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Paternal Involvement and Bonding in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Evaluating Daily Caregiving, Emotional Well-Being, and Father-Infant Connection
Ava G. Kinyon
Background: Premature birth and serious neonatal conditions frequently require infants to obtain care in the NICU, producing psychological and emotional obstacles for families. Despite the fact that skin-to-skin contact has been extensively researched for its strengths in encouraging stability and bonding, there persists restricted importance and understanding on paternal participation in routine caregiving tasks such as feeding, diapering, temperature checks, and swaddling. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate paternal participation in daily NICU caregiving tasks to address gaps in comprehending how these experiences impact bonding and emotional well-being among fathers of hospitalized infants. Methods: This study will employ a quasi-experimental design conducted across two NICUs to assess how paternal engagement in daily caregiving activities affects attachment and emotional well-being among fathers of hospitalized infants. A total of 100 fathers will be randomly allocated to either an organized caregiving group or a standard care group with a lack of caregiving opportunities. Data will be retrieved through validated instruments including the Paternal Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU), the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (PPAS), and a brief Confidence in Caregiving Questionnaire. Statistical evaluation will incorporate independent t-tests and continuous measures utilizing analysis of variance to compare changes in bonding, confidence, and stress between groups over a period of time. Results: It is anticipated that fathers in the organized caregiving group will display higher bonding and confidence scores and reduced stress levels compared to those receiving routine care. Conclusion: This study acknowledges a substantial gap in neonatal nursing research by exploring the impact of paternal caregiving engagement on emotional well-being, confidence, and father-infant connection. The findings may provide evidence-based techniques that encourage nurses to promote paternal engagement as a crucial element of family-based care.
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Prevention of Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses
Jenelle Balaoing and Junela Bautista
Background: Nursing burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by excessive stress among nurses. Critical care nurses face challenges with direct patient care that contribute to emotional and psychological strain that are greatly influenced by workplace adversity and emotional management. Purpose: This research examines the prevalence of burnout among pediatric and adult intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, highlighting particularly high rates of burnout among those with extended years of service. Method: ICU nurses will participate in a qualitative interview that involves open ended questions relevant among burnout and resilience during shifts. Aspects specifically years of critical experience and gender will play a vital role with collecting the data. Managing exposure includes the methods of protecting, processing, decontaminating, and distancing in the work environment. Results/ Data Collection and Analysis: Differentiating the various levels of challenges pediatric ICU nurses face include emotional, physical and organizational stress. Addressing this issue and developing effective solutions requires identifying the underlying factors and examining how they influence the affected pediatric ICU nurses. The different levels of stress fall within the same spectrum, but all is determined by how the stress is managed. Conclusion: The use of appropriate interventions and screening tools to assess burnout over time can be used to combat contributing factors of emotional and physical stress and potentially decrease levels of burnout among critical care nurses. Understanding the underlying factors of stress as a hospital includes supportive environments and resources.
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Recognizing the Risk: Enhancing Nurse Preparedness for Postpartum Hemorrhage Through Simulation-Based Education
Ishpreet Kaur
Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious, often unexpected complication after childbirth involving excessive bleeding. It is a leading cause of maternal death and can happen quickly, even in healthy pregnancies. Risk factors may increase the chances of PPH, but it can also occur without warning. Nurses play a key role in recognizing early signs and taking quick action. However, delays still happen due to inconsistent training, unclear protocols, and lack of preparedness. Strengthening nurse education and improving emergency response systems are essential to improve care and achieve better outcomes for mothers. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of simulation-based training combined with a best practice screening tool on nurses’ ability to recognize and manage PPH effectively. Method: A Randomized Control Trial, pre- and post-test design will be used with 100 maternity nurses from four hospitals in Northern California. Participants will be randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group that receives additional education and simulation training. Knowledge and response performance will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated tools. Results: The intervention group is anticipated to show better knowledge, faster responses, and improved protocol use, with results likely to be significant (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Enhancing nurse training through simulation and structured screening tools may improve early recognition and management of PPH, contributing to better maternal outcomes and safer clinical practice.
