Nursing Commons^™

Infusing Oral Health Care Into Nursing Curriculum: Addressing Preventive Health In Aging And Disability, Joan Earle Hahn, Leah Fitzgerald, Young Kee Markham, Paul Glassman, Nancy Guenther

Nursing

Access to oral health care is essential for promoting and maintaining overall health and well-being, yet oral health disparities exist among vulnerable and underserved populations. While nurses make up the largest portion of the health care work force, educational preparation to address oral health needs of elders and persons with disabilities is limited across nursing curricula. This descriptive study reports on the interdisciplinary development, implementation, and testing of an oral health module that was included and infused into a graduate nursing curriculum in a three-phase plan. Phase 1 includes evaluation of a lecture presented to eight gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) …

Master Of Science In Nursing 2012-2013, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Protocol Assessment Adherence For Depression Among Community-Dwelling And Inpatient Older Adults, Cassie Cabor

Nursing Student Work

Many older adults are under diagnosed and undertreated for depression by healthcare professionals (Brown, Bruce, McAvay, Raue, Lachs, & Nassisi, 2003). Depression is very prevalent in all older adults and, during times of war, veterans are at increased risk for development of some type of mental disorder (Allen & Annells, 2009). Cully, Khan, Peterson, and Zimmer (2008) indicate that almost one in 10 veterans are affected by depression. This study aimed to fill some of the gaps that exist in literature regarding depression screening and adherence to protocols for older adults. This retrospective study looked at impatient versus outpatient PHQ-2 …

Associations Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Fatness With Metabolic Syndrome In Rural Women With Prehypertension., Patricia A. Hageman, Carol H. Pullen, Melody A. Hertzog, Linda S. Boeckner, Susan Noble Walker

Journal Articles: Physical Therapy

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the associations of fitness and fatness with metabolic syndrome in rural women, part of a recognized US health disparities group.

METHODS: Fitness, percentage body fat, BMI, and metabolic syndrome criteria were assessed at baseline in 289 rural women with prehypertension, ages 40-69, enrolled in a healthy eating and activity community-based clinical trial for reducing blood pressure.

RESULTS: Ninety (31%) women had metabolic syndrome, of which 70% were obese by BMI (≥30 kg/m²), 100% by percentage body fat (≥30%), and 100% by revised BMI standards (≥25 kg/m²) cited in current literature. Hierarchical logistic regression models, adjusted for …

Evidence Based Practice In School Nursing: A Study Of School Nurses In Central And Eastern North Carolina, Lisa M. Barnes

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study, Evidence Based Practice Use: A Study of School Nurses in Central and Eastern North Carolina, is to gain insight of the barriers and facilitators of evidence based research in the school setting. The unique and autonomous nature of school nursing makes evidence base practice and research utilization especially important to achieve optimal outcomes in this setting that is often isolated from other health care providers. A descriptive cross sectional survey design using the BARRIER scale was used in this quantitative study (Funk et al., 1991). Using the BARRIER scale by Sandra Funk, school nurses from …

Job Satisfaction Among A Multigenerational, Critical Care, Nursing Workforce, Sara Clay

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Despite the slight ease of the nursing shortage due to the current recession, the United States is expected to still have a shortage of approximately 260,000 registered nurses by the year 2025 (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2011). Healthcare is an ever changing profession where nurses, no matter their generation, must learn to adapt to their constantly changing environment and expectations. Job satisfaction is a strong and constant predictor of retention and can vary greatly across generations. The purpose of this study was to get insight into generational differences related to job satisfaction and to use these data to …

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 …

A Study Of Emergency Room Utilization Related To Poorly Controlled Asthma In Pediatrics, Leistey T. Wortman

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system, which causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. Asthma is commonly seen in children. It is the leading cause of hospital stays and school absences. Hospitalization accounts for the single largest portion of the direct health care costs for asthma, estimated at nearly $18 billion a year (Everage, et al, 2010). Children with asthma may be able to breathe normally most of the time but when they encounter a substance that can cause problems (a "trigger"); an asthma attack (exacerbation) can occur (PubMed Health, 2011). The purpose of this study is to …

Neurological Outcomes In Induced Hypothermic States (Post Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation), Shonna Lee Bible

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

International studies indicate that induced hypothermia in successful Post Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation improves cerebral perfusion resulting in improved neurological function. Patients undergoing a neurological exam prior to induction of hypothermia may indicate potential mortality prognosis in this population. Literature Review indicated the use of the Glasgow-Pittsburg Cerebral Performance Categories for evaluation of neurological status in this population, but most institutions seem to utilize Glasgow Coma Scoring (GCS) in all patient populations for neurological examination. The purpose of this study was to determine if a neurological evaluation prior to and during the Induced Hypothermia state would affect the mortality outcomes in …

Senior Nursing Students' Perception Of Clinical Teacher Behavior, Karen Baker

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Clinical experience is the most important component of nursing education (Gaberson and Oermann, 2007; Walker, 2005). As part of the clinical education environment, the teaching behaviors of nursing faculty have considerable potential to influence students' learning. To produce effective learning by students, nurse educators have a responsibility to instruct students so that learning is optimal. The purpose of this study was to explore students' perception of clinical teaching behaviors of nursing faculty. The study uncovers new knowledge about clinical teaching behaviors based on the student's perceptions during their own clinical experiences. A non-experimental survey, descriptive exploratory design was used. A …

The Effect Of Medium Fidelity Simulation On Perceived Competence Level Of Novice Nursing Students, Tracy D. Arnold

