Humboldt Social Work Alumni experience unique challenges and exhibit particular strengths as a virtue of the unique focus of the Program and the context of the rural & Indigenous communities served. I assessed how alumni’s sustainability in the field might be bolstered, and how their education impacted their practice/values. I facilitated a focus group of graduating Master’s students and an online survey open to all alumni, and translated the data into recommendations. I used Indigenous MMR, combining quantitative data, thematic analysis, & relational epistemology. I recommend the creation of a decentralized alumni organization, drawing from other postcolonial-education-focused alumni orgs.

This project considers the implication of administering small-volume antibiotics as an intermittent primary intravenous infusion. This method leaves significant residual volume in the IV tubing which leads to deviations from the prescribed dose and rate of administration. This is a common practice in acute care. A possible quality improvement project design using evidence-based practice is exhibited. The goal of the QI project would be to standardize policy, procedure, and administration of small-volume antibiotics to ensure consistent care and treatment for every patient.

Pregnant people and families with substance use disorder who receive care at local rural clinics and hospitals need more recovery resources. Community nurses can assist by educating parents and families about proper Narcan use and first aid. Public health departments can assist by utilizing a collaborative referral system for additional resources. Physicians can be educated about compassionate care practices in communicating with patients. These interventions will lead to goals of pregnant people feeling safe seeking support from their providers, fewer newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and less children being placed with child protective services thus keeping families together.

Rapid Response Teams are a resource for hospitals to provide early and emergent interventions to prevent the need for escalation of care. Team members can be called upon by units in the hospital for consultation and assist with assessments. Teams provide a proactive rounding process on patients with high-risk diagnoses to follow along with the bedside nurse to provide an interdisciplinary approach to a complex patient. Rural hospitals are challenged with retaining highly experienced nurses, these teams provide insight and mentorship to newer nurses.

Burnout is a chronic condition occurring at high rates in Registered Nurses due to working in high stress work environments, often while understaffed and with demanding workloads. The effects of burnout impact the health of not only RNs but can have negative consequences for their patients. This issue should be addressed for the mental and physical health of this critical workforce and for the patients under their care. Mindful practice, self-care, improving resiliency, and organizational culture change can decrease stress and in turn may reduce incidence of burnout for RNs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of self-determination theory and structured exercise program to increase exercise performance for two adults with Down syndrome.

Menopause is a physical, psychosocial, and cultural transition as diverse and complicated as humans themselves. Every person with ovaries who lives long enough will experience the fluctuation and decline of sex hormones, and about 80% will have symptoms likely to start earlier and be wider-ranging than expected. In this proposed project at a rural health clinic, annual screening will be offered to patients aged 35-55 years. Patient replies will result in offering resources, registered nurse consults and classes, and focused provider visits. Directly addressing perimenopause allows for anticipatory guidance and shared decision-making to improve quality of life in middle-age and beyond.

Following the plan for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has many benefits for the post-operative patient. Pre-surgery counseling helps overcome some barriers that can prevent the ERAS pathway from being implemented. Addressing and including the patient in their post-operative care will increase the likelihood that patients will be compliant with the pathway. The ERAS pathway is designed to standardize and optimize post-operative care. Education during the preoperative period is essential to increasing the success and implementation of the protocols.

Burnout syndrome is an occupational hazard that can affect healthcare professionals, especially bedside nurses that work in a hospital setting. It is comprised of three main components; emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy. It occurs when healthcare workers experience chronic stress. It can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. It negatively affects patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. It also increases nurse turnover which results in understaffing, therefore affecting patient safety. Improving working conditions for nurses, education and quality leadership will help decrease the prevalence of burnout syndrome.

This study provides insight into the Self-Determination Theory with a participant with Fragile X syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study utilized a single-subject research design which measured the exercised performance by looking at walking distance, push-ups, and curl-ups over five weeks.