The Graduate Nursing Project collection includes Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects and Master's students' non-thesis projects submitted as part of program requirements.
| Title | Creator | Date | Description | Relation Is Part Of | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Diagnostic Tracking and Data Collection in Rural Clinics: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project | Levine, Kylee; Jagla, Kate; Garrett, Larry Curtis | 2025 | Background: Clinical data is essential for tracking diseases, managing finances, and patient safety (Bowman, 2013). By monitoring clinical data, clinics can achieve outcome tracking and enhanced health outcomes (Tran et al., 2022). This information can be utilized in various ways, including quality ... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Primary Care, Adult / Gerontology, Poster |
| 2 |  | Building an Implementation Toolkit for Stop the Bleed Training: An Evidence-Based Practice Change | Morin-Long, Mega; Ellis, Jessica | 2025 | Background: School shootings are a common and devastating problem in America and a source of traumatic death for both students and teachers. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary the American College of Surgeons (ACS) developed a course called Stop the Bleed (STB) which taught bystanders how t... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Primary Care, Adult / Gerontology, Poster |
| 3 |  | Leadership Perspectives on Sick Leave: A Quality Improvement Needs Assessment | McLain, Ben; Sisler, Shawna | 2025 | Background: Current sick leave policies in Utah reveal significant disparities, with no mandated sick leave at the private, federal, or state levels. This situation has led to varying organizational practices, potentially creating misalignments between employer expectations and employee understandin... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 4 |  | Adult Level I Trauma Center Pediatric Readiness Needs Assessment | Davis, Cherisse Marie; Schmelter, Luanna | 2025 | Background: Pediatric patients present unique clinical challenges that require specific resources and protocols. Many adult Level I trauma centers lack ample pediatric-specific policies and training to treat the traumatically injured child. Implementing strategies to strengthen the adult trauma cent... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 5 |  | Understanding Primary Care Patient No-shows: A Quality Improvement Needs Assessment | Noss, Tiffany; Hart, Sara | 2025 | Background: No-show appointments are common in primary care, leading to financial burdens for healthcare facilities, limited access for other patients, and adverse effects on patients' health. High no-show rates contribute to poorly controlled chronic conditions like diabetes and heart failure, lead... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 6 |  | Implementing a Clinical Pathway for Mental Health Screenings in a Specialty Practice Clinic: A Process Improvement Initiative | Andrews, Ashley L.; McMinimee, Kate M.; Mendez, Edly; Shayota, Brian J.; Christensen, Scott | 2025 | Background: Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are prevalent among individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU). These conditions can significantly impact quality of life, treatment adherence, and overall health outcomes. Despite the known psychological burden and risk of these con... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 7 |  | Enhancing Shared Governance in a Local Health System by Identifying Leadership Skill and Competency Gaps: A Needs Assessment | Fenton, Angela A.; Christensen, Scott | 2025 | Background: Shared governance is a structural framework for shared decision-making that positively impacts nursing practice and improves professional accountability. It empowers frontline nurses and clinical staff by giving them a voice in all decisions that affect their work. Local Problem: A Moun... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 8 |  | Enhancing Self-Reported Pain Assessments for Post-Sedated Patients: A Needs Assessment | Chavez-England, Jesika L.; Schmelter, Luanna | 2025 | Background: Effective pain management is essential for post-sedated patients in Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs). any adult centers rely solely on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for self-reported pain assessment. However, evidence suggests it may inadequately capture pain experiences in post-seda... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 9 |  | Enhancing Competency and Performance: An Evidence-Based Leadership Initiative for Novice Chief Nursing Officers in a Local Health System | Christensen, Amy B.; Christensen, Scott | 2025 | Background: The chief nursing officer (CNO) plays a well-documented role in fostering a thriving culture for both nurses and patients. Inadequate orientation of new hospital CNOs can result in unstable clinical care environments, escalate nurse turnover, incur significant financial and operational c... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 10 |  | Improving Treatment Adherence for PIs through a Cultural Competency ToolKit for Providers in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic | Mounga, Va; Taholo, Lani; Mulitalo, Tausoa; Nerges, John A. | 2025 | Background: Pacific Islanders (PIs) in the United States experience significant mental health disparities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide compared to other ethnic groups. Limited research on culturally competent interventions for this population contributes to low engagem... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 11 |  | Nurses' Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Sick Leave Usage: A Quality Improvement Needs Assessment | Echeverria, Luisa; Sisler, Shawna | 2025 | Background: Nurses in the U.S. healthcare system face challenges related to workplace culture and the absence of legally mandated paid sick leave, contributing to high rates of presenteeism. This behavior, where nurses work while ill, jeopardizes their health and patient safety. Research shows that ... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Organizational Leadership, MS to DNP |
| 12 |  | Bridging the Gap: A Needs Assessment to Inform Accreditation of a Pediatric Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship | Coleman, Rachel; Morstein, Jodi; Bailey, ElLois | 2025 | Background: Pediatric psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) play a critical role in addressing the increasing demand for pediatric mental health services. However, novice PMHNPs often face significant challenges in their transition to practice, including role ambiguity, limited ment... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 13 |  | Third Trimester Syphilis Testing at Urban and Suburban Obstetric Clinics: A Quality Improvement Project | Bennett, Danielle; Garbett, Cynthia | 2025 | Background: Syphilis contributes significantly to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, with infection rates in Utah rising sevenfold from 2012 to 2022. Despite guidelines recommending universal third-trimester syphilis testing, many obstetric clinics only test patients perceived to be at hig... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 14 |  | Implementing A Melanoma Risk Screening Tool at a Primary Care Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative | Smith, Kenna; Jessen, Christopher; Garrett, Larry C. | 2025 | Background: Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, presents a significant and growing public health challenge. Early detection is crucial, yet many primary care clinics lack standardized protocols for assessing melanoma risk, leading to missed opportunities for early detection and education. L... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Primary Care, Adult / Gerontology, Poster |
