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Perceptions of Patients who have Navigated Long-haul Covid-19
No full textThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge of the virus and its effects on patients has continued to develop. Individuals experiencing manifestations for 4 or more weeks past the initial diagnosis of COVID-19 are collectively known as having"long-haul COVID-19";, a diagnosis of exclusion. These symptoms have been physical, psychological, and emotional in classification. Due to the intense combined manifestations of this diagnosis, individuals with ""long haul COVID-19 ""needed to be put on work restrictions to navigate their symptoms prior to returning to work without restrictions. Due to the lack of knowledge and increasing number of patients experiencing this phenomenon, this study aimed to gain insight into people's perceptions who have navigated long-haul COVID-19 and have returned to work without restrictions. A qualitative study was conducted including a semi-structured interview with six participants. The interview included seven questions with probing questions to assist in elaborating on their experiences with long-haul COVID-19. Interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Six main themes emerged, including continuously evolving, mental and physical impact, family dynamics, healthcare complexities, adaptation and accommodation, and the eagerness to convey. The research participants were eager to share their experience with long-haul COVID-19. Even though patients have returned to work without restrictions, they collectively reported still experiencing manifestations from long-haul COVID-19. A better understanding and knowledge of this phenomenon and diagnosis can occur through the results obtained, assisting in an improved treatment plan. Key words: COVID-19, long-haul COVID-19, manifestations, experiences, healthcare providers
The Effects of Exercise of Cardiometabolic Variables in Previously Sedentary Individuals
No full textExploring Nursing Manager Transition to Practice for Orientation Enhancement
No full textNurse manager (NM) orientation and development are often self-initiated and self-directed despite expert recommendations to support front-line leaders. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and with a nursing shortage, NMs are facing burnout and high turnover along with the staff they support. Investments in nursing leadership development could be cost saving through decreased orientation expense and lowered turnover, thus result in increased retention and satisfaction among NMs. An organization ready to invest with strategic alignment to support NMs can start by investigating the nursing leadership needs within. The research question used to guide this study was: Using the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Self- Assessment instrument and a questionnaire, what needs are identified by current NMs at a large Midwestern tertiary healthcare center regarding the future development and implementation of an orientation or residency program for NMs with 1 year or less of managerial experience? The secondary aim was to assess and better understand the needs of NMs collectively regarding orientation, competencies, and professional development. An exploratory study with quantitative and qualitative elements was completed at two regions within a nonprofit large Midwestern tertiary healthcare center. The participants involved worked within two regions in a variety of care settings serving 20 communities. A total of 89 NMs were invited to participate in completing the AONL Self-Assessment and developed questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize findings and identify the NM’s learning, and competence needs, along with the NMs recommendations for orientation development and enhancement. Keywords: nurse manager, competencies, orientation, residency, professional developmen
Needs Assessment for International Student-Athletes Regarding Mental Health
No full textThe purpose of this study was to produce a needs assessment for international student-athletes (ISAs) regarding their mental health. A survey was created and distributed to eligible participants (n = 15) in a small Midwestern university in the United States. This survey was designed to assess the mental health needs of ISAs. The results were positive and suggested that, in general, most of the mental health needs for ISAs were being met. However, there were a number of suggestions that came from the research which will help guide future research and also provide institutions and mental health professionals recommendations on how to increase visibility of ISAs and increase mental health care to these individuals. Suggestions included hiring a sports psychologist or LPC to work specifically with sports teams, more individual and transparent meetings with ISAs by faculty and coaches, appropriate cultural training for all staff at institutions regarding ISAs, and having a range of activities and events for ISAs to participate in
Non-Licensed Delegate Role: Impact on Workplace Wellbeing
No full textNew graduate RN job postings in this Midwest practice region declined by 14.6 % in 2022 (American Hospital Association, 2023). There is work being done by registered nurses (RNs) that can be done by non-licensed delegates (NLDs). Leaders must explore how shifting simple task work to NLDs could improve the wellbeing of RNs and increase team resources. This research project includes pre- and post-surveys of quantitative data from nursing staff on three ambulatory care teams with two managers. The qualitative data included focus group interviews with NLDs, medical assistants (MAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), RNs, nurse managers, and a nursing recruiter. The original survey had a n = 21, second survey n = 20, and the third n = 9. Levene's test for equality was used to determine the p-value for each individual question. No significant change in wellbeing was evidenced in survey data. However, qualitative data suggested the NLD role had a positive impact on workplace wellbeing. Utilization of the NLD role resulted in an annual salary savings of $69,701. NLDs were hired 54 days sooner than RNs. This study demonstrated that NLD staffing is an effective way to decrease the workload and burden on RNs. Decreasing clerical work of RNs increased time for direct patient care and improved RN workplace wellbeing. As evidenced, leaders may need to think creatively to ensure RNs are utilized to the full scope of their practice and to improve professional wellbeing
Ending Environmental Racism: Small Steps Beginning in Wisconsin, La Crosse, and Viterbo's Campus
No full textWhat is Environmental Racism? A form of systematic racism: Increased rates of cancer, respiratory diseases, and other health issues due to increased pollution in areas that are largely populated by minority groups and people of color. Examples in Wisconsin: Line 5: 64 year old oil and natural gas pipeline that cuts through 12 miles of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe’s land. New natural gas power plant in Superior, Wisconsin. Further contributes to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases, like methane. Climate change causes more natural disaster, which disproportionately affects minority groups
