Skip to main content

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post Masters MSN to DNP degree is a practice-focused doctorate designed for expert advanced practice nurses and nurse executives. This is a collection of dissertations written by Otterbein University DNP students.

Most theses and dissertations completed after 2014 are included in Digital Commons @ Otterbein. Search the Library catalog to locate theses and dissertations completed prior to 2014.

Note to Otterbein Alumni: If you completed a thesis or dissertation as part of your graduate coursework at Otterbein University and would like us to add it to Digital Commons @ Otterbein, please email library@otterbein.edu.

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2026 2026

Proposed Evidence-Based Practice Consideration: The Use of Remimazolam Tosilate Instead of Propofol for Endoscopic Procedures Under Monitored Anesthesia Care in the Elderly Population, Tayler Lynn Detwiler

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for the Risk Stratification and Anesthetic Management of Geriatric Surgery Patients at High Risk for Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery, Patrick M. Garvey

The Use of Video Laryngoscopy In Pregnant Women Undergoing Non-Obstetric Surgery, Samantha Gastaldo

Practice Considerations for Perioperative Ondansetron Use in Parturients Undergoing Cesarean Sections with Spinal Anesthesia, Mackenzie Glaros

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Intraoperative Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring, Noah Graham

Hypothermia Prevention in Major Trauma Patients, Alaina Hostetler

Implementation of Evidenced Based Practice Guidelines for Reducing Emergence Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing a Total Hip Replacement, Luke D. Kleinfelder

Proposed Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for Using Esmolol to Blunt the Sympathetic Stress Response to Laryngoscopy and Intubation, Maya Kurdi

Enhancing the Diversity and Number of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: A Proposed Pipeline Program for Underrepresented Students, Alexis Lamoreaux

Evidenced-Based Practice Guideline Development: The Addition of Adjunctive Dexmedetomidine in Brachial Plexus Blocks for Upper Arthroscopic Surgery, Mylene Louail

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Postspinal Hypotension in Pregnant Women, Grace Mackey

Integrating the Transversus Abdominis Plane Block into an ERAS Protocol for Bariatric Surgery Patients, Jordan Neibarger

Dexmedetomidine and the Prevention of Emergence Agitation in Military Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Taylor P. Ranegar

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Lung Protective Ventilation in Adult Patients Undergoing Abdominal Laparoscopic Surgery, Marco A. Spada

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2025 2025

Final Scholarly Project: Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Blood Glucose Levels in the Cardiac Surgery Patient, Chelsey Benner

A Proposal: Gap Analysis on Novice Advanced Practice Provider Role Transition within the Inpatient Setting, Erin Cornelius

Final Scholarly Project: Development and Initial Validation of an Evidence-Based Guideline for Presurgical Medication Hold Times, Alyscia DeFrancisco

Clinical Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Patients with Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery, Owen Diehl

Enhancing Nurse Competency: Proper Application of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Dressings to Prevent Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections, Joseph Earich

Diabetes Self-Management Education for Older Adults in Primary Care, Makilah Rae Furlan

Evidence-Based Practice Consideration for Perioperative Use of Mepivacaine in Total Knee Arthroplasty, Courtney E. Haley

Using the Bispectral Index Monitor to Decrease the Incidence of Unintended Intraoperative Awareness in the High-Risk Population, Bridget Hayes

An Educational Intervention: Knowledge Acquisition of Perimenopausal Mental Health Symptoms and Treatment Options for Women Aged 35 Years Plus, Allison M. Hopps

Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Incorporating Paravertebral Blockade for Thoracic Surgery Adult Patients, India Hutchison

Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Blocking Drug Reversal in Patients Classified as Obese, Trevor Mack

Implementation Guidelines for Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty to Reduce the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Subsequent Pulmonary Embolism, Mitchell McCorkle

Final Scholarly Project: The Development of Perioperative Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Patients Using Kratom, David McHenry

Development of Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Utilizing Erector Spinae Plane Blockade for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery, Gabrielle Metoyer

Guideline Development and Implementation for Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, Lauren Moad

Implementation of Guidelines for Preprocedural Ultrasound in Neuraxial Placement for Obstetric Patients with Scoliosis, Luther Nyirenda

