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Rate Your Pain on a Scale of 1-10: A Look Into a Life with Fibromyalgia
Full text linkAround twenty-six percent of US adults have a disability. It can impair their physical and mental health forcing many to adjust their everyday life. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is considered a disability. As someone who has been living with Fibromyalgia for three years, I have a first-hand account of how this condition affects one’s outlook on life. By speaking with professionals, we become aware of both the physical and mental effects of Fibromyalgia. A side of the medical world also begins to appear, one where those with invisible disabilities, like Fibromyalgia, lack access to proper care and providers. They face geographical and financial barriers as well as lack of understanding from doctors, friends, and family. This creates an environment that prevents proper healing and long term management of Fibromyalgia symptoms. I argue that by sharing my story able-bodied individuals can get a better understanding of the day-to-day life with chronic pain and how having providers focused on co-production aids in the process of healing. I then propose that by creating a health system focused on co-production we can provide the necessary resources to help those with Fibromyalgia manage their symptoms and even live a fulfilling life
Is Disney Making A Man Out Of You - Exploring Trans and Non-Binary Representation In Disney
Full text linkDisney movies are meant to create magic in the lives of young people, but is this really what they are accomplishing? Does leaving trans and nonbinary identities out of children’s media impact the way that children understand gender? This thesis seeks to explore and understand how power and privilege impact the desire for minority gender identities to be given space on a large scale media platform such as Disney. The Meaning Maintenance Model as well as Critical Race Theory are used to explain why minority identities could be overshadowed by identities held by the majority and thus how power and privilege is upheld in society. I chose to explore the movies Mulan, Frozen II, Out, and Luca, for where a trans narrative could have been shown, had there been the inclination. This thesis concludes that Mulan, though it showcased the main character in both traditionally male and traditionally female roles, did not depict gender-diverse identities in a positive or uplifting way. Frozen II showcases a mediocre example of gender-diverse identities by providing a narrative for what can happen if support is given to a trans person in an abrasive and apprehensive way. Out is one of the first examples of purposeful gay representation created by the Disney franchise. Even though Out followed two gay men, it was still problematic when it comes to representation as the gay characters were not given screen time as themselves, but their identities were hidden in the body of a dog. This speaks to how LGBTQIA+ individuals are often thought of as less than human, almost even as animals. Finally, Luca is an example of what fantastic queer and trans representation can look like. The movie follows the main character as he learns who he really is during his accidental coming out. Overall, there is plenty of room for trans and nonbinary identities to be given space in all media platforms, but specifically children’s media. Today, there are phenomenal examples available, but only if you look past the surface-level meaning of a movie. The mechanisms that have historically impaired the creation of children’s media that has true representation is of the system of oppression of trans and nonbinary identities that currently persists in our society. One day I hope to see the creation of a Disney movie that proudly showcases LGBTQIA+ identities in a non-performative way, but for right now seeking queer and trans narratives in those stories will have to be enough until there is a normalization of trans and nonbinary characters in children’s media in the future
Development and Implementation of a Standardized Multimodal Nurse Training Program for the Placement of Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous (USGPIV) Access
Full text linkObjective
The purpose of the quality improvement project was to develop and implement a standardized multimodal nurse training program following a fixed curriculum for the placement of USGPIV in patients with Difficult Venous Access (DVA) to increase nurse knowledge, self-efficacy, skill level, and increase the number of nurses proficient for independent placements.
Evaluation Methods
This project incorporated a quasi-experimental time series with a mixed methodology study design using purposeful and convenience sampling. Participant demographic and descriptive data were collected at the beginning of the training program. Additionally, quantitative data was collected by evaluating pre-test data, followed by post-test data collection at two separate time intervals (post-test 1 and post-test 2). Finally, qualitative data evaluating eight post-intervention open-ended questions were evaluated for themes to provide program insight.