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Social Media/Cyberbullying Correlation to Adolescent Eating Disorders
Nicoli A. Panelo
Background: Social media is very prevalent in today’s society, particularly in adolescents. This time period is crucial for this age group in terms of developing a sense of purpose and identity. Although social media may keep many of our children entertained, they also can create negative impacts on them and ultimately hinder their overall development both mentally and physically through negative body image and unrealistic self-expectations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the correlation between social media use and the rise of eating disorders in adolescents. Doing so would allow us to find ways to lower the risk of adolescent eating disorders due to social media. Design: An observational cohort study will be conducted between two groups of adolescents: 50 high school students that use social media on a daily basis vs. 50 high school students that do not use social media at all. We will conduct this study over one school year, and at the end of the school year, we will do a final observation on each of the 100 high school students and survey their feelings in regard to their own body image and physical health. Finally, we will compare the results to see how strong of a correlation there is between social media use and eating disorders in this age group. Results: Although this study has not yet been conducted, we expect to see a relatively strong correlation between social media use and the rise of eating disorders in adolescents.
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The Effects of Medical Misinformation about Vaccines on Parents of Pediatric Patients
Mya Izabela B. Emelia
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The Effects of Strong Social and Parental Support Compared to Low or Absent Support in LGBTQIA+ Youth Mental Health
Kassandra Bautista
Throughout history, sexual and gender minorities have faced a range of emotional and psychological challenges shaped by their unique experiences and interactions with society, family, and peers. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), homosexuality was classified as a sociopathic personality disturbance in the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) in 1952, and it remained listed as a mental disorder until it was removed in 1973. Individuals that identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other identities within the LGBTQIA+ community were historically seen as abnormal and were often subjected to ethically problematic treatments. Over the past seventy years, societal views towards the LGBTQIA+ community shifted towards acceptance and understanding. However, negative perceptions and discrimination persist, as certain families and cultures may reject individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Despite increasing societal awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, many youth in this community continue to face rejection and lack of societal and parental support. In the U.S., 49% of LGBTQIA+ youth have experienced bullying, and those who were bullied reported increasingly higher rates of attempted suicide in the past year compared to those who were not a part of that community (The Trevor Project, 2024). The decrease of support is associated with adverse mental health outcomes. However, there is limited research on LGBTQIA+ communities and addressing this gap is essential for developing interventions and providing supportive environments that promote psychological well-being in this population.
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The Health Impact of Clinical Training on Nursing Students in Cambodia
Kimberly Aguilar Mondragon and Felicia Kim Yee
Background: Clinical training presents significant challenges for nursing students worldwide, particularly evident in developing countries like Cambodia, where these difficulties are intensified by a lack of training, resources, and health issues like stress and fatigue. Many students struggle without adequate guidance, forcing them to navigate complex clinical environments independently. These factors not only impact students’ confidence and academic performance, but also their health and well-being. Through this study, we can gain insight into nursing in a developing country that hasn’t been widely studied, contributing to global nursing research. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the health impact of clinical training on nursing students in Cambodia. Method: A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach will be used. Research will be conducted among 10 nursing students who are either in their final clinical rotations or have just completed them in a Cambodian Hospital. They will participate in semi-structured interviews that will last 45 to 60 minutes. A bilingual translator, proficient in both Khmer and English, will conduct the interview, record, and transcribe the data collected from the interview with the researcher who has some knowledge of Khmer present. The interviews will focus on the challenges faced during clinical experiences and their effects on the students’ health. Data Collection & Analysis: Participant responses will be recorded and translated to identify all the emerging patterns and themes using content analysis. Conclusion: We anticipate that the students have faced challenges that not only hinder academic performance, but also have significant implications for students’ physical and mental health due to stresses of the clinical environment and lack of support by the nurses and nursing preceptors. By understanding these issues, educators and policymakers can implement interventions to better support nursing students, ultimately improving the quality of patient care.
