Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Welcome to TRACE the University of Tennessee College of Nursing Graduate Programs repository for works related to DNP student scholarship. Students who wish to submit to the repository should click here.
All submissions will be reviewed by UTK Nursing Trace administrators prior to acceptance. If revisions are required the administrators will return the submission back to the applicant for revision. Questions should be directed to Nursing TRACE administrators Dr. Tracy Brewer (tbrewer12@utk.edu) or Dr. Melissa Hessock (mhessock@utk.edu).
Submissions from 2024
Effects of a Compassion Fatigue Workshop on Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses, Johnnie Elizabeth Bower BSN and Mary Johnson DNP
Thermoregulation in Colorectal Patients: Heating CO2 Insufflation Gas, Alejandro Conde, Alieu Jawara, Laura Savage, James Alberding DNP, and Michael Godbold
Initiating Culturally-Directed Education for Hispanic Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Marie Davis, Jennifer Smith, and Mandy Horner
Evidence-Based Practice Education for Nurses Caring for Oncology Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Quality improvement Project., Natalie N. Ellis and Pamela Hardesty
Reducing COPD Readmissions through the Implementation of a Guideline-Based Clinical Pathway: An Evidence-Based Practice Improvement Project, Hannah F. Hall, Allyson Neal, and Samantha Bauer
How Soon Is Too Soon? A Quality Improvement Approach to Postoperative Length of Stay Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, David Brian Jones, Robin Harris, Paul N. Fiorilli MD, and Allyson Neal
Optimizing a Clostridium difficile Screen for Intensive Care Unit Admissions, Mary Katherine V. Natour and Jennifer Smith
Antibiotic Stewardship in Patients with Viral Upper Respiratory Illness: Improving Quality Measures in Retail Health, Meredith A. Nolan, Robin Harris, and Clay Smith
Reminder/Recall System to Address Decreased Pediatric Immunization Rates: A Quality Improvement Project, Elizabeth Sowell, Katherine Newnam, and Cathy Strysniewicz
Improving Outcomes for Persons with Opioid Use Disorder by Introducing Buprenorphine in the Emergency Department, Emily Caroline Wegenka, Mary Johnson, and Thomas Vajen
Submissions from 2023
Initiating a Skin-Care Bundle in the Emergency Department to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Geriatric Patients, Suzanne Babcock and Pamela Hardesty
Pediatric Vaccine Pain Management & Perceptions of Caregivers and Nursing Staff: An Evidence-Based Project, Madison K. Bears and Tami H. Wyatt
Implementation of Provider-Completed Asthma Action Plans in a School Setting, Madison G. Branham and Amanda Harper
Non-Opioid Pain Relief: Use of Vitamin D in Central Appalachia, Christina Brown, Karen Lasater, and Teresa Tyson
Improving Oncofertility Discussions and Referrals: Implementation of a Formal Fertility Preservation Program, Mackenzie Danielle Browning and Melissa Marie Hessock
Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Access as a First-Line Approach by Nurses: A Quality Improvement Project, James Austin Burkhart, Pamela Hardesty, and Melissa McDonald
Educational Intervention on Pediatric Concussions for Providers, Melissa Callaway and Robert Cornette
Reducing Hopelessness in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Educational Intervention, Kara R. Callear and Pamela Hardesty
How Nurses Perceive Their Task Load when Caring for Behavioral Mental Health Patients in the Pediatric Emergency Department, Emily Cameron and Robert Cornette
The Practice Environment for Nurse Anesthetists in Tennessee, Taylor Cathey, Jessica Hobbs, Matthew Owen, Alexis Varney, James Alberding, and Tausha Alexander
Implementation of Standardized Contraceptive Education to Improve LARC Initiation in Postpartum Individuals, Gracie E Clayton, Melissa M. Hessock, and Amanda Flood
Identifying Risk and Improving Outcomes: Application of the GAD-7 Screening Tool Used Among Patients with Chronic Pain in an Outpatient Setting, Connor J. Cochran