A Holistic Approach to Academic Advising
No full textAcademic Advisors aid students navigate a collage career and can be some of the first to hear about student mental health concerns. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges can negatively affect a student's ability to finish school. A holistic view on academic advising (considering mental health as well as scholastic wellbeing) may help increase student retention rates by getting students connected to services. The question the study aimed to answer was: would a mental health referral flow chart assist academic advisors when working with students? Data was collected from three academic advisors at a Midwestern University using a snowball sampling technique. Results indicated that a referral tool was useful for navigating mental health conversations with college students and identifying next steps
The Pre-Discharge Navigator: Increasing Discharge Efficiency
No full textBed capacity management is a critical issue facing healthcare systems today. Inefficient discharges impact patient flow throughout the hospital. As a result, the project leader of a multidisciplinary neurosurgery team located at a large Midwest tertiary hospital aimed to increase discharge efficiency. The multidisciplinary team used quality improvement methods to identify interventions to promote the use of the Pre-Discharge Navigator (PDN) tool. The design was an evidence-based quality improvement project that utilized retrospective chart review data comparing prior implementation data to post-implementation data. The PDN was a previously developed discharge checklist used within the electronic medical record (EMR). The compliance monitoring while using the PDN was accomplished through multidisciplinary team meetings and quality control measures with data obtained directly from the EMR. The implementation of the study was educating the physician staff on the neurosurgery unit of the tool and the expectation to use for the duration of the study. The convenience sample consisted of patients between the ages of 18 to 55 years old with a single one-level lumbar fusion admitted to a 25-bed unit between September 2021 to February 2022. In addition to the above comparison, there was also a pre- and post-implementation survey on how often the neurosurgery physicians used the PDN. The statistical analysis was deemed to be indeterminate and insufficient, suggesting further studies are needed
Survivorship Care Plans for Patients with Thyroid Cancer: A Program Evaluation
No full textA nurse practitioner (NP)-led survivorship program for patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) was analyzed through this program evaluation DNP Project. This Thyroid Cancer Survivorship Program (TC-SP) includes the administration of a survivorship care plan (SCP) in a one-hour appointment with an endocrinology NP. As the program had not been evaluated since implementation in 2017, this DNP Project aimed to answer the research question, “How efficient and effective is a TC-SP five years since implementation?” This program evaluation utilized the logic model as a framework to analyze the inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the TC-SP by utilizing interviews, observations, quantitative data analysis, and review of the SCP content. In the nearly 5 years since this program was implemented, 400 patients were referred for survivorship visits and 311 patients completed SCP visits. Results indicated that the time to prepare the SCP document ranged from 0 to 38 minutes (N = 400, M = 15.21, SD = 7.18, 95% CI [14.50, 15.91]). Of the patients that completed SCP visits, the time in years since diagnosis or last intervention ranged from 1 month to 16 years (n = 288) and had a mean of 3.18 years (SD = 2.61, 95% CI [2.88, 3.49]). The SCP visit face-to-face time with the endocrinology NP ranged from 22 to 79 minutes (n = 311, M = 49.73, SD = 11.20, 95% CI [48.48, 50.98]). Results from this program evaluation included recommendations to improve overall clinic efficiencies and a need for further research on this topic
What Effects Does College Have on Dietary, Mental, and General Health in Viterbo University Students?
No full textThis study was designed to assess and gather information on Viterbo University students pertaining to nutrition knowledge, attitude, and habits. The original questionnaire focused on three areas of health: nutrition, mental and preventative. Although the study focused on three areas of health, this paper will only be discussing the nutrition component of the study. A standard questionnaire was used to assess participants nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and habits. The purpose of this study was to gather information for a needs and feasibility assessment with a future goal of a pilot study intervention. The target population consisted of Viterbo University students between the ages of 18 and 24, who attended school full time, and did not live with their family/caregiver while attending school. Students who had a medical diagnosis that can interfere with metabolic processes were excluded. A total of 28 students had participated in the questionnaire. The student health questionnaire was developed using Qualtrics software and was reviewed by nutrition and nursing professors prior to publicizing. Promotion was done by hanging posters in the halls along with table tents in the cafeteria, and a short blurb in the daily email newsletter. Students were able to access the questionnaire using a QR code or link found on the posters, table tents, or in the daily email newsletter. Collected data was entered into a SPSS software which analyzed the data by a paired samples t-test. Results show that first and second vs third, fourth and fifth + year students had similar dietary behaviors when compared which found no significant differences. Nutrition data was compared to participants who grew up either rural or metro/suburban. No significant findings were found with regards to size of town/city growing up and nutrition data. Food
groups including fruits, vegetables, and protein when compared to nutrition recommendations and showed no significant difference between average intake and overall recommendations. Fish/seafood, nuts/seeds, legumes, and whole grain compared to recommended weekly or daily amounts did show a significant difference. The whole grain mean servings per day were 2.28 with a recommendation of 6 servings (p-value = <0.001). Nuts/Seeds had a mean weekly serving of 1.52 and a recommendation of 3 servings (p-value = <0.001). Fish and seafoods mean weekly serving was 0.79 servings and a recommendation of 2 servings (p-value = <0.001). The legume mean weekly servings were 1.21 with a recommendation 3 servings weekly (p-value = <0.001)