Thesis (M.N.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

THESIS (D.N.P. (Doctor of Nursing Practice))--School of Nursing, University of San Francisco, 2009. / Bibliography: leaves 1-7 (3rd section).

Thesis. / Typescript (photocopy). Bibliography: p. 290-333.

Thesis (M.S.N.)--Georgia Southern University, 2006. / "A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science" ETD. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-58) and appendices.

Thesis (D. Ed.)--Ball State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 09, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-112).

abstract: Health care providers (HCPs) are an important source of physical activity (PA) information. Two studies were conducted to qualitatively and quantitatively examine nurse practitioners'(NPs) and physician assistants' current PA counseling practices, knowledge and confidence to provide PA counseling and providers' perceptions about their current PA counseling practices. The specific aims for these two studies included quantitatively and qualitatively identifying the prevalence of PA counseling, perceived counseling knowledge and confidence, and educational training related to counseling. In study 1, survey respondents were currently practicing NPs and physician assistants. Participants completed a modified version of the Promotion of Physical Activity by Nurse Practitioners Questionnaire either online or in person during a population specific conference. The majority of both NP and physician assistant respondents reported routinely counseling patients about PA. There were no differences in perceived knowledge or confidence to provide PA counseling between the two populations. Approximately half of all respondents reported receiving training to provide PA counseling as part of their educational preparation for becoming a health practitioner. Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported interest in receiving additional PA counseling training. In study 2, five focus groups (FGs), stratified by practice type, were conducted with NPs and physician assistants. Both NPs and physician assistants reported discussing PA with their patients, particularly those with chronic illness. Participants reported that discussing lifestyle modifications with patients was the most common type of PA counseling provided. Increased confidence to counsel was associated with having PA knowledge and providing simple counseling, such as lifestyle modifications. Barriers to counseling included having more important things to discuss, lack of time during appointments, the current healthcare system, lack of reimbursement and perceived patient financial barriers. PA recommendation knowledge was highly variable, with few participants reporting specific guidelines. FG participants, while not familiar with the American College of Sports Medicines' "Exercise is Medicine" initiative indicated interest in its use and learning more about it. The findings of these two studies indicate that while NPs and physician assistants are knowledgeable, confident and currently providing some amount of PA counseling to patients, additional training in PA counseling is needed and desired. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Exercise and Wellness 2011

INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (CD), an inflammatory condition of the small bowel, is now recognized as the most common of the autoimmune disorders (Kenrick & Day, 2014). Unfortunately, due to poor awareness among primary care providers (PCPs) this disease remains highly underdiagnosed despite its increasing prevalence (Catassi & Fasano, 2008). Aims of this quality improvement project were to examine current knowledge and practices of nurse practitioners in the primary care setting that influence the screening and diagnosis of CD. METHODS: A 32-item survey was sent out to nurse practitioner primary care providers (NP- PCPs) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex over a four-week period. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge and clinical practices of nurse practitioners as it relates to CD diagnosis. Data was analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Eighteen valid responses were received for analysis. The majority of respondents reported having no familiarity with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Two thirds of the respondents reported their education did not properly prepare them to accurately diagnose celiac disease. The vast majority also reported they do not test patients, pediatric or adult, using any celiac related blood test. The same results were true for patients being sent for intestinal biopsy. Although able to list typical symptoms of CD, many respondents were unaware of atypical symptoms. Most also omitted family history as important when considering celiac related testing. CONCLUSIONS: Overall NP-PCPs are not aware of and therefore do not follow clinical guidelines related celiac disease. It is clear that NP-PCPs need to be made aware of the prevalence of this disease and should be directed to follow evidence-based practice guidelines in their primary care practices. One step for doing this includes providing better education for NP- PCP students. Educators should include lectures or discussions about CD in their curriculum and provide students with resources such as the NICE and ACG guidelines. For practicing NPs, free continuing education can be offered. Lastly, clinicians who are aware of the high rates of underdiagnosis can present CD related information at conferences and meetings.

Background: Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is a national healthcare problem, and despite awareness and efforts to alleviate excessive patient volume, it continues to be an epidemic. One improvement technique proposed is to increase employment of independently licensed APRNs in the ED. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if LMC and USACS physicians are willing and ready to implement and collaborate with NPs in the ED. Design and Methods: A non-experimental descriptive study design was employed, and sixty emergency medicine providers were surveyed. Eighteen participants (14 MDs, 4 DOs) completed an online questionnaire which consisted of 21 Likert-style questions, an open-ended question, and six demographic questions. Research questions: 1) What are physician perceptions regarding the tasks and resources required for NPs to practice in emergency medicine? 2) What are physician perceptions regarding the need, importance, and benefits of NPs in the ED? 3) What are physician perceptions of contextual factors regarding NPs’ working in the organization? Results: Entire Questionnaire: Mean = 2.02 (SD = .35); Subscale 1: Mean = 2.13 (SD = .33); Subscale 2: Mean = 1.79 (SD = .48); Subscale 3: Mean = 2.06 (SD = .49). Conclusion: This study concludes that, overall, there is a readiness to change among the USACS physicians. Evaluation of subscale 2 and 3 from this study indicates that USACS physicians are willing and ready to implement an NP service in LMC's ED. Furthermore, while discrepancies occurred in subscale 1, these differences can be mitigated through education, credentialing requirements, and policy development.

M.Cur. (Intensive General Nursing) / Tegnological and scientific progress inevitable. The nurse working in a present, had to obtain the knowledge and to work in her area of specialization. makes specialization specialized unit at skill that she needed It is expected of a general nurse, working in a postacute care unit, to co-ordinate, implement, interpret and evaluate the different and divergent aspects of terapeutic care prescribed by a specialist. The nurse as generalist needs the additio~al support of a Clinical Nurse Specialist with advanced knowledge and nursing skills. The Clinical Nurse Specialist must be able to assist the general nurse in giving effective and quality nursing care. A exploratory and descriptive survey was undertaken by means of a interview, questionnaires and a patient acuity classification system. Data was obtained from Senior Nursing Service Managers, Nursing Service Managers, Chief Professional Nurses, senior and junior registered nurses. The purpose of the study was to determine the desirability of and functions of a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a postacute care unit. Analysis of the data obtained indicated that there is a need for. a Clinical Nurse Specialist to assist with specialized nursing care and to assure continuity of care when a patient is moved from a critical care unit to a postacute care unit.

M.Cur. / An explorative, descriptive, contextual qualitative design was employed in an endeavour to unravel experiences of mothers with infants in the NICU regarding emotional support that they received from the nurses while nursing their infants in the unit. The sample of the study comprised eight (8) mothers who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through the use of semi- structured questions. All the interviews were audiotaped. Data were collected in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana. Data were analysed through the use of Tesch's method of data analysis, which is based on thematic content analysis. Themes which emerged were acceptance of the infant, encouragement to keep on visiting the infant every three hours, information provided on caring for the infant, encouragement on giving the infant motherly love e.g. cuddling, nurses having no time for the mothers, nurses' mistrust of mothers and finally neglect. The results of the study revealed that mothers did receive the emotional support that they needed, perceived as an important aspect to mothers nursing infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was found that some nurses did provide emotional support to mothers while other nurses had no time to support the mothers in need.