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The Impact of Diabetes Education & Post Discharge Interventions for African American Adults at Risk for & After Myocardial Infarction
Trinity L. Billingsley
Cardiovascular disease or CVD refers to a multitude of conditions that affect both the heart and blood vessels. Being the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease claims 919,032 lives; the risk of death becomes more likely when accompanied with comorbidities like diabetes (CDC, 2024). While heart disease is a leading cause of death across all populations, it accounts for a larger proportion of deaths in African American, or AA, adults at 22.6% compared to White adults at 18.0% and Hispanic adults at 11.9%, highlighting persistent racial disparities in cardiovascular outcomes (CDC, 2024). Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction or MI, which remains one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes.
The research will accomplish providing both the African American population with more information, in addition to ensuring healthcare workers have the tools to navigate the interactions with this population to achieve better overall wellness outcomes. Equally important, the research will help to answer the question of why these gaps are present, and how certain realities affect this group so disproportionately.
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The Impact of Nurse-Led Distraction Techniques on Pain and Anxiety During Cancer Treatment in Pediatric Oncology Patients: Examining Virtual Reality and Play Therapy
Alexis Abalos
Children undergoing cancer treatment often experience pain and anxiety during procedures such as port access or peripheral catheterization. Nurse-led distraction techniques, including virtual reality and play therapy, have emerged as promising non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients. Existing data from primary and secondary research articles reveal the effectiveness of virtual reality and play therapy on reducing pain, anxiety, and psychosocial distress in pediatric oncology patients receiving cancer treatment. This study proposes a quasi-experimental design involving 90 pediatric oncology patients aged 6–12 years diagnosed with leukemia. Participants will be placed in a nurse-led VR distraction, play therapy, or standard care group. Pain and anxiety will be measured before and after each invasive procedure. It is anticipated that both distraction groups will show statistically significant reductions in pain and anxiety compared to standard care. Findings may support implementing nurse-led distraction techniques in routine nursing care to promote a more holistic approach to symptom management.
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The Impact of Parental Mental Health on Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Andee L. Plaskett
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides critical and life saving care for infants born with medical complications that may need specialized care. The NICU environment can be an overwhelming and stressful place for both parents and infants. Parental mental health challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can significantly impact infants in the NICU by hindering parent infant interaction and connection. Parental mental distress is often linked to an increase in anxiety for the infant, as well as higher rates of medical complications and a higher likelihood of longer hospital stays for the infant. Parental stress can have a long lasting impact on their child. Understanding the connection between parental mental health and infant outcomes is essential in order to support the complex health implications of NICU infants.
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The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Maternal Decision-Making and Risk-Taking Behavior
Stephanie Marea B. Martinez
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The Potential of Bioactive Foods in Chemotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Distress
Haizhu Patterson
Background: Cancer continues to have a profoundly detrimental impact on global health, and chemotherapy is widely accepted and utilized as one of the most effective cancer treatments. Unfortunately, the downside of chemotherapy is its significant adverse effects, which often manifest as gastrointestinal (GI) distress, leading the patient to discontinue treatment. Recent research has increasingly focused on bioactive foods as a means to mitigate chemotherapy-induced GI distress. By identifying which bioactive foods can alleviate these distresses, nurses can offer valuable recommendations to cancer patients to help them reduce chemotherapy's adverse effects, enhancing their quality of life (QoL) and improving treatment adherence. Objective: This study proposes an examination of the relationship between ginger (a bioactive food) and its effectiveness in reducing chemotherapy-induced GI distress, specifically focusing on the impact of ginger could have on chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID). Method: The researcher will conduct a randomized, intervention-controlled, and placebo-controlled trial with a double-blind cohort design, aiming at determining whether ginger reduces CID and improves CID-related QoL during cycles 2 and 3 of chemotherapy. Results: The data for this study are pending. However, the research anticipates that bioactive foods, particularly ginger, will alleviate CID and improve diarrhea-related QoL. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that bioactive foods may be effective in reducing or alleviating chemotherapy-induced GI distress. Understanding this relationship will empower nurses to provide recommendations to cancer patients, reducing adverse chemotherapy effects, improving the patient’s QoL, and promoting adherence to cancer treatment.