Implementation of Standardized Handoff Report in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Christie Faye Cox, Godsy Raju, Alyssa Garcia, Nicole Odom, and Jennifer Patrick
Implementation of a Single-Patient-Use Airway Taping Product in the Operating Room, Savannah Sierra Nicole Craig, Kaitlin D. Burrell, and Jennifer Patrick
Mindfulness-Based Educational Module for Nurses Caring for Pediatric Mental Health Patients, Brianna Mai Desjardins and Katherine Marie Newnam
Implementation of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Protocol for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Post-Carceral Populations, Adaora Ede and Mary Johnson
Improving Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Rates through Age-Based Flagging, Savannah Jo Garcia and Karen Lasater
Effectiveness of an Evidenced-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Adolescents in a School Setting, Sarah Ellen Gray, Kimberly Michaela Carter, and Amanda Harper
Quality Improvement Project to Improve Patients' Satisfaction of Care with Implementation of a Standardized Telephone Communications Pathway, Brandie Haga, Nicole Dunford, and Karen Lasater
Identifying Patients at Risk for Perinatal Anxiety: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Madeline Merrill Hanford and Mary Johnson
Implementation of Standardized Patient Education to Improve Adherence with Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Melissa Leal Hearn, Melissa M. Hessock, and Tara L. Hahn
Implementation of a Home-Based Walking Program to Address Cancer-Related Fatigue, Mary Catherine Hyatt, Karen Lasater, and Michelle Payne
Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening in Pediatric Trauma Patients, Samantha Irizarry, Marian Malone, and Megan Waddell
Implementing a Pressure Ulcer Bundle, Amy D. Johnson, Pamela Hardesty, Janice Zimmer, and Patricia Moore
Diabetes Management in Preoperative Hospitalized Patients: Improving Quality Measures on an Orthopedic Trauma and Surgical Unit, Caroline G. Kinkaid, Allyson Neal, and Marci Burchfield
Sleep Hygiene Interventions for Hospitalized Pediatric Patients, Courtland E. Kunz and Marian Malone
Instituting an Educational Module to Improve Knowledge of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity Among Anesthesia Providers, Alisha Marie Linehan, Chad Andrew McClure, Steven Taylor Moon, Shukhratilla Ibragimov Shamshitdinov, Julie Newton Bonom, and Jason Michael Buehler
Using Mobile Apps to Improve Medication Adherence in Patients with Hypertension, Elliot Loughran and Jewyl Gibson
Addressing Adolescent Sexual Health Through an Educational Toolkit for Providers in Rural Alaska, Anna M. Martin, Tracy L. Brewer, and Hannah E. Warren
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Guideline to Improve Vital Sign Assessment and Documentation in the Emergency Department, Mary Darden Mason, Jennifer Lynn Smith, and Laura Sturla
Decreasing Perioperative Medication Errors with Standardized Labeling Education, Stephanie McCain, Emily Almond, Anna Wong, and Julie Bonom
Implementation of School-Based Wellness Program for Adolescents in Rural East Tennessee, Taylor Kaitlyn Medlin, Marian Malone, and Chelsea Burrell-Weddle
Reducing Occupational Stress and Improving Coping Strategies among Nursing Home Nurses: Implementation of the BREATHE web-based program., Nicole N. Nde and Allyson Neal
Implementation of a Continuing Education Module on Triage Practices for Pediatric Emergency Room Nurses, Catherine Nicholson, Lindsey Lakas, and Marian Malone
Reducing Iatrogenic Opiate Withdrawal in the PICU: An Evidence-based Practice Improvement Project, Kaitlin Kirk Ogle, Marian Malone, and Will Guider
The Effect of Focused Client Education on Case Management & Readmission Rates in Homeless Individuals with Co-occurring Disorders Admitted to a Jail Diversion Program, Pallavi Rao and Mary Johnson
Decreasing Blood Culture Contamination Rates in the Emergency Department, Morgan L. Ray, Allyson Neal, and Lori Joyal
Psychosocial Consequences of Diagnosed Malignant Melanoma, Savanna Eve Smallwood-Corcoran, Mary Johnson, and Lindsay Frazier
