Nursing Commons^™

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Evidence-Based Engagement Strategies To Reduce No-Show Rates, Jerrica Luster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High no-show rates in outpatient mental health settings remain a persistent barrier to effective care delivery, negatively affecting continuity of care, patient outcomes, and access to services. In the identified practice setting, inconsistent use of evidence-based engagement strategies beyond standard reminder practices contributed to missed appointments. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education intervention on evidence-based engagement strategies would improve staff knowledge as a foundation for enhancing appointment adherence. A quantitative pre- and posttest design was used to evaluate knowledge change following the intervention. Participants included outpatient mental health clinic …

Optimizing Costs & Efficiency With Heartcode Complete: A Quality Improvement Project, Jessica Bryant

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This quality improvement project aimed to implement HeartCode Complete (HCC), a simulation-based BLS training platform, at a 154-bed community hospital. The goal was to replace instructor-led BLS training, improve training efficiency, reduce costs, increase certification compliance, and enhance staff satisfaction.

BACKGROUND

Maintaining competency in CPR is a regulatory requirement for healthcare providers. Traditional instructor-led BLS training requires scheduled classes, instructor availability, and staff time away from clinical duties, contributing to certification delays and operational inefficiencies. Simulation-based training platforms offer self-directed learning with real-time feedback.

METHODOLOGY

This quality improvement project used Lean Six Sigma principles and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to guide …

Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention Using A Care Bundle In A Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Sarah Dolick

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement DNP project was to implement a preventative care bundle to reduce the number of hospital-acquired pressure injuries.Compliance with bundle elements was monitored through weekly bedside audits. HAPI data were collected for 12 weeks pre-intervention and 12 weeks post-intervention to evaluate outcomes. The project utilized Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to refine implementation and address barriers in real time.

Background: The project was implemented in a 32-bed neuroscience intensive care unit in an academic center in the Texas Medical Center.

Results: After implementation of the care bundle, average HAPIs decreased from 4.6 per survey (pre-intervention) to …

Community-Based A1c Screening Initiative To Improve Diabetes Risk Identification Among People Experiencing Homelessness, Rebecca Drake, Deedee Long, Mariita Carter

Student Works

Abstract

Purpose: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) experience high rates of undiagnosed diabetes yet face significant barriers to preventive screening. This quality improvement project aimed to improve access to diabetes screening for PEH through on-site hemoglobin A1C (A1C) testing in a trusted community setting.

Methods: On-site A1C screening was implemented at the Utah County Food and Care Coalition (F&CC) using a low-barrier, community-based approach. Screening was conducted during routine service hours and integrated into existing workflows. Process, outcome, and balancing measures were used to evaluate feasibility, reach, and unintended effects.

Results: The intervention primarily supported identification of diabetes risk and referral …

Nurse Education On Nonpharmacological Management Of Knee Osteoarthritis, Toyin Mary Ajayi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to fill the gaps in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in adults aged 40 to 75 years in a primary care practice. Knee OA is a common chronic disease that significantly impacts pain, mobility, and quality of life. Although there is empirical evidence that nonpharmacological interventions, including exercise, weight control, and self-management education, are effective, these methods are not consistently used in clinical practice, and pharmacologic treatment continues to be used. The project was designed to inform healthcare personnel about evidence-based nonpharmacological strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on …

Staff Education On Early Sepsis Recognition For Medical-Surgical Nurses In The Acute Care Setting, Nadine Nzenga Udom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this staff education project, I targeted early sepsis recognition and response among medical-surgical nurses. The practice gap at the site was nurses’ limited knowledge of sepsis indicators and screening tools, which contributed to delayed escalation of care. The practice-focused question guiding the project was “Does educating medical-surgical nurses on early sepsis recognition and response improve knowledge of early sepsis recognition and response?” I applied the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) and Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) models to design a structured sepsis education program for nursing staff. I searched for peer-reviewed literature via databases accessed through the …

Gamification As A Strategy For Interprofessional Learning, Chisom S. Enebechi, Aislinn M. Dorko

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Background: A Community-based, student-led clinic provides free health services to underserved areas, bringing together students from allied health disciplines to promote interprofessional collaboration and health promotion. Previous orientation sessions were lecture-based with a team-building activity providing limited opportunities for active learning. To address this, a gamified orientation activity was developed using realistic, scenario-based cases designed to exemplify common community health situations. Purpose: This quality improvement project aims to evaluate whether gamification improves students' perceived ability to communicate, collaborate, and understand roles and responsibilities when delivering team-based care. Methods: The project was guided by Bandura's Social Learning Theory and implemented using …

Evaluating Mental Health Providers’ Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Stigma Among Teenagers Aged 13 To 19 Years With Mental Illness, Fredrica Murray Johnson

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Limited knowledge and poor attitudes among mental health providers contribute to stigma towards individuals with mental illness, adversely affecting treatment experience and outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stigma-based practices. The clinical question stated: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention, compared to standard practice, improve knowledge and attitudes of stigma and promote evidence-based care delivery to adolescents aged 13 to 19 with mental illness within six weeks? The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) was the framework used to implement the quasi-experimental study. The two …

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Diet And Contributing Factors: A Narrative Literature Review, Rachel Joseph, Ashley Tharpe, Sherri Ann Walker

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Objectives: The purpose of this narrative literature review is to explore the relationship between Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dietary habits, and identify factors that contribute to the development, progression, and potential management of NAFLD.

