Nursing Commons^™

Using Nurse-Assisted Telemedicine To Reduce Healthcare System Utilization By Rural Congestive Heart Failure Patients, Melissa Diehl Weidner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is among the most common reasons for emergency room utilization and hospitalizations in those over age 65. With the rapidly aging population in the United States, the number of CHF patients is projected to continue to rise, disproportionately affecting rural communities. This research study evaluated an innovative nurse-led telemedicine program developed by one rural healthcare system to address the care and economic influence of rural CHF care. The purpose of this causal comparative analysis was to determine the impact a nurse-assisted telemedicine program had on the number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions for CHF …

Effectiveness Of An Educational Intervention On Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screenings For Healthcare Providers In Ambulatory Settings, Avis Simon

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

PTSD affects 3.6% of the United States adult population about 9 million people each year. Studies have found that 52% of the mental health population seen by healthcare providers who met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD are often undiagnosed. This quality improvement clinical project conducted at two military ambulatory clinics in the southeastern United States, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screenings and outpatient referrals among healthcare providers in ambulatory settings. Specific goals were to improve ambulatory providers' awareness and utilization of PTSD screening instruments in patients experiencing PTSD. The secondary …

Implementation Of A Standardized Process To Increase Referrals To The Tobacco Quitline In An Underserved General Oncology Cancer Survivorship Clinic, Kristyn-Mae Rosales

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this scholarly project was to implement a standardized process to increase referral rates to the tobacco quitline among cancer survivors in an outpatient center. The intent was to promote the usage of tobacco cessation resources for this vulnerable population.

BACKGROUND “Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States” (CDC, 2023). This project was implemented in an ambulatory clinic among the Harris County population, Houston, Texas. The aim of this project was to increase the number of quitline referrals by 20% in six months.

METHODOLOGY Interventions were implemented to …

An Undergraduate Baccalaureate Simulation On Weight Bias And Caring For A Patient With Obesity, Kathy Andrews

DNP Projects

Background: There is considerable evidence showing the correlation between weight related bias among healthcare professionals, and poor health outcomes for patients with obesity. Educating healthcare professionals on both safe and effective care practices and compassionate patient-centered care techniques can reduce the negative health impact of weight bias on this patient population. Purpose: This scholarly project adjusted the existing curriculum to address existing weight bias among a cohort of undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students and to inspire improvement in their care of patients with obesity. Methods: Using Kolb’s ELT a sequence of learning activities were adapted and implemented as a …

Enhancing Metabolic Syndrome Surveillance For Adults Taking Second Generation Antipsychotic Medication, Ilanit Marx

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Individuals prescribed Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) face an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a higher prevalence of metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. This heightened susceptibility significantly raises the chances of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (Abdulhaq et al., 2021; Chen & Nasrallah, 2019).

Objectives: This quality improvement project aims to address the management of MetS in patients with severe psychiatric disorders prescribed SGAs. Applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, this project seeks to gain insights into the determinants shaping clinician behavior and provide a comprehensive understanding of the …

Telehealth: A Rising Intervention For Latina Mothers Experiencing Prenatal And Postpartum Depression, Britney Gutierrez

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is high among Latina women but often goes unrecognized and untreated. Recognition and management of PPD in this population is crucial as PPD contributes to negative health effects on the mother and infant. Purpose: This research aims to look into telehealth to improve screening methods and treatment for Latina mothers through a Spanish mobile health application that will provide screening and education on PPD. Method: This mixed-method quality improvement study will include 300 participants from an OB-GYN and Pediatrics community clinic, > 18 years old, of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, Spanish speaking, currently pregnant, or had a child …

Nurse Suicide: Examining Depression And Anxiety In Critical Care Settings, Arianna Bernardine Barata

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, yet the demanding work environment often exposes them to stressors, leading to the development of depression and anxiety. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) (2021), 50.8% of nurses have stress, 74% have anxiety, 70.8% have depression, and 79.1% have at least one of them. Burnout, understaffing, COVID fatigue, alarm fatigue, patient ratios, and disrupted sleep patterns are some of the stressors nurses contend with in every shift. While some nurses may cope and overcome these challenges, many face more severe issues, such as suicide. Nurse suicide is an issue that has …

