Building on their specialty practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates design new models of care; use evidence to improve practice; evaluate outcomes; identify and manage the health care needs of individuals, communities, and populations; and use technology and information systems to improve health outcomes.
Guided by faculty mentors, DNP candidates enrich and deepen their specialty practice by engaging in transformative educational activities. Through experiential learning, self-assessment and reflection, community engagement, interprofessional relationships, and scientific inquiry, nurses emerge as leaders, transforming their practice and health care in self-identified areas of concern and influence.
The program culminates in a doctoral project that reflects a synthesis of the knowledge and skills gained throughout the candidate’s educational experience.
DNP Projects from 2021
Discharge Process Optimization, Erin M. O’Neal
Physical Well-being and Healthy Lifestyle Options, Michael Perkins
IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO KEEPING APPOINTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH, Shontel Ray
Lung-Protective Ventilation Across the Lifespan: Implementation of an Intraoperative Protocol for Adults and Pediatrics, Megan Reynolds and Rachel Riddle
Improving Management of Mineral Bone Disease in Dialysis Patients with End Stage Renal Disease, Kara K Roth and Melanie Johnson
Virtual Cadaver Dissection Prior to Clinical Experiences in Nurse Anesthesia, Hannah Ruholl and Kyle Smith
Mental Health Resources for the Pediatric and Adolescent Populations in the Rural Setting, Devon Shafer, Kyle Aldridge, and Amy Lilly
Evaluation of High Fidelity Simulation Debriefing Methods for Nurse Anesthesia Students, Zachary Standefer and Alex Davie
Mindfulness and Meditation to Reduce Test and Evaluation Anxiety in Doctoral Nurse Anesthesia Students, Jenna L. Tebbenkamp
Implementation of a Risk Assessment Tool to Increase Screening for Extragenital Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in Men Who Have Sex with Men, Andrew P. Tharp
Evaluating Unexpected Outcomes with a Change in Practice, Justin Trexler
Opioid Screening in the Primary Care Setting, Melissa Welge and Shelby Jones
Pediatric Concussion Clinic: A Needs Assessment, Carrie West
Diabetic Education in an Uninsured Patient Population, Amanda Whistler
Improving Access to Reproductive Life Planning Following Implementation of One Key Question® in Practice, Ashley Wittler
Utilization of Telephone Outreach and Telemedicine to Improve Diabetic Outcomes, Nicolas Yemm
DNP Projects from 2020
Tranexamic Acid Use, Jennifer Aumann
A Difficult Vascular Access Algorithm Using Intraosseous Devices in the Elective Pediatric Surgical Population, Cory R. Austin
Optimizing Data Accessibility to Impact BCMA Compliance, Lucy A. Bischof and Margott Montesinos
Cultural Competency Training for U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) Brigade Medical Teams, Jacob Blount
Improving Outcomes for Patients with OSA Receiving Anesthesia, Natalie Bram
Development of an Emergency Preparedness Protocol in an Office Setting, Amanda Burgesen
Implementing Quality into Practice: Nurse Driven Protocol to Reduce Unnecessary Telemetry Use, Richard Clapp
Implementation of Crisis Checklist for Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) in the Parturient Patient, Annelise Contino
Implementation of Supplemental Oral Anticoagulant Education to Promote Medication Adherence, BLAKE CORY
Steep Trendelenburg Associated Postoperative Vision Loss Prevention Education, Mitchell Coval
Increasing the Completion of Advance Directives in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Primary Care Setting, Cynthia Davis
Safe Sleep Modeling in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Barbara Garrison
Improving Emotional Intelligence Skills in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Kathryn M. Gratza
Improving Health Insurance Literacy Within Our Community Through the Use of Local Libraries, Bonnie Gregg and Jenny Lieu
Fascia Iliaca Blocks for the Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Emergency Department, Megan Hahn
Computer Based Learning Module: Neuraxial and Peripheral Nerve Blocks, ALTAN HALICI
Trauma Informed Care: Paving the Way to Better Patient Outcomes, Sarah Halsey and Amy L. Armstrong
Improving Nurse Resilience, Brandon Hedgspeth
Implementation of a Depression and Domestic Violence Screening Protocol in an Internal Medicine Setting, Laurie Hopper
Impact of a Standardized Neurologic Exam on Diagnosis of and Referral Pattern for Neurologic Disorder in Pediatric Toe Walking, Allison Hotze
A Pilot of Prenatal Transitional Care Services in the Urgent Care Setting, Alexandra Huddleston, Gloria Pryzgoda, and Tiffany Hazel
Healthy Jacksonville, Erica Hunt and Alison Fornoff
Dedicated Preceptors Improve Nurse Residency, Anne Hustad
Pain Control Options for the Parturient: Pamphlet Development for Patient Education, Alyssa R. Jimerson
Implementation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in a Midwest Primary Care Clinic, Amanda Lee
Development and Implementation of an Orthopedic Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol, Beth McCoy
CRNA to CVICU RN: Implementation of a Standardized Patient Handoff Checklist for Post-Surgical Heart Patients, Ashley McGrath
