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
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
Enhancing Schizophrenia Treatment Outcomes: Integrating CBT with Medication Therapy to Reduce Hospital Readmission, Kamauri Fleming BSN; Grace Adeniji-Ilesanmi FNP-BC; Zillah Anagho Tah BSN; Alex Cook BSN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, ACNP-BC, CHFN
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
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
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Correlating Gender Disparities, Kara Marr; Megan Janssen; Margaret Payne; and Laura Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Scoping Review of Algorithms for Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Katherine Sabatier and Kate Fouquier CNM, PhD, FACNM
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
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
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
Decreasing Re-Intubation Rates in Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients: A Scoping Review, Anne J. Shearin BSN, RN; Wesley Gray BSN, RN; Philip Habegger MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Evan Gregory BSN, RN; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC; and Donna Lynch-Smith DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, NE-BC, CNL
Food Insecurity Screening of Families in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Katelyn P. Vawter RN, BSN, RNC-NIC; Megan Ortiz RN, BSN; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Evidenced-Based Strategies to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Rates, Tuong Cat Vo BSN-RN; Nada Salloukh BSN-RN; Tatiana Elena Swanson BSN-RN; Xiao Mie Cindy Zhu BSN-RN; and Laura Taylor Reed DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Implementation and Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia Content in Prenatal Education Classes, Jasmine N. Walker BSN; Erin M. Morris BSN; Carrie Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN; and Mary K. Fouquier PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM
Using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) to Decrease Length of Stay: A Scoping Review, Brooke D. Ward BSN, RN, DNP AGACNP Student; Martina Little BSN, RN, DNP AGACNP Student; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AGACNP-BC, APRN
Medication Assisted Therapy and first episode psychosis: Evaluating treatment and readmission rates, Kayla Sherea Williams BSN, RN; Hannah Lee Brenner BSN, RN; Madison Makenzie Yount BSN, RN; and Jacqueline Sharp DNP, APRN, PMHP-BC
Submissions from 2023
Decreasing Postop Delirium with Dexmedetomidine vs Propofol, Isabel Bannister, RN, BSN, SRNA; Abigail Kurtz, RN, BSN, SRNA; Abigail Banko, RN, BSN, SRNA; Reid Blaylock, RN, BSN, SRNA; Tracy McClinton, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, EPB-C ; and Caitlan Bradford, RN, BSN, SRNA
The Utilization of Depression Screening Tools in Patients with Diabetes Type 2, Hanna Book; Kennedy Eldridge; Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN; Artangela Henry DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Sarah L. Carter MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC; Ronald Espinal MD; Toni Whitaker MD; and Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Impact of Opioid-Free Anesthesia Versus Opioid-Based Anesthesia on Time to Extubation: A Scoping Review, Mary K. Connor RN, BSN, SRNA; Dexter Browning RN, BSN, SRNA; Ariel Clark RN, BSN, SRNA; Erica B. Gates RN, BSN, SRNA; Madison T. McCaskill RN, BSN, SRNA; and Dwayne L. Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Barriers to Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Scoping Review, Amy Cooper RN, BSN; Lajerica Bates RN, BSN; Julie Bridges RN, BSN; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
Teach-Back Method to Reduce CHF Readmissions: A Scoping Review, Briyanna Evans BSN, RN; Bre'yocha Dewalt BSN, RN, CCRN; Jessica Mabry BSN, RN; Kailee Garrett BSN, RN; Crystal Stephens BSN, RN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
ICU Delirium: Detection with and without CAM-ICU Screening, Kiara Nicole Felix; Anita Larkin; Kathryn Lynn; Latoya Reed; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC
The Effectiveness of a Ventilator Care Bundle Protocol in Decreasing Incidence of Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia: A Scoping Review, Katherine I. Garrett BSN, RN; Erin Houston Myatt BSN, RN; and Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, EBP-C
Patient Compliance with Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Scoping Review, Peyton Jackson BSN, RN; Brandon Crocker BSN, RN, NE-BC; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Suicide Screening Among Adolescents with a History of Mental or Physical Abuse- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Suicide Screening: A Scoping Review, Tiffany Nicole Jackson BSN, RN; Cody Tyler Cottrell BSN, RN; Allison Tucker McCulley BSN, RN, CEN; and Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Esmolol Compared to Fentanyl for Hemodynamic Attenuation during Intubation: A Scoping Review, Carlie King; Robert Kirby; Mitchell Groome; Cassidy Gubin; Tracy McClinton DNP, APRN, AGACNP, EBP-C; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, FAANA
How Does School-Based Depression Education Effect Depression Scores: A Scoping Review, Hannah Kliewer BSN, RN; Grayson Sheley BSN, RN; and Sally Humphrey DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Hepatitis C Virus Screening Strategies to Improve Early Identification and Treatment: A Scoping Review, Megan Elizabeth Lyons, RN, BSN, CCRN; Thomas Tyler Bennett, RN, BSN, CCRN; Felicia Ann Gray-Hamilton, RN, BSN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Improved Bonding & Maternal Self-Efficacy in the NICU: A Scoping Review, Alexandria Sneed Nauert BSN, RNC-NIC; McKenLeigh N. Hill BSN, RNC-NIC; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP