2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session A All Disciplines Ballroom
Community Assessment: Asthma in Stearns County
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. The prevalence of asthma has increased 150% in the last two
decades. Approximately 20 million Americans have asthma, including 1 out of every 15 children in Minnesota. Nationwide, asthma costs
$16 billion dollars and results in 14 million missed school days per year. A Stearns County community assessment was performed to gain
a better understanding of asthma in public schools. The survey consisted of twelve questions assessing the school nurses‘ perception of
asthma in children kindergarten through sixth grade.
Presentation Index: A15
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Nursing
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Welle, Laurel; Freeman, Michele; Harrison, Katherine;
Lenz, Brenda; Zelenak, Mary
Molin, Kelly; Marong,Kemo; Vetsch, Jenna; Thorsten, Rena;
Yang, Joua
A Descriptive Study: Nurse Recruitment and Retention in Meeker County
Within Meeker County, recruitment and retention of nurses (RN and LPN) was assessed. Research was focused based on community
need, to learn where nurses are working, what attracted them to work in that setting and length of employment as a nurse. Surveys were
distributed to licensed nurses working at various sites in Meeker County. Significant findings included: 44% of nurses surveyed have been
working for at least 21 years (n=84); 85% of nurses surveyed see themselves working in Meeker County in 5 years (n=84); 100% of nurses
surveyed were females (n=91); location, hours, and flexibility in scheduling were key components in both recruitment and retention; wages
and benefits such as health and dental insurance were found to have less impact on the recruitment and retention of nurses; coworkers
and work environment were factors scoring highly in nurse retention. This indicates a need to tailor interventions to recruit younger nurses.
Recruiting can begin by promoting the positive qualities of Meeker County such as: affordable housing, low crime rate, excellent schooling
and a sense of community. Survey data supports previous research findings that indicate a shortage of rural nurses. There is also an aging
nursing population. Finding effective strategies to recruit and retain nurses in rural communities is a continuing problem that must be
addressed. Research within Meeker County indicates flexibility in scheduling and work hours are key factors in recruitment and retention of
nurses.
Presentation Index: A16
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Nursing
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Anderson, Jocelyn; Tollefson, Susan; Libbesmeier, Jill;
DeBruycker, Jo; Lenz, Brenda
Miller, Ingrid; Jacobsen,Lisa; Hillstrom, Jackie; Hannigan, Leeah
Interest in Child Development: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Public Health nurse wants to create a Follow Along program to help parents track child development and detect
early developmental delays. Information is wanted regarding mothers' knowledge and perceptions of child development and related
lifestyle behaviors. Research was done to identify the perceptions of mothers on WIC from the reservation regarding child development
and associated behaviors. The research will help the public health nurse determine if a Follow Along program would be used by the
community or if a different intervention to track child development would be more appropriate. The research would also help determine the
extent of perceived importance of child development to the population. The findings indicate child development is important to the subjects
and a Follow Along program would be used.
Presentation Index: A17
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Nursing
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Haney, Holly; Sanftner, Heather
Morrison-Sandberg, Leslie
Middle School Knowledge on Gastric Bypass
This research focuses on how middle school students in a rural school district view obesity as a disease, and what treatments are
appropriate to treat it. Specifically, I focus on previous knowledge on the gastric bypass procedure, which is a permanent procedure that
removes most of the stomach in order to limit food consumption. I found that students were well aware of the risks of gastric bypass
surgery, and how to prevent obesity. I did see areas where the middle school could assist in combating the rising epidemic of obesity,
such as offering daily physical education classes as opposed to an every-other-day schedule used currently.
Presentation Index: A18
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Larson, Justin
Simpson, Patricia
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 22
April 22, 2008