Results
Thirteen registered nurses participated in the training program, with eight becoming proficient for independent USGPIV placements at the end of the training period. A Wilcoxon signed ranks test evaluating participant pre-test knowledge / post-test 1 knowledge showed statistical significance between the pre- and post-test 1 groups (z score -6.564, asymptotic significance \u3c 0.001) and the pre- and post-test 2 groups (z score -4.808, asymptotic significance \u3c 0.001) administered 10 weeks later. No statistical significance was found when comparing the post-test 1 and post-test 2 groups (z score -1.604, asymptotic significance 0.109). Participants increased their knowledge by 28.9% from the pre-test and post-test 1, and after 10 weeks, their knowledge dropped a negligible 2.6%. Self-efficacy was evaluated utilizing a two-sided paired sample T-test and there was statistical significance in the scores of the pre-test (mean 3.12) and post-test 1 (mean 4.49), pre-test (mean 3.12) to post-test 2 (mean 4.68), and post-test 1 (mean 4.49), and post-test 2 (mean 4.68), with all p values calculated at \u3c 0.001. Skill level was evaluated by utilizing the Peripheral Ultrasound-guided Vascular Access Rating Scale (P-UGVA) developed by Primdahl et al. (2016), and data noted that 100 percent of the participant\u27s scores increased from their 1st stick when compared to their last stick, and 86% achieved a perfect score on their last attempt. The thematic analysis findings revealed that the USGPIV multimodal nurse training program objectives were met. Multiple barriers to completion were identified and included nurses being too busy, scheduling, patient workloads, and staffing. Nurses recommended blocked hours for training on unscheduled days.
Conclusion
Developing and implementing a standardized multimodal nurse training program following a fixed curriculum was noted to increase participant knowledge, self-efficacy, skill level, and the number of nurses proficient for independent cannulations at one hospital facility. Nurse participants reported multiple barriers to achieving proficiency and recommended program enhancements for future training programs
Developing a Racial Justice Framework for U.S. Private Philanthropy
Full text linkThe international development sector has been experiencing an awakening regarding the impacts of colonialism in the field. Calls for anti-colonial practices, cultural competency, and enhanced attention to imbalanced power dynamics have become increasingly prevalent, but despite this shift, the field still shows resistance to explore and intentionally address the role of race. In this project, I investigate how race has shaped development and explore its impacts on the design of development interventions, organizational structuring, and funding allocation. The work proposes alternatives that envisions to consider a racial lens to shift power and tackle inequalities and aims that development programs of private Foundations incorporate a racial justice lens into their work
The Converged Experiences of the “Woman Hater” and the “Chosen Feminist”: Thematic Analysis of the Political Experiences of Gloria Steinem and Phyllis Schlafly in the 1970s
Full text linkThis paper is a thematic analysis of the experiences of two politically active women in the 1970s: Phyllis Schlafly and Gloria Steinem. Though their backgrounds, experiences, and political ideologies contrasted greatly I argue that their experiences as politically active women in the 1970s demonstrate an important overlap necessary in understanding the broader rules established by the politics of respectability to address the actions of women in politics. This is all understood within a broader discussion of the key political changes occurring throughout the 1960s and 1970s; particularly with the Rise of the Right, and the subsequent conservative movement, and the Second Wave Feminist Movement. These two key political changes put Schlafly and Steinem face to face as discussions surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment became key to growing debates surrounding gender equality in the 1970s
Straight Up
No full textThis thesis will examine where college students learn or don’t learn about money management and finance. Since these concepts are so pervasive in society it is important to understand how to navigate the financial systems that we all operate in. In response to the lack of education and confusing plethora of resources, this thesis offers a solution through a curated guide to personal financial management. Concepts covered include taxes, budgeting, financial statements, insurance, investing, and a degree cost-benefit-analysis
Implementation of a Revised Intubation Checklist For a Critical Care Transport Team
