therapies (i.e. healing touch, reiki, therapeutic touch) on patients’ postoperative recovery. The methodology included identifying appropriate peer-reviewed, English-language research articles on the topic area that were published between 2006 to 2018. Following a search in select data bases, articles focusing on the topic were critiqued, analyzed and synthesized by the researcher. Consistent and inconsistent findings along with gaps in the literature are …

Evaluation Of Self-Efficacy And Confidence Levels Among Newly Graduated Nurses Exposed To An End-Of-Life Simulation: A Comparison Study, Catherine Edwards

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to compare self-efficacy and confidence levels among a cohort of newly graduated nurses (defined as nurses who have had no nursing experience and are participating in a new graduate nursing residency) who will participate in an EOL simulation with another cohort of nurses who have been practicing for a year or more, but have not participated in an end-of-life simulation.

Methods: The study included two parts. The first portion included a pre and post-test evaluation of an end-of-life (EOL) simulation intervention with newly graduated nurses (Group One, n= 22), as part of their …

Structural Stress And Otherness: How Do They Influence Psychological Stress?, Christine Dewilde

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The Theory of Cultural Distress offers a framework for understanding the potential outcomes in patients who do not receive care that incorporates their cultural beliefs (DeWilde & Burton, 2017).This study represents initial steps in researching the theory byexploring the layering of stressors that place the patient at risk for Cultural Distress. Methods: Utilized aCross-sectional descriptive correlational analysis of intersecting identities (Structural Stressors), ethnicity-related stressors (Otherness) and ethnic-identity (Otherness) to develop understanding of the potential effects of these variables on psychological stress. Independent variables included intersecting identities, perceived ethnic discrimination, concern for stereotype confirmation, own group conformity pressure, and …

An Inpatient Rehabilitation Interprofessional Care Pathway For Traumatic Hip Fracture: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project, Sarah Plante

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Each year over 300,000 older adults are hospitalized for hip fracture. The impact of the cost of hip fracture on the US health care system is estimated to be as high as $9 billion, with the typical cost of a hip fracture episode around $30,000. Formalized pathways have been developed and successfully utilized for many patient presentations, including hip fracture, in the acute setting. Although this research is important to the comprehensive care of the elderly hip fracture patient, very little research exists that outlines evidence-based best-practice for patients in the post-acute recovery period.

Purpose: The primary aim of …

The Evaluation Of A Breast Cancer Screening Decision Aid In The Community Setting., Kimberly Gibbons

DNP Scholarly Projects

Breast cancer screening (BCS) has been recommended to women by healthcare providers as well as professional organizations and non-profit awareness organizations for over four decades. Recently, attention is being paid to quantification of the actual benefits and harms of BCS with mammography. The harms include overdiagnosis, overtreatment and mandate of mammography screening that may not be in alignment with the individual values and preferences of women ages 40-69. This evidence translation project developed a resource for practice that was evaluated by community participants for alignment with personal value and preference-based educational needs about BCS. This project piloted a clinical practice …

A Program To Prepare Frontline Nurse Leaders For Peer Review, Suzanne K. Murdock

DNP Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The purpose of nursing peer review is to assess the quality of nursing care against established standards, identify strengths and weaknesses in practice, and identify knowledge gaps. Studies of nurse peer review predominantly focuse on staff nurse attitudes and knowledge after an educational intervention and barriers to implementation. Frontline nurse leaders (FLNL) can influence adoption of new practices such as peer review.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to engage frontline nurse leaders in a role specific peer review program, preparing them to support their staff in the implementation of peer review in the future and providing an …

The Nexus Of Nursing Leadership And A Culture Of Safer Patient Care, Melanie Murray, Deborah R. Sundin, Vicki C. Cope

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims and objectives: To explore the connection between +6 nursing leadership and enhanced patient safety.

Background: Critical reports from the Institute of Medicine in 1999 and Francis QC report of 2013 indicate that healthcare organisations, inclusive of nursing leadership, were remiss or inconsistent in fostering a culture of safety. The factors required to foster organisational safety culture include supportive leadership, effective communication, an orientation programme and ongoing training, appropriate staffing, open communication regarding errors, compliance to policy and procedure, and environmental safety and security. As nurses have the highest patient interaction, and leadership is discernible at all levels of nursing, …

Lifestyle Health Behaviors Of Nurses And Midwives: The ‘Fit For The Future’ Study, Lin Perry, Xiaoyue Xu, Robyn Callagher, Rachel Nicholls, David Sibbritt, Christine Duffield

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nurses and midwives (nurses) are the principle role models and health educators for the wider population. This study sought to identify the health-related behaviors of the nursing workforce of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, compared to contemporary recommendations for healthy living and to the Australian general population, matched by gender and age. An electronic cross-sectional survey delivered in 2014–2015 recruited 5041 nurses through the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and professional networks. Validated health behavior measures were collected and compared to Australian National Health Survey data. Compared with younger nurses, older nurses reported greater adherence to fruit and vegetable guideline …

Critical Care Nurses’ Qualitative Reports Of Experiences With Family Behaviors As Obstacles In End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Caitlin Mallory, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Karlen E. Luthy

Faculty Publications

Background: Critical care nurses (CCNs) frequently provide end-of-life (EOL) care for critically ill patients. Critical care nurses may face many obstacles while trying to provide quality EOL care. Some research focusing on obstacles CCNs face while trying to provide quality EOL care has been published; however, research focusing on family behavior obstacles is limited. Research focusing on family behavior as an EOL care obstacle may provide additional insight and improvement in care.

Objectives: We wanted to gather firsthand experiences of CCNs regarding working with families of dying patients. We then wanted to determine the predominant obstacle themes noted when CCNs …

The Effect Of Poverty Simulation Participation On Attitudes Toward Children Living In Poverty For Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Amanda Moore, Leah Struhsaker, Kaylee Gutschow

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Poverty is a major issue in the United States. Because perceived discrimination can impact health and willingness to seek care, it is important for healthcare providers to be educated on and exposed to issues that poverty presents to individuals who are poor. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a poverty simulation on attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards children living poverty. The study was guided by Albert Bandura’s social learning theory and used a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design and convenience sampling of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a community health nursing course. Attitudes were measured at …

Supportive Resources For Teaching Healthy Sexuality And Body Maturation During Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Jennifer Davis

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.