Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-10, Section: B, page: 6119. Adviser: Glenna A. Dowling.

<p> <b>Background:</b> There is a growing need for skilled gerontological nursing care. Nursing students often fail to appreciate the importance of implementing gerontological nursing competencies. </p><p> <b>Purpose:</b> The problem is that nursing education research on students' attitudes about gerontology has been hampered by a lack of valid and reliable instruments. </p><p> <b>Theoretical framework.</b> This study is based on and tests the propositions of the theory of planned behavior. </p><p> <b>Methods.</b> Qualitative interviews were conducted to determine the terms used to describe the constructs by the target population. Using these terms, an instrument was developed and subjected to tests for psychometric estimates. A pretest-posttest design was used to test the impact of an educational intervention on students' attitudes. </p><p> <b>Results.</b> The instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. Students' scores increased significantly for attitude, subjective norm and behavioral intention regarding implementing gerontological competencies from pretest to posttest. Attitude and subjective norm predicted behavioral intention in the regression model. </p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> The results support that an educational intervention can positively impact nursing students' intent to implement gerontological competencies.</p>

<p> Pressure ulcers (PUs) remain a relatively common and potentially serious health issue among the elderly in any healthcare setting and have been associated with high mortality and morbidity rate. A low incidence of PUs is highly desirable and is considered as an indication of quality care by patients, caregivers, and regulatory authorities on both the state and federal levels.</p><p> Nursing assistants play an integral role in the direct patient care; ongoing training and educational opportunities about pressure ulcer prevention are very important in maintaining their skill, motivation and knowledge. Research findings showed that staff education with reinforcement is the key in decreasing prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcer. This educational curriculum was designed to increase nursing assistants' knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention among elderly in long-term care.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-08, Section: B, page: 4349. Adviser: Jeanie Kayser-Jones.

<p> Leaders within the long-term care industry face a myriad of challenges as the U.S. population ages at exponential rates. Long term care is an industry that requires strong, well-developed leaders; yet, while Directors of Nursing (DONs) are viewed as key leaders in the long term care setting, few studies have focused on their leadership styles. The goal of this quantitative, non-experimental research was to determine if a relationship existed between leadership styles, personnel retention, and job satisfaction. Based on findings from this study, the `PST2 Leadership Model' was developed. This model is unique as it conceptualized various leadership theories and offers suggestions for implementation of specific leadership styles. This model may prove useful as an important teaching instrument within the long term care arena. As healthcare leaders and stakeholders continue to evaluate salient matters within the long term care community, it is prudent to utilize research such as this and comparable studies to guide the decision making process as this evidence may contribute to the viability of a challenged long term care system.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3431. Adviser: Margaret I. Wallhagen.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-05, Section: B, page: 2892. Adviser: Janet Reis. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-145) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-12, Section: B, page: 7417. Adviser: Robert J. Newcomer. Includes supplementary digital materials.