College of Health Sciences Poster Presentations

Transitioning Rural Graduate Nurses Into Practice

E’Raina Hatch et al. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Purposes/Aims: With no end in sight for the nation’s nursing shortage, hospitals are directing greater attention toward recruitment and retention of graduate nurses. Qualified nurses are needed in health care facilities throughout the country, including rural hospitals. A lack of qualified nurses and geographical disparities in rural health care play a major role in the delivery of quality patient care.

Rationale: Recruitment and retention of qualified nurses in rural areas is essential. This project poses recommendations for a transition model for graduate nurses entering practice in rural Idaho hospitals.

Methods: Following a review of the literature, Chief Nursing Officers (CNO) from four rural Idaho hospitals and two community consultants were interviewed to identify the unique issues related to recruiting, transitioning, and retaining new graduate nurses into rural settings.

Results: The authors present a home grown transition model designed to prepare clinically autonomous and competent graduate nurses into rural settings. A home grown transition model with comprehensive preceptorships and mentorships with seasoned nurses will increase patient safety, quality patient care, and graduate nurse retention. Implications: Recruiting new nurses from the communities where they reside will enhance recruitment and retention and will promote a new direction for clinical practice for graduate nurses in the rural settings. Creating transition programs that mentor new graduates will bring new opportunities for nursing practice in rural settings.

_{Principle Investigator: Dr. Cynthia Clark}

Title: Transitioning Rural Graduate Nurses into Practice

IRB Approval Number: EX 187-09-074

Federal Wide Assurance Number: 0000097

Review: Exempt

Protocol Annual Expiration Date: February 18, 2010

Descriptive Comparative Secondary Analysis of the Somali Bantu Population in Africa vs. Boise

Vanessa Grote — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Background: In the early eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Bantu were brought as slaves from Tanzania and Mozambique to Somalia. In 1991, a civil war in Somalia displaced the Bantu to Kenyan refugee camps. In 1999, the Bantu people were considered “persecuted” due to the dangers and mistreatments of the camps as well as the violence that they faced in their homeland. They are now in the process of migration to the US, and into Boise. There are an estimated 40,000 Somali refugees within the US, and Boise is home to approximately 261 individuals.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive secondary analysis is to provide insight to this population that currently resides in Boise, ID. This review will support evidence of the lives and culture of the Somali Bantu in Africa compared to their transitions into life in Boise, ID. Methodology: The descriptive analysis will be completed through a literature review, and a comparative secondary analysis of the data that the Boise State Research team has regarding this population here in Boise. Implications: This comparative analysis will illuminate the similarities and differences of the Somali Bantu, and will promote a greater understanding of the transitions and adaptations they have had to make to their own culture, and how that may effect this population. The information will be disseminated in hopes of promoting more effective care of the Somali Bantu people.

Nursing Students and Technology: Is Virtual Simulation Feasible?

Craig Stevens — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Purpose: Simulation learning scenarios are increasingly utilized in nursing education as a way for students to gain experience taking care of patients. Virtual reality is a developing technology where students can participate in nursing simulation scenarios. Student accessibility to virtual reality technology is a potential barrier for implementing this teaching-learning tool. This project will assess the technology needed for virtual reality nursing simulations and the technology available to students enrolled in nursing classes at Boise State University.

Background: There are several virtual reality platforms currently available for instructor-student use, however, Second Life is currently the largest and most well developed. Simulation scenarios can be developed for a traditional lab setting and modified to be used in Second Life. The learning objectives, scenario flow, and debriefing questions remain the same; it is the environment that students participate in that is different.

Description: Based on Second Life technology requirements, a survey was developed to measure students’ technology resources, their experience with Second Life, their computer comfort level, and some basic demographical information. Third semester nursing students will be asked to complete an anonymous paper copy of this survey. All other students will be able to complete an anonymous online survey from the department website. Third semester students were selected to complete a paper survey because they will be invited to participate in a Second Life nursing simulation pilot project in the fourth semester.

Importance: Virtual reality simulation scenarios allow for the creation of learning opportunities for students that are not possible in a lab setting. In addition, virtual reality simulations are not limited to students and faculty located in close geographic proximity to each other. In order to utilize virtual reality simulations, faculty must be aware of students’ access to technology and their experience with this type of environment. The results of this survey will allow faculty to better understand how the availability of technology will affect the potential use of a virtual reality simulation related to nursing education.

