Pediatric Nursing Commons^™

Navigating The Nicu Without Words: A Case Study Of A Spanish-Speaking Mother’S Healthcare Experience, Emma Norris

Poster Presentations

Research on NICU experiences largely focuses on majority-language families; non-English-speaking families are understudied (Cleveland, 2008). The Family Integrated Care model promotes parent-infant connection and shared decision-making to improve outcomes (Wreesmann et al., 2020). Language barriers impede parent-provider communication, increasing miscommunication and parental anxiety (Kynoe et al., 2020; Ardal et al., 2011). The purpose of this research is to explore communication experiences and barriers between English-speaking and bilingual NICU nurses and a Spanish-speaking NICU mother.

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 …

Tiny Tusk Internship: Gut Instincts: A Review Of Literature On The Impact Of Breastfeeding On The Infant Gut Microbiome, Rayla Payne

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate both the short- and long-term benefits that breastfeeding has on the infant gut microbiome. The PICOT question was: In full-term infants, how does exclusive breastfeeding compared to mixed or formula feeding influence the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome throughout the first 12 months of life? For this research, EBSCOhost, CINAHL, and the National Library of Medicine databases were searched to find relevant studies and systematic reviews. Terms such as “breastfeeding and infant gut microbiome” were used to conduct the search. Other terms used included “breastfeeding OR formula feeding”, “human …

Enhancing Healthcare Communication With Artificial Intelligence Translation Methods For Improved Patient Healthcare Satisfaction, Mireille Signe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) verbal translation improved communication-related satisfaction during routine nurse–patient interactions.

Background:

In the ICU, brief, frequent conversations with patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) often occur without timely access to professional interpreters, contributing to delays, improvised communication, and lower satisfaction. AI tools offer immediate access for low‑complexity exchanges but require evaluation for feasibility and effectiveness as a supplement to certified interpreter services.

Methodology:

Twelve nurse-LEP proxy patient dyads were evaluated using a mixed-methods design (8/2025-12/2025) in a 16-bed ICU during QI PDSA cycles. Standardized care communication scenarios were completed using the AI tool. Process …

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 …

Historical Development Of Vaccines And The Public's Response, Kristen Montgomery, Samantha Prince Bsn, Rn, Melissa Ealey Bsn, Rn, Jarrad Morelock Bsn, Rn, Shelby Johnson Bsn, Rn, Kokeshia Crosby Bsn, Rn, Stephanies Himes Bsn, Rn, Theresia Hinton Bsn, Rn

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Vaccines, which have become one of the most important medical accomplishments in the prevention of communicable diseases, have a history that dates to the use of variolation as early as the 11th century. The purpose of this study is to explore the historical development of vaccines and to determine the characteristics that emerged when new vaccines were developed.

Aims: The specific aim of this study is to understand if all vaccines have been received about the same by the general public or if there are certain different or diverse characteristics associated with the introduction of different vaccines.

Methods: A …

Mindfulness-Based Therapy For The Treatment Of Anxiety In Adolescents, Alicia Lemaster

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Adolescent anxiety disorders represent a significant and growing public health concern, with increasing prevalence and associated functional impairment. Traditional treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacologic interventions, are effective but often limited by barriers such as access, stigma, and adherence. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as a promising alternative or adjunctive approach to address anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the effectiveness of structured mindfulness-based therapy programs in reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents compared to usual care. A systematic literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, focusing …

Improving Pneumococcal Immunization Counseling In Children With Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Sarah Dettmann

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face elevated risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, yet fewer than 10% are estimated to be current on pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) recommendations.

Local Problem: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to develop and implement a standardized pneumococcal immunization screening and counseling process in a pediatric rheumatology clinic.

Method: Three consecutive PDSA cycles guided implemention across a nine-week intervention period using a pre-post quasi-experimental design.

Interventions: A multicomponent strategy was employed, including a PCV decision algorithm, EHR Smart Phrase, PCP referral template, and patient education brochure.

Results: Pre-implementation PCV counseling was documented …

Understanding How Nurses Could Utilize Child Life Specialists, Paige Perkins

Honors Projects

Do pediatric nurses notice improvement in patient education levels when they use the resources of Child Life Specialists, understand their role, and utilize their resources to educate their patients, compared to hospitals without Child Life Specialists?

Beyond Pico: Building Your Ppco Question For Pediatric Falls, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.

Mastering The Ppco Framework: A Pediatric Hospital Falls Case Study, Mayra Garcia

PPCO Resources & Education

No abstract provided.

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 …

Improving Bedside Nurse Central Line Policy Compliance And Combating Clabsis, Keyshawna N. Chambers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a problem, both globally and locally at this 20-bed pediatric cardiovascular ICU in Houston, TX. Bedside nursing staff had gaps in knowledge of central line policies and were often unaware of when dressings needed to be changed. This posed a significant concern, as this nosocomial infection is among the most life-threatening and costly complications in healthcare. Leadership attempted to correct this issue with weekly multidisciplinary rounds, but with high turnover, this was not a long-term fix. This quality improvement project aimed to increase central line policy compliance among bedside nursing staff to 93%, from …

Reducing Humpty Dumpty Syndrome In Pediatric Inpatients, Jeanene Burns

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Doctor of Nursing Practice project examined pediatric inpatient falls. The healthcare agency involved in the project identified concerns regarding pediatric inpatient falls. Data were collected on pediatric inpatient falls that occurred on two nursing units at this agency based on the Generalized Risk Assessment for Pediatric Inpatient Falls and the Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Scale. Results from the project indicated marginal statistical significance, with approximately a 60% reduction in falls after the implementation of the Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Scale. A recommendation for future research is a comparison of the two pediatric fall risk assessment tools after the Humpty …

Pediatric Simulation And Emergency Nurse Confidence, Katherine E. Wright

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Nurses working in a general emergency department (GED) with a low (3.3%) pediatric patient volume expressed a lack of confidence caring for complex pediatric patients.

PICOT: In general emergency department nurses (P), how does participating in a pediatric simulation event (I), compared to current practice (C), affect nurse confidence scores caring for pediatric patients (O) over 6 weeks (T)?

Evidence: A review of over 17 evidence-based resources found good quality evidence that suggested participating in a simulation event can improve nurse confidence.

Intervention: Over six weeks, GED staff members participated in a pediatric simulation event. The simulation utilized …

Silence Is Golden: Quiet Hours Vs. Delirium In The Picu, Chastity Gillmore-Williams, Kevin Lai, North Porter, Jade Orozco, Corrie Zuker, Bria Pierce

2025

No abstract provided.

Shaping Tiny Futures: Exploring Plagiocephaly Prevention In A Level Iv Nicu, Alejandra Lozano, Mia Charles, Mimi Ngo

2025

No abstract provided.

Pro-Tip For Pro-Calcitonin: Fill It Up Or Miss The Mark​, Megan Dones, Yenci Marquez, Reese Parrish, Sanam Mistry

2025

No abstract provided.

Proned But Not Pressured: Saving Skin One Turn At A Time, Sophie Despres, Brandon Evans, Hannah Keetch, Destiny Lane

2025

No abstract provided.

It's About Time! Patient Schedules To Improve Care Team Compliance, Kaylie Pollard-Kedward, Maria Herrera, Megan Hook, Jazmin Butler, Skyler Mankins

2025

No abstract provided.