| 15 |  | Improving Resilience and Self-Efficacy in Burn Trauma ICU Nurses: An Evidence-Based Resilience Skills Group | Grote, Rachel; Garbett, Cynthia | 2025 | Background: Due to the stressful and emotional nature of the job, nurses experience high levels of burnout and adverse mental health outcomes. Burn-unit nurses are at particularly high risk for these adverse outcomes because of their frequent exposure to patients' trauma, pain, and suffering. In add... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 16 |  | Decreasing the Rate of No-shows at a Student-led Clinic: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project | Thapa, Vishant; Raaum, Sonja; Dieudonne, Patrick; Garrett, Larry | 2025 | Background: No-show appointments present a significant challenge in primary care, particularly among underserved populations, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Research indicates that men, younger individuals, women, geriatric patients, those with mental health condit... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Primary Care, Adult / Gerontology, Poster |
| 17 |  | Implementing a Parent Training in Behavior Management Protocol and Toolkit to Improve ADHD Treatment at a Pediatric Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative | Dorny, Nancy; Petersen, Valerie; Bailey, ElLois | 2025 | Background: ADHD is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that carries significant lifelong risks. Consistent, authoritative parenting plays a crucial role in managing a child's ADHD behaviors and reducing long-term challenges. Effective parenting practices can also improve parental wellbeing. Par... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 18 |  | Improving Clinician Satisfaction Through Improved Care Coordination for New American and Patients with Low English Proficiency Populations at an Urgent Care Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project | Wright, Shae; Taha, Marie-Chantal; Chapman, Diane | 2025 | Background: Language concordance significantly impacts the continuity of care for new Americans and patients with low English proficiency (LEP) by affecting health literacy, patient education, and healthcare system navigation. These populations frequently use emergency departments (EDs) or urgent ca... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Primary Care, Adult / Gerontology, Poster |
| 19 |  | Improving Compliance of Measurement-Based Care in an Urban Community Mental Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative | Akutsu, Shaw; Perkins, Rebekah; Bailey, ElLois | 2025 | Background: Measurement-based care (MBC) is a systematic approach to clinical decision-making that involves collecting, analyzing, and applying patient-reported data to guide treatment planning and decisions. The use of MBC has become increasingly common across various healthcare fields, including m... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 20 |  | Improving Protocols for Assessing and Reporting Non-recent Child Abuse: A Quality Improvement Project | Gonzalez, Jenni; Baucom, Brian; Webb, Sara | 2025 | Background: Mandated reporters, including mental health clinicians, are legally required to report suspected child abuse, including non-recent abuse if a current minor could be at risk. Despite this requirement, underreporting child abuse is prevalent due to factors such as insufficient knowledge, f... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 21 |  | Recognizing and Assessing for Delirium Tremens in an Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital: A Quality Improvement Project | Dawe, Shantel; Wilson, David; Webb, Sara | 2025 | Background: Delirium tremens (DTs) is a life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal, occurring in 5-12% of cases. Without timely treatment, DTs can lead to seizures, cardiac instability, respiratory failure, and mortality rates of 15-40%. Its symptoms often overlap with psychosis and other p... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 22 |  | Implementation of a Resource Toolkit for Paternal Postpartum Depression: An Evidenced-Based Improvement Initiative | Randall, Neal; Riley, Colin; Hebdon, Megan | 2025 | Background: Paternal postpartum depression (paternal PPD) or paternal major depressive disorder with peripartum onset is an under-researched and under-identified disorder. Approximately 8-14% of fathers will present with new symptoms of depression in the peripartum period, which ranges from the firs... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 23 |  | Implementation of an Esketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Protocol and Toolkit in an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative | Roundy, Steven; Blacker, Marie; Bullock, Randy | 2025 | Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects about 2.8 million Americans each year, with many patients not achieving remission after multiple antidepressant trials. Esketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers rapid and lasting symptom relief but remains underused in outpatient settings due ... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 24 |  | Improving Nutritional Screening and Education in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project | Lau, Jaricka Blundell; Dvorak, Theresa E.; Bailey, ElLois | 2025 | Background: Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health, yet nutritional screening and education are often underutilized in outpatient mental health settings. Poor nutrition is associated with worsened psychiatric symptoms, while improved dietary habits can enhance overall mental well-being. Cli... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |
| 25 |  | Providers' Barriers to Family Involvement in Outpatient Mental Health Settings: A Needs Assessment | Mallard, Trisha H.; Baron, Carolynne; Pohlman, Spencer; Garbett, Cynthia | 2025 | Background: Family involvement, including couples, in adult outpatient mental health care has been shown to enhance patient outcomes significantly, yet consistent integration remains a challenge. Patients with mental health conditions often benefit from strong family support networks, which can impr... | Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric / Mental Health, Poster |