Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Projects collection contains the completed works of students from the DNP Program at Arizona State University's College of Nursing and Health Innovation. These projects are the culminating product of the curricula and demonstrate clinical scholarship.
Collaborating Institutions:
College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Displaying 1 - 10 of 29
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Description
The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to develop and implement a culturally tailored educational program into a community clinic in a northern border community in Mexico to prevent and combat childhood obesity. In Mexico, 33.2% of children are overweight or obese and numbers are continuing to rise, which has a significant impact on physical and psychological health and can lead to diabetes, fatty liver disease, thyroid disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, and other chronic diseases. Guided by Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, weekly education sessions were delivered to members of the community clinic for two weeks. Content included both a nutrition component and an exercise component. An emphasis was made on increasing physical activity, increasing water consumption, decreasing sugar sweetened beverages, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Videos were developed for each education session. Worksheets and handouts were developed to enhance learning and give participants a tangible reference for individual learning. Content was taken from the CDC and adapted to fit the needs of the community. All content was culturally tailored for low literacy levels and translated to Spanish. Knowledge, behavior change, and self-efficacy were measured by pre and post surveys. Self-efficacy showed statistically significant change from pre and post intervention. These findings suggest that healthy eating and exercise education can potentially increase knowledge, promote behavior change, and enhance self-efficacy, which can, in turn, prevent and combat childhood obesity and related disease states.
ContributorsBahena, Sara (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-26
Description
Background: Existing practice standards for discharge education are insufficient to support parents of children with new enteral feeding devices in the outpatient setting which has led to increased clinic and emergency department visits, hospital stays, and preventable complications. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to design and deliver a comprehensive evidence-based enteral feeding tube hospital-based discharge education intervention for parents after their child’s gastrostomy tube placement surgery. Guided by Transition’s theory, the project aims to bridge the gap in education by providing the parent with ongoing support and education about their child’s gastrostomy tube. Methods: This project measured the impact of inpatient discharge education with ongoing support and outpatient education on parent knowledge and confidence. All English-speaking parents of pediatric patients ages 0-17 years with new gastrostomy tubes at a large, urban, freestanding pediatric hospital in the southwest United States were eligible for participation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The education intervention was delivered at hospital discharge then reinforced at the first follow-up visit in the surgery clinic. Data analysis included demographic items, a Paired Samples T-Test, and a Two-tailed Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test analyses. Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference in parent knowledge after the educational intervention. Results also indicated a clinically significant increase in parent confidence. Conclusion: Providing ongoing support and education positively impacts parent knowledge and confidence related to the care of their child’s new gastrostomy tube. Future impacts of this educational intervention may demonstrate a decrease in clinic and emergency department (ED) visits, hospital expenditure, and preventable complications.
ContributorsFriedl, Anne (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29
Description
Purpose & Background: Nurses regularly have encounters with traumatic and stressful events
which can have deleterious effects on their physical and psychological well-being and lead to burnout. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the stress on nurses. The purpose of this project is to evaluate if an evidence-based, guided mindfulness-based intervention would reduce burnout levels among registered nurses (RNs) working in in-patient settings.
Methods: Participants enrolled in nursing programs from a local university were recruited for the project with the following inclusion requirements: (1) RNs working in an in-patient setting, (2) aged 18 years old or older; (3) fluent in the English language. Participants completed a pre-survey and then enrolled in a free mindfulness application via their phone or computer. Participants listened to one ten-minute mindfulness session for a consecutive ten days and then completed a post-survey.
Results: Data collected from the pre and post surveys included the use of the following valid and reliable instrument tools: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Brief Resiliency Coping Scale, and Short Form Health Survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. The analyzed data showed that there was statistical significance in decreased burnout levels, increased resiliency, and increased health perceptions of the participants.
Conclusion: By finding ways to cope with the experience of burnout in nurses, nurses’ mental health wellness can improve in order for nurses to continue to be an integral part of the healthcare system.
ContributorsPanopio, Christine (Author) / Chen, Angela (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-06
Description
Background: Current standard of care practices for substance use disorder is inadequate in reducing relapse, with rates persistently 40-60% within one year of treatment. Unconventional approaches must be explored to reduce the risk of relapse, climbing rate of overdoses, and healthcare expenditures exceeding $740 billion annually. The purpose of this quality improvement project demonstrates how an evidence-based group exercise intervention, used as adjunctive support to standard addiction treatment, can reduce relapse and promote long-term recovery during a global pandemic. Methods: Aims of this project sought to enhance quality of life scores. Participants were recruited upon admission to a residential treatment center. Pre-posttest design utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated scale to assess program impact on quality of life. Pre-program descriptive questions and a survey assessing prior addiction treatment were collected. Group exercise and wellness education sessions were delivered twice weekly in a live, interactive, virtual format with on-site participants. Upon completion, a post-program survey was utilized to capture the qualitative experiences of participants and impact of project to instill confidence to execute long-term sobriety. Results: Pre and post scores, as well as domain scores were clinically and statistically significant. Additionally, 80% of participants reported feeling more prepared to achieve long-term sobriety secondary to their participation in this project. Discussion and Conclusion: Results from this project demonstrate the positive impact that group-based exercise and lifestyle interventions can have on quality of life and long-term recovery. Peer support exercise programs may offer means to enhance addiction treatment and reduce overall healthcare expenditures globally by defying the odds of relapse.
