ObjectivesTo examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural b... more ObjectivesTo examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural beliefs before and after completing a 1-year Masters of Science in Nursing program. MethodsAn exploratory study was conducted among Chinese nurses studying abroad in a private medium-sized university in the United States. The 27-item electronic pre-survey was administered within 1 week of starting the program and the post-survey was administered 1 year later at the completion of the program. ResultsMajority of participants (n = 25) were female, 23–36 years of age. Findings revealed that the perceived impact of international educational experiences assessed at the start of the program was similar to the perceived impact measured at the end of the 1-year program, suggesting that the students learned and experienced what they anticipated. There was a significant impact on cultural beliefs from the start of the program compared with the end of the program suggesting that a 1-year study abroad...
Background and objective: Studying abroad to expand professional development is growing worldwide... more Background and objective: Studying abroad to expand professional development is growing worldwide with nurses traveling to different countries to expand their knowledge and skills. The impact a study abroad experience has on one’s professional role and personal life upon return is an important area of study. Depending on the individual and the level of support from hospital leadership, academic institutions and family, the experience could have a positive or negative impact on their professional role and personal life when returning to their home country. The objective of this study was to understand how a one-year study abroad experience impacted 1) Chinese nurses’ clinical practice, 2) their professional role, and 3) their personal life 6 months after returning home.Methods: A 10-item 6-month post entry electronic survey using Likert scale (1 = very weak to 7 very strong) and open-ended questions was developed. 29 Chinese nurses were invited to complete the survey via email invita...
Obesity is recognized as a national and global health epidemic. Commercial truck drivers (CTDs) h... more Obesity is recognized as a national and global health epidemic. Commercial truck drivers (CTDs) have a higher obesity rate and lower life expectancy compared with the general population. CTDs work sedentary jobs with long hours that pose barriers to healthy eating and regular exercise. An evidenced-based practice (EBP) change project that used motivational interviewing (MI) and education regarding diet and exercise over a 4-week period was found to have a positive impact on CTDs behavior. Results revealed an increase in aggregated self-efficacy for weight loss (14.8%, exceeding the benchmark of 11%). For aggregated body mass index (BMI), CTDs lost a mean of 0.65 kg/m2, over a 4-week period which was statistically significant at p = .0001. The results suggest a short-term MI intervention can be effective when implemented as a clinical standard for CTDs.
A case study was conducted to explore the experiences of Chinese nurses when completing a graduat... more A case study was conducted to explore the experiences of Chinese nurses when completing a graduate nursing degree taught in English (as a second language) in the United States over a one-year period. The study explored language, academic, and social challenges perceived by the students, strategies used to overcome challenges, and academic support services designed to help students succeed in their studies. Survey data were collected at three different points in time, and three interviews were conducted with each participant. The study identified participants’ difficulty with academic writing, mixed experiences with speaking, moderate to high levels of strategy use, and appreciation of the support services offered. The study offered implications for improvements in pedagogies and programming for international students.
Introduction: Does age, level of education, or years of experience influence nurses' ability to u... more Introduction: Does age, level of education, or years of experience influence nurses' ability to use the Internet safely? As visionary nurse leaders, one has a responsibility to support nurses' level of e-Professionalism and use of the Internet to extend virtual services to patients and the community. Numerous articles caution nurses on the legal, ethical, and moral concerns in using the Internet, but few studies research nurses' use of the Internet based on age, years of experience, and level of education. Objective: To explore nurses' use of the Internet and social media. Methods: Nurses were invited to complete an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved 51 questions electronic survey. Results: Nurses shared information regarding use of the Internet. Statistically, significant findings were noted based on one's age, educational level, and years of experience. Conclusions: Nurse leaders need to assess and educate nurses in using social media for personal and professional needs in order to enhance the delivery of virtual services.
