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 2023
Extubation and Weaning: Implementing a Standard Weaning Protocol, Anna T. Wilhaucks; Caleb J. Fresh; Mohamed N. Khalil; Victoria K. Johnson; and Tracy H. McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC
Submissions from 2022
Annual Hepatitis C Screening QI: A Scoping Review, Sadiat Omowunmi Adebiyi BSN, RN; Sakinah Shaw BSN, RN; Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC; and Sharon Little DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
Interventions to Improve Adherence to Recommended Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Adult Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review, Clare Anderson BSN, RN, DNP, FNP; Sarah May BSN, RN, DNP, FNP; and Diana Dedmon DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Reducing 30 Day CHF Readmission Rates: Evaluating Medication Efficacy, Jesse Bebout MSN, RN, CCRN; Brandon May BSN, RN; Tiara Richmond BSN, RN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
A Scoping Review: Trauma Informed Care for Justice Involved Youth to Decrease Recidivism, Tamika Beecham; Marissa Gray; Shelby Husband; and Diana Dedmon DNP, FNP, BC
Prophylactic Administration of Steroids and the Effect on Post-extubation Stridor: A Scoping Review, Chelsey Benson BSN, RN; Karlene Ferraro BSN, RN; and Donna Lynch-Smith DNP, ACNP-BC, APN, NE-BC, CNL
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence: A Scoping Review, Megan E. Billingsley BSN, RN; Tiameria T. Ford BSN, RN; Mikayla E. Vican BSN, RN; and Diana Dedmon DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Evaluation of The Effectiveness of an On-site Referral System to Increase Mammography Screening Compliance: Scoping Review, Piper Black; Elizabeth R. Upchurch; Ravina Patel; and Vicki Chandler DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Long-Acting Antipsychotic Injectables vs. Oral Antipsychotics: Comparing Compliance, Relapse, and Re-Hospitalization Rates, Latoria Boyland BSN, RN; Kara Darretta BSN, RN; Ansley Geno BSN, RN; and Keevia Porter DNP, NP-C, RN
Dexmedetomidine vs. Propofol in Postoperative Delirium Prevention, Jaclyn Burnett RN, SRNA; Montana Betts RN, SRNA; Christhian De Ochoa RN, SRNA; Maciej Chec RN, SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, APRN
Advantages of Early Utilization of Palliative Care in the Pediatric ICU: A Scoping Review, Shelby Noel Cain BSN, RN, CPN; Dana Pabalate Zimmerman MSN, RN; Charis Elizabeth Oji MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC; and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC
The Effect of Certified Diabetic Education on Hemoglobin A1C Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Brooke Chezem BSN, RN; Kathleen Reed BSN, RN; Savannah Barnes BSN, RN; Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP
Using a Food Insecurity Screening Tool in the NICU, Emily Coffman BSN, RN; Fatina Caldwell BS, BSN, RN, CPN, CPEN; MacKenzie Box BSN, RN; Uche Anani MD, FAAP; Christin Fritz MD, MPH; and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Depression Awareness Programs for Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Kincharska N. Freeman MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CNOR and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC
Screening for Social Determinants of Health to Improve Care in Pediatric Patients with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Scoping Review, Emily Gray MSN, FNP-C and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC
Effectiveness of Perioperative Ketamine vs. Opioid Analgesia on Extubation Time and Total Perioperative Opioid Requirement, Robert H. Gray SRNA; Sarah S. Hardesty SRNA; Heidi E. Higginbotham SRNA; Charles A. Hoyt II, SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA
Impact of Ante- and Postnatal Depression Screening in Women with HIV: A Scoping Review, Kimberly M. Grider BSN, RN, PMH-BC; Bao Chau Le BSN, RN; Blessing Okon BSN, RN; and Diana Dedmon DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Pain Management in Postoperative Pediatric Craniotomy Patients: A Scoping Review, Jessica M. Hiltenbrand BSN, RN; Sydney A. Scarbrough BSN, RN; Kaitlyn E. Shirley BSN, RN; and Michelle Rickard DNP, CPNP-AC
Evaluating the Use of Long-Acting Injectables as a Method to Improve Treatment Adherence in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Scoping Review, Britney Michelle Holton MSN, FNP-BC; Patricia Rena Jones-Purdy MSN, CNRN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Sleep Deprivation and Delirium Development in the ICU, Cynthia Howell MSN FNP-BC; Stacy Murillo MSN FNP-BC; Amy Wilson MSN FNP-BC; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC
Dexmedetomidine to Reduce PONV, Amanda Johnson SRNA; Joshua Lawrence SRNA; Staci Martinez SRNA; Taylor Mayberry SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, APRN