Methods: Search terms such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diet, and nutrition, including plant-based and vegetarian diets, were used to identify 45 peer-reviewed publications published within the last five years.

Results: Dietary factors, biological, environmental, obesity, mental health, and genetic factors can contribute to the development of NAFLD. This multisystem problem can have economic, social, and psychological consequences that affect a person’s quality …

Resilience In Nursing Education: A Literature Review Examining The Experiences Of Ukrainian Nursing Students In The United States, Katherine Ferrell, Rachel Joseph

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the experiences of international students who originate from war-torn areas, who live in the United States (US). Drawing from peer-reviewed sources, the review examines the academic, psychological, and social challenges these students face, including trauma, cultural adjustment, and gaps in institutional support. It highlights the resilience and coping strategies employed by students, as well as the role of universities in fostering inclusive environments. The review also identifies critical gaps in current research, particularly regarding long-term mental health outcomes and culturally responsive support services. This paper aims to synthesize existing literature on …

Navigating Life And Death: A Moral Critique Of Euthanasia Practices Worldwide, Brooke Fuzie, Rachel Joseph

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Euthanasia and physician-assisted death remain deeply debated ethical issues shaped by history, law, and cultural values. This narrative review explores how diverse ethical frameworks, shifting global legislation, and cultural perspectives inform current discourse, with special attention to the role of nurses guided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies, legal documents, and recent case analyses published between 2013 and 2025, the review identifies three key insights. Ethical frameworks influence whether society accepts or opposes euthanasia; robust legal safeguards are needed to protect autonomy and prevent misuse; and palliative care and advance care planning, including …

Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, And Barriers Of Jordanian Nursing Faculty To Integrate Genomic Concepts In The Curriculum: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study, Rachel Joseph

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

Background: Rapid advances in genomics knowledge and the expansion of precision medicine have amplified expectations for nurses to integrate genomic concepts into education and clinical practice. Evidence regarding genomic knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers among nursing faculty in the Middle East is limited. To equip practicing and emerging nurses, faculty must be equipped. Faculty preparedness is critical to successful curriculum integration and to preparing future nurses for genomic-informed care.

Purpose: This study examined the perceived knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to integrating genomic concepts in the nursing curriculum among nursing faculty in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was …

More Than Machines: Our Identity In Christ, Jerrod A. Boggs

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

No abstract provided.

From The Leadership Desk, Elizabeth Whorley

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

No abstract provided.

Volume 3, Issue 2 - Complete Issue

Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal

No abstract provided.

Care, Capitalism, And Croissants: Interprofessional Students Take On Business Of Healthcare In Paris, Beth A. Komay, Phoebe S. Enebechi, Selma Dzamalija, Nicole A. Sharp

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The Business of Healthcare in Paris is a faculty-led study-away program that unites business, nursing, and other healthcare students in an immersive experience of global healthcare systems. The primary design of this course is around interprofessional learning that integrates coursework and cultural experiences from within the Midwest United States (US) and France. Students begin the course by visiting healthcare facilities and small alternative-therapy businesses in the US, gaining initial exposure to diverse care environments. They then travel to Paris and surrounding areas to explore comparable sites, including hospitals, an art therapy center, a residential rehabilitation facility, and small businesses providing …

Public Health Book Club, Ashia Meister, James W. Durst, Ameila Beyer, Kelly K. Freymiller, Julia I. Kunz, Jaci M. Winchell, Josephine M. Sandquist, Chloe F. Sand

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Introduction: This project describes the development and implementation of a book club focused on population health topics to promote learning, discussion, and community engagement. A public library is a safe space to host book club meetings due to its non-intimidating environment. All members of the community are welcome to participate. A book club was hosted on campus for members of the nursing cohort to attend. With a focus on public health, these book clubs build awareness, critical thinking, and community engagement around population health issues. Purpose: The promotion of a book club can improve health literacy in the community by …

A Collaborative Approach To Strengthening Behavioral Strategies To The Arcadia School District, Mallory Arndt, Sada Stanley, Ariana Huntington, Erin Janiszewski, Syndey Graf, Josie Becker, Bailey Ripley, Dana Jones, Gabby Rinowski, Luke Garner, Hailey Schliep

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The School District of Arcadia is lacking mental health resources due to budget cuts from state and federal levels. Mental health needs have become a rising concern in recent years. With that, the guidance counselors, who traditionally supported students' emotional regulation and behavioral needs, became increasingly occupied with Academic and Career Planning requirements, leaving them with limited time to address students' mental health needs. To help address this need, Winona State University nursing students partnered with the district's guidance counselors to develop supplemental emotional management and decision-making skills-building videos that counselors could use during busy periods to support students' coping …

Project Evaluation Of A Workplace Violence Prevention Program At A Rural Hospital, Stacy Ochoa-Sofoifa, Yolanda L. Rodriquez, Melissa Bowe, Teresa Mendoza

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Treating Depression With L-Methylfolate: A Review Of Evidence, Marianna G. Pettit

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Introduction & Background: Depressive disorders have many different causes. Folate deficiency can sometimes be behind these disorders, due to this vitamin’s role in neurotransmitter synthesis. Some research suggests that supplementing with an active form of folate improves depressive symptoms with and without antidepressant use. Purpose Statement Question: For individuals with depressive disorders, does supplementation with L-methylfolate (LMF) reduce symptoms of depressive disorders with or without use of an antidepressant? Literature Review: A manual literature search for sources published within the past 7 years revealed 557 documents from four different databases. Key search words included, “depression,” “treatment,” …