Nursing Commons^™

Caught In The Midwife’S Hands: A Black Feminist Exploration Of Reproductive Health And Justice In Massachusetts, Nina Bakum

Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality Studies Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

Exploring Dominican University Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of Economic Barriers To Accessing Essential Women’S Health Products, Annabelle E. Burke

Nursing | Senior Theses

Period poverty is defined as inconsistent or inadequate access to feminine hygiene products, and it has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health, academic performance, and dignity across diverse populations. Existing research highlights financial strain, social stigma, and insufficient support as key barriers to menstrual equity among individuals experiencing homelessness, adolescents living in low-resource environments, low-income women, and general undergraduate students (Brinkley & Niebuhr, 2023; Dave et al., 2022; Gruer et al., 2021; Lahme et al., 2018; Parkinson et al., 2024; Gilchrist et al., 2024). However, no studies have examined these issues amongst Dominican University nursing students who …

Paternal Involvement And Bonding In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Evaluating Daily Caregiving, Emotional Well-Being, And Father-Infant Connection, Ava G. Kinyon

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Premature birth and serious neonatal conditions frequently require infants to obtain care in the NICU, producing psychological and emotional obstacles for families. Despite the fact that skin-to-skin contact has been extensively researched for its strengths in encouraging stability and bonding, there persists restricted importance and understanding on paternal participation in routine caregiving tasks such as feeding, diapering, temperature checks, and swaddling. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate paternal participation in daily NICU caregiving tasks to address gaps in comprehending how these experiences impact bonding and emotional well-being among fathers of hospitalized infants. Methods: This study will employ a quasi-experimental …

The Impact Of Home Birth Integration On Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes And Patient Satisfaction: An Integrative Review, Mary E. Hillaker, Jennifer K. Jacobitz

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Home birth is a safe option for low-risk populations. As awareness of home birth increases, so do the families choosing home birth. Governing bodies recommend well integrated maternal health systems, yet the impact of level of integration on perinatal outcomes and patient satisfaction has not been specifically examined. The purpose of this integrative review is to identify the impact home birth integration has on maternal and neonatal outcomes, patient satisfaction, and how communities can improve their integration level.
Methods: A keyword search of current literature was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases. An additional hand search of 2 …

Dosage Considerations For Aspirin Therapy To Prevent Preeclampsia In Pregnancy, Melissa S. Haraway

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Preeclampsia remains the leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide despite extensive and ongoing research on the subject. The use of aspirin therapy to reduce preeclampsia in pregnancy is widely researched and accepted into practice, however, optimal dosing is still debated. The purpose of this review is to identify which dosage of aspirin therapy offers the most effective reduction in preeclampsia without increasing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Methods: The following databases were searched using the framework methodology by Whittemore and Knafl: CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, and Citations. The search criteria limited articles to five years old …

A Descriptive Study Of Cancer Care Experiences And Burden Of Rural South Dakotans, Sarah Mollman, Teddi Dowling, Patricia Woolridge, Jamie Hillmer, James Odom, Marie Bakitas, Hossein Moradi Rekabdarkolaee, Brandon Varilek

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

BACKGROUND: American Indian (AI) persons with advanced cancer (PwAC) in South Dakota have seen increased rates of cancer incidence and mortality compared to national rates. These inequities are driven by social determinants of health. Providing early palliative care is highly important for rural PwAC but is sparsely available in rural South Dakota.

OBJECTIVE: To explore cancer care experiences and patient symptoms and caregiver burden among AI and rural PwAC, and their family caregivers (FCGs), to understand the barriers and opportunities for adapting an early palliative care intervention.

DESIGN: Descriptive study design reporting on the qualitative and quantitative data collected.

METHODS: …

The Association Of Social Determinants Of Health On Mortality Among Adults With End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Prince Agyapong, Lauren Longacre, Patti Brooks, Hossein Moradi Rekabdarkolaee, Surachat Ngorsuraches, Aine O'Connor, Semhar Michael, Brandon Varilek

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:: Synthesize evidence from published studies on end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) mortality and determine associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and ESKD mortality.

STUDY DESIGN:: This PRISMA-guided study examined all published research across four electronic databases.