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The Psychological Impact of Denied Blood Transfusions by Jehovah's Witness Parents in Pediatric Patients
Jaelyn Capablanca Braganza
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is against God's will to receive blood from someone else, or to tamper with their own blood, influencing them to deny blood transfusions for themselves and for their children. Since minors are legally not allowed to make healthcare decisions on their own until they reach 18 years of age, this decision made by the parents to deny transfusions on the pediatric patient's behalf may create significant emotional and psychological challenges, potentially influencing family dynamics, mental health, and overall well-being. Understanding these effects, especially for the pediatric patient, is crucial for healthcare providers, social workers, and support organizations in providing holistic care to families navigating such medical and religious conflicts since there is limited research on this issue.
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The Psychosocial Effects of Chemotherapy on the Adolescent Population: Implementing Community Building Programs
Kareena Jakhu and Princess Kyra R. Anicete
Background: During the adolescent stage (13-18), individuals go through role confusion and seek much of their validation from their fellow peers. Forming a strong sense of community is crucial in this stage of development as it helps with creating a foundation for who they want to become. Chemotherapy strips this aspect of socialization due to its ability to suppress the immune system. When socialization is taken away, adolescents face loneliness, which greatly impacts their development. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to look into the adolescent population undergoing chemotherapy and help them aid the lack of socialization caused by chemotherapy. Methods: The adolescents will participate in surveys and questionnaires to help reflect the effectiveness of the community programs created to minimize isolation. The surveys will be easily accessible with the use of their smartphone, allowing them to reflect on their experience and provide feedback to the nurses. Data Collection and Analysis: This research has not been initiated yet, however the anticipated results are improved mental health outcomes within the adolescents, allowing for enhanced socialization with their peers during their treatment journey. Conclusion: Screening for feelings of loneliness is relevant to nursing to help improve individualized care with pediatric cancer patients, especially during this crucial time. This proposal will help with educating nurses on the psychosocial effects of chemotherapy in the adolescent population.
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The Role of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners: Addressing the Shortage and Its Implications for Healthcare
Isabel Mary McCarthy
The increasing prevalence of sexual assault cases has highlighted the crucial need for trained healthcare professionals who can effectively provide sensitive care for survivors. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are registered nurses specifically trained to perform forensic examinations and provide medical and emotional support to sexual assault victims. However, many nursing programs lack formal education on SANE practices, which can hinder students' preparedness to address such cases in their future careers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training module integrated into an undergraduate nursing curriculum at Dominican University of California. By using a mixed-methods, three-phase approach, this study will assess the impact of the SANE learning module on nursing students' knowledge and preparedness to handle sexual assault cases. The study seeks to provide evidence for the integration of SANE education into nursing curricula, enhancing students' ability to deliver compassionate and effective care to sexual assault survivors.
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Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach to Screening for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children
Ashley Bunting and Isabella Cavlan
California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.
Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below. -
Assessing Disparities in Culturally Competent Care in Ethnic Burn Patients
Min Kang
One of the most debilitating injuries one can suffer is a burn. It is even worse when certain individuals can not access the high quality care such as immigrants. With immigration rates increasing over the last several decades, these populations often lack the proper medical care that they deserve. The overarching theme in this population is that they face challenges in attaining positive patient outcomes due to cultural differences.
- Lack of Culturally Competent Care in Burn Care
- Addressing Cultural Safety and Quality of Care in Burn Injury Management
- Analyzing Disparities in Access to Culturally Competent Burn care
A collection of research posters authored by students from the Department of Nursing at Dominican University of California.
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