ContributorsAvino, M. Hayley (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-05-01
Description
Objective: Obesity is the fifth leading cause of global death and is preventable. It affects all body systems and causes major chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, and some cancers. The goal of this transtheoretical stages of changes (TSOC) theory-based project are as follows: To educate the participants of the project to be aware of obesity and its complications; motivate them to use community resources, and improve their body mass indexes (BMI), waist circumference (WC), motivation, quality of life (QOL) and lifestyle.
Methods: Twenty-three participants were recruited in a primary care clinic. Six participants dropped out during the project. All the randomly selected participants who met the criteria of obesity signed written informed consent and were provided a 4-digit code to maintain anonymity. Participants were motivated and educated using a handout, two pre-and post-project in-person nursing visits, and five telemedicine weekly nursing follow-ups visits. Pre- and post-surveys collected during in-person visits include data such as weight, BMI, WC, demographic data, comorbidities, lifestyle, motivation, QOL, TSOC, and utilization of community resources.
Results: Descriptive analysis and paired t-test is done utilizing Intellectus statistics software to measure the outcome. The results show improvement in dietary choices, physical activity, motivation, QOL, use of community resources, decrease in BMI, and WC. In paired t tests, results show clinical and statistical significance in BMI, WC, MOT and clinical significance in QOL. There was increase in the revenue at the project site due to reimbursement of the services provided for the patients.
Conclusion: The results are expected to develop practice change in preventing and treating obesity. More evidence-based projects and studies with large sample size are needed to develop improvement in the knowledge base of providers and current practice.
ContributorsCherian, Ribi (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-28
Description
Objective: Delirium frequently occurs in Pediatric Cardiac intensive Care Units (PCICU) of hospitals with critically ill patients. An inflammatory process of the brain causes neurotransmitters imbalances and neuronal alterations, leading to increased days on mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU, and possible self -harm. Delirium can be reduced and controlled if detected early through frequent patient monitoring and screening. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the implementation of a delirium screening tool along with education on delirium
Study Selection: An education module on delirium and the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAP-D) screening tool along with a non-pharmacological bundle was implemented on a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit for patients 2 to 18 years of age, admitted to an Arizona metropolitan children’s hospital. All nurses were required to attend the education session. Data was collected by using pre- and post-survey questions on delirium for those nurses who chose to participate in the study.
Data Synthesis: The results from the pre- and post-tests suggest there was an increase in education. The average score for the 15 nurses on the pre-test was 87.1% while the same nurses scored 100% on the post-test. Chart reviews of the CAP-D screening tool from November 2000 – February 2021 had 71 patients on the unit and had 8 patients scored on the CAP-D screening tool. Chart reviews after implementation of the education module from November 2021 – February 2022, were conducted and 118 patients were on the unit while only 23 patients were scored on the CAP-D screening tool.
Conclusion: So far, the use of an education module and implementation of a non-pharmacological bundle has proven some promising results in helping with delirium and its reduction in the PCICU.
ContributorsHernandez, Ricardo (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-26
Description
Objective: To understand and prevent adverse discharge events, the project assesses the needs and gaps of discharge care coordination for child(ren) with medical complexities (CMC). The National Survey of Children’s Health show 87.4% of CMC does not receive care in a well-functioning system, and 47.4% did not receive adequate care coordination 1. Therefore, does initiating measurement tools and communication before and after discharge identify and prevent discharge related adverse events?
Methods: After IRB approval, a mixed-methods approach project occurred at southwestern pediatric free-standing hospital. Through eight weeks of convenience sampling, CMC caregivers were recruited in the inpatient setting (n=5). Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through: [Pediatric] Care Transitions Measurement Tool – 15 (CTM- 15), with a Cronbach’s alpha of .932; a demographics survey; a post-discharge survey; and electronic health records.
Results: The CTM-15 post-discharge score was 83.3 (N = 4, SD = 9.83, SE¬M = 4.92). CTM-15 qualitative data included: communication issues; rushed discharge; poor discharge anticipatory guidance; hospital policy concerns; follow-up appointment issues; and prescription errors. LOS average for all participants was 137.8 days (SD = 102.75, SEM = 45.95) with 40 unintended hospital days (SD = 41.55, SEM = 18.51). Issues encountered 30 days post-discharge included: prescription errors, follow-up issues, and home health issues.
Conclusion: Hospitalized CMC have an increased risk to encounter a discharge adverse event because of a complex intertwining of disciplines, services, medications, and needs. Communication, tools, and surveys did not capture all the problems encountered by families with CMC; however, it did identify areas of notable concern.
ContributorsChalla, Hannah (Author) / Bucci, Aimee (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05-02
Description
Objectives: Asthma education is essential for every pediatric asthma management plan. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Quality Improvement (QI) project, guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, aims to explore effective and innovative interventions for asthma management and determine if telehealth is an effective way to deliver asthma education to parents.
Methods: Parents (n = 5) of children with asthma at an urban pediatric primary care clinic were recruited to attend four weekly, 60-minute asthma education sessions over Zoom®. Participants were recruited with flyers and clinic referrals. Participants answered pre- and post-intervention online questionnaires following informed consent, including the Parental Asthma Management Self-Efficacy Scale (PAMSES), the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and a parent program evaluation. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to analyze data and measure mean differences in pre-and post-parent self-efficacy and asthma control in their child.
Results: The results include a statistically significant change in pre-intervention and post-intervention mean PAMSES scores. There was no significant difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention ACT scores; however, there was an increase in mean ACT scores from baseline.
Conclusions: Telehealth is a practical and cost-effective way to address gaps in asthma education and improve patient outcomes. The use of telehealth may be an effective way to address gaps in parent/patient education regarding the prevention of and management of asthma symptoms. Ongoing assessment is needed to evaluate if asthma telehealth education can be effective in other settings, languages, and age groups.
ContributorsFlores, M. Cynthia (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-29
Description
Background: Existing substance use disorder guidelines are deficient in reducing relapse rates, evidenced by the substantial number of persons experiencing relapse within months of recovery, with most relapsing within one year. Current interventions lack community reinforcement approaches to reduce relapse and risk factors required to combat the extensive damages related to substance use as costs exceed $1 trillion annually. Guided by the Social Cognitive Model, this quality improvement project aims to explore how group exercise combined with community reinforcement reduces relapse. It aims to boost recovery capital by improving quality of life scores. Methods: A CrossFit instructor delivered personalized group exercise and wellness education in-person biweekly for six weeks. Adult residential treatment clients were eligible to participate recruited via a flyer upon treatment entry. A pre-intervention demographic questionnaire, a pre-/post World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated scale (reliability ? = > 0.70) assessing intervention influence on the quality of life, and a post-intervention survey was administered. The lead investigator performed all data distribution and collection. Institutional Review Board approval safeguarded participants' rights and risks. Results: Pre/post improvements observed in all domains; psychological and environmental were statistically significant, while 100% of participants reported enhanced QoL, social support, & confidence related to long-term sobriety post-intervention. Discussion/Conclusion: Desired outcomes are increased quality of life scores to boost recovery capital. A sober community reinforcement approach combined with exercise may link to reducing relapse and total costs related to this growing public health crisis.
ContributorsChrapczynski, D. Alison (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-04-30
Description
Introduction: Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between 1 and 4 years of age; in Arizona drownings are double the national average for this age group. The goal of this Doctor of Nursing project was to educate and empower pediatric providers to give quality drowning prevention (DP) anticipatory guidance (AG) to caregivers of children between 1 and 4 years of age at every well exam.
Method: This quality improvement (QI) project included 32 providers from six pediatric clinics in Arizona. A one-hour education session focused on drowning prevention followed one month later by a a thirty-minute follow-up feedback session were conducted. Pre- and post- education surveys were administered at the first session to measure perceived previous and future intended DP AG practice. An additional follow-up survey was administered at the second session to evaluate perceived change. In addition, caregivers were contacted and surveyed one to three months post initial education to assess provider delivery of AG. Likert-scales and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate data sets.
Results: Post-educational intervention, providers reported increased intention (p = 0.027) to provide water safety AG, and increased intention (p < 0.001) to connect water AG to developmental milestones. Post-intervention follow-up indicated an increased provision of developmentally specific water safety AG to caregivers (p < 0.001) and increased connection of developmental milestones in AG (p = 0.016). Barriers that prevent water safety AG were reported as time constraints and other perceived AG of higher priority.
Implications: This QI project adds to the literature and demonstrates the benefit of education to invigorate and empower increased provision of quality DP AG from providers.
ContributorsDiMiceli, Carolyn (Author) / Jacobson, Diana (Thesis advisor) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor)
Created2021-04-22