Preventive Strategies For Elder Abuse Within Hospice Care By Healthcare Professionals, Joshua Eason

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Healthcare professionals providing hospice care need to have particular specialized abilities, empathy, and trust. Unfortunately, some of these medical professionals are unable to provide their patients the care they need, so they will instead abuse and ignore them. Elder abuse must be identified and addressed in hospice care settings if older patients are to have their rights and dignity upheld and a standardized, compassionate end-of-life care program is to be provided for each patient.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness and preventative strategies for elder abuse, implemented by healthcare providers within the hospice care …

Iud Pain Managment, Emily Nguyen

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On The Weight And Emotional Stability In Adolescents, Lauren Parayno

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Adverse childhood experiences (ACES)a r e traumatic events that can occur during an adolescent's life. Af e w example of ACES are: • parental divorce/ separation • having a parent or guardian that isaddicted to a substance. These events cause the adolescent tolive through a state of chronic stress. Furthermore, these experiences put adolescents at a greater risk for obesity and depression. With adequate screening, nurses would be able to identify adolescents going through these troubling times. Interventionssuch aseducation on a healthier lifestyle and providing counseling services, would be beneficial to the age group.

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Community Health Worker Administered Behavioral Activation Intervention For Postpartum Depression: A Single Arm Pilot Study From India, Amy Szajna, Bheemsain Tekkalaki, Veereshkumar Nandagaon, Gururaj Udapi, Manjunath Sogalad, Shweta Dandagi, Uma Kole, Sushma Patil, Sudha Raddi, Vanessa Short, Patricia Kelly

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

INTRODUCTION: Women in India experience high rates of postpartum depression (PPD), with minimal availability of screening or treatment. India has an extensive network of community health workers, known as accredited social health activists (ASHAs). While they are knowledgeable about most maternal-child health problems, they have minimal knowledge about PPD. We trained ASHAs to deliver a simple home-based intervention, behavioral activation (BA), which involves individuals in activities that are sources of positive reinforcement to counter depression. The research questions guiding this study were as follows: 1) What are the feasibility and acceptability of ASHAs screening for and delivering a brief behavioral …

Medication Assisted Therapy And First Episode Psychosis: Evaluating Treatment And Readmission Rates, Kayla Sherea Williams Bsn, Rn, Hannah Lee Brenner Bsn, Rn, Madison Makenzie Yount Bsn, Rn, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that each day more than 140 U.S. residents die from drug overdoses, specifically due to opioids. Due to this, alternatives were created to reduce overdoses and ensure safety. Medication assistance therapy (MAT) is an effective form of treatment for people with substance use disorders and is defined as the use of medication in conjunction with counseling or therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders. The efficacy of MAT is used adjunctively with psychotropic medications compared to using no MAT and using psychotropic medications alone with individuals who are experiencing …

An Evidence-Based Strategy For The Use Of Simulation To Assess Situation Awareness In Applicants To Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Angela Lee

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Medical errors are considered one of the top causes of patient death. Closed claims analysis reveals an estimated 50% of claims are associated with preventable events by the anesthesia provider. Errors in anesthesia leading to critical incidents are associated with errors in situation awareness (SA). Identification of human factor variables, such as SA, provides an analysis of observable behavior and intuition necessary to guide crisis management, maintain clinical performance, and mitigate errors in patient safety. The human factor components of human error and SA play critical roles in patient safety and overall clinical anesthesia practice. The viability of simulation assessment …

Evidence Based Practice Guidelines For The Pediatric Autistic Spectrum Disorder Population, Calvin Sparks

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as caregivers, experience significant challenges in their interactions with healthcare providers in a clinical setting. This is primarily due to their issues with communication, social interaction, and sensory sensitivities to anesthetic treatment during premedication or preoperative environments. Due to these characteristics, it is important to maintain and update the current standards of care for children with ASD while utilizing evidence-guided strategies to provide a pre-operative assessment effectively. The pre-operative assessment is a critical component that renders impact throughout the surgical experience with the purpose of risk stratification, preparation of altering the normal …

