The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects are evidence-based Quality Improvement (QI) projects that translate current evidence into practice at the patient level and community level. DNP projects are practice-focused and are responsive to the needs of the patient, clinical sites, and community. DNP educated Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are change agents and will provide the highest quality of care by designing, implementing, and evaluating continuous quality improvement!
Submissions from 2025
Social Determinants of Health Screening in the Pediatric Population: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Staff Education, Brenda Awuah; Kansas S. Logan; Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC; and Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Evaluating Referral Rates for Positive Postpartum Depression Screenings at Telehealth and Well-child Visits: A Scoping Review, Rachel Macklin Barber, MPH, BSN, RN; Damaris Amber Brooks, BSN, RN; Ashli-Emeria Gary, BSN, RN; Margaret Harvey, PhD, ACNP-BC, CHFN; and Kate Fouquier PhD, APRN, CNM, PMH-C, FACNM
Sugammadex for Reversal of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents versus Neostigmine - Safety Comparison, Amanda K. Butler; Daniel Belu; Bailey Accardo; Courtney Ayana Bullard; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, HGET-C, EBP-C; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Evaluating the Efficacy of Predischarge Referrals in Preventing Emergency Mental Health Hospital Readmissions: A Scoping Review, Pretia Carpenter BSN, RN; Stephanie Mays BSN, RN; Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN, PMHP-BC; and Sharon H. Little, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
Written Reminders for Mammogram Compliance, Kristine Cholly; Marcus Barksdale; Rachel Gates; Mabel Olaya; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Effectiveness of the Use of an Opt-out Script to Increase HIV Screening in Adolescent Clients in Pediatric Primary Care Clinics in West Tennessee: A Scoping Review, Julie Cupples MSN, RN; Allison Johnson MS, BSN, RN; and Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Implementation of a Food Insecurity Screening Tool in Identifying Risk Amongst NICU Families, Jessica Daniels BSN, RN; Sahtiah Williams BSN, RN; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Assessing the Efficacy of the CAM-ICU Scale in Reducing Length of Stay in the ICU: A Scoping Review, James Ray Davis MPH, BSN, RN and Donna Lynch-Smith DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, NE-BC, CNL
Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct to Local Anesthetics in Neuraxial Anesthesia: A Scoping Review, Meaghan Elrod; Jacob Flake; Sarah Eggers; Kieraney Coston; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Smoking Cessation Education in Caregivers of Pediatric Patients Hospitalized with Asthma Exacerbation, Maya Emptage; Kaitlynn Lineberry; Suzanne Kayali; Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP; and Michelle Rickard DNP, PNPAC-BC
Enhancing Schizophrenia Treatment Outcomes: Integrating CBT with Medication Therapy to Reduce Hospital Readmission, Kamauri Fleming MSN, RN; Grace Adeniji-Ilesanmi FNP-BC; Zillah Anagho Tah FNP-C; Alex Cook MSN, RN; Margaret Harvey PhD, ACNP-BC, CHFN; Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; and Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Using EHR Reminders to Control Hypertension, Umme Kulsoom Ghous; Logan McCulley; Danielle C. Hall; Linda Katherine Lambert; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Social Determinants of Health Screening – Evaluating Its Influence on Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in the Pediatric Population: A Scoping Review, Lindsay Gibson; Victoria Hutchison; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, EBP-C; and Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Pulmonary Embolism Response Team in Acute Care Settings: A scoping Review of the Evidence, Tia Glover BSN, RN; Leslie Asplund BSN, RN; and Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, HGET-C, EBP-C
Assessing the Efficacy of Remimazolam vs. Midazolam in Short-Duration Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Procedures and How They Affect Patient Recovery Time: A Scoping Review, Kelsey Gray, BSN, RN, CCRN; Shannon Guthrie, BSN, RN; Ana Grace Holder, BSN, RN; Will Howard, BSN, RN; Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Impact and Effectiveness of PHQ-9 Training for School Counselors on Mental Health Referrals for High School Students, Sherikee Dorice Grim BSN, RN; Ja’Quay Brister DNP, PMHNP-BC; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP, CHFN, FHRS
