Pediatric Nursing Commons^™

Evaluation Of Depression Screening Tools For Utilization In Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Helen Whitaker Bsn, Rn, Jade Bray Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhp-Bc, Sharon Little Dnp, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Anxiety and depression are prevalent mood disorders among the adolescent population with significant impacts on academic performance, social interactions, and mental well-being. With depression rates continuing to rise and suicide among the leading causes of death in adolescents, there is an urgent need for effective screening and intervention. While depression screening is recommended in the primary care setting, many adolescents do not have regular access to healthcare, complicating early identification and treatment. The purpose of this scoping review is to compare the effectiveness of two depression screening tools, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Discharge Education On Readmission Rates In Pediatric Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review, Camden Shaw Bsn, Rn, Cpn, Ashely St. Julien Bsn, Rn, Claire Avant Bsn, Rn, Michelle Rickard Dnp, Cpnp-Ac, Chppn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract Assignment

Purpose/Background

Children with multiple chronic health conditions account for a significant portion of hospital readmission and healthcare expenses. A scoping review was completed to analyze and summarize the available research regarding the effectiveness of discharge education on readmission rates and associated outcomes in children with chronic conditions. The following PICOT question was created: In pediatric patients with chronic disease, how does a discharge education bundle compared to no discharge education bundle affect readmission rates within 30 days of discharge?

Methods

A systematic approach was utilized for analysis to determine article eligibility. The initial search yielded 30 articles; however, …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Implementation Of A Food Insecurity Screening Tool In Identifying Risk Amongst Nicu Families, Jessica Daniels Bsn, Rn, Sahtiah Williams Bsn, Rn, Bobby Bellflower Dnsc, Nnp-Bc, Faanp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are critically ill and at risk of increased infections, developmental delays, and higher readmission rates after discharging due to complex health needs when compared to healthy term newborns. Nutrition has been widely recognized as an important predictor of readmission and developmental delay. However, current practice often does not provide any screening for food insecurity (FI) in NICU families, which assumes security and displays a gap in care surrounding discharge planning. This quality improvement project implements the use of an FI screening tool for NICU families to help practitioners identify FI …

Effectiveness Of The Use Of An Opt-Out Script To Increase Hiv Screening In Adolescent Clients In Pediatric Primary Care Clinics In West Tennessee: A Scoping Review, Julie Cupples Msn, Rn, Allison Johnson Ms, Bsn, Rn, Sally Humphrey Dnp, Aprn, Cpnp-Pc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend one-time human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for all adolescents. Pediatric primary care providers are on the front lines of adolescent healthcare and can provide testing that is adolescent-friendly, confidential, and easily accessible. This scoping review aims to synthesize the evidence and assess the literature on the efficacy of using an opt-out script to increase HIV testing in adolescent well-child checks.

Methods

A literature review was conducted between October 2022 and August 2024 to collect studies assessing adolescents aged 12-18, provider-led sex education, and …

The Impact Of Physical Activity On Mental Health Disorders In Children, Brianna E. Ryan

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Purpose - The purpose of this project is to highlight the effects physical activity has on children's mental health and to provide evidence-based insights on ways physical activity can and should be incorporated into the developmental stages of children's lives. Ultimately, the goal being to promote healthier and improved mental health statuses for the younger populations.

Introduction - The mental health crises among children are on the rise as more children each year are diagnosed with mental health conditions. It has been found that around 20% of children ages five through seventeen regularly experience symptoms of mental health disorders and …

Nursing Education On The Health Benefits Of Animal Assisted Therapy, Sara C. Barker, Allie P. Dunlap, Daniel T. Do, Charde Willis

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Background: Does nurse education for pediatric oncology families teaching daily animal-assisted therapy (AAT) health benefits reduce anxiety from 35% to 18% compared to current practice?