The Development of a Pain Medication Management Protocol, Kirstie McGrath, Jane M. Brown, and Shannon D. Walle
Opioid Free Anesthesia, Sarah Medina
Preoperative Assessment of Patients in an Enhanced Recovery Program, Edward Mitzelfelt
DNP Project: Improving No-Show Rates in Primary Care, Mai-Linh T. Nguyen and Sarah M. Kuzara
Addressing Hypertension Health Literacy in Black Individuals who English is their Second Language, Uche Olateru
Reducing Emergence Delirium in Combat Veterans Through the Development of a Decision-Tree Utilizing Ketamine and Precedex, Joseph Oldani and Russell Arendt
Development and Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Screening Tool for Orthopedic Patients, Katie O'Rourke
Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in veterans with coexisting psychiatric symptoms, Zenith Perpignani
Discharge Opioid Guidelines for the Postpartum Woman, Chelsea Marie Pierce
CVD Screening Protocol for History of Hypertension in Pregnancy, Wendy E. Rodgers, Marissa P. Mahan, and Jamie Y. Welty
Preventing Substance Use Disorder in Anesthesia Providers, Tyson Rogers
Patient Assessment and Provider Education Regarding Antibiotic Use in the Treatment of Viral URIs in the Urgent Care Setting, Ashlee Schoby and Candra D. Hulskotter
Developing and Implementing Guidelines for Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Clayton Shick
Investigation and Evaluation of SRNA Barriers to IANA Engagement, Brittany Smith
Improving the Process of Making Preoperative Home-Medication Recommendations, Andrew Standefer
Laryngotracheal Stenosis, Kelsey Stuckey
Developing the PEDIS Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Tool, Steven Sumpter
Managing, Mitigating and Minimizing Patient Violence in the Emergency Department, Denise Thompson
Development of a Propofol Administration Protocol for Soy or Egg-Allergic Patients, Kayla Tisza
Diabetes Management, Christina Varady
Efforts to Improve Breast Cancer Screening in a Rural Primary Care Clinic, Michelle Voudrie and Simi Dhillon
Perioperative Advanced Directives, Derek Washer
Improving Perioperative Anxiety and Pain: Development of a Music Therapy Protocol, Rhyz Wilson
Hepatitis C Screening Protocol in a Rural Primary Care Setting, Katie C. Wollerman and Mackenzie M. Bowers
Sharp Safety and Supply Containment in Procedural Areas, Ariel Wright
DNP Projects from 2019
Integration of Mental Heath Screening Protocol in Primary Care for Patients Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events, Karra N. Adams
Implementing Routine HIV Testing and Prevention in a Primary Care Setting, Michelle Bassett
Enhancing IANA Member Communication & Engagement, Bart Bowers
Improving Allergy Immunotherapy Adherence, Amy Branham
Utilizing Simulation to Implement Cognitive Aids in The Operating Room, Kaitlyn Brown
Physical Activity Group on an Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Patricia Brown
The Implementation of a Behavioral Intervention Program in Obese Elderly Patients, Zandra Brown
Managing Chronic Back Pain in a Rural Primary Care Setting, Cassandra Chambers and Kaitlin E. Behnken
Utilizing Team-Based Care to Improve Rural Cardiovascular Care, Amanda Clouser, Kastin Engeling, and Kris Rhodes
Ethical Considerations in Short Term Global Health Experiences, Sheri Compton-McBride
Introducing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Colorectal Procedures: Development of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol, Vincent Compton
Improving Acute Pain Management: Development of an Adult Dexmedetomidine Infusion Protocol, Timothy Denney
Implementation of a Medication Near-Miss Reporting System, Jamie Deubel
Depression Screening in the Primary Care Setting, Colleen Dostal and Stephanie Boerding
Implementation of Crisis Checklists in the Operating Room, Gregory S. Feilner
Increasing Utilization and Awareness of an Existing Patient Portal Application, Amanda Graham and Jessica L. Schnebly
Implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol in a Critical Access Hospital, Joseph Grazaitis
Implementation of Emergency Severity Index Training to Improve Accuracy of Triage Levels, Erinn Hileman and Douglas McKain
Implementation of a High-Fidelity Simulation Day for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists: Program Development and Evaluation Project, Abby Klaus and Carly Rambo
Improving Acute Pain Management for Pediatric Patients: Development of a Ketamine Infusion Protocol, Oksana Koeppen
Mindfulness-based stress reduction activities via smartphone in advanced practice providers: A pilot quality improvement project to reduce perceived stress, burnout, and intent to leave, Cynthia L. Larsen-Bednarchik
Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Treatment, Dani Loftus, Emily Machens, and Crista Jamous
Transition of Care from Pediatrics to Adult Health Care, Heather Mahsman and Holly J. Henderson
Clinical Guideline Based Interventions to Increase Smoking Cessation Success in Primary Care, Chloe Marth
Heart Failure Knowledge among CNAs in a Skilled Nursing Facility: A Pilot Project, Amanda McDannald
Development and Evaluation of a Malignant Hyperthermia Computer Based Learning Project, Andrew Miller
Hand-off Tool Implementation in Post-Anesthesia Care, Benjamin Nash