Nursing students' capstones present clinical research

Penn College nursing students presented their capstone projects on Tuesday, researching a variety of health conditions they saw while completing clinical education experiences in area hospitals, and exploring ways to improve a process they witnessed.

The 23 students – all preparing to complete their bachelor’s degrees after final exams next week – are enrolled in three courses that, in tandem, resulted in their capstone projects: Adult Health Nursing III, taught by Pamela W. Baker, associate professor of nursing (with labs co-taught at clinical sites by Baker and nursing instructors Gina L. Bross, Jessica A. Confer and Steve C. Sofopoulos); Leadership & Management in Nursing, taught by Donnamarie Lovestrand, assistant professor of nursing; and Research & Theory in Clinical Practice, taught by Barbie D. Harbaugh, assistant professor of nursing.

As the nursing industry – like others – seeks continuous improvement, the research, leadership and presentation skills practiced will be vital in the students’ work.

Four student groups addressed:

Research: Preventing Skin Breakdown Using Wedges vs. Pillows in Intubated Intensive Care Unit Patients
Process improvement: Improve communication and team building by instituting shift huddles
Students: Monica I. Boone, of South Williamsport; Hesakya Hoover, of Williamsport; Shelby Pyatt, of Frenchtown, N.J.; Miranda Schneider, of Williamsport; Kaelynn N. Sheetz, of Elizabethtown; and Allison M. Troup, of Huntingdon.

 

Research: Liver Transplants with Healthy Liver vs. Liver with a Comorbidity
Process improvement: Provide more education to nurses regarding organ donation
Students: Felicia J. Baney, of Mill Hall; Maria Berardelli, of Montoursville; Jenna Hickok, of Williamsport; Nina Miller, of Pottsville; Austin J. Spotts, of Dalmatia; and Megan S. Twigg, of Montgomery.
 

Research: Urinary Tract Infection Risk Assessment of Foley Catheters vs. External Catheters: A comparison
Process improvement: Standardize the method for cleaning Foley catheters and provide consistent training to nurses
Students: Madison C. Branstetter, of Tyrone; Kendra L. Rager, of Williamsport; Vanessa Reddick, of Sligo; Lisa Sever, of Montoursville; Aubrey Stetts, of Jersey Shore; and Madison S. Wells, of Muncy Valley.
 

Research: Decreasing Alarm Fatigue in the ICU Setting (The alarms are those on monitoring equipment, such as ventilators and cardiac monitors.)
Process improvement: Improve response time to reduce the stress of nurses and improve patient outcomes. 
Students: Dana P. Clements, of Cleona; Sadie V. Kerstetter, of Loganton; Ashlyn R. Leo, of Benton; Katharine M. Noss, of Shickshinny; and Krysta Windnagle, of Addison, N.Y.