A clinical randomized study (posttest design) was conducted to examine whether patient-centered c... more A clinical randomized study (posttest design) was conducted to examine whether patient-centered care (PCC) impacts patient satisfaction, perception of nursing care, and quality of care. Differences were seen in 2 of 3 subscales within the Baker and Taylor Measurement Scale. The PCC group rated satisfaction (P = .04) and quality of services (P = .03) higher than controls. PCC may impact patients' perception of the level of satisfaction and quality of care received.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2009
Human computer interaction (HCI) equates nurses using voice assisted technology within a clinical... more Human computer interaction (HCI) equates nurses using voice assisted technology within a clinical setting to document patient care real time, retrieve patient information from care plans, and complete routine tasks. This is a reality currently utilized by clinicians today in acute and long term care settings. Voice assisted documentation provides hands & eyes free accurate documentation while enabling effective communication and task management. The speech technology increases the accuracy of documentation, while interfacing directly into the electronic health record (EHR). Using technology consisting of a light weight headset and small fist size wireless computer, verbal responses to easy to follow cues are converted into a database systems allowing staff to obtain individualized care status reports on demand. To further assist staff in their daily process, this innovative technology allows staff to send and receive pages as needed. This paper will discuss how leading edge and awar...
Nurses' use of the Internet and social media has surfaced as a critical concern requiring fur... more Nurses' use of the Internet and social media has surfaced as a critical concern requiring further exploration and consideration by all health care organizations and nursing associations. In an attempt to support this need, the American Nurses Association (2011) published six principles of social networking that offered guidance and direction for nurses. In addition, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2011) published a nurse's guide to using social media. Surfing the Internet and using social media for professional and personal needs is extremely common among nurses. What is concerning is when nurses do not separate their professional and personal presence in the virtual world. This article presents an Institutional Review Board-approved pilot survey that explored nurses' use of social media personally and professionally and offers recommendations specifically directed to the occupational health nurse.
Commercial motor vehicle driving is a hazardous occupation, having the third highest fatality rat... more Commercial motor vehicle driving is a hazardous occupation, having the third highest fatality rate among common U.S. jobs. Among the estimated 14 million U.S. commercial motor vehicle drivers, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is reported to be 17% to 28%. Despite the identified increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among commercial motor vehicle drivers, federal law does not require that they be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. This article presents an evidence-based practice change project; the authors developed, implemented, and evaluated a screening program to identify commercial motor vehicle drivers' risk for obstructive sleep apnea during commercial driver medical examinations. The results of this practice change indicated screening for obstructive sleep apnea during the commercial driver medical examination led to improved identification of obstructive sleep apnea risk among commercial motor vehicle drivers and should be a clinical standard in occu...
Journal of healthcare information management : JHIM, 2009
Clinical decision support tools are important components of the electronic health record and can ... more Clinical decision support tools are important components of the electronic health record and can directly improve patient care outcomes and the performance of healthcare organizations. These tools can be used within order sets, electronic alerts, reference materials that are readily available, reports related to patient data, as well as clinical guidelines that were developed by regulatory agencies The development and use of CDS tools at the point of care offers clinicians the ability to analyze and work with patient data in real-time while making critical decisions. In the future, CDS tools will be important when changes in financial reimbursement related to patient care outcomes become the primary focus for many insurance-related organizations. This financial shift will have a tremendous impact on healthcare organizations bottom line. This article presents outcome data resulting from the implementation of several electronic CDS tools within a community hospital where all physician...
The ABNF journal : official journal of the Association of Black Nursing Faculty in Higher Education, Inc, 2010
In 1860, Florence Nightingale, published "Notes on Nursing" that provided the foundatio... more In 1860, Florence Nightingale, published "Notes on Nursing" that provided the foundation for many curricula. Today, nursing education is available through many diverse settings and methodologies. One of the most evolving methods is through distant education (DE). Evidence demonstrates that the demand for DE is increasing across the United States for students enrolling in DE classes to meet their personal life style. In addition, the data reveal that more colleges and universities are offering additional courses through DE. Today, the Net Generation excels in the technological world with skills that are easily adaptable to any form of technological device or approach. Students desire teaching learning methods that appeal to their cyber senses. Nursing faculty need to think outside of the box regarding what type of learning environment students prefer. Key concepts presented center on faculty leadership, communication, organizational, collaborating and problem solving skills...
