AHU Digital Repository
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Correlation of Variables for Program Success and First Time SEE Scores of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists at AdventHealth University
(2023-03-23) Anderson, Brian; Gotay, Derik
Nurse anesthesia is considered one of the most rigorous fields in advanced practice nursing, and many graduate nurse anesthesia programs have limited availability. Due to the academic rigor of graduate nurse anesthesia programs, selection and admission requirements are established to assist program directors and faculty in selecting candidates with the highest probability of completing the program and passing the National Certification Examination (NCE). The Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) is taken by student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) to prepare for the NCE, and SEE scores strongly correlate to NCE scores. Evaluation of specific pre-admission variables may assist in identifying applicants most likely to succeed. Methods for this project included the Spearman’s Rho Correlation test of de-identified retrospective data collected by the nurse anesthesia department at AdventHealth University (AHU) to identify statistically significant correlations between the independent and dependent variables, followed by a linear regression analysis of any statistically significant correlations. This study determined the correlations of pre-admission cumulative grade point average (cGPA), science grade point average (sGPA), total Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, and Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) overall score with nurse anesthesia program grade point average (NAPGPA) at the end of the fourth trimester and with the SEE total score during the fifth trimester for students who matriculated to AHU’s DNAP Program from 2018 to 2020. This study found the following four statistically significant correlations: cGPA with NAPGPA, cGPA with SEE total score, sGPA with SEE total score, and NAPGPA with SEE total score. This study made four recommendations to the program’s leadership for pre-admission requirements and three recommendations regarding program progression.
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A Review of the Existing Evidence-based Protocols/guidelines on Oxytocin Dosing during Elective Cesarean Section to Prevent Post-partum Hemorrhage--A Creation of a Class A Pharmacology Continuing Educational Module for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
(2023-01-15) Lyons, Khadijah; Martinez, Eunice
Oxytocin is an endogenous hormone, and Pitocin is its synthetic analog often administered in the parturient patient to induce labor and further dilate the cervix. Per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), there are standard dosage and administration guidelines to ensure safe delivery and decrease postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (2020). Anesthesia providers must understand these administration guidelines to ensure more favorable health outcomes in the laboring woman. Globally, PPH is the leading cause of maternal mortality. A literature review suggests Pitocin via intravenous administration during active labor can significantly reduce postpartum hemorrhage, thus leading to more favorable health outcomes in the parturient patient (Salati et al., 2019).
Education is a method of affecting change. A 60-minute evidenced-based Class A pharmacology continuing education (CE) module on the appropriate use of Pitocin to prevent PPH during elective cesarean section was developed for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs). The goal of the module is to discuss the role of oxytocin in the parturient patient, to provide evidence-based recommendations for intravenous Pitocin dosing during elective cesarean section to prevent PPH, and to understand the physiological changes associated with increased levels of oxytocin.
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Anesthesia Provider’s Preception on Preserving Asepsis at the Epidural Catheter Hub
(2023-04-06) Barcelow, Travis; Dominique, Kindra
Epidural catheter infections occur despite best practice guidance. The incidence of positive infectious cultures obtained from epidural catheters is approximately 23%. While most infections are superficial, the incidence of infection within the deeper epidural space can result in permanent and irriversable neurologic damage. The epidural catheter hub is a potential route of contamination that can occur with repeated injections. There is very little literature focusing on the epidural catheter hub and the contamination with repeated injections. The objectives of this scholarly project is to examine the current practice of anesthesia providers and to evaluate whether the current evidence-based best-practice standards, regarding epidural hub mainenance are being applied consistently. Further investigation is needed and will be conducted by surveying providers to determine if there are inconsistencies among practice. The survey findings may suggest the need for further education regarding need for consistent evidence-based best-practice standards to help reduce the risks for epidural catheter infections.
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Effect of Airway Management Education on Knowledge, Skill, and Confidence Levels
(2023-02-19) Reyes, Jessenia; Cadet, Sabine
Airway assessment and management are crucial skills for nurses managing patients during critical situations; nurses are usually the first healthcare providers to identify a deterioration in patients’ health status. Proper airway management skills increase the chance of survival for a critical patient. Nursing students, however, may have limited exposure to clinical situations in which it is necessary to identify and manage a deteriorating patient leading to a lack of confidence in airway management. The purpose of this scholarly project was to evaluate the effect of an airway management educational module and low fidelity simulation experience on the knowledge, skill, and confidence level of senior student nurses attending AdventHealth (AHU) University Orlando. The design of this evidence-based practice initiative was quasi-experimental with convenience sampling. All 21 AdventHealth University senior nursing students in the Summer 2022 cohort were allowed access if they chose to view the educational content in Canvas prior to attending a simulation lab. This project used convenience sampling and all students were required to participate in a 20-minute pre-simulation educational module and a 30- minute low fidelity airway management simulation lab. However, assessments, such as a pre-test/ post-test, a skills checklist and a satisfaction and confidence questionnaire used to evaluate knowledge, skills, and confidence levels were voluntary and did not impact student grades.
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The Effect of Smartphone Applications on Graduate Student Stress Levels
(2023-04-24) McDuffie, Jacob; Spence, Amanda
Nurse anesthesia students encounter stress in academics, clinical, and personal life. Excessive stress can be a product of poor emotional intelligence (EI) and decreased self-efficacy (Chipas et al. 2012; Molero Jurado et al., 2019). Appropriate use of smartphone applications (app/apps), such as medical resource apps, decreases the stress of decision-making in the clinical setting and increases positive patient outcomes, as well as increases self-efficacy (Molero Jurado, 2019; Green et al., 2017; Ross & Myers, 2017). The aim of this scholarly project is to evaluate the appropriate utilization of the smartphone app UpToDate and its effect on stress among graduate students currently enrolled at AdventHealth University (AHU). This scholarly project will consist of a pretest assessing participants' baseline knowledge of the UpToDate app, how often per week they use the app, and their perceived stress. Following the pretest, a 60-minute educational presentation on the appropriate uses of smartphones and the UpToDate app will be presented. Following the intervention, a post-test will be administered to assess the participant's retained knowledge of the topic. Four weeks following the intervention, a post-test will be administered to assess the participant's perceived stress levels and how often UpToDate was utilized. The objectives of this scholarly project will be for graduate healthcare students who are in clinical trimesters to identify the appropriate utilization of the app UpToDate, increase knowledge of navigation within the app UpToDate, increase the use of the app UpToDate and reduce stress during the student’s clinical rotation at the end of the 4-week period. The anticipated outcome of this project is to have a positive impact on student health, productivity, and clinical and academic performance by reducing the stress of graduate students through the utilization of UpToDate.