Theses in Nursing

Given the projected increasing shortage of well-prepared nurses, particularly at the baccalaureate level, the climate of limited resources for adequate RN training, and high attrition rates among NNs, it is imperative every effort is made to effectively prepare actively enrolled BSN students to care.

The purpose of this evidence-based project was to develop an education program on diabetic foot ulcer wound care treatment and prevention in the elderly for registered nurses in the long term acute care and skilled nursing settings.

As nursing has developed as a profession, the role of nurse-physician communication and how it relates to patient outcomes has been a focus of research. While poor patient outcomes have been identified as a result of ineffective nurse-physician communication, the factors leading to ineffective communication have not been identified. This qualitative research study was designed to identify the variables involved in effective and ineffective nurse-physician communication.

Full Abstract: Compassion fatigue in the nursing profession can be detrimental to individual nurses as well as health care organizations.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 134 nursing personnel to explore attitudes and experience in adopting electronic health record, evaluate preliminary psychometric properties of Electronic Health Record Benefits (EHR-Benefits) scale and investigate the predictors of electronic health record benefits and avoidance of computer use. Most participants used a computer in accessing patient records and clinical documentation and were confident in using them.

To achieve safe patient care, effective communication among health care team members is needed. Lack of communication is the leading cause of sentinel events in the perioperative setting. Communication between members of the perioperative team — the surgeon, anesthesiologist, circulating nurse, and scrub nurse or technologist affects team collaboration and patient safety. Communication has been identified as one of the key elements needed to accomplish team collaboration and a healthy work environment.

Full Abstract: Health care organizations must strive to provide easily accessible ongoing education structured and tailored to meet the specific learning needs of nurses. Although many studies have identified nurses learning needs, benefits and barriers to continuing education programs specific to patient related issues, little research has examined the development and implementation of a structured unit-based educational process and its effects on the learning needs of staff nurses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate sleep disturbances, review treatment methods, and develop a plan of treatment options utilizing sleep hygiene methods. A review of literature included sleep disturbances and interventions to alleviate such problems.

Honors Project Abstract: There is a lacking in sufficient, comprehensive sexual health education across the United States. The United States is behind the rest of the developed world in educating adolescents about the normalcies and risks of sex. Sex and intimacy is a delicate subject in which educators, parents, and pastors often feel uncomfortable teaching; they often try and place the responsibility of sexual health education elsewhere.

Today, more children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. Research is currently being conducted regarding the causes, prevalence and treatment for Autism, however little is known regarding care for this population in healthcare settings. The purpose of this Interpretative Phenomenological study is to explore the lived healthcare experiences of mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Central line-associated bloodstream infections are one of the leading causes of health care associated infections. To decrease and prevent morbidity, mortality, and costs of care, it is the objective of every health care facility to achieve and maintain a zero central line-associated bloodstream infection rate.

Older adults with dementia present a higher risk for falls than their healthy counterparts due to disease-related cognitive and physical changes and deconditioning from low mobility during hospitalization.

Note: The co-author of this thesis is Raquel Archuleta. See the attached thesis cover page.

Healthcare organizations are under increasing pressure to provide the best care for their patients. They are not only starting to be held accountable for preventable problems, but are being scrutinized based on patient outcomes. Many patients in the hospital will require a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). While many patients do survive their ICU stay, a large number of them are left with physical disabilities related to that stay. Some of those disabilities are long term or even permanent.

Anxiety is high in parents with children undergoing a posterior spinal fusion. The research found demonstrates that it is important to have the proper educational materials, and to address the emotional and psychological aspect of a parent whose child is having surgery. It is important for the parents to increase their knowledge of their child’s upcoming surgery, which will result in decreased anxiety.

Note: The co-author of this thesis is Raquel Archuleta. See the attached thesis cover page.

With 108,335 people on kidney replacement therapy in the United States, the need for kidney transplantation has increased. In 1998 there were 40,825 on the national waiting list for a kidney transplant in comparison to 71,862 in 2007 with a median wait time of over three years. At the same time the number of kidneys transplanted went from 9,761 to 13,156.