The growth of online education has created a challenge to academic institutions, faculty, and pro... more The growth of online education has created a challenge to academic institutions, faculty, and professional honor societies with the desire to capture those students who excel in their field and retain institutional affiliation from a distance. A private university nursing program decided to meet this challenge by creating a virtual Nursing Honor Society (vNHS) for academically superior students from their RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP online programs. The process began with a task force of faculty members to develop an infrastructure that would support a student organization within a larger university academic system. This article presents the pre-planning process, the website design, the process of conducting virtual induction ceremonies, and committee structure for virtual events that established the vNHS. Challenges and lessons learned are presented to promote replication in other academic institutions that offer online programming. The vNHS has been beneficial for students and the larger University.
Since the beginning of time, communication has revolutionized our lives and molded our future. In... more Since the beginning of time, communication has revolutionized our lives and molded our future. Individuals have always possessed a natural desire to bridge the gaps between each other to communicate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. From prehistory to the twenty-first century, the human race has used its voice to convey thoughts, to inspire, and to imagine. With each passing generation, speech has facilitated the transmission of information and knowledge. Experiences passed on through speech have become increasingly sophisticated over time, allowing humans to adapt to new environments with greater speed and ease.
The current academic environment is growing exponentially due to online learning. As such, it is ... more The current academic environment is growing exponentially due to online learning. As such, it is important to include outstanding online learners in honor societies for recognition of their academic excellence. Recognizing this need coupled with having no honor society, nursing faculty from a small private university in Southwestern Pennsylvania created a virtual Nursing Honor Society to distinguish their online nursing students' scholarly achievements. Discipline specific honor societies offer an opportunity for students and alumni to maintain a connection to the academic institution, fellow classmates, and alumni for professional networking and continuing education that has not been readily available to programs that provide education to online students. As such, technological strategies for planning and website development are offered to assist other institutions in creating virtual honor societies acknowledging their online learners scholarly achievements.
ObjectivesTo examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural b... more ObjectivesTo examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural beliefs before and after completing a 1-year Masters of Science in Nursing program. MethodsAn exploratory study was conducted among Chinese nurses studying abroad in a private medium-sized university in the United States. The 27-item electronic pre-survey was administered within 1 week of starting the program and the post-survey was administered 1 year later at the completion of the program. ResultsMajority of participants (n = 25) were female, 23–36 years of age. Findings revealed that the perceived impact of international educational experiences assessed at the start of the program was similar to the perceived impact measured at the end of the 1-year program, suggesting that the students learned and experienced what they anticipated. There was a significant impact on cultural beliefs from the start of the program compared with the end of the program suggesting that a 1-year study abroad...
Background and objective: Studying abroad to expand professional development is growing worldwide... more Background and objective: Studying abroad to expand professional development is growing worldwide with nurses traveling to different countries to expand their knowledge and skills. The impact a study abroad experience has on one’s professional role and personal life upon return is an important area of study. Depending on the individual and the level of support from hospital leadership, academic institutions and family, the experience could have a positive or negative impact on their professional role and personal life when returning to their home country. The objective of this study was to understand how a one-year study abroad experience impacted 1) Chinese nurses’ clinical practice, 2) their professional role, and 3) their personal life 6 months after returning home.Methods: A 10-item 6-month post entry electronic survey using Likert scale (1 = very weak to 7 very strong) and open-ended questions was developed. 29 Chinese nurses were invited to complete the survey via email invita...
Obesity is recognized as a national and global health epidemic. Commercial truck drivers (CTDs) h... more Obesity is recognized as a national and global health epidemic. Commercial truck drivers (CTDs) have a higher obesity rate and lower life expectancy compared with the general population. CTDs work sedentary jobs with long hours that pose barriers to healthy eating and regular exercise. An evidenced-based practice (EBP) change project that used motivational interviewing (MI) and education regarding diet and exercise over a 4-week period was found to have a positive impact on CTDs behavior. Results revealed an increase in aggregated self-efficacy for weight loss (14.8%, exceeding the benchmark of 11%). For aggregated body mass index (BMI), CTDs lost a mean of 0.65 kg/m2, over a 4-week period which was statistically significant at p = .0001. The results suggest a short-term MI intervention can be effective when implemented as a clinical standard for CTDs.
