Nursing Commons^™

Community Vitality: Establishing Blue Zone Based Education For Elementary Students, Eliza G. Heinrich

Honors College Theses

Blue Zones are areas of the world where people live longer and healthier lives. These areas share several key characteristics called the Power 9 (Buettner & Skemp, 2016). The goal of this study was to increase general knowledge of Blue Zones as well as the implementation of healthy habits to increase the longevity of the population of Calloway County, Kentucky through educational sessions of elementary students. Researchers involved in this study asked participants to fill out a pre-test to gauge knowledge of Blue Zones. Participants then underwent several educational sessions and activities surrounding the Power 9. Participants were then asked …

Personality Characteristics Of Emergency Nurses And Their Subjective Fit In The Emergency Department, Jose Michael Maria

Theses & Dissertations

Nursing workforce challenges in the United States persist despite widespread recruitment and retention efforts, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated shortages, turnover, and workforce instability. Despite interventions such as residency programs, financial incentives, and organizational initiatives, long-term retention remains inconsistent, particularly in high-demand settings like emergency departments. Ongoing issues such as overcrowding, rising patient acuity, and workforce attrition contribute to burnout, compassion fatigue, and compromised patient outcomes, perpetuating a cycle of staffing strain. Grounded in Person–Environment Fit theory, this research proposes that aligning emergency nurses’ personality traits with the specialty practice environment, the emergency department, may offer a more …

Caring For Transgender People In Healthcare: A Qualitative Descriptive Study With Nurses Working In An Acute Healthcare Setting, Gabriela Roxana Matson

Theses & Dissertations

Transgender individuals frequently encounter numerous obstacles when accessing healthcare services, including stigma, discrimination, and inadequate understanding from healthcare providers. Structural, interpersonal, and anticipation barriers significantly hinder transgender patients' access to care. Structural barriers include a lack of healthcare providers knowledgeable in transgender health and financial constraints. Interpersonal barriers involve discrimination, such as refusal to use correct pronouns or provide gender-affirming care. Anticipation barriers stem from fear of mistreatment, causing many to avoid seeking medical care altogether. Nurses play a vital role in upholding inclusive and affirming healthcare This qualitative descriptive study explored the subjective experiences of registered nurses who provided …

How Employment-Based Clinical Experience During Undergraduate Education Influences Transition To Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review, Seung A. Park, Marion Eckert, Rebecca Sharp, Belinda Clark, Micah D.J. Peters

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To synthesize qualitative evidence on the experiences of undergraduate nursing students and new graduate nurses engaged in formal paid employment models or health-related work during their undergraduate studies, to examine how these employment-based clinical experiences influence their transition to nursing practice, and to identify elements that facilitate or hinder this transition. Design: Qualitative systematic review. Methods: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare (Ovid), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), ERIC (ProQuest), and gray literature sources, including ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and Google Scholar. No date or country limits were applied, although only English-language studies were included. The review followed JBI methodology …

Improving Nurse Utilization Of Protocols To Prevent Pressure Injuries And Increase The Detection Of Pressure Injuries On Admission Using Skin Assessments And Education, Karla Vazquez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This quality improvement project was intended to improve nurses’ use of existing pressure injury (PI) prevention protocols by 20%, ensure 80% of them can adequately stage PIs, 100% report adequate PI prevention knowledge, and 50% of patient admissions receive a comprehensive skin assessment by two nurses. This project took place in the intensive care unit of a hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

BACKGROUND

PIs are sources of pain and infection for patients and financially burden healthcare systems. Nurses are frontline workers with the capability to prevent PIs by being knowledgeable of prevention practices. Additionally, the two-nurse skin assessment is …

The Impact Of Structured Family Meetings In The Intensive Care Unit, Loyce T. Mofor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

The Impact of Structured Family Meetings in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Purpose

Train providers at an academic institution in a large metropolitan area to conduct family meetings using a structured approach and evaluate this intervention's impact on family satisfaction with communication in the ICU.

Background

Inadequate communication between families and healthcare teams leads to lower family satisfaction, heightened feelings of guilt, and diminished capacity for making clinical decisions.