GAD-7 Screening in Middle School Students: Evaluating the Effectiveness on Referral Rate Scoping Review, Bailey Hall; Cara Dennis; Kayla Drennen-Ferguson; Pamela B. Taylor; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Central-line dressing protocols: The effectiveness of a standardized dressing change protocol in reducing central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in critically ill patients requiring central lines, Cody Jones; Melissa Marino; Ryan McFarland; Asia White; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, HGET-C, EBP-C; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN, FHRS
Ultrasound-Guided Epidural Placement vs. Conventional Technique - Evaluating Effectiveness: A Scoping Review, Skylar R. Kuehn, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC; Jacob B. Morphis, BSN, RN; Sarah D. Price, BSN, RN; Katherine E. Pritchard, MSN, RN; Jordan Isaac DNP, CRNA; Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; and Tracy McClinton
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Correlating Gender Disparities, Kara Marr; Megan Janssen; Margaret Payne; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Assessing The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Adjunct to Oxytocin in Reducing Blood Loss During Cesarean Deliveries: A Scoping Review, Hilary Clair Ray BSN, RN; Shelbie Freeman Hendrix BSN, RN; Lauren Elizabeth Hubbard BSN, RN; Helen Maisen Conley BSN, RN; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CCRN, FAANA
The Impact of the Utilization of Shared Decision-Making Tools in Contraceptive Counseling on Patient Satisfaction in Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Akaninyene Ruffin MSN,FNP-C; Judith Tunney BSN, RN; Mary Katherine Fouquier PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC
Scoping Review of Algorithms for Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Katherine Sabatier and Kate Fouquier CNM, PhD, FACNM
Evaluating the Efficacy of Discharge Education on Readmission Rates in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review, Camden Shaw BSN, RN, CPN; Ashely St. Julien BSN, RN; Claire Avant BSN, RN; and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC, CHPPN
The Effectiveness of GAD-7 Screening in High School Students, Tamara L. Smith; Allison Darnell; Margaret Harvey, PhD, ACNP-BC, CHFN; and Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN, PMHP-BC
Postpartum Depression Screening at First Year Well-Child Visits: Evaluating the Rate of Maternal PPD Detection, Chidera A. Speight, BSN, RN; Katherine Scarbrough, BSN, RN; Camille Jones, BSN, RN; and Laura Reed, DNP FNP-C
Efficacy of Aprepitant and Ondansetron in Managing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Perioperative Obese Patients, Jada Stewart; Reagan Revon; Samantha Castellaw; Ashlee Roberts; Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA; Bobby Belflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
Decreasing Extubation Times Using Adaptive Support Ventilation: A Scoping Review, Daphne Thomas; Cole Vest; Luke Wilson; Shannon Witcher; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Impact of CDE Referral on A1C Control in Adult Type 2 DM Patients., Alivia Watts BSN, RN; Yesica Sanchez BSN, RN; Morgan Hilliard BSN, RN; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
Evaluation of Depression Screening Tools for Utilization in Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Helen Whitaker BSN, RN; Jade Bray BSN, RN; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, HGET-C, EBP-C; Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN, PMHP-BC; and Sharon Little DNP, FNP-BC
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Non-Pharmacological Sleep Bundle for the Prevention of Delirium in Geriatric Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review, Morgan Wilkins BSN, RN; Vanessa D'Amico BSN, RN; Alyssa Goyda BSN, RN; Seema Janga BSN, RN; Kaylin Story BSN, RN; and Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs): A Scoping Review, Christina Willis BSN, RN; Nia Wells BSN, RN; Miranda Smith BSN, RN; and Kate Fouquier CNM, PhD, FACNM
Submissions from 2024
Evaluating the Efficacy of Universal Depression Screenings in the High School Setting, Telisha Anthony MSN, FNP-BC; Jennifer Thorsen BSN, RN; Jackie Sharp DNP, PMHNP-BC; and Sharon Little DNP, FNP-BC
Medicinal Treatment versus Dialysis in End Stage Renal Disease Patients with Perioperative Hyperkalemia: A Scoping Review, Haley Bishop, BSN, RN; Hannah White, BSN, RN; Matthew Wilhaucks, BSN, RN; Ashton Weaver, BSN, RN; Christin Simpson, BSN, RN; and Margaret Harvey, PhD, ACNP-BC, CHFN
