Nursing Commons^™

Program Evaluation Of A Digital Outreach Initiative For Improving Well-Child Visit Engagement Among Children And Adolescents Aged 3–21 Years, Eseoghene Odhu

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Well-child visits are essential to pediatric preventive care because they support immunizations, developmental screening, anticipatory guidance, and early identification of health concerns (Abdus & Selden, 2022; Theunissen et al., 2022). Despite their importance, engagement in recommended visits remains inconsistent across healthcare systems.

Purpose: This program evaluation examined the impact of a digital outreach initiative on well-child visit engagement among children and adolescents within a Midwestern faith-based healthcare organization.

Methods: A pre–post evaluation design was used with de-identified electronic health record data from periods before and after implementation of the initiative. Outcomes included patient enrollment, scheduled visits, completed visits, no-show …

Quality Improvement Project: Educating Nursing Faculty On Animal-Assisted Therapy: Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence To Improve Program Outcomes, Sarah J. Whitwell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether an educational intervention on animal-assisted therapy (AAT) improved nursing faculty perceived knowledge and confidence in using AAT to improve program outcomes. The problem addressed was the limited knowledge and confidence among nursing faculty regarding the use of non-traditional, evidence-based strategies to support student mental health. This project was guided by the Stetler Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Lewin’s Change Theory and used a quasi-experimental, one-group pre–post design. The project was conducted with nursing faculty teaching in a baccalaureate program at a four-year public university in Oklahoma. A 10-item Likert-scale …

Roy Stevens Hall Dedicated, Vincent Toney

Documents

Dedication of the Education/Nursing building as Roy Stevens Hall--The TimesDaily

A Blueprint For Success, Una Publications Office

Documents

Brochure for the Education-Nursing Building at UNA

Developing Nursing Education On The Assessment Of Asthma Patients With Symptoms Of Shortness Of Breath In Urgent Care, Abigail Akorfa Adase

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement project aimed to enhance the assessment of dyspnea in patients presenting with shortness of breath, particularly those with asthma, through a staff education program. At the practice site, staff primarily relied on SpO₂ readings to evaluate dyspnea, which often led to misassessment and delays in care. The project addressed this gap by providing urgent care staff with training on comprehensive assessment techniques, including evaluation of respiratory rate, work of breathing, ability to speak, patient history, and use of validated tools such as Borg’s scale and peak flow meters. Twenty triage staff members participated, including licensed practical nurses, …

A Regional Scoping Review Of School-Based Nutrition Interventions Conducted Across Nordic Countries, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Stephen Gambescia, Nada Benajiba, Norah Eid Aljohani, Teresa Keller, Patricia J. Kelly

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While Nordic countries have a relatively high socioeconomic status population, they are challenged by the health deficit of rising obesity and overweight among young people. The aim of this regional scoping review is to identify best practices for designing and implementing effective school nutrition programs in Nordic countries and identify gaps for further research.

METHODS: Using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was conducted across nine academic databases between 1980 and May 2025.

RESULTS: Fifty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, from small pilot interventions to large national or international cohorts involving thousands of students across the five …

Nurse Driven Intervention To Address Cesarean Section Rates, Cavetta Tulloch-Lewis

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

Abstract

Cesarean sections (C-sections) account for approximately one-third of births in the United States and remain the most common inpatient surgical procedure. Primary cesarean sections are a major contributor to rising rates, often leading to repeat cesareans in subsequent pregnancies. While medically necessary C-sections are lifesaving, their overuse in low-risk pregnancies is associated with increased maternal morbidity. Labor dystocia is one of the leading indications for primary cesarean delivery and may be mitigated through evidence-based, nurse-driven interventions such as maternal positioning and peanut ball utilization. Registered nurses are uniquely positioned to influence labor progression and promote vaginal birth through continuous …

Improving Medication And Lifestyle Adherence Through A Standardized Clinical Practice Guideline, Chazemba Shamaila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication and lifestyle nonadherence remains a persistent and costly problem within healthcare systems and represents a critical gap in nursing practice. Approximately half of adults prescribed long-term medications do not adhere to recommended regimens, contributing to poor disease control, preventable hospitalizations, increased mortality risk, and substantial healthcare expenditures. These challenges are particularly pronounced in outpatient mental health settings, where symptom burden, cognitive impairment, treatment complexity, and social determinants of health further compromise adherence. Addressing medication and lifestyle nonadherence aligns with nursing priorities related to patient safety, quality improvement, and health equity. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project focused on …

Breaking Barriers: Advancement Toward Practical Nursing Licensure For Certified Medication Assistants In Long-Term Care--A Descriptive Study, Aleshia L. Maxwell

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The persistent nursing shortage across the United States, particularly in Long-Term Care (LTC) settings, has complicated the healthcare system’s ability to meet the needs of an aging population. While existing research often examines progression from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN), limited research explores factors influencing progression from entry-level LTC healthcare workers to Practical Nursing (PN) licensure. This quantitative descriptive study examined the barriers and supporting factors influencing advancement toward PN licensure for Medication Assistants-Certified (MA-Cs) in Arkansas LTC facilities. A convenience sample of N=100 participated in the study. Results indicated that financial and structural barriers often …

Construction Projects Picking Up At Una Again, Jennifer Edwards

Documents

Demolition of Floyd Hall and other talk of new construction for The University of North Alabama

Hypothermia Prevention In Major Trauma Patients, Alaina Hostetler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Traumatic injuries present a significant health challenge for providers, often resulting in hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis, referred to as the trauma triad of death. Hypothermia significantly impacts trauma patients' outcomes and exacerbates morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in trauma cases with high injury severity scores who require immediate surgical intervention. Despite the detrimental effects of hypothermia, evidence-based approaches to treating hypothermia in this population are lacking. Traditional warming methods heavily rely on provider preference and can lead to inconsistent care. Rapid, reliable, and effective resuscitation interventions are essential in the immediate care of major trauma patients. The proposed project will …

Predictors Of Filipino Life Satisfaction Using The Revised Filipino Satisfaction With Life Scale, Razel Bacuetes Milo, Patricia Calero, Maria Luisa Ramira, Kathleen Soon, Maria Fontimayor, Cynthia D. Connelly

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Background: 

Mental health stigma serves as a significant barrier to seeking help, often leading to maladaptive coping strategies. Given these complexities, it is essential to validate the Satisfaction With Life Scale Revised (SWLS-R) within the Filipino context to assess its psychometric reliability, cultural relevance, and suitability for evaluating well-being and mental health outcomes among Filipinos.

