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.

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Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2026

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

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

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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, DNP, Nursing

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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, DNP, Nursing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Hypothermia Prevention in Major Trauma Patients, Alaina Hostetler, DNP, Nursing

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Guidelines for Intraoperative Use of Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring, Alex Thompson, DNP, Nursing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2024

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

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

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

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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, DNP, Nursing

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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, DNP, Nursing

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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, DNP, Nursing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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, DNP, Nursing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doctoral Scholarly Projects from 2023

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

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

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

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

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Inadequacies in Nutritional Counseling in the Perinatal Population, Tiffany Fry, , Nursing

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Standardized Handoffs For Anesthesia Students, Shawn Barkalow and Noah Prebish, DNP, Nursing

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Breastfeeding After Maternal Anesthesia: A Guideline Development, Megan Berens, DNP, Nursing

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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, DNP, Nursing

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

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

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

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Analysis of current practices in prehospital congestive heart failure care and protocol development to prevent readmission., Ayushma Neupane, DNP, Nursing

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Increasing Awareness, Understanding, and Support for Healthcare Second Victims through the Creation and Distribution of an Infographic for Leaders and Executives, Theresa Reed, DNP, Nursing

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The Effectiveness of Targeted Education on Improving Nurses’ Self-Efficacy in Caring for Psychiatric Patients on Medical Surgical Units, Rachel Shirey, DNP, Nursing

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Ohio Forensic Nurse Examiners: Readiness to Care for Victims of Sexual Assault with Disability, Deanna Nicole Smith, DNP, Nursing

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

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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, DNP, Nursing

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Examining the Need for Change by Describing the Attitudes and Perceptions of Team Communications Related to Patient Care and Safety Among Ambulatory Clinic Healthcare Staff, Peter Seivers, DNP, Nursing

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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Testing Strategies, Carla Bonczak, DNP, Nursing

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