Implementing a Strategic Reporting Model Among Public Health Nurse Consultants to Increase Communication

Public health has seen a drastic amount of turnover post-pandemic. There was an estimated 44% turnover rate for public health registered nurses, with a vacancy rate that doubled from 12.7% in March 2020 to 23.2% in July 2022 (Skinner, 2022). With this high turnover rate, many nurses are new to North Carolina (NC) public health departments and health districts. Public Health Nurse Consultants (PHNCs) are expected to train and guide these new nursing staff members. With the turnovers continuing at the local health departments (LHDs), new nurses are not given the recommended training because of communication breakdowns. This project helped increase communication among the PHNCs by implementing a strategic public health reporting model that reflected changes happening at the LHDs. The project had two different training sessions held on a virtual platform. The sessions introduced the reporting model and provided participants with instructions. The participants consisted of eight PHNCs who worked throughout the state. After the second training session, participants received an anonymous link with five questions using a 5-point Likert scale. The data from the survey assessed if communication had increased by implementing the strategic reporting model

Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior and Self-Efficacy Theory to Investigate the Retention of Band Students in a Rural School District

Recruitment and retention play a significant role in the success of high school band programs. The purpose of this study was to examine what impacted post high school graduates’ and focus group participants\u27 final decisions about participating in their high school band program. It utilized Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior and Bandura’s (1977) Self-Efficacy Theory. The participants were asked to answer and discuss questions based on their mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social/verbal experiences, physiological experiences, self-perception, and other influential factors to determine their future participation. The study was purposefully conducted at two different schools in two different geographical locations in the district. This study brought understandings from band directors, current and former band students, and alumni post high school graduate students in a rural school district. The data for this dissertation were collected through interviews, focus groups, and Zelenak’s Music Performance Self- Efficacy Scale. The themes that resulted from this study were building a sense of community, social and emotional support, confidence, providing a quality music education, persistence or challenges, teamwork, multiple personal beliefs about oneself, and relationships. These findings indicated what causes students to continue and discontinue and what band directors can focus on to recruit potential students and retain current students

A Program Evaluation Case Study on the Impact of Standards-Based Grading in a North Carolina School District

The purpose of this study was to conduct a program evaluation case study on the impact of standards-based grading in a North Carolina school district. The implementation procedures and end products of grading reform were assessed using the CIPP model. Data from teacher questionnaires, principal implementation checklists, interviews, and end-of-grade (EOG) test results were used in this mixed methods study. The program evaluation examined the implementation\u27s advantages and disadvantages and offered suggestions for improvement. The research questions examined teacher and principal perceptions of the impact of implementation. Themes of the district\u27s implementation strengths and weaknesses were identified through the use of thematic analysis. The key findings focused on the apparent impact of grading reform when Coherence Framework drivers are present and aligned. Clear impact with regard to summative EOG test data also indicated significance in using standards-based grades to provide feedback. Areas that were identified as needing improvement surrounded consistency and support in focusing direction, cultivating collaborative cultures, deepening learning, securing accountability, and leadership. Knowing the perceived effectiveness, even when all the right drivers are not perfectly consistent, may help teachers and leaders commit to the implementation efforts when striving to more effectively support teaching and learning. The results of this study produced clear implications for maintaining standards-based grading implementation efforts. Furthermore, maximizing the potential of future reform initiatives and making them easier to replicate in the future will come from realizing the support that building leaders and teachers require to be better prepared to support grading reform efforts in their schools

Addressing Nursing School Retention: The Necessity of Orientation in Nursing Education

Nursing schools have been challenged to impact attrition and retention by creating an environment that increases student success. This DNP project was created to impact the current nursing shortage by increasing the number of nursing students who were retained after the first semester of nursing school. The DNP Project Leader designed a structured orientation program consisting of a 2-day in-person orientation and an online repository of resources. The DNP project sought to increase retention and provide pre-licensure students with gained skills to progress in the nursing program after the first semester in nursing school. The in-person orientation program provided participants with a structured clinical orientation, lab orientation, and student success resources. An online repository of resources was created to provide added support throughout the first semester. Based on statistical tracking, students who successfully progressed after the first semester, on average, accessed more material from the online repository. Students participated in a pretest/posttest to evaluate their perception of overall confidence in accessing school of nursing resources, managing time, utilizing test-taking strategies, and current study habits. After the DNP project, descriptive analysis revealed an increase in students’ perceptions of gained skills needed to be successful in the nursing program; however, the DNP project did not show an increase in retention rate

