Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree represents the pinnacle of professional nursing education, specifically tailored for those seeking to excel in advanced clinical practice and leadership within the healthcare sphere. By pursuing a DNP, nurses embark on a journey to enhance their expertise and competencies in evidence-based practice, quality improvement initiatives, systems leadership, and the ever-evolving field of healthcare informatics. The DNP aims to cultivate nursing leaders who possess the acumen and finesse to navigate the intricacies of contemporary healthcare systems. These leaders are prepared to make a significant impact on patient outcomes and propel the nursing profession forward. By engaging in rigorous academic discourse and research, DNP graduates emerge as trailblazers in their respective fields, poised to address the complex challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients alike.
The purpose of the DNP scholarly project serves as a testament to the intellectual and professional maturation of doctoral nursing candidates. This capstone endeavor embodies the synthesis and application of theoretical knowledge, clinical acumen, and leadership skills acquired throughout the course of their DNP program. At its core, the DNP scholarly project aims to address a relevant issue or challenge within the nursing discipline or healthcare system. By engaging in a rigorous process of inquiry, analysis, and evidence-based decision-making, DNP candidates demonstrate their ability to generate practical solutions and implement innovative strategies that contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and improved patient outcomes. Moreover, the DNP scholarly project serves as an opportunity for candidates to showcase their commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. By delving into complex, real-world problems, these emerging leaders in nursing are poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare delivery, policy, and practice—ultimately shaping the future landscape of the nursing profession.
Scholarly Projects from 2024
Insulin Accessibility and Affordability: A Comprehensive Policy Analysis of the Inflation
Reduction Act in the Context of Diabetes Management
DNP: Suada Muminovic-Santo
Chairs: Drs. Christopher and Kines
DNP: Jekeva Moss
Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Winings
A Review of Registered Nurses’ Scope of Practice for Injecting Neurotoxins in Aesthetics:
A Policy Analysis Project
DNP: Kara Wilfong
Chair: Dr. Roberta Logsdon
DNP: Chyrianne Jones
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
DNP: Sumintra Ramkissoo
Chair: Dr. Leyla Pordeli
The Quality of Medical Center Throughput: Implementing Effective Bed Management Rounds
DNP: Senay Yanes-Sosa
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Minerva Zalamar
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Alyssa Dorr
Chair: Dr. Amber Santos
DNP: Heather Denlinger
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Rubylocci Lowe
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Willison
The Use of Nurse-Patient Pre-Procedure Phone Calls to Reduce Delays and Cancellation
Rates in Ultrasound Biopsy Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Lauryn Haigh
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Willison
Improving Healthcare Professionals Accountability for Establishing Effective Communication
with Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing Patients
DNP: Anne Seymour
Chair: Drs. Christopher & Kines
DNP: Melvin Neeley
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
DNP: Brandi Joseph
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
DNP: Valerie Blatz
Chair: Dr. Laurie Buschini
DNP: Sheriann Fisher
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Faith Keener
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Jason Jones
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: Sandra Blocker
Chair: Dr. Kathyrn Kott
DNP: Madison Stalls
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Pamela Hickman
Chair: Drs. Christopher & Kines
Scholarly Projects from 2023
Recruitment and Retention of a Diverse Nursing Workforce: A Policy Analysis
DNP: Judith Garcia
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Nicole Roberson
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Ruth Evidelia Cortes Carvajal
Chairs: Drs. Pordeli and Kines
DNP: Kalita Jackson
Chair: Dr. Lauren Holloway
DNP: Melissa Gorman
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Lolanda Francis
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Terry Gonzalez
Chair: Dr. Diane Raines
DNP: Krishan Patel
Chair: Drs. Wolf & Parenteau
DNP: Carissa Concepcio
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Tiffinie Isreal
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Patient Sitter Costs Using a Level Falls Risk
Assessment at One Acute Care Medical/Surgical Veteran Setting
DNP: Roshonda Phillips
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Brittany Seepersad
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
Effectiveness of Educational Interventions for Primary Care Medical Assistants (MAs),
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) Who Provide or Reinforce