_{Funding provided by the Jody DeMeyer Endowment and the Boise State University Department of Nursing.}

Growth and Development Among Toddlers and Preschoolers in the Foster Care System

Jessica Nelson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Purpose/Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate growth and development among toddlers and preschoolers in the foster care system. Background: Toddlers and preschoolers in the foster care system are at high risk for growth problems and developmental delays. Healthcare providers assessing and treating these children may not have the specialized knowledge and/or background for identifying problems, so children may not be identified early and may not receive necessary interventions. The Ellen Marie Pediatric Unit (EMPU), established by the Boise State University Department of Nursing in collaboration with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare District 3, is a screening clinic providing health assessments for foster children entering the foster care system in southwest Idaho. Methods: A retrospective study was implemented as part of a larger evaluation study, using chart reviews of all toddlers and preschoolers (defined as age 12-60 months) seen at the EMPU between March and September, 2008. This analysis focused on the following variables: height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) percentiles, development assessment results, ethnicity, age, and gender. Results: A total of 12 records were reviewed. The clients ranged in age from 12-56 months with a mean of 31 months. There were 7 (58%) females and 5 (42%) males. The ethnic distribution was as follows: 75% Caucasian, 8% African American, 8% Native American, and 8% Hispanic. One third of the sample were developmentally delayed, based on the developmental assessment results. The most common developmental delays were language delays (67%), and gross motor delays (33%). Growth assessment results indicated that the average BMI was in the 32nd percentile, the average height was in the 40th percentile, and the average weight was in the 29th percentile. Seventeen percent of the sample fell below the third percentile and 8% were above the 95th percentile for weight and/or height. Implications: These findings support previous research indicating that toddlers and preschoolers in the foster care system are at high risk for growth and development delays. Early identification and treatment are key to healthy outcomes. Limitations of this study included the small sample size and limited data particularly related to BMI’s. Continued utilization of specialized programs focusing on the assessment and management of the health of this high risk population is needed.

_{Funding provided by the Jody DeMeyer Endowment and the Boise State University Department of Nursing.}

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready ?

Lauren Jones — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of awareness of emergency preparedness recommendations among a convenience sample (n= 107) of participants attending the Boise State University REACH Health Fair. The average age of the participants was 41 years-old, predominately female (63.6%) and were not students (67.3%). The survey was distributed from a booth sponsored by the Idaho Public Health Association designed to provide information on the Get Ready Campaign. The Get Ready Campaign, initiated by the American Public Health Association (APHA), is focused on encouraging people to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Preliminary results indicate that 39% of those surveyed reported that they were “aware” or “very aware” of the supplies and food one should have in their home in the event of an emergency. In addition, 34% reported that their households were “prepared” or “very prepared”in the event of an emergency and 76% indicated that the internet was a major source for information on how to make their household safer. The findings from this survey will be shared with the staff at BSU Health, Wellness and Counseling, members of the Idaho Public Health Association, and the Central District Health Department for use in program planning and implementation related to emergency preparedness.

Testing Thermal Properties of Clothing

Aledia Mermerian — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Information about the thermal properties of clothing is needed to estimate the potential health and safety risks associated with living and working in hot or cold environments. Assessment of these factors has always been difficult and expensive. However, a new system has been developed at BSU that now permits measurement of these parameters accurately and inexpensively. The overall goal of the project was to evaluate the performance of the new system. The investigation consisted of two parts: 1) system calibration, and 2) determining the thermal properties of selected garment combinations. To calibrate the system, the inflatable mannequin was placed in a temperature controlled room where heat input was varied from 0 to 300 watts in 50 watt increments. The input and output air temperatures of the inflatable thermal mannequin were monitored using digital temperature sensors. Several clothing combinations were tested including a “semi-nude” configuration which served as the ”control” for all experiments. The mannequin wore long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a jacket. Whole-body sweating was assessed for both static (standing) and dynamic (running) conditions. System calibration measurements showed a linear relationship for both input and output air over the 300 watt input range. Heat insulation characteristics for the combination of pants, shirt, and jacket showed incremental and proportional increases in body insulation. The measurements of cooling through sweat evaporation showed heat loss exceeding the combined insulation capacity of the clothing. The tests demonstrated that the thermal mannequin system can be used effectively to determine whole body insulation for various clothing systems. The results also suggest that the impact of clothing insulation on whole body heat exchange must be determined for both static and dynamic conditions.

