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Editorial: Welcome to the Journal of Online Mentoring!
Full text linkI am pleased to welcome you to Walden University’s new Journal of Online Mentoring (JOM), sponsored by the Institute for Faculty Mentoring Excellence. This open access, peer reviewed journal is dedicated to advancing evidence based practices, scholarship, and innovation in virtual mentoring. The inaugural issue explores how online mentoring strengthens scholarly identity, ethical research practices, and doctoral student success in digitally mediated environments
Female Military Sexual Trauma Survivors’ Experiences with Seeking Treatment from the Veterans Health Administration
Full text linkThe Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides free healthcare related to those who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST); however, many female veterans either go without or delay accessing such care. This generic qualitative study was conducted to answer the research question about the reasons behind female veterans’ decisions to seek or not seek VHA services following the experiences of MST. The framework for this study was Wollstonecraft’s feminist theory. An additional question was how, if at all, the stigma of MST and the military’s male-dominated culture play a role in the reporting of these incidents. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings were that female veterans who had experienced MST delayed seeking treatment, felt blamed when sought treatment, preferred to go to a private care facility for treatment as an alternative to the VA, and felt the providers in both the VA and the community healthcare setting were not sufficiently trauma informed. This study contributes to positive social change by advocating for greater focus on female veterans’ mental well-being and the development of more efficient and effective services within the VHA
Impact of Dialysis on Medication Pharmacokinetics
Full text linkThis doctoral project was a staff education initiative to improve nurses’ knowledge and comfort with dialysis-specific medication management. The project addressed a practice gap in which nurses at the clinical site had limited knowledge of medication administration for patients with end-stage renal disease. These patients have altered pharmacokinetics and high medication burden, which increases the risk of adverse drug events. Inappropriate management of medications during dialysis can lead to hypotension, ineffective treatment, and glucose instability, making this a critical nursing practice issue. The project answered the practice-focused question of whether a structured educational intervention would improve nurses’ knowledge and comfort in implementing what they learned about managing medications for patients receiving hemodialysis. The ADDIE model was used to guide the project. All staff were invited to participate. The analysis involved comparing pre (N=23) and postintervention survey responses (N = 19) to assess changes in participants’ knowledge and comfort. There was also an intent to implement learning question included on the posttest survey. Pre- and posttest average scores were 74.1% and 95.7%, respectively. Their comfort with the topic improved from 2.62 to 3.89. All participants reported intent to apply the new knowledge in patient care. Practice implications include positive social change for patients, staff, and the project site through improved knowledge that enhances nurses’ critical thinking skills and confidence in administering medications to patients undergoing dialysis. These improvements may reduce medication-related errors, shorten the length of stay, and decrease morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population. The project was developed using inclusive practices, and all staff were invited to participate
Unpacking Domestic Violence Intervention Programs
Full text linkDomestic violence is a public health concern and most existing literature has focused on service delivery for victims, opposed to interventions for perpetrators. The Duluth model is the most common model guiding groups for perpetrators, yet results on its effectiveness have been inconsistent and unclear. Counselors and counselor educators lack the empirical support needed to effectively apply the Duluth model while working with the people who abuse. The purpose of this qualitative, existential–phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of participants in Duluth Model-based, domestic violence intervention programs (DVIPs). Guided by existential–phenomenological theory, this study addressed the research question: What are the experiences, beliefs, and values of participants enrolled in domestic violence intervention programs based on the Duluth Model? Using purposive sampling, eight cisgender, heterosexual men who completed at least 50% of a Duluth Model–based DVIP participated in semi-structured interviews or open-ended written questionnaires. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and thematic coding, in which transcriptions, reflexive journals, and open-ended questionnaires were organized into first and second level coding. Findings revealed themes related to participants initial resistance to group, rapport with facilitators and peers, vulnerability, real life application, relatability to outside examples, trauma-informed care, patterns of substance use history, and a desire for follow-up services. By better understanding the components of program that impact the DVIP group experience, service providers can better adapt programming to affect long-term behavior change
Executive Leadership System Improvement Mobile Lung Cancer Screening
Full text linkThis doctoral project is an evidence‑based practice initiative to develop a mobile lung cancer screening program that expands early detection services in rural Arkansas. The practice problem involves low screening rates, high mortality, and access barriers that delay diagnosis for high‑risk individuals, making this work essential to nursing roles in prevention, coordination, education, and population health. The practice focused question examined whether creating a Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Unit proposal will support timely referrals and treatment. The purpose of the project was to design a feasible, evidence informed model aligned with organizational capacity and equitable access goals. Analytical strategies included a targeted evidence review of 12 articles, assessment of organizational readiness, workflow and resource evaluation, and development of a logic model to guide planning. Findings showed that a mobile screening program is feasible, aligned with organizational strengths, and responsive to community needs, resulting in a business plan, logic model, and implementation framework. The project concludes that the program can enhance early detection, reduce preventable deaths, and expand access for underserved rural populations, recommending phased implementation, targeted outreach, standardized workflows, and ongoing evaluation. Implications include strengthened nursing roles in prevention and navigation, along with broader social change through improved access and reduced rural disparities. The work also advances equity and inclusion by extending evidence‑based screening to underserved communities and supporting community well‑being
Staff Education to Use the Teach-Back Method Toward Increasing Adherence to Medications in a Mental Health Clinic
