This dissertation research delved into the lived experiences of primary care nurses who have completed a one-year formal nursing fellowship program. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the lived experiences of primary care nurses in leadership or practice after completing a one-year fellowship program…

This study sought to understand why disparate healthcare between White Americans and minoritized populations has been allowed to persist despite decades of research about unequal treatment. It is widely proven and accepted that systemic racism drives health disparities yet disparate health outcomes continue to rise for minoritized populations.…

Patient outcomes are influenced by the social determinants of health (SDOH), which influence differing exposures to opportunities or health risks. Holistic care of geriatric patients includes considering SDOH in patient assessment, diagnosis, and care delivery. Understanding how NP students care for geriatric patients using a SDOH lens provides…

The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was a staff education intervention intended to improve medication adherence at a long-term care facility. The practice gap identified was that staff lacked current evidence-based knowledge in medication compliance. The project addressed whether educating staff on medication compliance would increase…

Adolescents and young adults living with chronic illness experience more complications and challenges when transitioning to adult-oriented care. Despite various interventions to support medication management, goal setting, and collaboration with care teams, AYAs continue to struggle, affecting their health and life outcomes. In this dissertation,…

Critical thinking skills remain one of the top requirements for nurses in order to adequately deal with patients diagnosed with growing comorbidities, all to improve quality of care. Critical thinking skills are now considered a core competency for all educational nursing programs in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive…

Electronic health records (EHRs) are essential databases that digitally collect, store, and exchange patient health information. Over 95% of hospitals have EHRs, yet healthcare professionals often struggle with EHR navigation, jeopardizing patient safety and care--consider a physician struggling to order blood for a hypovolemic patient. This…

Microlearning is a relatively new educational technology that allows students to learn through short, direct segments using various modalities. The nursing profession has used microlearning to provide continuing medical education (CME). The problem addressed through this study was that instructional designers who create microlearning for medical…

The United States continues to grow in both population and diversity. The trigger for this project was the dramatic increase in patient diversity in Texas and the lack of adequate cultural competency training for providers at a Texas oncology clinic network. Clinicians must increase their self-awareness and knowledge to provide culturally…

Language barriers in medical settings can impede access to healthcare and increase the risk of medical error for limited English proficiency (LEP) patients, especially in emergency situations (Bender et al., 2004: Martinez, 2010). Nurses who are competent in their patient's first language can decrease the risk of these issues and care more…

This study addresses the issue of language barriers between healthcare providers and patients in medical contexts. Such barriers can significantly hinder patients' access to quality healthcare and treatment. To this end, this qualitative research builds on previous studies and compares language interpreter perceptions of in-person and virtual…

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to increase primary care providers' knowledge of food insecurity in pediatric patients by developing and presenting an evidence-based educational presentation on food insecurity. Background: In the United States in 2021, rates of food insecurity in households with children were reported at 6.1 million.…

Professional nurses must demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of a variety of cultures within United States (US) healthcare systems. Such skillsets are needed for the provision of high-quality nursing care across the entire spectrum of healthcare. Nurses are challenged to provide holistic care that is congruent with each patient's beliefs,…

The importance of collaboration in maternity care in the U.S. is apparent with deficits in both care disparities and quality, despite disproportionate expenditures to improve care. Utilization of experienced, well-trained clinicians, such as obstetric and midwife hospitalists, offers a strategy to improve outcomes, reduce cost, and enhance patient…

Nursing education is facing challenging demands today with the NextGen NCLEX scheduled for release in Spring 2023, updated American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, and distance learning due to COVID-19. This dissertation examines the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on nursing students as education was disrupted just prior…