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Diabetic Screening Tool in Rural Belizean Communities, Morgan Lee Taylor and Annelyse Caffrey
Implementing the Eat, Sleep, Console Approach for Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Ashlyn Brooke Vecrumba, Mary Elizabeth Ritter, Erin Morgan, Pamela Hardesty, Stephanie Abbu, Lauren Presley, and Jessica Darnell
Assessing Preinjury Frailty in the Elderly Hip Fracture Patient to Promote Palliative Care Referral in Those at Risk for High Morbidity and Mortality, Alicia N. Walker, Jewyl Gibson, and Sara Dunham
Evaluation of Registered Nurses’ Knowledge and Confidence in Encouraging Cardiac Surgery Patients to Participate in Digital Education, Katelin A. Welch and Jewyl Gibson
Submissions from 2022
Implementing a Frequent Neonatal Resuscitation Program Educational Refresher Course to Improve Nursing Knowledge, Sadie Arbuthnot and Katherine Newnam
Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening Among Adults in an Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Erika Y. Bales, Allyson Neal, and Brittany McGill
Computer-Based Learning for Opioid Use Disorder, Jordan Taylor Bentz and April Snell
Anesthesia-to-Post Anesthesia Care Unit Handoff Standardization, Cassie Lee Bivens, Mark Timothy Cresap, Steven Michael Halcomb, and Maureen Essie Taylor
Increasing Nurse Awareness of a Breastfeeding and Substance Use Disorder Guideline to Improve Rates of Breast Milk and Skin to Skin Usage: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Makenna R. Black, Alexandria L. Tasket, Megan L. Young, and Tracy L. Brewer
Utilization of a Drug Use Screening Assessment: A Quantitative Study to Reduce Benzodiazepines in Inpatient Detoxification, Malerie Lazar Bolinsky, Mary Johnson, and Sarah Devault
The Effects of Bundle Adherence on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Quality Improvement Project, Sara Borges, Tracy L. Brewer, and Donita Beard
Balancing Mobility & Fall Prevention: Implementation of the Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool, An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Corey A. Byrge
Implementation of the Brøset Violence Checklist for Adult Psychiatric Patients, Brandy R. Cauthen, Jude Campbell, Brittany McGill, Allyson Neal, Stephan Haaquist, and Courtney Glissen
Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevention Using Mentoring Program, Kylie Chapman
Increasing Advance Directive Rates in Primary Care: Implementation of a Redesigned Form, Abbie Cheatham and Samereh Abdoli
Reducing the Stigma of Nurses in Recovery: Substance Use Disorder and Alternative-to-Discipline Program Education for Nurses, Daniel Paul Del Toro and Pamela Hardesty
The Implementation of an Evidence-Based Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Children, Mollie Katherine Dowland
Innovating Cultural Competence Education for Nurses, Darian A. Frieson, Jennifer Patrick, Walker Ray Corless, Abigail Taylor Coulthard, and Rebecca R. Fogerty
Weight Management in a Rural Community: Creative Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes, Joelle Torres Giron and Karen Lasater
Overcoming Barriers to Implement Depression Screening Post-Stroke, Cameron Haeseker, Erin Morgan, and Eric Wilson
Effect of Implementing Admission History Optimization on Perceived Nurse Documentation Burden, Chelsea Smith Hardin and Mary Johnson
Cancer Risk Assessment: Implementation of a Standardized Tool to Identify Women at Risk for Hereditary Cancer Syndrome, Gillian Harris and Karen Lasater
Improving Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates in Adolescents: A Quality Improvement Project, Keylea Marenda Harrison, Allyson Neal, and Katie Ingram-Willard
High-fidelity Simulation with Debriefing: Best Practice Education for Flight Nurses?, Rachel A. Hollinger-Janzen, Dr. Katherine Newnam, and Nick Cooper
Education of Staff Nurses on the Implementation of a Standardized Clinical Care Pathway for Patients Who Undergo Correction of Pectus Excavatum, Amber Jones, Tracy Brewer, and Sally McQuilkin
Implementing a Structured Walking Program for PreK through 8th Grade Teachers, Caitlin M. Kile, Robin Harris, and Robin Bowden