The Effectiveness of Dexmedetomidine in the Reduction of Postoperative Delirium in Patients Over 65: A Scoping Review, Jacqueline Renee Breuer; Michael G. Callonas; Kathleen Chmelicek; Laura Elizabeth Denman; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Depression Screening in Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescent 12-18 Year Olds, Mykyla Coleman BSN,RN; Chelsea Conlee BSN,RN; Carol Gracia MSN, APRN, FNP-BC; Emily Jennewine MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC; and Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Effect of Certified Diabetes Clinical Education Specialists on Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, Rachel Faller; Tracy Gregory; Michelle Jones; Peyton Barnett; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
The Impact of Patient and Provider Education on Statin Therapy Initiation and Adherence in Type II Diabetics, Jane Harlan BSN-RN; Lindsey Jacobsen BSN-RN; Emily Easterly BSN-RN; Mitch King BSN-RN; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Comparing the Effects of the Induction of Anesthesia with Etomidate to the Induction of Anesthesia with Midazolam on the Incidence of In-Hospital Mortality: A Scoping Review, Madison Hayes BSN, RN; Ashley Lynch BSN, RN; Scott Jamison BSN, RN; Mary Joiner BSN, RN; Gray Seymour BSN, RN; Dwayne Accardo DNP, APRN, CRNA; and Tracy McClinton, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, EPB-C
LAI Antipsychotics vs. Oral Antipsychotics: Treatment adherence, Relapses, and Readmissions, Natalie N. Lewis BSN, RN; Mallory F. Johnson BSN, RN-BC; Tyler N. Halle-Todd BSN, RN; Natalie N. Ragland BSN, RN; Sharon H. Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; and Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN,PMHNP-BC
Police Versus Non-Police Response to 988 Crisis Calls, Miriam A. Maloney-Mattheisen BSN, RN; Latrina N. Blakemore MSN, FNP-BC; Janelle M. Scullark MSN, FNP-C; Jacqueline Sharp DNP, PMHNP-BC; Sharon Little DNP, FNP-BC; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Referral to In-Person Smoking Cessation Counseling as a Smoking Cessation Aid, Annie Mandrell BSN, RN; Matthew Keathley BSN, RN; Lewis Linden BSN, RN; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Pharmacologic Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage in an Urban Hospital, Jessica Summer Martin BSN, RN; Alison Brubaker Doyle BSN, RN; Lacey Camille Ballard BSN, RN; Stephanie Marie Maupin BSN, RN; and Kate Fouquier PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM
Procedural Oxygen Mask Use for Inpatient Bariatric Endoscopy: A Scoping Review, Makinlee Meadows; Marion Millette; Brittany Morgan; Lauren Pegrim; William Collier Phillips; Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC, APRN
Strategies to Reduce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Incidence in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Critical Care Patients: A Scoping Review, Morgan A. Moore BSN, RN; Kianna Cherry BSN, RN; Mallory Crenshaw BSN, RN; Rachel Kincy BSN, RN; Christen N. Parnell BSN, RN; and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC
Utilization of Depression Screening in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, John T. Norris BSN, RN, DNP-PMHNP Student; Robin Gordon BSN, RN, DNP-PMHNP Student; Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN-BC, ACNP, CHFN; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Adherence to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: A Scoping Review, Barrett S. Patel, MS, BSN, RN; Emily A. Gentry, BSN, RN; Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Pharmacological Interventions Alone Versus Lifestyle Modifications for Reduction in Atrial Fibrillation, Cody Alan Pike MSN, ENP-C, FNP-C, CEN, CFRN, CTRN and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
The Effectiveness of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct in Spinal Anesthesia for Pain Relief in Cesarean Patients: A Scoping Review, Tyler Polanco BSN, RN; William Riley BSN, RN; Michelle Russell BSN, RN; Christina Samson BSN, RN; Bria Sharp BSN, RN; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CCRNA, FAANA
Evaluating the Effectiveness of SGLT2i or GLP1RA vs. Sulfonylurea Initiation After Hospital Admission for Congestive Heart Failure and Type II Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review, Alyssa Ptacek BSN, RN; Amber Majors BSN, RN; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC; and Carrie Harvey PhD, APRN-BC, ACNP, CHFN