A case study was conducted to explore the experiences of Chinese nurses when completing a graduat... more A case study was conducted to explore the experiences of Chinese nurses when completing a graduate nursing degree taught in English (as a second language) in the United States over a one-year period. The study explored language, academic, and social challenges perceived by the students, strategies used to overcome challenges, and academic support services designed to help students succeed in their studies. Survey data were collected at three different points in time, and three interviews were conducted with each participant. The study identified participants’ difficulty with academic writing, mixed experiences with speaking, moderate to high levels of strategy use, and appreciation of the support services offered. The study offered implications for improvements in pedagogies and programming for international students.
Introduction: Does age, level of education, or years of experience influence nurses' ability to u... more Introduction: Does age, level of education, or years of experience influence nurses' ability to use the Internet safely? As visionary nurse leaders, one has a responsibility to support nurses' level of e-Professionalism and use of the Internet to extend virtual services to patients and the community. Numerous articles caution nurses on the legal, ethical, and moral concerns in using the Internet, but few studies research nurses' use of the Internet based on age, years of experience, and level of education. Objective: To explore nurses' use of the Internet and social media. Methods: Nurses were invited to complete an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved 51 questions electronic survey. Results: Nurses shared information regarding use of the Internet. Statistically, significant findings were noted based on one's age, educational level, and years of experience. Conclusions: Nurse leaders need to assess and educate nurses in using social media for personal and professional needs in order to enhance the delivery of virtual services.
A clinical randomized study (posttest design) was conducted to examine whether patient-centered c... more A clinical randomized study (posttest design) was conducted to examine whether patient-centered care (PCC) impacts patient satisfaction, perception of nursing care, and quality of care. Differences were seen in 2 of 3 subscales within the Baker and Taylor Measurement Scale. The PCC group rated satisfaction (P = .04) and quality of services (P = .03) higher than controls. PCC may impact patients' perception of the level of satisfaction and quality of care received.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2009
Human computer interaction (HCI) equates nurses using voice assisted technology within a clinical... more Human computer interaction (HCI) equates nurses using voice assisted technology within a clinical setting to document patient care real time, retrieve patient information from care plans, and complete routine tasks. This is a reality currently utilized by clinicians today in acute and long term care settings. Voice assisted documentation provides hands & eyes free accurate documentation while enabling effective communication and task management. The speech technology increases the accuracy of documentation, while interfacing directly into the electronic health record (EHR). Using technology consisting of a light weight headset and small fist size wireless computer, verbal responses to easy to follow cues are converted into a database systems allowing staff to obtain individualized care status reports on demand. To further assist staff in their daily process, this innovative technology allows staff to send and receive pages as needed. This paper will discuss how leading edge and awar...
Nurses' use of the Internet and social media has surfaced as a critical concern requiring fur... more Nurses' use of the Internet and social media has surfaced as a critical concern requiring further exploration and consideration by all health care organizations and nursing associations. In an attempt to support this need, the American Nurses Association (2011) published six principles of social networking that offered guidance and direction for nurses. In addition, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2011) published a nurse's guide to using social media. Surfing the Internet and using social media for professional and personal needs is extremely common among nurses. What is concerning is when nurses do not separate their professional and personal presence in the virtual world. This article presents an Institutional Review Board-approved pilot survey that explored nurses' use of social media personally and professionally and offers recommendations specifically directed to the occupational health nurse.