Hypertensive Patient Education: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: MaQuita McGhee
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: VaShawna Thomas
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Willison
Improving Nursing Confidence Through Simulated Resuscitation Events in the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Amanda Kreuter
Chair: Dr. Amber Santos
DNP: Stephanie Stancliff
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Policy Analysis Project
DNP: Veronica Bula
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Illya Monica
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Implementation of Sepsis Screening Tool in Emergency Department
DNP: Tiffany Braddy
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Holly Greenwell
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Mallory Winnicki
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
DNP: Samantha Fish
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
DNP: Katie Weingartner
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: VaShawna Thomas
Chair: Dr. Jennifer Willison
Improving Nursing Confidence Through Simulated Resuscitation Events in the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Amanda Kreuter
Chair: Dr. Amber Santos
Sepsis and EV 1000 Knowledge Evaluation of Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit in Improving
Healthcare Outcomes in Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Stephanie Stancliff
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Policy Analysis Project
DNP: Veronica Bula
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Assessing Need for a Nurse Practitioner Clinic for Delivery of Care to the Arlington
Community: A Program Development Project
DNP: Illya Monica
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Implementation of Sepsis Screening Tool in Emergency Department
DNP: Tiffany Braddy
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
Decreasing Medication Errors at Home: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Holly Greenwell
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
Enhancing Staff Nurses' Education of Ostomies to Improve Skill Set
DNP: Mallory Winnicki
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
Turning Over a New Leaf: A quality Improvement Project
DNP: Samantha Fish
Chairs: Drs. Christopher & Kines
Policy Analysis and Advocacy of H.R. 2581-Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient
Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019
DNP: Katie Weingartner
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Healthy Work Environments: Improving Staff Satisfaction and Attrition Rates in a Community
Hospital through the Communication of Appreciation
DNP: Sarah Hannah
Chair: Dr. Roberta Logsdon
DNP: Roneika Moore
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Nayade Sizemore
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Program Evaluation of Post-Transplant Care Program Options: Advanced Care at Home
versus Short Stay Unit, Inpatient and Outpatient Approaches
DNP: Lois Merrick
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Shivani Patel
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Rhiannon Powell
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
Meeting the Joint Commission Standards for Maternal Safety: A Policy Analysis
DNP: Jennifer Jacobson
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Melissa Nelsen
Chair: Dr. Teri Chenot
DNP: Kaitlyn Elizabeth Allen
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Jennifer Leeanne Santos
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Program Evaluation of a Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship and the Cost-Effectiveness
in a University Health System
DNP: Janice E. Simmonsen
Chairs: Dr. Amber Santos, Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Jean Heather M. Crisostomo
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Kelly Lynn Larimore
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Kymberlee Christine Shutts
Chairs: Dr. Melissa McRae, Dr. Erica Kines
Promoting an Antibiotic Stewardship Protocol to Address Urinary Tract Infections in
Long Term Care: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Naydean Lashon Ruffin-Brisco
Chair: Dr. Roberta Logsdon
DNP: Sandra A. Hurst
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Improving Bariatric Support by Incorporating Virtual Peer Groups
DNP: Teresa L. Peterson
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: Victoria Leeanna Hogans
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Scholarly Projects from 2022
DNP: Alexis Allen
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Alissa Mortis
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Ancy Anne Abraham
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
Quality Improvement of Patient Satisfaction and Emergency Department Overcrowding
with a Systems Level Coordinator Bed Manager
DNP: Ann Shellman Young
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Anna Wright
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
Improving Depression Screening and the Referral Process in a Cardiac Rehabilitation
Setting by Implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9
DNP: Asha Inniss
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Barbara Werner