Full text linkA staff development project was conducted at a mental health clinic to improve medication adherence among patients. The intervention was an evidence-based presentation on the teach-back method for staff members to educate them about the importance of using the teach-back method for patient teaching to increase medication adherence among mental health patients. The gap identified by leadership was that staff members are often unaware of strategies for patient education designed to ensure that patients take their medications as prescribed by the provider. The project was conducted over a period of 4 weeks, with sessions held 3 days per week, taking staff schedules into account. The question which guided the project was as follows: For staff in a mental health clinic, will an evidence-based presentation on the teach-back method increase knowledge towards the goal of increasing adherence to medicine prescriptions? The materials used during staff teaching included a slide presentation, along with other resources such as videos and role-play practice. A 10-item pre- and post-questionnaire was developed in collaboration with leadership and used to compare scores and gauge knowledge acquisition
Pharmacy Service Quality Strategies to Mitigate Prescription-Only Medicines Stockouts
Full text linkSome patients in Lusaka, Zambia experience adverse health outcomes when pharmacists are not able to fill life-saving, prescription-only medications (POMs) because of supply-chain shortages. Important to pharmacists are strategies to improve POMs supply and mitigate out-of-stock occurrences. Grounded in the SERVQUAL theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the service quality strategies pharmacists employ to mitigate shortages and enhance patient care. The participants were eight pharmacists who successfully mitigated POMs shortages for improved customer service. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Data were analyzed thematically and six themes emerged: (a) pharmacists’ responsiveness to customers and inventory control, (b) pharmacists’ POMs sourcing strategies, (c) increasing economic benefits for POMs patient loyalty, (d) improving supplier relationships for stockout mitigation, (e) regular self-assessments for POMs shortages mitigation, and (f) pharmacy environment. A key recommendation is for pharmacists to engage reliable and performance-proven pharmaceutical suppliers to reduce POM shortages. The implications for positive social change include the potential to contribute to improved quality of life for community members
Optimizing Patient Intake Efficiency: Integrating Data Accuracy and Workflow Improvement Strategies
Full text linkFor a professional therapist, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist, improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care is a central responsibility. This qualitative single-case study examined how WGGX, a nonprofit behavioral health organization in South Philadelphia, addressed challenges within its patient intake process to improve workflow efficiency, data accuracy, and the client onboarding experience. Guided by the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence, the study explored how leadership practices, workforce engagement, and process management influenced organizational effectiveness related to intake operations. Data were collected through semistructured, in-person interviews with six organizational stakeholders and a review of organizational documents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed five overarching themes: fragmented intake workflow, leadership-driven process adaptation, workforce capacity and role clarity, information flow and data integrity, and patient-centered access and responsiveness. Participants reported that intake inefficiencies resulted from unclear workflows, inconsistent documentation practices, and reactive process changes rather than individual performance issues. Although clinical services were effective once clients were onboarded, intake-related delays and data inconsistencies limited timely access to care. The study concluded that improving patient intake efficiency at WGGX requires standardized intake protocols, targeted workforce training, improved use of existing electronic health record systems, and leadership-led performance monitoring, offering practical implications for nonprofit behavioral health organizations operating in resource-constrained settings
Development of an Educational Intervention to Enhance Nurses’ Knowledge and Intent to Implement Evidence-Based Diabetes Self-Management in Clinical Practice
Full text linkThis Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was purposed with closing critical gaps in staff knowledge and adherence to diabetes self-management protocols in a busy primary care clinic. Rising readmission rates and uneven use of American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards signaled an urgent need for a structured approach to staff education. To address this, a one-hour interactive training session was created that blended teaching, evidence-based handouts, and a practical diabetes care checklist. Staff learning was measured through pretest and posttest, confidence and adherence used a 5-point Likert-scale survey, and 21day readmission data tracked patient outcomes. The project question asked if (a) staff knowledge gain regarding patient diabetes management would be a minimum of 20%, (b) intent to adhere to ADA diabetes standards would improve by at least 1 Likert point, and (c) post discharge readmissions would be reduced by 20%. Participants included seven staff members at an outpatient clinic and data from 15 diabetic patients. Percentages and normalized gain were used to analyze data. Staff knowledge gain was 23.8%, intent to follow protocols improved by 1.02 Likert points, and patient readmission outcomes decreased to zero percent within 21days. These results demonstrated that a short, focused educational intervention could make a meaningful difference. Implications include inclusion of diabetic education for staff onboarding, quarterly staff updates, and ongoing professional development. Organizational adoption of this model can standardize care, reduce disparities, and support patients across diverse healthcare settings in managing diabetes chronically with confidence and consistency
Coworkers\u27 Lived Experiences of Being Exposed to Healthcare Professionals Misusing Substances
Full text linkDespite the harm of substances, coworkers in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers found themselves among healthcare professionals who misused substances such as alcohol and prescription medication. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of coworkers who have been exposed to healthcare professionals’ substance misuse. The participants consisted of 12 healthcare professionals working in various hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers in the United States. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis, five themes emerged: (a) emotional experiences, (b) ethical reflections, (c) cognitive awareness and sense making, (d) relational dynamics, and (e) organizational awareness. Findings revealed that coworkers often experience moral tension between protecting patient safety and supporting colleagues in crisis. Healthcare leaders can use these identified strategies to initiate organizational policies that balance accountability with empathy, provide structured rehabilitation programs, and enhance leadership engagement in creating safety, further education, supportive work environments, ethical culture, and resilience and workforce recovery. Recommendations include healthcare professionals implementing peer support interventions, establishing a leadership ethics framework, and providing ongoing training in ethical decision making and wellness. The implications for positive social change include the potential for healthcare leaders to promote a culture of openness and recovery-oriented practice, which develops organizational integrity, creates healthier workplaces, and fosters community trust in healthcare systems for optimal care