Methods: A literature search was conducted using CINAHL (356 articles), PubMed (412 articles), and Google Scholar (289 articles) with keywords including animal-assisted interaction, pediatric cancer, pet therapy, psychological support, caregivers, and psychosocial outcomes. Filters applied included peer-reviewed articles, English language, full text, publication within the last five years, randomized controlled or quasi-experimental study design, and relevance to nursing practice. 4 articles were chosen due to being directly relevant to education related to AAT and psychosocial …

Effectiveness Of Music Therapy In Managing Pain And Anxiety In Pediatric Burn Patients Compared To Traditional Methods Alone, Alejandro Miguel Santos, Maekalagail Santos

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Introduction:

Burn injuries are among the most painful conditions for children. While pharmacological interventions are commonly used, non-pharmacological strategies like music therapy are gaining attention for their potential to improve patient outcomes. Previous research indicates that music therapy can reduce pain and anxiety in various settings, but its impact on pediatric burn patients remains underexplored.

Objective:

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of music therapy in managing pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients, comparing it to traditional pain management methods alone.

Research Question:

Does music therapy affect pain and anxiety in pediatric burn unit patients when added to …

Program Evaluation: Family Centered Rounding To Support Communication In Pediatric Care, Kristy M. Schmidt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Family centered rounding (FCR) is a pediatric evidence-based practice intended to bring healthcare teams, patients, and families together at the bedside in a collaborative approach to care planning. FCR emphasizes communication and shared decision-making between healthcare teams and families, leading to improved patient outcomes. Despite well-documented benefits of FCR, challenges such as inconsistent nursing participation, variability in practices, and workflow disruptions hinder implementation and sustainability of FCR.

Aim: This program evaluation was designed and conducted at an urban pediatric hospital to assess the processes, perceptions, and impact of FCR. The overall quality of FCR and the strengths and barriers …

Improving Medication Adherence For Post-Operative Pediatric Patients With Spanish-Speaking Caregivers Using A Written Medication Action Plan, Carissa Vicente

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE

This project aims to improve written discharge education, medication adherence for pediatric patients, and medication education retention for Spanish-speaking caregivers.

BACKGROUND

The project was implemented in a children’s hospital in the Pediatric Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. The discharge process for post-operative pediatric patients lacked appropriate written medication education for Spanish-speaking families, placing patients at an increased risk for improper medication use.

METHODOLOGY

A quality improvement method utilizing Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles was used for implementation, with three cycles completed. A written Spanish-translation medication action plan (MAP) was implemented during discharge for Spanish-speaking caregivers, including adaptions to an electronic health record version …

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy In Vulnerable Populations, Suzanne Chenette

Student Scholarly Projects

Vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and the spread of misinformation on vaccines throughout the United States are growing public health problems. Marginalized and vulnerable communities nationwide have seen a substantial rise in parental vaccine hesitancy that has negatively affected early childhood immunization rates, intensified healthcare disparities, and decreased patient care outcomes. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses primarily work in clinical settings, but these healthcare professionals can reach the public locally and nationally by actively participating in healthcare policy development. The following PICOT question guided the objective of this policy project: In the early childhood population (P), how does the development of a comprehensive …

Pediatric Diabetes Education, Trisha Williams, Tobie O'Brien, Amanda Williams

Advanced Practice Perspectives Podcast: For Nursing Contact Hours

Join us as we delve into the groundbreaking changes in the diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes in children. Amanda Williams shares insights on new staging processes and the FDA-approved drug teplizumab, which adds years of quality life to young patients.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Reducing Alarm Fatigue, Christina Smith

2025

Alarm fatigue refers to the phenomenon of excessive alarms in the healthcare system leading to staff ignoring or not hearing alarms that need clinical intervention (Bosma & Christopher, 2023). Healthcare staff experiencing alarm fatigue and desensitization leads to patient harm events up to and including death (Dee et al., 2022). Several interventions have proven effective to reduce non-actionable alarms or alarms that do not require action by the clinician. Combining these evidence based interventions into a bundle of nurse led interventions provides increased effectiveness in reducing alarm fatigue. This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of bundle …

Treatment Safety In Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, Malia Ecalnir

Nursing | Senior Theses

_Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and long-term effects of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) and topical corticosteroids (TCS) in pediatric patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD), and to compare the prescribed treatment use for 6 to 12 months. By providing evidence on prescribed topical treatments, their safety differences, and long-term effects, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions to minimize risks and choose the safest appropriate treatment for children.