Objective: 

The aims of this study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SWLS-R and describe the relationships and significant predictors of life satisfaction among Filipinos living in the United States.

Methods: 

A purposive sample of Filipino adults, fluent in both English and Filipino, …

Educating Nurses On Caring For Patients With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities – An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Amyela Adarlo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) refer to a range of conditions that begin before age 18 and impact physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. Patients with IDD often experience poorer health outcomes due to healthcare providers’ limited training in effective communication strategies. This evidence-based project aims to evaluate whether educating nurses on effective communication with IDD patients improves nurse self-efficacy and confidence in communication and enhances caregiver perceptions of nursing care.

Use Of A Structured Rounding Model To Improve Interprofessional Communication And Collaboration Among Mds And Rns In A Medicine Unit – An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Jackie Raygoza,

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose/Aims

This DNP project aims to improve communication and collaboration between physicians (MDs) and registered nurses (RNs) on medical units by implementing a structured three-step communication-rounding model integrated into the daily workflow and leveraging existing communication tools. As patients’ conditions become more complex and healthcare demands increase, it is crucial to foster an environment where communication among providers and staff is clear, transparent, respectful, and collaborative. By leveraging information technology and evidence-based strategies, the project seeks to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and improve patient satisfaction and the quality of care. The project includes educational sessions for both MDs and RNs to …

Early Mental Health Screening In The Gi Patient Population: A Quality Improvement Project, Jacqueline Sagala

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Aims

This quality improvement project aimed to increase awareness and better integrate mental health screening in a GI clinic by educating staff and providers. The project evaluated changes in depression literacy, attitudes toward mental illness assessment, perceived training effectiveness, use of the training in clinical practice, and referrals to the Resiliency Clinic.

Background

Patients with chronic GI disorders commonly experience anxiety and depression, yet mental health concerns are often overlooked in specialty care. Although annual depression screening was already a part of the standard care at the Digestive Disease Center at Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Clinics, staff education and …

Implementing A Noise Reduction Protocol To Reduce Perceived Noise In The Icu – An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Soh Jeon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purposes/Aims:

This project aims to reduce perceived noise in the ICU and promote a healing environment through a multi-interventional noise-reduction protocol and nursing staff education.

Rationale/Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that hospital noise levels remain below 35 decibels during the day and 30 decibels at night. However, ICU noise often exceeds 50-70 decibels. Increased noise levels are primarily caused by conversations, monitoring alarms, and routine care activities, such as cleaning and procedures. These high noise levels directly affect patients’ sleep, which is essential to recovery. Insufficient rest can lead to immunosuppression, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and elevated stress …

Collaboration Between People Admitted To Acute Mental Health Units, Their Family Members And Nurses In The Detection Of Mental State Changes And Recovery: A Qualitative Systematic Review, Karen Foster, Coventry, Yvonne Middlewick, Lindsay Smith, Beverley Ewens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mental health nurses can engage with people with mental health challenges and their families due to their presence on acute mental health units. This presence helps to facilitate recovery-focused care within a physically and emotionally safe environment. Mental health care should be person-centred, individualised, and include wherever possible family and other people in the person's support network. The objective of this systematic review was to explore the existing qualitative literature that describes experiences of collaboration between people with lived experience of mental health challenges, their family members, and nurses in relation to changes in mental state during an admission to …

The Effect Of Midwife-Led Continuous Labor Support Care On Delivery Mode And Timely Initiation Of Breastfeeding In Primigravida Women In Northwest Ethiopia: A Hybrid Type I Implementation Study, Mengstu Melkamu Asaye, Aragaw, Eden Bishaw Taye, Kihinetu Gelaye Wudineh, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Midwife-led continuous labor and childbirth support reduces the episiotomy rate and increases the rates of vaginal delivery and early initiation of breastfeeding. However, no studies have yet been conducted in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of midwife-led continuous labor and childbirth support. A quasi-experimental study involving 419 primigravida women compared an intervention given by trained midwives at two hospitals to routine at two others. Data were collected from July to December 2024 through interviews and record reviews. The McNemar test was used to compare changes, with a p-value of less than 0.05. Midwife-led continuous labor support increased …

Diva Difficult Intravenous Access Assessment, Aileen M. Romero, Mary Jo Sarver

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Enhance Nurses' Knowledge Of Metabolic Syndrome In Residential Care Facilities, Marie Tanyi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The project addresses a critical gap in nursing education by implementing a structured, evidencebased educational intervention led by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to improve nurses’ knowledge of metabolic syndrome in residential care facilities. The purpose was to determine whether this intervention could significantly enhance nurses’ understanding and management of metabolic syndrome, a complex cluster of disorders present in adult populations. Nine nurses participated in targeted educational sessions focusing on definition, diagnosis, complications, and evidence-based prevention and management strategies. Each participant completed the Metabolic Syndrome Knowledge Scale (MSKS) questionnaire before and after the intervention to assess changes in knowledge. …