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project examined the effect of medium fidelity simulation on perceived competence level of novice nursing students. A convenience sample of 56 second-year associate degree nursing students enrolled in an Adult Medical-Surgical II nursing course and experiential laboratory course participated in this project. Students were divided into two separate groups based on course schedules: 27 students participated in the traditional laboratory experience, and 29 students participated in the instructor guided Mock Code simulation-based learning experience. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the overall mean of all student responses to each question on an altered version of the Perceived Competence …

Smoking And Tobacco Cessation Education, Leslie D. Bolin

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a brief computer-based learning module on nurses' self-efficacy regarding tobacco cessation counseling. Twelve registered nurses practicing in an acute care hospital system participated in the one-group pretest-posttest study. At registration, participants completed a demographical tool and the Modified "5 A's" Training Program Survey. The Modified "5 A's" Training Program Survey was completed again immediately after the training program. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographic data. Statistical analysis did not reveal significant changes in the dependent variables for self-efficacy for smoking cessation counseling. Results of this study support …

Predicting Nclex-Rn Success Utilizing Standardized Testing, Michelle Jolly Dunn

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if Assessment Technologies Institute's (ATI) comprehensive predictor accurately predicts student results on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for graduates of an Associate Degree nurse program at a community college in the Northwestern part of North Carolina. The study was also used to determine the feasibility of the School of Nursing (SON) continuing to purchase the ATI standardized testing products for student use. This study evaluated the comprehensive predictor scores and first time pass/fail rates for graduates (N=285) from 2007 to 2011. All data was analyzed using IBM …

Staff Nurse Perception Of Leadership Styles Among Nurse Managers, Robert A. Jaffe

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This project examined if transformational nurse managers were perceived by their nursing staff as more effective leaders than transactional or passive/avoidant leaders using the Transformational Theory of Leadership through administration of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Form 5X) to nurse unit managers and staff nurses. 80 staff nurses and seven unit nurse managers participated in the study. Unit nurse managers completed the MLQ (Form 5X) about themselves and nursing staff completed the MLQ (Form 5X) about their unit nurse manager. Using descriptive statistics unit nurse manager results were compared with nursing staff results. The goal was for unit nurse managers to …

Registered Nurses' Perception Of Hispanic Women's Use, Decline And Preference Of Pain Control During Childbirth, Sarah R. Conte

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify registered nurses' perceptions of why Hispanic women use or decline pain control during the childbirth process and to identify preferences of pain control. A convenience sample of registered nurses (N = 30) from a large healthcare system in North Carolina was utilized. An 11-item questionnaire using a Likert scale was used. (Appendix A). The questionnaire instrument was developed specifically for this study, and was validated by Julie Stembridge, certified nurse mid- wife, an experienced mid-level provider in obstetrical care. (Appendix B) Demographic data was collected to provide a basis for variations …

Preoperative Education: How Effective Teaching Impacts Knowledge With The Surgical Patient, Heidi Grossweiler

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This research study involved questions identifying the perception of nursing staff related to preoperative teaching. Does initiating teaching, built through relationships and learning during the preadmission visit, have a positive effect on outcomes? The study design included a survey based on the Likert scale, evaluating nurses who conduct preadmission testing visits with patients in the outpatient surgical setting. The evaluation provided information about the correlation of information given between the nurse and the patient, which provides teaching guidelines for educating a patient preoperatively. A cover letter was given to the participant that detailed the purpose of the study and included …

Implications Of Perinatal Safety Nurse Fetal Monitoring Surveillance In The Labor And Delivery Setting, Kellie M. Griggs

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Successful maternal and infant outcomes are the most important safety goals for all obstetrical units providing care for low and high-risk patients. The purpose of this research study was to describe how the implementation of the "Perinatal Safety Nurse" position in the Labor and Delivery setting effected fetal outcomes as well as provided an added level of safety. This study proposed that a direct correlation exists between fetal outcomes and fetal safety initiatives. The research design chosen for this proposal was a retrospective study that utilized a descriptive design. The data compared one hundred deliveries from January 2009 to December …

Transition From Student To Nurse: The Orientation Process, Jessica Ivey

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The transition from a student nurse to a registered nurse poses a difficult transition for some. Benner's model, Novice to Expert, details the transition in stages. It is important for hospital educators and administrators to understand Benner's stages and model their orientation programs appropriately. The Revised Casey-Fink Graduate Nurse Experience Survey was used to query new nurses (≤ 2 years experience) and their preceptors. Results indicate that new nurses feel uncomfortable performing certain skills, communicating with doctors, and lack support after their orientation period. The results support a change in the orientation process and preceptor education.

The Use Of Music To Reduce Test Anxiety In Nursing Students, Janice Kaye Fuson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if listening to music at 60-80 beats per minute prior to testing would decrease anxiety. The following null hypotheses were presented, 1. There is no significant difference between the experimental and control group test STATE-TRAIT Anxiety scores. 2. There is no significant difference between experimental and control group pretest STATE and TEST anxiety score and pulse rates. 3. There is no significant difference between experimental and control group post-test STATE and TEST Anxiety Score and pulse rate (Summers et. al 1990). A previous pilot study was used as a basis for additional …

Emergency Departments And Stemi Care, Are The Guidelines Being Followed?, Dawn W. Hendren

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study examined if an Emergency Department (ED) in a small rural hospital in western North Carolina is compliant with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for obtaining Electrocardiogram's (ECG's), administering fibrinolytics, and performing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on patients with chest pain diagnosed with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The national standards for ECGs is less than 10 minutes from arrival to first medical contact (FMC) with triage nurse; for fibrinolytics, less than 30 minutes from arrival to FMC; and for FMC to PCI, less than 90 minutes. The …