STUDY POPULATIONS:: Adults with ESKD living in the United States.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES:: Clinical trials, observational, cross-sectional, and prospective/retrospective cohort studies were considered if one or more of the five domains of SDOH were present in the analysis.

EXTRACTION/ANALYSIS:: Extraction was performed independently by two reviewers using a standardized form that captured study purpose and design, outcomes, SDOH domain, setting, participant characteristics, …

Time To Hang Up The Gloves: A Scoping Review Of Evidence On Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation And Administration, Natasya Raja Azlan, Debbie Massey, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Carol Crevacore, Martina Costello, Aaron Alejandro, Weiting Liu, Naila Zaman, Peta Anne Zimmerman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials. Design: Scoping review. Methods: A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included. Data Sources: Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024. Results: Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct …

Professional Identity Development Among Nursing Students: The Impact Of Structured Reflective Practice, Abdelmonim El Fadely, Kamal Takhdat, Charaf-Eddine Ahraiba, Rahma Bouali, Sabah Selmaoui, Boujemaa Agorram

Health Professions Education

Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured reflective practice intervention on the development of professional identity among nursing students. Method A mixed-methods design was adopted. The intervention, based on guided reflective practice, was implemented with a voluntary sample of 58 participants. The evaluation relied on a quasi-experimental quantitative approach using the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale, with a comparison group and both pre-test and post-test measurements. A qualitative component was also included to explore the dimensions of the studied concept in greater depth. Results Quantitative findings showed a statistically significant difference between the post-test means (p < 0.001), indicating that the reflective practice intervention had a positive effect on the experimental group compared to the control group. The qualitative results further illuminated students’ reflections, which were organized into ten themes corresponding to the study’s conceptual framework: professional knowledge and skills, values and ethics, the nursing role, leadership, professional self-image, social image of the profession, sense of belonging, identification with role models, theory–practice integration, and career choice. These dimensions provided a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of professional identity, capturing the complexity of the concept. Conclusion These results support the integration of reflective practice as a pedagogical approach to fostering the construction and development of a positive professional identity. Professional identity, as a rich and multidimensional concept, goes beyond the process of professionalization—it represents its ultimate achievement.

Trauma And The Brain: Foundations To Trauma-Informed Care In Nursing, David Wolff

OER Materials

The goal of this presentation was to educated nursing students about what traumatic events are and how they impact a patient, thus informing their approach to nursing care that is trauma-informed.

Chronic Dislocations And Pain In A College Athlete, Rachel Joseph, Trina Walker, University Of Wisconsin - Madison, Rebecca Kronk, Karen J. Whitt, Deborah O. Himes

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This diagnostic case study describes an 18-year-old woman and competitive gymnast who presents with recurrent joint dislocations, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and dermatologic findings suggestive of a heritable connective tissue disorder. Early recognition of connective tissue disorders is essential for accurate diagnosis, genetic evaluation, injury prevention, and long-term management planning.

Treatment Manual For Nonsequential Format Two Part Program For Symptom Self-Management (12 Session Course & Support Group For Booster Dose Of Course), Robin Kay Buccheri, Louise Nigh Trygstad, Martha D. Buffum

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

This is the Treatment Manual and 5 Appendices for NonSequential Format.  Two-Part Program for Symptom Self-Management of Auditory Hallucinations: 12 Session Course & Support Group for Booster Dose of Course

An Introduction For Nursing Research: An Open Educational Resource For The Undergraduate Nursing Student, Ellen Benjamin

OER Textbooks

The purpose of this text is not to prepare you to independently conduct research, but to help you become an informed and critical consumer of research. The ability to systematically evaluate the strengths, limitations, and applicability of research findings is known as critical appraisal. Critical appraisal is an expected competency of baccalaureate-prepared nurses [5] and requires a foundational understanding of research principles and methods. This book will introduce the research process, including common research methodologies, data collection and analysis approaches, ethical considerations, and strategies for translating research evidence into nursing practice.