_Method

This study will employ a quasi-experimental design, and participants aged 2-18 years will be selected from a clinic. Participants and their families will complete an initial …

Improving Pediatric Delirium Assessment Documentation And Nursing Knowledge In A Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Heather E. Herrera

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Pediatric delirium is prevalent in the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (PCICU). It is associated with longer PCICU stays, extended hospital stays, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, and higher hospital costs (Mallick et al., 2022). It has also been associated with increased mortality risk and decreased quality of life after hospital discharge (Rohlik et al., 2021). Due to the adverse sequelae associated with pediatric delirium, routine screening with a validated screening tool is recommended (Flagg & Mauney, 2023). Despite consensus guidelines advocating routine screening for pediatric delirium, routine screening is not being completed (Flagg & Mauney, 2023).

Exploring The Barriers To The Implementation Of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Roles, Madeline Wd Mcnulty

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are associated with improved patient outcomes and are among the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. However, this growth is accompanied by barriers to the ACNP role. Despite this expansion, limited research has examined these barriers or identified strategies to reduce them in acute care settings. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the obstacles to ACNP practice and to describe approaches to overcoming them. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Twenty-one pioneering ACNPs participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the “Sort and Sift, Think and Shift” method. We identified nine themes in the study: four …

Increasing Pediatric Asthma Follow-Up Visits And Decreasing Emergency Department Visits In A Primary Care Setting, Rima M. Basal

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

The implementation of the asthma follow-up visits bundle in the pediatric primary care setting is an evidence-based practice project aimed at improving pediatric asthma management. This manuscript discusses the deployment of the bundle, which includes pre- and post- knowledge assessment for parents/caregivers, asthma education through a short video and handout, administration of the asthma control test (ACT), completion of a written asthma action plan (WAAP), and education about the patient portal and telehealth. The goal is to improve parent/caregiver knowledge, treatment adherence, follow-up visit compliance (in-person or virtual) and reduce emergency department (ED) utilization. Parent/caregiver knowledge increased by 23%, ACT …

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress: The Effects Of A Medical Trauma On Development, Psychological Well-Being, And Interventions For Prevention, Emilee M. Stevens

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Background Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) is a syndrome of physiological and psychological responses that occur in children following exposure to stressful or traumatic medical events. Experiences such as painful procedures, admission to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) or neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and acute injuries may be traumatic to some children. This integrative review aims to identify risk factors associated with PMTS, examine its impact on child development and psychological well-being, and outline nursing interventions for prevention. Methods A search of ProQuest and PubMed was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion …

Prepared To Protect: Improving Cardiac Emergency Response Through Education And Action Planning In Youth Club Sports, Melissa Garcia

Nursing | Senior Theses

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in youth sports, illuminating the essential demand for adequate emergency response, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) usage, and comprehensive emergency action plans (EAPs). Research shows that despite the importance of prompt intervention, the majority of youth club sports programs outside of the school setting lack the training and resources needed to respond effectively to SCA incidents. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an educational seminar that includes CPR/AED training and EAP simulation exercises in improving participants’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing cardiac emergencies. A quasi-experimental …

Enhancing Advocacy Through Nursing Interventions For Hospitalized Pediatric Oncology Patients With Absent Parents, Ma Seandee Mae Corrales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Parental advocacy is essential for high-quality, patient-centered care, particularly in pediatric oncology settings. However, when parents are infrequently present due to responsibilities such as work or caring for other children, pediatric patients may experience advocacy gaps, leading to delays in treatment, miscommunication, and unmet needs. Nurses are uniquely positioned to help address this need, but limited research exists on how nursing policies and educational interventions can enhance nurse-led advocacy in such situations. This research proposal assesses the effectiveness of structured nursing policies and educational programs designed to support nurse-led advocacy for pediatric oncology patients with infrequently present or absent parents. …

Effects Of Educational Intervention On Asthmatic Children, Zoe Coggins

Nursing | Senior Theses

Abstract

Children are more vulnerable to asthmatic symptoms due to the physiological immaturity of their respiratory systems. Therefore, irritants are deemed more hazardous for the pediatric population. Pollution is a growing health concern, and within the literature review, several approaches to the measurement of the impact of low air quality and educational interventions are discussed. The themes identified in the literature review are increased risk of pollution-induced exacerbation due to age, behavior, and residential proximity to emission-producing facilities. The review of the literature demonstrated how pollution is a growing public health concern, especially among the pediatric population. Interventions, reviewed in …