Patient Satisfaction with Telehealth to Access Psychiatric Health Services in Rural Outpatient Psychiatric Health Settings: A Project Proposal, CHIMEZIE C. ONUCHUKWU

Final Scholarly Project: The Administration of Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Patients Undergoing Anesthesia for Open Ventral Hernia Repairs, Brennon Pinion

Use of an Evidence-Based Practice Model When Implementing an Evidence-Based Practice Change, Gretchen M. Roberts MSN, RN, NE-BC

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Perioperative Insulin Pump Usage and Glycemic Control During the Perioperative Period, Duane Robinson

Development of Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Preoperative Anxiety, Whitney R. Stant

Development of an Evidence Based Orientation Model for the Newly Graduated Nurse, Sandra L. Takach

Guidelines for Intraoperative Use of Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring, Alex Thompson

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Perioperative Use of Dexmedetomidine in Pediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Kayla Thomsen

Enhancing Postoperative Care for Vascular Patients: Pre- and Post-test Clinical Knowledge Acquisition of Early Mobilization Education for Interventional Healthcare Providers, Jennifer Wenger

A Multicomponent Quality Improvement Initiative for the Early Identification, Prevention, and Management of Delirium in the Medical-Surgical Setting, Sarah K. West

Final Scholarly Project: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Guidelines for Pancreaticoduodenectomies, Rebecca Wheeler

Enhancing Advanced Practice Nursing: Implementing a Simulation-Based Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Program, Brandy Younge, John Chovan, Bonnie Fagan, and Joy Shoemaker

Proposed Final Scholarly Project: Pediatric Provider Attitudes and Clinical Practices for Physical Activity Interventions in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Andrea Zanders

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2024 2024

Educating Nurses on Frequent Oral Care for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal, Grace Alford, Susan Butz, Ruth Chavez, and Joy Shoemaker

Educating Nurses on Frequent Oral Care for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal, Grace Alford, Susan Butz, Ruth Chavez, and Joy Shoemaker

Educating Nurses on Frequent Oral Care for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal, Grace Alford, Susan Butz, Ruth Chavez, and Joy Shoemaker

Preprocedural Ultrasound for Labor Neuraxial Anesthesia: Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations, Nicholas Anderson

Assessing Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitude Toward Virtual Care and Telehealth Among Graduate Nursing Students, Natasha Asante

Evidence-Based Strategy to Improve Delirium Detection in Elderly Postsurgical Patients, Aimee Baker

Implementation and Evaluation of a Structured Mentorship Program, Cary Bedinghaus and Caroline Hillman

Development of Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Patients at Risk of Emergence Delirium, Christina Bensley

General Anesthesia Clinical Practice Guidelines for Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bradley Closson

Final Scholarly Project: Optimal Perioperative Analgesic Management Guidelines for Elective Hip Arthroplasty in Adults, MaKyah Dittoe

Evidence-based Recommendations for the Use of Neostigmine Versus Sugammadex in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery, Ostap Dvorakevych

Evidence-based Recommendations for the Use of Neostigmine Versus Sugammadex in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery, Ostap Dvorakevych

Development of Evidence-Based Practice Anesthesia Guidelines for Brain-Dead Organ Donors, Kelly Dzialowski

Music for Anxiolysis in Primigravida Undergoing Cesarean Delivery Under Neuraxial Anesthesia, Jonathan Garcia

Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations for the use of a Cardiac Optimization Algorithm in Patients Undergoing a Whipple Procedure, Jarrod Genther

Final Scholarly Project: Implementation Guidelines of Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia in Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients, Matthew Hall

Final Scholarly Project: Development of Evidenced-Based Practice Guidelines for Female Patients Undergoing Anesthesia for Breast Cancer Surgery, Alexa High

Routine Evaluation with Gastric Ultrasound to Reduce Gastric Aspiration (REGURGA), Joel Jackson

Final Scholarly Project: Clinical Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Requiring Anesthesia, Jessica Kayla Joos

Viscoelastic Monitoring in Major Hepatic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Randy Kinietz