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
A Quality Improvement Project: Nursing Handover Standardizing for Safety
DNP: Bradley Blake Turner
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Breanna James
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Catherine Ann Candelaria
Chair: Dr. Cheryl Bergman
A Policy Analysis of the Surgical Counting Process
DNP: Charles A. Harvey
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Chelsea Marie Brouillet
Chair: Dr. Erica Kines
DNP: Danielle Brunson
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: Elizabeth Fabrette Hammack
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Elizabeth Gunn
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Emily Archer
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Esther C. Duffy
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Felicia Mason
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Jamie Chapman
Chair: Dr. Michelle Edmonds
DNP: Jennifer Lee Malig
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Jennifer Perfect & Rachel Wassel
Chair: Dr. Teresa MacGregor
Exploring the Effects of a Nurse Mentorship Program on Career Satisfaction and Retention
DNP: Jennifer Smith
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Implementing an Educational Program to Improve Nurses’ Knowledge and Decrease Medication
Administration Errors
DNP: Keli-Lloyd Alecia Nelson
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
Decreasing Unnecessary Continuous Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring Through Evaluation
of a Nurse-Driven Collaborative Decision-Making Checklist
DNP: Kellene Sauls
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Kevan Wright
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: LaToya Driskell
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Maya Maria Saikali
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: Michelle McDonald
Chair: Dr. Erica Kines
DNP: Michelle Rutilius
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Michelle S. Foster
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Natasha Anderson
Chair: Dr. Michelle Edmonds
DNP: Richard Morton
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Sadie Durham
Chair: Dr. Cheryl Bergman
DNP: Sean P. Lynch
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Stephanie Bosma
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Terri Lynn Delgado Roulhac
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Toni Hamilton
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
Quality Improvement: Reduce Door to Electrocardiogram Time in Suspected Acute Coronary
Event Patients Arriving in the Emergency Department
DNP: Tracie Drinkwater
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: William Morrison Hale
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: Yavesh Crawford
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Lauren Holloway
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
DNP: James D. Brown
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Scholarly Projects from 2021
DNP: Amber Santos
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Outcome and Process Assessment (Healthcare): Efficacy of Contact Precautions in the
Control of MRSA Transmission
DNP: Amy Svensson
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
The Use of Simulation-Based Education to Elevate Nursing Knowledge Related to Post-Operative
Head and Neck Oncology Patient with an Advanced Airway
DNP: April Starling
Chair: Dr. michelle Edmonds
DNP: Ashely Ceithaml
Chair: Dr. Hilary Morgan
Depression Screening and Management in a Free Primary Care Clinic
DNP: Ashley Gagne
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Ashlie E. Sinclair
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
Reducing No-Show Appointments in the Outpatient Rheumatology Setting: A Quality Improvement
Project
DNP: Callie Soltero
Chair: Dr. Erica Kines
DNP: Chelsea Fore
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Reducing Acute Care Hospital Setting Inpatient Falls with Implementation of Hourly
Rounding
DNP: Courtney Delaparte
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
DNP: Donald L. Tanner
Chair: Dr. Hilary Morgan
Interdisciplinary rounding and Its Effect on Communication and Quality
DNP: Elizabeth Dasher
Chair: Dr. Ashlee Loewen
Preventing Healthcare Workplace Violence Through Legislation
DNP: Erika Cunningham-Regis
Chair: Dr. Erica Kines
DNP: James Brown
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Enhancing Surgical Patient Safety by Implementing an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening
Program: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Jason Bailey
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Hourly Rounding to Reduce Falls: A Quality Improvement Project
DNP: Jennifer Morton
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Jennifer L Willison
Chair: Dr. Hilary Morgan
DNP: Leanne Dye
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Implementation of a Nurse-Led Etelcalcetide Protocol at the Outpatient Dialysis Unit
DNP: Lidia Dalessandro
Chairs: Dr. Michelle Edmonds and Dr. Laurie Buschini
Improving Patient Satisfaction Scores by Optimizing Nurse/Patient Communication
DNP: Lisa Caplan
Chair: Dr. Dorcas Kunkel