Changes In Telehealth Usage Among Medicaid Beneficiaries With Mental Illnesses In A Rural State: An Analysis Of Kentucky Medicaid Dataset Over 5 Years (2018–2022), Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Tianyi Wang, Bassema Abufarsakh, Sarret Seng, Zainab Almogheer, Jarrah Al-Kayed, Pooja Bhattarai, Holly Stith, Andrew Makowski

Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction: Accessing mental health care remains challenging for Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illnesses (MI) in rural settings. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted telehealth service expansion through temporary policy changes and shifts in health care delivery. Despite the increased availability of telehealth as a modality to address disparities in health care access, telehealth adoption and associated use are inadequately explored among Medicaid beneficiaries with MI in Kentucky.

Objective: To examine trends and factors associated with telehealth use by residence status among Kentucky Medicaid beneficiaries with MI.

Design: A retrospective analysis of Kentucky Medicaid claims data obtained from 174,354 beneficiaries aged 18 years …

Estimating Short-Term And Long-Term Survival For Patients With Kidney Failure Using A Mixture Survival Model, Nathan Meyer, Maxwell Donelan, Hossein Moradi Rekabdarkolaee, Brandon Varilek, Surachat Ngorsuraches, Patti Brooks, Jerry Schrier, Semhar Michael

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

Rationale & Objective

Study Design

Setting & Participants …

Video Instructions For Pre And Post Procedure Care: Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Lynn V. Wojton

DNP Projects

Background: Patient adherence to pre- and post-procedure instructions is essential to ensuring optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction in cosmetic dermatology. However, patients frequently overlook or misunderstand written instructions, leading to suboptimal preparation and recovery experiences.

Project Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to evaluate whether the implementation of short, accessible video-based instructions could improve patient understanding, adherence, and satisfaction compared to standard written instructions alone.

Methods: The project was conducted in a high-volume cosmetic dermatology practice in the Northeastern United States. A HIPAA-compliant platform using a video-based educational intervention was developed and implemented to supplement or replace …

Improving Hypertension Management With An Educational Patient Intervention Bundle, Gertie Silva

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Aim

Uncontrolled hypertension remains a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This quality improvement project aimed to improve hypertension knowledge and blood pressure control among adults with uncontrolled hypertension by implementing lifestyle counseling, home blood pressure monitoring, and regular follow-up.

Design

This quality improvement project used a pre- and post-intervention design.

Methods

Forty-one adults with uncontrolled hypertension took part in an eight-week educational program. Outcomes measured included weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and HK-LS scores. Descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests analyzed the results.

Results

Participants showed significant improvements in weight, blood pressure, and hypertension knowledge. Mean weight decreased from …

Reducing Live Discharges In Hospice Care Through A Bundled Intervention, Fiona P. White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction

 Among Medicare fee-for-service hospice beneficiaries, the national live discharge rate increased from 16.9% in FY2021 to 19.1% in FY2025. At a Medicare-certified hospice agency in a southern state, the pre-intervention live discharge rate of 35.3% substantially exceeded national norms, with 68.7% of events representing patient-initiated revocations.

Methods

 A pre-post quality improvement design guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework was implemented over 8 weeks at a single site with 106 newly admitted hospice patients and 15 clinical staff. The four-component bundled intervention comprised Revocation Risk Assessment administration within 24 hours of admission, structured patient and caregiver education within 72 hours of …

Toolkit To Prevent Venous Thromboembolism Among Surgical Patients, Carine Wawa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 900,000 people in the United States are affected annually by venous thromboembolism (VTE) (CDC, 2025). The surgical patient population is vulnerable to VTE due to factors such as immobility, tissue injuries, and inflammatory responses. The lack of standardized protocols for surgical patients causes practice variability among healthcare providers and potentially increases the risk for preventable VTE events.

Methods: A toolkit to prevent VTE was developed utilizing the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC). A literature review was conducted, reviewed, and graded using the …

Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening Uptake In Hispanic Women Residing In Rural Texas Through A Quality Improvement Project, Bianca Batchelor-Salazar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in the United States. Despite the effectiveness of mammography in early detection, Hispanic women in rural communities experience lower screening rates due to socioeconomic, cultural, and access-related barriers. At a rural South Texas clinic, the baseline screening rate among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years was 70.6%, below national benchmarks.

Purpose: To increase breast cancer screening compliance among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years in a rural South Texas family practice clinic.

Methods: Guided by the Lean A3 quality improvement framework, this project implemented a multifaceted intervention bundle that included …