RSS 1.0Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing
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The mission of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School is to prepare nurses who embrace diversity and promote health equity to improve the quality of life and human health in the Commonwealth and beyond by leading and innovating in education, research, health care delivery and public service.
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Diagnoses Associated with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Adult Decedents: A Secondary Analysis of Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample (HCUP/NIS) DataPurpose: To identify primary and secondary diagnoses preceding death among adults with and without IDD who died during hospitalization. Specific Aims: 1) to describe the commonly reported base diagnostic related groups preceding death among decedents with and without IDD who died during hospitalization in 2019, 2) to determine which base-DRGs had a higher prevalence rate among adults with IDD than among adults without IDD, controlling for age, gender, race, urbanicity of person’s residence, US census division of hospital, and mean income of person’s zip code, and 3) to use the base-DRGs and ICD-10-CMs to examine the conditions of the Fatal Four/Five as conditions of concern preceding death in decedents with and without IDD. Framework: The NIMHD Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. Design: A secondary data analysis using the 2019 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Results: Identified fourteen primary diagnoses at the time of death for decedents with IDD that are represented at a higher percentage than for decedents without IDD and have a significant odds ratio for IDD diagnosis. Conclusion: A new set of conditions is proposed to assist nurses in reducing preventable deaths in decedents with IDD. Dehydration, GI obstruction, respiratory infection, seizures, and sepsis, will be known as the IDD Concerning Conditions. Aspiration, constipation, and GERD, the IDD Contributing Conditions, are conditions that do not cause death in themselves but contribute to the development of at least one of the IDD Concerning Conditions, which do cause death.
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Managing broken expectations after a diagnosis of fetal anomalyThe prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly is unexpected, and for many parents it is devastating. It is considered a traumatic perinatal event that presents a crisis for parents. Expectant parents dealing with a lethal anomaly are particularly at increased risk for perinatal depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. A growing number of qualitative researchers have examined the experience of fetal anomaly. Despite the accumulating knowledge, theory has not been developed. The purpose of this study is to analyze and synthesize evidence drawn from grounded theory research in order to develop a theory that describes and explains the process parents use to manage the diagnosis and predict their needs. A systematic search was conducted in 5 databases. Fourteen grounded theory research articles were chosen and were analyzed with grounded theory methods. Parents' expectations about pregnancy and future parenting were broken with the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly. Parents use a six-stage process of Repositioning to work through the problem and direct their course on the best new pathway for their family. Both personal and situational conditions influenced the decisions and management strategies used by the family. The factors that enhance parents’ repositioning can facilitate the development of interventions to improve the care for these families.
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Mental Illness Knowledge and Stigma of Jamaican Diaspora & First-Generation Jamaican AmericansPURPOSE: To describe U.S. Jamaican diasporan and first-generation Jamaican Americans knowledge of and stigma towards mental illness. SPECIFIC AIMS: 1. Describe U.S. dwelling Jamaican diaspora and first-generation Jamaican Americans knowledge of mental illness and stigma towards mental illness with identification of drivers and facilitators of stigma. 2. Elicit descriptors used by Jamaican diaspora and first-generation Jamaican Americans to describe mental illness. 3. Determine association of mental illness stigma and mental illness knowledge, to age, gender, education, employment, religiosity, years living in the U.S., socioeconomic status, personal history of mental illness, and family member with mental illness. FRAMEWORK: The Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey. RESULTS: Jamaican diaspora years have less knowledge (mean 97.25, SD 10.27) than Jamaican Americans (mean 104.24, SD 7.74; p =.001). Participants > 40 years had less knowledge (mean 97.05, SD 9.54) than those < 40 years (mean 102.08, SD 10.95; p =.003). Jamaican diaspora years have more stigma (mean -.52, SD .76) than Jamaican Americans (mean -1.10, SD .73; p < .001). Participants > 40 years had more stigma (mean -.48, SD .69) than those < 40 years (mean 1.02, SD .87; p <.001). CONCLUSION: Older adults have less knowledge of mental illness and more stigma. Jamaican diaspora has less knowledge and more stigma than First-generation Jamaican Americans. Greater mental illness knowledge is associated with less stigma providing support for ongoing efforts to increase public knowledge of mental illness with added emphasis on word choice/terms used when talking about people with mental illness. PURPOSE: To describe U.S. Jamaican diasporan and first-generation Jamaican Americans knowledge of and stigma towards mental illness. SPECIFIC AIMS: 1. Describe U.S. dwelling Jamaican diaspora and first-generation Jamaican Americans knowledge of mental illness and stigma towards mental illness with identification of drivers and facilitators of stigma. 2. Elicit descriptors used by Jamaican diaspora and first-generation Jamaican Americans to describe mental illness. 3. Determine association of mental illness stigma and mental illness knowledge, to age, gender, education, employment, religiosity, years living in the U.S., socioeconomic status, personal history of mental illness, and family member with mental illness. FRAMEWORK: The Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey. RESULTS: Jamaican diaspora years have less knowledge (mean 97.25, SD 10.27) than Jamaican Americans (mean 104.24, SD 7.74; p =.001). Participants > 40 years had less knowledge (mean 97.05, SD 9.54) than those < 40 years (mean 102.08, SD 10.95; p =.003). Jamaican diaspora years have more stigma (mean -.52, SD .76) than Jamaican Americans (mean -1.10, SD .73; p < .001). Participants > 40 years had more stigma (mean -.48, SD .69) than those < 40 years (mean 1.02, SD .87; p <.001). CONCLUSION: Older adults have less knowledge of mental illness and more stigma. Jamaican diaspora has less knowledge and more stigma than First-generation Jamaican Americans. Greater mental illness knowledge is associated with less stigma providing support for ongoing efforts to increase public knowledge of mental illness with added emphasis on word choice/terms used when talking about people with mental illness.
