Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons^™

Exploring The Effects Service Dogs Have On Veterans With Ptsd, Shelby E. Reeves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness resulting from exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD vary, but those affected commonly experience nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and trouble sleeping; they may also avoid people or situations that trigger traumatic memories. It is estimated that PTSD affects about 10-30% of all United States veterans. Additionally, traditional treatment methods have an average dropout rate of 25% among military personnel. Inadequate PTSD symptom management may lead to depression, anxiety, suicidality, isolation, unstable relationships, and substance misuse. The purpose of this review is to examine the current research concerning the use of service …

A Mixed Methods Study To Investigate Barriers And Enablers To Nurses’ Implementation Of Nonpharmacological Interventions For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Allison Suber Adrian

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The national burden of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on individuals, families, and the healthcare system has reached epidemic proportion. The rising incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome significantly impacts healthcare utilization and costs due to increases in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admissions and length of hospitalization, to the possible detriment of maternal-infant bonding. Because nonpharmacologic nursing care is not complicated by the potentially harmful side effects of pharmacological treatment, it should be considered the standard of care for opioid-exposed infants; therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and enablers to nurses’ implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is …

Tobacco Use And Nicotine Withdrawal Among Patients With Mental Illness, Yazan Daher Al-Mrayat

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

People with mental illness (MI) are disproportionately affected by tobacco use compared to the general population. In fact, it is estimated that people with MI consume approximately 44% of cigarettes smoked in the United States. Moreover, the MI population is at greater risk for the negative social, economic, and health consequences associated with tobacco use and are reported to have 25-year shorter life expectancies than the general population. The impact of tobacco use is further noticeable among patients with MI who require psychiatric hospitalization. Quitting smoking in this population has been linked to fewer discharges against medical advice, better quality …

Benefits Of Exercise On Mental Health: Literature Review, Angela Ristau

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Providers diligently educate patients on exercise to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. However, in recent years, providers judiciously educate patients on exercise and its correlation to improving or impacting mental health disorders. Physical activity has been steadily shown to relate to improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. A large body of literature examines the impact of physical activity and exercise on mental health. There is a growing interest in the use of exercise in the treatment of depression and anxiety, as a primary option or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment. …

Nursing Student Stress, Ruthanne Emily Hawks, Hannah Rae Wilson, Carly Marie Gillota, Taylor Anne Hall, Edward William Mccain

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing students deal with a variety of stressors, including difficult curriculum and new endeavors such as clinical and lab experiences. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between stress levels and coping mechanisms and readiness to change unhealthy coping mechanisms in baccalaureate nursing students. The Transtheoretical Model of Change guides this non-experimental, correlational study and measured readiness for change. The Student Nurse Stress Index was used to measure stress. The abbreviated COPE Inventory was used to measure coping. Online recruitment, consent forms, and surveys were distributed to nursing students via the Student Success Center in the College …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Alcohol, Marijuana, And Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Hannah Safranek, Madeline Frausto, Amy King, Stoneking Madison

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge? Diagnosis of substance use disorder is increasing and with it comes increased risk of complications to mother and neonate including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other negative neonatal and maternal outcomes. Evidence was identified on the online …

Exploring Cryotherapy As A Therapeutic Approach For Stress-Induced Tension Headaches In College Students, Mona Hassan Abdelaal

Nursing

ABSTRACT Tension-type headaches and stress are common problems for students. It is one of the most neglected headache types, with prevalence of ~ 15–20% in population-based studies. Alternative and complementary medicine such as cryotherapy is effective for relieving physical and psychological pain; using ice compresses by placing it at the back of the neck, leads to relief of tension and anxiety, and gives the feeling of relaxation and full of energy for doing daily life activities. The findings from this study provide the basis for the formulation of future research questions that can explore the effect of cryotherapy on the …

Geographic Access To Community Mental Healthcare And Adherence To Treatment Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Marie Smith-East

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Disparities in access to mental health care for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders continue to exist in the United States despite the creation of mental health policies seeking to improve access to care. As an integral element of healthcare system delivery, access is influenced by spatial (location) and non-spatial (sociodemographic) factors. Highlighting both spatial and non-spatial dimensions of access to mental healthcare, this study employed an innovative approach encompassing the geography of access and the integration of location analyses to bridge the gap between psychosocial dynamics and mental health services for improving cost-effective continuity of care. The aims were as …

Reducing Gaps In Knowledge About Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Mental Health Nurses, Janice L. Edmonson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This DNP study was conducted to identify knowledge gaps about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among mental health nurses and to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of mental health nurses about the use of ECT at a psychiatric hospital. In this study, the researcher sought to build upon an existing knowledge base using principles of adult learning theory to enhance the therapeutic relationship of the nursing staff when caring for ECT patients. A sample of three-quarters (N = 119) of the mental health nursing staff employed by the psychiatric hospital consented to participate in …

Recognition And Management Of Agitation In Acute Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Evaluation Of Staff Perceptions, Joshua Tucker, Lisa Whitehead, Peter Palamara, Josephine Xenia Rosman, Karla Seaman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, The Author(s).

Background: Agitation among patients is a common and distressing behaviour across a variety of health care settings, particularly inpatient mental health. Unless recognised early and effectively managed it can lead to aggression and personal injury. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of mental health nurses in recognising and managing agitation in an inpatient mental health setting and the alignment of these experiences with best practice and person-centred care.

Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative methodology. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 20 nurses working in a mental health unit in …

Optimizing The Implementation And Dissemination Of The Recovery Model Approach, Lani Schofield

Master's Projects and Capstones

For a period of nine months spanning 2018 and 2019, monthly patient satisfaction survey scores in a 22-bed sub-acute inpatient psychiatry unit at a safety-net hospital in California decreased significantly, which revealed that patients felt they were not receiving satisfactory care and which warranted calls for innovative approaches to improve care delivery. The patient experience of care affects recovery and length of stay. Because prolonged hospital stays result in increased costs and increased use of healthcare resources in hospital units, including sub-acute psychiatric microsystems, it benefits hospitals to improve the quality of patient care. In an effort to improve quality …

Ontrack: A Program Evaluation, Justin Mynatt

Doctoral Projects

OnTrack is a program that provides coordinated specialty care (CSC) services for patients who have experienced their first episode of psychosis (FEP). Appropriately identifying and aggressively treating this vulnerable population, while providing support to both them and their families is critical for improved outcomes. Appropriate treatment of FEP patients can improve their quality of life, preserve brain matter, improve overall functioning, and lessen the burden of the clients’ family who may be involved in their care, such as caregiver strain or financial hardship. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the success of OnTrack, a FEP program, at improving …

The Usage And Impact Of Outpatient Commitment Orders On Suicide And Suicide Attempt Rates In Mississippi, Sam Mauldin

Dissertations

Rates of self-harm and suicide in the United States have not decreased since 1980 and remained relatively constant through the start of the 21^st Century. The most recent data indicate that suicide rates in the United States have risen by about 2% a year from 2006 through 2016, although suicide rates have decreased in other countries during the same timeframe. Finding a viable intervention to slow rates of self-harm and suicide is needed in the United States. The need for closer patient observation has been cited as an underutilized intervention for the reduction of attempts of self-harm and suicide. …

Program Evaluation Of An Aprn-Led Home-Based Psychiatric Care (Hbpc) Program For Vulnerable Geriatric Patients, Stacey A. Poole

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Mental illness remains under-treated in older adults, especially those that are home-bound. In response to access to care gaps, an innovative advanced practice registered nurse led Home-Based Psychiatric Care program was developed as an adjunct to an established home-based counseling agency. The program involves the research supported provision of home-based psychiatric evaluations and medication management by the agency’s PMHNP. Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the HBPC Program’s effectiveness at increasing access to timely and effective psychopharmacological treatment and management as evidenced by: (a) an increased percentage of referred patients who are being managed by the agency’s PMHNP, (b) a decrease in …

Improving Provider Adherence To Guidelines And Screening For Adult Depression In Primary Care, Amber Crenshaw

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this QI project was to improve provider adherence to the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) Guidelines for Adult Depression in Primary Care to enhance the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of adult major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is a widespread, disabling, and treatable psychiatric disorder that is primarily treated and managed by primary care providers (PCPs). Untreated depression is prone to become chronic and can lead to pain, suffering, disability, increased morbidity and mortality, and premature death, with serious repercussions for the individual and society. Universal and routine screening in primary care for depression in adults, …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Improve Depression Screening In Prenatal And Postpartum Mothers, Britanni Greene

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Screening for depression during the prenatal and postpartum period is essential. The United States has the highest mortality rate in the developed world, with mental health complications being 1 of the top 5 reasons women expire within the 1st year of childbirth. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase depression screening during the gestational and postpartum periods in an obstetric and gynecological clinic. An administration schedule was created to administer the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The EPDS was administered during the initial prenatal, 32-weeks prenatal, and 6-week postpartum appointments. Women scoring 10 or higher on the …

Implementing A Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit To Enhance Dementia Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Raquel Garcia-Priestly

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the United States with costs reaching $277 billion a year and affecting 5.7 million Americans. By 2050, 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). This burdensome disease not only affects the individual, but also those who are responsible for their care, making it extremely complex to manage. Purpose: To systematically integrate the Alzheimer’s Association’s Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit in an outpatient mental health clinic to enhance care by effectively addressing the needs of patients with ADRD and of their caregivers. Objectives: Increase the number of patients with …

An Evidence-Based Intervention To Reduce The Use Of Physical Restraints In A Female Adolescent Population At An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Mambo Ndingwan

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The use of physical restraints within psychiatric units is problematic since it raises a range of legal, ethical, and clinical questions (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2014). The use of physical restraint has become a common practice in many psychiatric units despite the negative effects associated with its use. Selecting strategies such as verbal de-escalation to manage aggressive psychiatric inpatients shows promise with patients when used by providers and staff in mental health facilities. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to introduce and train staff to utilize the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and verbal de-escalation in psychiatric units in …

Improving Access To Mental Health Care With Nurse Practitioners, Jessica Whelan

Dissertations

Problem: Over 40% of those with mental illness are untreated since the supply of psychiatrists does not meet the demand. The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) may be an adjunct in providing those services. The purpose of this quality assurance study was to evaluate outcomes of care between a PMHNP and a psychiatrist (medical doctor [MD]).

Methods: An observational, descriptive design with a retrospective medical record review of adult patients over a six-month period in a suburban, Midwestern, privately owned psychiatric practice.

Results: A total of 787 individual patients encountered at least one visit (N=787) although 3,679 …

The Nurse As The Facilitator Of Patients' Narration: An Educational Intervention, Petra Stockman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More than one million resident patients live and receive care at certified long-term facilities in the United States, many of whom suffer from depressive symptoms and anxiety. Prior research recommended storytelling as a vibrant nursing intervention to assist long-term care residents in overcoming challenges and emotional pain. However, nurses frequently lack knowledge of successful planning and implementation of narrative reminiscence. This scholarly project was designed to increase nursing competence and confidence in using storytelling as a clinical tool to improve mental health in long-term care, using a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized pretest, intervention, and posttest study design. A convenience sample of 10 …