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines: Anesthesia for Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty, Amanda Kleinfelder

Guidelines for the Optimal Assessment of Airway to Predict Difficult Intubation, Morgan Kleinfelder

Recommending an ERAS Guideline for Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty, Kahl Knapke

An Evidence-Based Strategy for the Use of Simulation to Assess Situation Awareness in Applicants to Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Angela Lee

Enhancing SRNA Confidence: Integrating Simulation-Based CRM Training with Didactic Education to Improve Intraoperative Recognition, Communication, and Management of Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest, Melissa Lee

Enhancing SRNA Confidence: Simulation-Based CRM Training for the Management of Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest, Melissa Lee

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Aaron McNeilan

Development of an Evidence-Based CRNA Preceptor Training Program, Emmanuel Mensah

Development and Implementation of an Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related to the Management of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Incorporation of Mindfulness Application Use in Doctoral Nurse Anesthesia Curricula for Mitigation of Stress and Anxiety in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Kerrie Rodgers

Development of a ROTEM-guided Transfusion Algorithm in Cardiothoracic Surgery Patients, Kourtney Jane Snyder

Evidence Based Practice Guidelines for the Pediatric Autistic Spectrum Disorder Population, Calvin Sparks

Guidelines for Non-Anesthesia Providers Performing Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Airway Assessment in the Emergency Room, Shannen Steinbrunner

Evaluating Nurses’ Turnover Intention and Organizational Commitment Following Stroke Unit Staffing Changes: An Evidence-based Quality Initiative, Heather Tatusko

Evaluating Nurses’ Turnover Intention and Organizational Commitment Following Stroke Unit Staffing Changes: An Evidence-based Quality Initiative, Heather M. Tatusko Phiri

Development of Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Perioperative Multimodal Analgesia during Spine Surgery, JONATHAN WAGNER

Development of Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention of Peripheral Neurological Injury During Robotic-assisted Prostatectomies for Patients in the Steep Trendelenburg Position, Tyler Wolpert

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2023 2023

Guidelines for Performing Caudal Blocks in Pediatric Sub-Umbilical Surgeries, Rachael Allen

Development of Guidelines for Early Implementation of Regional Anesthesia in United States Personnel with Peripheral Injuries, Matthew Baker

Standardized Handoffs For Anesthesia Students, Shawn Barkalow and Noah Prebish

Breastfeeding After Maternal Anesthesia: A Guideline Development, Megan Berens

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Testing Strategies, Carla Bonczak

Pectoralis Nerve Block Compared to Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block in the Mastectomy Patient: Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations, Eric Boyer

Early vs Late Referrals to Nephrology and its Effect on Patient Outcomes in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients Who Are on Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) a Retrospective Chart Review, Tricia Brown

Implementation of Evidence Based Practices to Reduce Postoperative Sore Throat, Anthony Brusadin

Implementation of Evidence Based Practices to Reduce Postoperative Sore Throat, Anthony Brusadin

Activated Clotting Times and Rebleed Rates in Pediatric Patients Post Cardiac Catheterization: A Pilot Project Proposal, Stacey Carey

Development and Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Guideline Regarding Cricoid Pressure, William Carson II

Development and Implementation of an Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion Training Program for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nicholas Colangelo and Zachary Wise

Inadequacies in Nutritional Counseling in the Perinatal Population, Tiffany Fry

Use and Evaluation of a New Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program, Brandi Herman

Communication Assessment Tools for Emergency Department Nurses who Interact with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Holly Hunt

No-Show Rates in Community Mental Health Clinics, Teresa Jordan

Implementation of a Diabetes Education Program in the Correctional Setting: A Project Proposal, Raymond Lengel

Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for the Optimal Assessment of the Airway in Predicting Difficult Intubation, Meredith Louden

A Systematic Record Review of a Local Quality Improvement Impacts on Anesthesia Provider Knowledge and Attitudes Following a Presentation of Current Evidence-Based Practices Involving Intrathecal Mepivacaine Use in Total Joint Arthroplasty Surgical Patients, Kevin McClellan

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Prevention of Inadvertent Hypothermia in Total Joint Arthroplasty, Courtney Morris