Development And Implementation Of An Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related To The Management Of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Angioedema (AE) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs with a higher frequency than medical providers may expect, with the emergency department (ED) serving as the usual first point of medical contact for patients. Any hesitation in recognizing AE or inconsideration of the disease process in differential diagnoses may lead to a dangerous delay of care. Due to the potential rapid progression of airway obstruction in AE, inexperienced providers should not attempt intubation, instead deferring to providers experienced in alternative airway techniques (i.e., anesthesia providers). The primary goal of this project is to develop an evidencebased practice guideline for …

Preprocedural Ultrasound For Labor Neuraxial Anesthesia: Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations, Nicholas Anderson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Central neuraxial blockade (CNB) is the most widely used method of anesthesia provided to laboring patients and includes epidural, spinal, combined spinal-epidural, and caudal techniques. Studies have shown that using preprocedural ultrasound is a safe and effective tool to facilitate the placement of neuraxial needles, especially in patients with predicted difficulty. With the prevalence of obesity increasing, laboring patients with predicted difficulty of neuraxial needle placement is increasing as well. In addition, the traditional method of palpation and visualization of anatomical landmarks to place neuraxial needles can produce inaccurate results due to inconsistencies between patients. Use of preprocedural ultrasound to …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Crna Preceptor Training Program, Emmanuel Mensah

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

A preceptor is an experienced clinician who is expected to facilitate a student's learning experience. Preceptorship is the relationship between a staff nurse and student, focusing on the development of clinical skills and knowledge. Initially introduced by Florence Nightingale in the 1800s, the concept was quickly adopted by nurse anesthetists and is a staple of the anesthesia practice today. As it stands, many Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) preceptors do not receive formal training in their role, which may lead to a decrease in teaching ability and confidence to face broad teaching-learning issues. A lack of preparation hinders preceptor outcomes …

Incorporation Of Mindfulness Application Use In Doctoral Nurse Anesthesia Curricula For Mitigation Of Stress And Anxiety In Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Kerrie Rodgers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The nurse anesthesia specialty is highly stressful, with educational training being no exception. High didactic demands and intensive clinical experiences are placed on student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs), increasing stress and anxiety in their personal and professional lives. High levels of psychological distress can lead to inadvertent consequences in students’ mental, emotional, and physical health and can contribute to illness, burnout, substance use, and compromise in patient safety. Some degree of stress is necessary for motivation to succeed and perform at high levels, and encountering stress while enrolled in a doctoral nurse anesthesia program is expected and unavoidable. A search …

Educating Nurses On Frequent Oral Care For Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal, Grace Alford, Susan Butz, Ruth Chavez, Joy Shoemaker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The final scholarly project proposal is to implement oral care education for nurses in an intensive care unit (ICU). The proposal aims to create a guideline for an investigator to implement oral care recommendations for mechanically ventilated patients in order to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The proposal consists of obtaining VAP data and oral care charting data for the unit studied, steps for providing oral care education, and analysis recommendations. Oral care involves swabbing the patient’s mouth every two hours with a swab and mouthwash. Oral care education would include handouts and direct teaching. The proposal aims to increase oral …

Evaluating Nurses’ Turnover Intention And Organizational Commitment Following Stroke Unit Staffing Changes: An Evidence-Based Quality Initiative, Heather Tatusko

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Nurses are known to be overworked, overwhelmed, undervalued, and understaffed at dangerous levels throughout various inpatient hospital units across the United States (U.S.). Hospital registered nurse (RN) turnover is a significant issue that has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in economic impacts and other burdens for organizations, individuals, and communities. Evidence suggests that evaluating Registered Nurses’ Turnover intention (NTI) and Organizational Commitment (OC) can help maintain a ready and capable team of skilled RNs; however, most healthcare organizations (HCOs) do not collect or analyze NTI and OC data and focus on staffing numbers and monetary incentives to get adequate …