Methodology

VitalTalk training was utilized to improve providers’ communication skills. Structured family meetings were conducted for Surgical and Thoracic ICU patients with an ICU length of stay of > 5 days or …

Tiny Tusks Internship: Factors That Affect Breastfeeding In Public, Caroline E. Bene

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this review was to explore factors that impact women’s decision to breastfeed in public or not. The PICOT question used was: ‘What Factors Affect Women’s Decision to Breastfeed in Public or Not?’ Two platforms, EBSCOhost and The National Library of Medicine, were used to identify 15 peer-reviewed journal articles on factors affecting women’s decision to breastfeed in public or not. The factors that impact a women’s decision on whether it is acceptable to breastfeed in public stems from the media stigmatizing that breastfeeding should be a private action. Research done yielded results of both positive and negative …

The Relationship Between Mc1r Gene Variants For Red Hair And Clinical Responses To Anesthesia, Analgesia, And Pain: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Mary Clark Allen

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Genetic variations of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) are commonly associated with red hair and pale skin. Research has linked MC1R variants with alterations in anesthetic response, pain perception, opioid sensitivity, and pain-related fear. Existing literature presents inconclusive findings, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Purpose: This review aims to synthesize current evidence concerning the role of MC1R variants in altering physiologic responses.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted by accessing CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed through the University of Arkansas Libraries OneSearch platform. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 20 peer-reviewed articles were extracted for review. …

The Prevalence Of Amenorrhea In Relation To Red-S Syndrome Among Various Sports In Collegiate Female Athletes, Ruby S. Holland, Marilou D. Shreve

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: RED-S is a common risk factor for amenorrhea in female athletes. Athletes that compete in high-intensity sports or without adequate caloric intake, are at risk for low energy expenditure which may disrupt hormonal balance. As development of RED-S is a well-established risk factor for amenorrhea, early detection and correction is crucial to prevent long term health consequences.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore if there is a correlation between RED-S score and amenorrhea in female athletes.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to approximately 220 female athletes at the University of Arkansas using Qualtrics. The 69-question …

Exploring Policy Change To Support Early Diagnosis Of Congenital Heart Defects (Chd) In New Mexico, Kelsey Carson Leibenhaut

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is not a new or rare problem; it has likely always been a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality and clocks in today as the most frequently occurring birth defect, affecting an estimated 1 in 100 newborns (CDC, 2025). Prior to the middle of the 20th century, there was little to be done about CHD, as no treatments existed. Everything changed with the advancement of options for surgical repair of CHDs, significantly prolonging lifespans and improving quality of life for affected individuals. Despite these incredible advancements, babies are born with CHD every day, leading to …

Ambient Air Pollution In New Mexico: Nurse Practitioner Awareness, Mckenzie Hemmes, Grayson Kemp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Ambient air pollution is a significant public health concern in New Mexico and contributes to respiratory disease, cardiovascular illness, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (Dominski et al., 2021; Di et al., 2022). Despite well-established evidence linking environmental exposures to health outcomes, environmental exposure screening is not routinely incorporated into clinical practice. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve environmental health literacy (EHL) among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in New Mexico and to increase their intention to integrate ambient air pollution exposure screening and mitigation counseling into routine clinical practice. A virtual educational intervention guided …

Comparison Of Age Distribution Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Local And National Perspectives, Alexandria Cross, Samantha Somiah

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Individuals experiencing homelessness represent a vulnerable population facing significant health and social challenges across the United States. Although people of all ages are affected, certain age groups are disproportionately represented. National data indicate that adults aged 35-54 make up the largest community of individuals experiencing homelessness, with a growing number of adults aged 55 and older. However, less is known about how these national trends compare to local populations, particularly in Appalachia. The purpose of this study is to compare the age distribution between individuals experiencing homelessness at the national level with local data from northeast Tennessee to identify potential …

A Planetary Health Approach To Address Food Insecurities In New Mexico, Mariah Kennell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Food insecurity remains a persistent public health concern throughout New Mexico, impacting both rural and urban populations and contributing to significant health disparities. Limited access to affordable, locally sourced fresh foods exacerbates chronic disease burden and undermines community health. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to conduct a comprehensive policy analysis to identify feasible state-level strategies to improve food access through strengthening local food systems. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention POLARIS policy analysis framework, a structured evaluation of existing and potential state and community-level policies was conducted. The analysis incorporated stakeholder interviews with …

Icare Compassionately: An Innovative Approach To Improving Nursing Education, Lori M. Brodie

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Historically, compassionate care has been briefly introduced in nursing education, without a sustained focus throughout nursing programs. Compassionate care models define the essential qualities needed to deliver meaningful care. Many of the traditional compassionate care models rely on high-level concepts that can be difficult to operationalize in academia. Further, current compassionate care models are typically limited to specific settings and are taught separately from other parts of the nursing curriculum. To address these concerns, a single purpose nursing college created and implemented the iCare Compassionately Model, which emphasizes both measurable behaviors and concepts related to compassion. As a result of …

Impact Of Innovative Interprofessional Practice And Education Intervention Led By Graduate Medical Education Resident Physicians With School-Based Nursing In 32 School Districts, Christoffer A. Amdahl, Hans Drawbert, Sadra Forati, Tyler Fields, James Mantil, Afsha Rais Kaisani, Marci Ayers, Michele L. Mccarroll Phd

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

School nurses play a critical role in student well-being, underscoring their growing importance in both education and health care systems. Research consistently demonstrates their contributions to individual student care and broader population health.