A Statewide Assessment: The Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems Among Detained Juveniles in Idaho

Emily VanNess — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Research in the past several decades has revealed the startling prevalence of mental health and substance abuse problems among individuals in incarcerated populations. In this study, we examined the prevalence rates of mental health and substance abuse problems among detained juveniles. We also assessed gender differences and rates of comorbidity. Data were collected by clinicians from 11 juvenile detention centers throughout Idaho during 2008. Clinicians administered the Alaska Screening Tool (AST) to 2,060 detained juveniles to determine if they met the diagnostic criteria for a mental health and/ or substance abuse problem. More than 68% met the diagnostic criteria for a mental health problem. Girls (at over 76%) were statistically significantly more likely to meet the AST criteria for a mental health problem than were boys (65%). Nearly 55% of all juveniles met the diagnostic criteria for having a substance abuse problem. Comorbid mental health and substance abuse problems were documented in 41% of the juveniles. These findings suggest that mental health and substance abuse problems are highly prevalent among juveniles detained in Idaho; in fact, having at least one of these problems seems to be the norm. This knowledge adds to the current body of research and supports the need for juvenile justice systems to intervene and aid in treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems to prevent future recidivism and related social costs.

Examining the Present Day Use of Traditional Native American Medicine in Tribes of the Northwest

Hailey Wilson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Background: A study done in Brazil investigated the local traditional medicines and found that many were being used in conventional medicines. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) some of the primary concerns regarding traditional Native medicines, including Native American medicines, are retaining the knowledge for future use and the sustainability of the plant resources that are chiefly grown in the wild. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to better understand the uses of traditional medicine in Native American communities, the barriers faced with traditional medicine use, and the issues regarding the preservation of these medicines. Methods: Community-identified Native American traditional medicine users will be interviewed and findings compared.

Conclusion: It will be found how the the practice of traditional use of medicines are passed on to the next generation in the Northwest, as well as challenges faced by those that use traditional medicines. Methods to improve the retention and sustainability of these practices is also expected

Healthy Food Slide Rule Evaluation Project

Chalese Riley et al. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

The purpose of this project was to conduct an evaluation of the Healthy Food Slide Rule and an accompanying lesson plan with children ages 9-12. The Healthy Food Slide Rule is a new educational tool based on the USDA’s My Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Student researchers taught the sample lessons to 40 students at a local elementary school during December 2008 and January 2009. The unique aspect of the Healthy Food Slide rule is children are able to enter their age, gender and activity level and manipulate the slide rule to determine amounts of foods they need from each of the five food groups. To evaluate each lesson, students filled out worksheets and sample menus. Knowledge gains by students were compared by evaluating difference in worksheet data from lesson 1 to lesson 2. Specific foods and activities identified by students on their worksheets was also evaluated in order to provide data for revising information on the slide rule and in the lesson plans. This project was supported by the Idaho Dairy Council and the Idaho Beef Council. _{This study was approved by the Boise State Human Subjects Research and Institutional Review Board #193-09-035.}

Availability of Energy Drinks on a College Campus: A Descriptive Study

Nathan Tenney et al. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:00:00 PDT

Energy drinks have continued to gain popularity since the introduction of Red Bull in 1997 (Boyle, M., Castillo, VD. 2006). In one self-report survey, 51% of college students reported consuming more than one energy drink per month (Malinauskas, B., Aeby, V., Overton, R., Carpenter-Aeby, T., Barber-Heidal, K. 2007). College students use energy drinks for many reasons including as a study aid, to enhance athletic performance, and as a mental stimulant (Bichler 2006; Froiland, Koszewski, Hingst, Kopecky 2004). The growing trend of energy drink consumption by college students prompted the research question: Where are energy drinks sold on the Boise State campus? Five Boise State University Health Science Students were responsible for collecting the surveillance data. Every building on campus was accounted for and a map was created to visually see where energy drinks could be purchased. The results were surprising in the fact that not many buildings had vending machines that sold energy drinks. This study prompted additional questions for future research such as: policies for sale of energy drinks on campus; volume of energy drink sales by location; and changes in energy drink sales over time.