Impact of Spontaneous Breathing Trials on Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adult Intubated Patients: A Scoping Review, Jireh R. Johnson BSN, RN; Hamzha Aysheh BSN, RN; Keianna Luckett BSN, RN; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Boarding Barriers for Psychiatric Patients in Emergency Departments, Emmeline B. Martin BSN, RN; Alison Rossano BSN, RN; and Diana Dedmon DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Esmolol Compared to Fentanyl on Hemodynamic Effects: A Scoping Review, Anna McCleskey BSN, RN, SRNA; Landon McDonald MSN, RN, CNL; Tim Moore BSN, RN, SRNA; Jamie Pitcock BSN, RN, SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, APRN
Prevention of Diabetes-Related Hospital Readmission Following Initial Diagnosis of Diabetes in Patients Over the Age of Fifty: A Scoping Review, Nathan Miller DNP, AGACNP, FNP; Jasmine Harris DNP, FNP; Michael Clardy DNP, AGACNP; and Diana Dedmon DNP, ACNP, FNP-BC
Monitoring Adherence to HCV Screening Among the Baby Boomer Population, Sarah Miller BSN, RN; Autumn Spight BSN, RN; Mahogany Freeman BSN, RN; Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP
Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection Prevention with use of Disinfection Caps: A Scoping Review, Marianne E. Person; Jessica Biggs; Elizabeth Ross; and Margaret Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN
Transferring Patients to a Higher Level of Care, Chiquita Rockiemore RN, MSN; Olubunmi Osinloye BSN, RN; Angela Uta BSN, RN; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC
The Impact of Outcomes on Depression Literacy in School-Age Children Who Received Depression Education, Loretta Q. Smith APRN, PNP-BC and Bobby Bellflower DNSc, NNP-BC, FAANP
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Adherence to Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Recommendations: A Scoping Review, Charles W. Stewart CPNP and Diana Dedmon DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Guidelines: A Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Approach, Christopher N. Stoner BSN, RN; Alex R. Priest BSN, RN; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, APRN
Comparing the Effectiveness of Perioperative Ketorolac to Opioids: A Scoping Review, Kruze T. Vanderford BSN, CCRN, SRNA; Abbie E. Walter BSN, CCRN, SRNA; Anastasiya V. Woodard BSN, CCRN, SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA, APRN
Submissions from 2021
Opioid Free Anesthesia to Prevent Post Operative Nausea/Vomiting, Aleksander Acred; Milena Devineni; Lindsey Blake; and Cindi Dabney DNP, CRNA
Medicated-Assisted Treatment and 12-Step Programs: Evaluating the Referral Process, Candace S. Brown, Chudney Williams, Ryan E. Stephens, Jacqueline Sharp, Bobby Bellflower, and Martinus T. Zeeman
Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine for Reduction of Postoperative Delirium in the Elderly: A Scoping Review, Gregory B. Harris BSN, RN, SRNA; Brooke N. Hatchell BSN, RN, SRNA; Davelin D. Woodard BSN, RN, SRNA; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, APRN, CRNA
Impact of Central Line Bundle Care on Reduction of Central Line Associated-Infections: A Scoping Review, Alisha James-Scott MSN, FNP-C; Rachel Savoy MSN, FNP-BC; Donna Lynch-Smith DNP, ACNP-BC, APN, NE-BC, CNL; and Tracy McClinton DNP, AG-ACNP-BC, APN
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Implications in Neostigmine versus Sugammadex, Corey Lee Johnson; Colton Bradley James; Sarah Grace Traughber; Charles Anthony Walker; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, APRN, CRNA
Pain Control: Opioid vs. Nonopioid Analgesia During the Immediate Postoperative Period, Shamsie M. Lumpkin BSN, SRNA; Isaac W. Parrish BSN, SRNA; Austin S. Terrell BSN, SRNA; and Dwayne S. Accardo DNP, APRN, CRNA
Efficacy of Integrating CBT for Mental Health Care into Substance Abuse Treatment in Patients with Comorbid Disorders of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Laura U. Madu, Jacqueline Sharp, and Bobby Bellflower
Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Scoping Review, Liam Maher; Leanne Orians; Gabrielle Pappas; and Lanny Coker DNSC, CRNA
Effectiveness of EHR-Depression Screening Among Adult Diabetics in an Urban Primary Care Clinic, Filipina C. Schnabel MD, MPH, MSN, FNP-BC; Danielle Aldridge MSN, FNP-C; and Laura Reed DNP, FNP-BC
Dexmedetomidine vs Fentanyl in Attenuating the Sympathetic Surge During Endotracheal Intubation: A Scoping Review, Alexandra Schwieger; Kaelee Shrewsbury; Paul Shaver; and Dwayne Accardo DNP, CRNA
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Urinary Incontinence in Elementary School Aged Children, Amanda Jill Travis MSN, FNP-C; Margaret C. Harvey PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, CHFN; and Michelle Rickard DNP, APNP-C
Intraoperative Administration Of An NSAID And An Opioid Vs. An Opioid Alone Effect On Postoperative Ileus Development, Brooke H. Ulsh; Delaney N. Vedros; Rebekah G. Whaley; and Sharon Little DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Submissions from 2020
Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission Frequency, Rates, and HF Classification, Yolanda R. Brown, Twonia M. Goyer, and Margaret C. Harvey
Increasing Nurse Knowledge Using a Formal Lung Transplant Education Program, Amy M. Stoddard, Donna Lynch-Smith, Kate Carlson Wrammert, and Bobby Bellflower