Aspirin Use for the Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Clinical Update

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a serious and deadly complication in pregnancy that affects thousands of women every year. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the efficacy of aspirin therapy to prevent the occurrence of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies. Methods: PubMed was searched using the key terms “pregnant,” aspirin, “high-risk,” preeclampsia, and “prevention”. Operators and filters narrowed results to 21 quality articles with 5 relevant to the topic for review. Results: One article is an RCT comparing the prevention of preeclampsia with aspirin therapy to no therapy. Four articles are meta-analyses of multiple RCTs. Three of the five articles reviewed recommend aspirin therapy to reduce the incidence of preeclampsia. Two articles state there is no significant difference with aspirin therapy. Discussion: After analysis of the reviewed articles, the results are mixed on aspirin use to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies. More research is needed to solidify better recommendations and guidelines to improve patient safety regarding preeclampsia preventio

Improving Parental Communication With Adolescents About Sex

In 2018, 68 million people in the United States were infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Of those 68 million, 26 million cases were newly diagnosed, and of that 26 million, half were youth aged 15-24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022a). The approaches to educating our youth about sexual health are inconsistent, leading to misconceptions about the dangers associated with risky sexual behavior. However, parents have the upper hand in discussing sexual health information with their children by being the child’s first contact and source of information. Teens who report talking with their parents about sex are more likely to delay having sex and to use condoms when they do have sex (CDC, 2019). This project provided an evidence-based educational video to parents on the importance of parental communication with adolescents about sex and provided specific communication methods, techniques, and strategies parents can use to open the lines of communication with their children. The results of this project were positive. Each objective measured increased from baseline. Parental comfort had the greatest increase by 28%. Knowledge of the importance of sexual communication increased by 4%. Parental willingness improved by 11%. The results of this project indicate the need for continued projects to educate parents on parent-adolescent sexual health communication. Future areas of focus could address issues surrounding parental discomfort to further support increases in parental willingness and engagement in parent-adolescent sexual health communication

Mentorships for New Graduate Nurses

New graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) represent a crucial segment of the nursing workforce, embodying the future of the profession. Thus, it is imperative that we utilize our resources, knowledge, and experiences to continuously strengthen and grow this generation of nurses. Mentorship is one key method that can be used to support NGRNs. This DNP project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mentorship for NGRNs within their first year of nursing practice and was implemented within an existing residency program at a Level I trauma facility. Experienced nurse volunteers received mentor education, and 40 NGRNs were individually paired with these volunteer mentors for support over 2 months. Pre- and post-test surveys were distributed to assess changes in burnout levels and desire to stay (retention) intentions among NGRNs. Results of the pre- and post-test survey comparison revealed a 1% decrease in feelings of burnout, with no change in retention intention for participants who completed the surveys. Additionally, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, providing valuable insights to enhance the mentorship program moving forward to assist NGRNs with remaining in and flourishing in the nursing profession

Essential Collaborations Among Case Managers and Providers Regarding Discharge Processes

Communication is vital between case managers and providers when patients need care coordination post-discharge. This includes but is not limited to facilitating home health services, ordering durable medical equipment, sending referrals to rehabilitation facilities, and sponsorship for uninsured or underinsured patients. This gives case managers the opportunity to educate providers on the discharge needs they ordered for their patients. The collaboration between case managers and providers allows for timely discharge planning and providing patients and their families with accurate information regarding their discharge needs

Substance Abuse Awareness Amongst Practicing Nurses

Background: This paper discusses the problem and potential solutions of substance abuse amongst practicing nurses. Substance abuse is prevalent among 10% of the nursing population in the United States (Sofer, 2019). This problem is more significant than the public realizes. It is essential that new nurses and student nurses become aware of the risks and the causes of substance abuse within the culture prior to them practicing. Methods: A 45-minute educational presentation based upon 10 peer-reviewed articles which include five articles regarding the problem and five discussing solutions was utilized to facilitate open discussion of the topic. The project was aimed to educate new nurses by making them aware of the potential of substance abuse within the nursing field. Results: The pre-survey shows 10 of 13 students were reluctant to report a nurse working under the influence, whereas post-survey results showed their comfort level increased. The post-survey results 13 out of 13 scored five or greater (out of 10) in their comfort level and improved in reporting their peers. Pre-test scores reflected a correct understanding of the project topic in five of 10 questions. Post-survey scores reflected correct understanding of the project topic in 9 of 10 questions, showing a greater improvement in understanding than the 10% goal