Nursing Emergency Support Team for COVID-19: A Formative Program Evaluation
DNP: Lisa M. Heath
DNP: Mariah Rose
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
DNP: Maureen Williams
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Effectiveness of an Interprofessional Team Model of Care in the Acute Care Setting
DNP: Melissa McRae
Chair: Dr. Dorcas Kunkel
Decreasing Pre-procedure Anxiety in School-aged Patients in an Outpatient Surgery
Setting Using a Video Prior to Anesthesia Induction
DNP: Michelle Charette
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Nadine Ellis
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Diabetic Education to Reduce Readmission of Patients with Diabetes
DNP: Nicoleta Buiciuc
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
DNP: Peierrela Gerdes
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
DNP: Sarah Firmin
Chair: Dr. Lila de Tantillo
DNP: Shannon Gaetjens
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
DNP: Sharie Blythe
Chair: Dr. Michelle Edmonds
DNP: Stephanie Dorsey
Chairs: Dr. Lindsay Wolf and Dr. Teresa MacGregor
DNP: Teresa Smoot
Chair: Dr. Hilary Morgan
The effectiveness of a Preoperative preparation program in the decreasing parental
preoperative anxiety
DNP: Thao Tran
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Effectiveness of Music on Comfort and Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Therapy in an Adult Population with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
DNP: Tina Barber
Chair: Dr. Ashlee Loewen
Scholarly Projects from 2020
Incorporating a human trafficking screening assessment tool in triage
DNP: Alisha Wise
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Reducing perceived stress and burnout and improving joy in work for nurse leaders:
A wellness initiative
DNP: Amanda Lyons
Chair: Dr. Dorcas Kunkel
DNP: Blanca McKean
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Implementation of an educational program to manage disruptive patient behavioral events
DNP: Candace Moll
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
Classification of surgical case descriptions for surgical scheduling improvement in
neurosurgery
DNP: Deborah S. Hickman
Chair: Dr. Lesley Morgan
Evidence-Based Educational in home program to improve self-management adherence and
A1C levels for patients with diabetes
DNP: Garrett Blaker
Chair: Dr. Kathryn Kott
The use of telehealth to increase mental health services access and promote medication
adherence in rural locations
DNP: Irene Talarico
Chair: Dr. Pam Rillstone
Lowering stress, anxiety, and distress levels in medical oncology patients actively
receiving intravenous treatment with utilization of art therapy
DNP: Katarina DeVault
Chair: Dr. Mary Vanderhoef
From expert to novice: Effect of a nursing orientation program on novice nurse educator
role conflict and role ambiguity
DNP: Kathy Bonthuis
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
DNP: Lauren Holloway
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
Improving transitional care in rural health using standardized discharge time-out
DNP: Lori Koethe
Chair: Dr. Mary Vanderhoef
Improving resource access and implementation for informal cancer caregivers in a clinic
at an outpatient cancer center
DNP: Marie Milton
Chair: Dr. Lindsay Wolf
Knowledge and compliance of staff in using the clostridium difficile bundle
DNP: Marissa Trino Lovely
Chair: Dr. Hilary Morgan
The effect of MyMedSchedule® Plus Smartphone application on antihypertensive medication
adherence in hypertensive adults in the outpatient setting
DNP: Meredith Kelly
Chair: Dr. Mary Gipson
Finding Support: Evaluating use of a virtual DNP final project peer support community
in a limited-residency program
DNP: Pamela Simon Card
Chair: Dr. Pam Rillstone
Does an Evidenced-based supplemental education brochure enhance patient understanding
for those undergoing bariatric surgery?
DNP: Sona P. Dolsenhe
Chair: Dr. Michelle Edmonds
An evaluation of an intervention designed to assist undergraduate college students
with stress, anxiety, or depression to increase physical activity levels
DNP: Tim Byrd
Chair: Dr. Teri Chenot
DNP: Veronica Lacambra
Chair: Dr. Michelle Edmonds
Reducing medication errors through addition of a pharmacist and standardized communication
to interdisciplinary team rounding: A quality improvement project
DNP: Victoria Kozel
Chair: Dr. Lynette Kennison
A quality improvement project to improve staff recognition of early signs of sepsis
DNP: Vikas Crawford
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
Scholarly Projects from 2019
Implementation of a transitional care heart failure checklist to reduce hospital readmissions
DNP: Dawn Harris
Chair: Dr. Ashlee Loewen
A bundled approach to peripheral IV site care and maintenance
DNP: Dawn Smith
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
This is my story: Using patient personalization posters to improve nurses' caring
behaviors.
DNP: Kelly Johnson
Chair: Dr. Roberta Christopher
A plant-based dietary intervention for nurses
DNP: Rachel Rodriguez
Chair: Dr. Leigh Hart
A DNP Quality improvement project to implement and evaluate an electronic employee
injury form for reporting healthcare employee sharps injuries and splash exposures
to blood and bodily fluids
DNP: Shannon Terrell
Chair: Dr. Robert Christopher