Improving Patient Outcomes One Warm Patient at a Time, Lindsey King, Marcus Austin Robison, Julie Bonom DNP, and Michael Godbold MD
Reducing Burnout in Nursing: Implementation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention, Melanie Holland King, Katherine Newnam, and Mandy Gay
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Drug Screening Tool for Inpatient Behavioral Health Admissions, Kurtis J. Kress
Implementation of Standardized Coronavirus Disease 2019 Risk Assessment to Guide Personal Protective Equipment Wear in the Perioperative Setting, Kayla A. Krueger, Erin Morgan, and Melissa M. Hessock
Effects of Preceptor Clinical Reasoning Training on Preparedness, Whitney Leigh Leon, Pamela Hardesty, Amanda Makely, and Erin Morgan
Feasibility of a Mindfulness Education Module for Nurses: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Executive Summary, Emily Looper, Palmer Gleason, and Dr. Katherine Newnam
Evidenced-Based Practice Improvement Project: Anesthesia Preoperative Testing Protocol, Brittany Dawn Luebben, Brittany Beaver Caudle, and Katherine Marie Cole
Perioperative Medication Teaching Protocol: An Evidence-Based Project in a Perioperative Surgical Home, Lucy S. Magda, Jacob Sandefur, Cortlin P. Hartness, and Caroline L. Gettelfinger
Promoting Nurse Well-Being during a Global Pandemic through the Community Resiliency Model, Sherissa Manganello
Social Determinants of Health Screening in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients, Lauren Mault and Allyson Neal
Educating Healthcare Professionals to Identify and Care for Victims of Human Trafficking, Kathleen L. Messman
Improving Patient Health Literacy: Implementation of Health Literacy Tool & Hematology Oncology Patient Education Checklist, Ala'a Samih Mitoubsi
The Development of Evidence-Based Practice Mentors through a Competency-Based Educational Program: A Leadership Perspective, Laura C. Moore, Tracy L. Brewer, Pamela Hardesty, and Diana Burdick
Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Administration Effects on Postoperative Pain Scores and Opioid Medication Requirements: Pain Management Expectations Among CRNAs, Dorilynn Nicol, Melissa Gheen, and Matthew Bodine
Implementation of an Educational Guide to Improve ICU Delirium Awareness and Detection, Samantha Payne and Samereh Abdoli
Coping with Congenital Heart Disease: Implementation of an Evidence-Based Intervention in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Victoria M. Raphael, Tracy L. Brewer, and Sherry Pye
Pressure Injury Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project Utilizing Incontinence Care Education, Laura Renner
Advancing the Care Continuum for the Homeless: A Shelter-based Care Coordination Project Focused on Mental Health, Alexandra H. Sain, Allyson Neal Dr, and Deborah Nichols Mrs.
Decreasing Pain in Pediatric Patients During Intravenous Catheter Insertions on the Pediatric Inpatient Surgery Unit, Breonna Scott, Robert Cornette, and Tammy Childers
Quality Improvement: Education and Implementation of Proper Narcotic Handling Practices by Nurse Anesthetists, Shelby Stevenson, Anne Hendershott, and Alexis Asprah
Pediatric Palliative Care Training to Advance Nurses’ Knowledge and Increase Patient Referrals, Whitney Lynn Stone, Lisa Merritt, and Tammy Childers
Educating School Nurses to Improve Bowel Continence in Children with Spina Bifida, McKinley J. Waugh, Tracy L. Brewer, and Lisa Wagoner
Delirium Screening to Prevent Falls in the Long-term Care Setting, Jonathan David White, BSN, RN and Samereh Abdoli, PHD, RN
The Periviable Infant: The Implementation of a Standardized Perinatal/Neonatal Outpatient Consultation Program, Janna Wright
Educational Intervention to Increase Confidence and Knowledge of Pediatric Nurses Caring for Pediatric Mental Health Patients, Alexa M. Wroblewski, Allyson Neal, and Janie R. Holmes
Screening For Maternal Postpartum Depression In The Pediatric Primary Care Setting: An Educational Project, Mischelle M. Young, Dr. Robert Cornette, and Dr. Lisa Padgett