Methods

This resident-led project explored community-based partnerships to facilitate mutual learning between school nurses and graduate medical education (GME) physicians. Conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year, this quality initiative (QI) involved the Medical City Healthcare (HCA Healthcare) GME programs and North Texas school districts. Educational resources were delivered through in-person teaching sessions led by resident physicians and hands-on medical simulations. School nurses who attended the Continuing …

Establishing Nurse Innovator Competencies: A Collaborative Initiative, Lori M. Brodie, Susan B. Patton, Dara Lanman, Ismail Dilek, Noah R. Zanville, Tracy A. Ortelli

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Rapid advancements in augmented and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping health care, necessitating a strategic approach to integrating innovation into nursing education and practice. This article details a collaborative initiative between academic and practice partners aimed at the initial steps towards establishing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for nurses to lead change through the creation of Nurse Innovator Competencies.

Methods

After an extensive review of literature, the team identified the absence of established Nurse Innovator Competencies. Through a collaborative and iterative process involving subject matter experts (SMEs) in both innovation and academia, key domains for the competencies, including …

Interprofessional Palliative Care: Implementation Of What Matters Most, Nicole Moran, Madeleine A. Keppel, Madison E. Markey, Alicia Naccarato, Kristen Cumming, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Palliative care (PC) is defined as specialized care plans for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses, emphasizing comfort care and management of complex symptoms. Rehabilitation professionals such as physical and occupational therapists have unique skills and perspectives towards managing and contributing to this population though are often under-represented on interprofessional palliative care teams. The Guide to What Matters (The Guide) was created upon recognition of the need for an increased presence of rehabilitation services in PC.

Motivational Interviewing Vs. Educational Handouts For Caregiver Smoking Cessation In Pediatric Asthma Patients: A Scoping Review, Michael Stefano, Hannah Marsh, Tracy Mcclinton, Dnp, Aprn, Ag-Acnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Secondhand smoke exposure can significantly worsen asthma outcomes in pediatric patients, leading to increased exacerbations and healthcare utilization. Caregivers can play a critical role in reducing secondhand smoke exposure, however sustained smoking cessation can be challenging to achieve. Two powerful healthcare interventions to assist in caregiver smoking cessation include motivational interviewing and educational handouts, however their compared effectiveness has not yet been fully reviewed. This scoping review compared the effectiveness of motivational interviewing and educational handouts in promoting smoking cessation among caregivers of children hospitalized for asthma exacerbations over the course of 90 days.

Cuidarte También Es Trabajar: Hábitos Saludables Para Una Vida Laboral Plena, Lady Carolina Díaz Jurado, Francisco Javier Laguna Polanía

Ciencias de la Salud

El sedentarismo se ha convertido en un problema recurrente en la salud, especialmente en el ámbito laboral donde predomina la ausencia de actividad física prolongada. Diversos estudios indican que pasar mucho tiempo sentado aumenta notablemente las probabilidades de desarrollar enfermedades cardíacas, metabólicas y del sistema musculoesquelético. Ante esta problemática, surge esta publicación a modo de guía práctica y educativa sobre cómo implementar, de forma segura y progresiva, rutinas de HIIT y MISS, basada en el macroproyecto de investigación “Entrenamiento HIIT vs MISS, una mirada desde la salud ocupacional y los efectos cardiovasculares dirigido al personal administrativo de la Universidad de …

Perceptions Of Instructional Accommodations Among Nursing Students With Information Processing Disorder, Imaobong Aliyu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructional accommodations in nursing education often emphasize testing adjustments, while classroom-based instructional support for students with information processing challenges remains underexamined. This descriptive qualitative study explored pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of instructional accommodations for students with information processing disorders in Southern California. Guided by humanistic learning theory, the study addressed the research question: What are the perceptions of instructional accommodations in the classroom setting among pre-licensure nursing students with information processing disorders? Seven pre-licensure nursing students participated in semistructured Zoom interviews. Data were analyzed using an inductive process consistent with Saldaña’s analytic approach. Analysis revealed one overarching theme- Instructional accommodations …