Full text linkCritical care transport teams are often tasked with performing endotracheal intubation (ETI) during transport while adhering “to the same standards as in-hospital emergency anesthesia” (Lockey et al., 2017). One transport team adopted a checklist in 2014 to meet this high standard, but because of changes in equipment and practice expectation, an updated version was needed. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to design an updated checklist and measure the following primary outcomes: first pass success and steps taken to mitigate hypoxia and hypotension (and/or elevated shock index) prior to intubation. Additionally, a survey was administered to the clinicians after the project to determine their opinion on the usefulness of the checklist toward meeting these objectives. A total of twelve prospective and twelve retrospective charts were reviewed, and data analysis demonstrated: an improvement of first pass success from 75% with the original checklist and 92% with the updated checklist; an increase in taking steps to avoid hypoxia (67% to 75%) and hypotension (58% to 67%). Survey results were mixed and showed most clinicians felt the resource was useful but may have contained too much information to use in this situation. Overall, the revised checklist resulted in clinically significant improvements in achieving the primary objectives of improved first pass success rates and increasing steps to avoid hypoxia and hypotension
MS ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY CAPSTONE PROJECT
Full text linkHybrid zones play notable roles in ecological and evolutionary processes and can be impacted by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Increased anthropogenic disturbance is expected to spatially shift these zones and alter hybridization frequencies in many avian taxa, including the red- and yellow-shafted Northern Flickers. These taxa have low levels of genomic divergence and distinct plumage characteristics that vary between red-shafted, yellow-shafted, and hybrid individuals, allowing hybrids to be effectively scored genetically or morphologically. The Flicker hybrid zone has been extensively studied across the Great Plains from a historical and contemporary perspective, however, urbanization and human influences on Flicker hybridization are unknown. Our study evaluated how hybridization frequencies and dynamics of the flicker hybrid zone have changed in the last century along the Colorado Front Range. We quantified historical hybridization by scoring plumage characteristics using existing scoring methods from study skins and assessed this hybrid zone\u27s spatial and temporal dynamics in conjunction with historical land-use data. Using ordination tools, Northern Flickers displayed a major gradient of plumage variation between pure red- and pure yellow-shafted individuals that correlated nearly perfectly with established hybrid index scores. Additionally, we observed nuanced sex biases in major plumage characteristics, where crown coloration covaried with differing plumage characteristics between sexes on the next greatest axis of variation. Hybridization frequency and plumage dynamics did not significantly change over time or in response to increased urbanization in the Colorado Front Range. Our study demonstrates that anthropogenic habitat conversion has not notably altered the Northern Flicker hybrid zone since the late 1800s, emphasizing the long-term stability of hybridization in this region
Operationalizing “Substantive Faculty Interaction” for online courses: identifying high impact teaching practices
No full textTo operationalize the concept of “substantive faculty interaction,” researchers at Regis University used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to determine what online teaching practices have the highest impact on students’ perception of faculty-to-student engagement. A three-component model that accounts for 70% of the variance was identified. The components consisted of high-touch, design, and high-tech teaching practices. The high-touch component accounted for the largest percentage of the variance and the six teaching practices that comprise this component are recommended to become requirements for online teachers. They include: (1) Actively engaging in discussion boards (load of .8000), (2) Getting to know faculty (.7851), (3) Present multiple times per week (.7752), (4) Soliciting feedback (.7424) (5) Individual feedback on assignments (.6991) and (6) posting weekly announcements (.6735). Universities now have an operationalized definition of “substantive faculty interaction” that has been statistically validated
Queer Lodgings: The Quest to Find Home through LGBTQ+ Readings of Middle-earth
Full text linkThis thesis explores how LGBTQ+ people find joy and community in the world of Middle-earth despite there being no explicit queer representation in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. I will take readers through viewing Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books through a queer lens to show what details LGBTQ+ people pick up on as they read the story. Then based on our knowledge of the books, I will bring readers along with me to view Peter Jackson’s films for these same works to see the effects that adaptation had on the queer subtext present in the original stories. One of the main reasons for taking readers through this process is to encourage people to foreground queerness in their readings of media whether they are queer or not because not only will we understand the perspective of queer individuals more, we will learn more about the stories and the characters within them than we previously thought. Queer readings of Tolkien’s works create home and community for LGBTQ+ individuals as well as create a roadmap for queer representation in future media that does not rely on stereotypes and trauma that follow queer people in the real world. This type of representation not only heals LGBTQ+ people but normalizes queerness in society as well