Commercial motor vehicle driving is a hazardous occupation, having the third highest fatality rat... more Commercial motor vehicle driving is a hazardous occupation, having the third highest fatality rate among common U.S. jobs. Among the estimated 14 million U.S. commercial motor vehicle drivers, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is reported to be 17% to 28%. Despite the identified increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among commercial motor vehicle drivers, federal law does not require that they be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. This article presents an evidence-based practice change project; the authors developed, implemented, and evaluated a screening program to identify commercial motor vehicle drivers' risk for obstructive sleep apnea during commercial driver medical examinations. The results of this practice change indicated screening for obstructive sleep apnea during the commercial driver medical examination led to improved identification of obstructive sleep apnea risk among commercial motor vehicle drivers and should be a clinical standard in occu...
Journal of healthcare information management : JHIM, 2009
Clinical decision support tools are important components of the electronic health record and can ... more Clinical decision support tools are important components of the electronic health record and can directly improve patient care outcomes and the performance of healthcare organizations. These tools can be used within order sets, electronic alerts, reference materials that are readily available, reports related to patient data, as well as clinical guidelines that were developed by regulatory agencies The development and use of CDS tools at the point of care offers clinicians the ability to analyze and work with patient data in real-time while making critical decisions. In the future, CDS tools will be important when changes in financial reimbursement related to patient care outcomes become the primary focus for many insurance-related organizations. This financial shift will have a tremendous impact on healthcare organizations bottom line. This article presents outcome data resulting from the implementation of several electronic CDS tools within a community hospital where all physician...
The ABNF journal : official journal of the Association of Black Nursing Faculty in Higher Education, Inc, 2010
In 1860, Florence Nightingale, published "Notes on Nursing" that provided the foundatio... more In 1860, Florence Nightingale, published "Notes on Nursing" that provided the foundation for many curricula. Today, nursing education is available through many diverse settings and methodologies. One of the most evolving methods is through distant education (DE). Evidence demonstrates that the demand for DE is increasing across the United States for students enrolling in DE classes to meet their personal life style. In addition, the data reveal that more colleges and universities are offering additional courses through DE. Today, the Net Generation excels in the technological world with skills that are easily adaptable to any form of technological device or approach. Students desire teaching learning methods that appeal to their cyber senses. Nursing faculty need to think outside of the box regarding what type of learning environment students prefer. Key concepts presented center on faculty leadership, communication, organizational, collaborating and problem solving skills...
The growth of online education has created a challenge to academic institutions, faculty, and pro... more The growth of online education has created a challenge to academic institutions, faculty, and professional honor societies with the desire to capture those students who excel in their field and retain institutional affiliation from a distance. A private university nursing program decided to meet this challenge by creating a virtual Nursing Honor Society (vNHS) for academically superior students from their RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP online programs. The process began with a task force of faculty members to develop an infrastructure that would support a student organization within a larger university academic system. This article presents the pre-planning process, the website design, the process of conducting virtual induction ceremonies, and committee structure for virtual events that established the vNHS. Challenges and lessons learned are presented to promote replication in other academic institutions that offer online programming. The vNHS has been beneficial for students and the larger University.
Since the beginning of time, communication has revolutionized our lives and molded our future. In... more Since the beginning of time, communication has revolutionized our lives and molded our future. Individuals have always possessed a natural desire to bridge the gaps between each other to communicate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. From prehistory to the twenty-first century, the human race has used its voice to convey thoughts, to inspire, and to imagine. With each passing generation, speech has facilitated the transmission of information and knowledge. Experiences passed on through speech have become increasingly sophisticated over time, allowing humans to adapt to new environments with greater speed and ease.
The current academic environment is growing exponentially due to online learning. As such, it is ... more The current academic environment is growing exponentially due to online learning. As such, it is important to include outstanding online learners in honor societies for recognition of their academic excellence. Recognizing this need coupled with having no honor society, nursing faculty from a small private university in Southwestern Pennsylvania created a virtual Nursing Honor Society to distinguish their online nursing students' scholarly achievements. Discipline specific honor societies offer an opportunity for students and alumni to maintain a connection to the academic institution, fellow classmates, and alumni for professional networking and continuing education that has not been readily available to programs that provide education to online students. As such, technological strategies for planning and website development are offered to assist other institutions in creating virtual honor societies acknowledging their online learners scholarly achievements.
Uploads
Papers by Debra Wolf