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Use of a Rapid Qualitative Method to Inform the Development of a Text Messaging Intervention for People With Serious Mental Illness Who Smoke: Formative Research StudyBackground: People with serious mental illness are disproportionately affected by smoking and face barriers to accessing smoking cessation treatments in mental health treatment settings. Text-based interventions are cost-effective and represent a widely accessible approach to providing smoking cessation support. Objective: We aimed to identify key factors for adapting text-based cessation interventions for people with serious mental illness who smoke. Methods: We recruited 24 adults from mental health programs who had a serious mental illness and currently smoked cigarettes or had quit smoking within the past 5 years. We then conducted virtual qualitative interviews between November 2020 and August 2021. Data were analyzed using the rapid thematic analytic approach. Results: We identified the following 3 major themes: (1) interplay between smoking and having a serious mental illness, (2) social contextual factors of smoking in adults with serious mental illness, and (3) smoking and quitting behaviors similar to the general population. Participants reported barriers and facilitators to quitting across the 3 themes. Within the "interplay between smoking and having a serious mental illness" theme, barriers included smoking to manage stress and mental health symptoms, and facilitators to quitting included the awareness of the harm of smoking on mental health and patient-provider discussions on smoking and mental health. In the "social contextual factors of smoking in adults with serious mental illness" theme, barriers included high social acceptability of smoking among peers. Positive support and the combined social stigma of smoking and having a mental health condition outside of peer groups motivated individuals to quit. Some participants indicated that low exposure to other smokers during the COVID-19 pandemic helped them to engage in cessation efforts. In the "smoking and quitting behaviors similar to the general population" theme, barriers included smoking after eating, having coffee, drinking alcohol, and experiencing negative social support, and facilitators included health concerns, improvement in the general quality of life, and use of evidence-based tobacco treatments when available. Conclusions: People with serious mental illness often smoke to cope with intense emotional states, manage mental health symptoms, or maintain social bonds. Text message content emphasizing equally effective and less harmful ways for stress reduction and mental health symptom management may improve quit rates in individuals with serious mental illness.
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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Behavioral Health of Massachusetts Tribal CommunitiesBackground: American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) individuals were 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized from the virus compared to other race/ethic groups (CDC, 2021). Despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, the experiences of the AI/AN population during the pandemic have not been documented. There are approximately 93,123 individuals in Massachusetts (MA) that identify as AI/AN (U.S. Census, 2020). This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on the behavioral health of the MA AI/AN population. Methods: A web-based survey was completed by 452 AI/ANs. A focus group with members of the AN/AI/AN (n=10) community was conducted to provide insights into the survey results. Individuals were recruited through the Institute of New England Native American Studies research team’s Community Advisory Board. Results: Forty-two percent of sample were between 45-64 years of age, female (77.2%), and identified as AN/AN in combination with another race (85%). Almost half of AI/AN participants had 15 or more days of poor mental health in the past month with rates highest among younger individuals. Forty-four percent reported that their substance use was a lot or somewhat more than pre-pandemic. Focus group findings indicated that the pandemic exacerbated (1) behavioral health challenges; (2) isolation from others and from AI/AN organizations; (3) telehealth was helpful to some; but (4) 30% had limited broadband access. Conclusion & Implications: The AI/AN community in MA has experienced devastating behavioral health outcomes during the pandemic. Urgent action is needed to address with crisis. Funding for risk-reducing programs and culturally specific treatment interventions are needed.
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COVID-19 Test Us: A Case for Embedding Ethics and Regulatory ExpertiseA key aspect of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Tech program was an active Clinical Studies Core including Committees with unique expertise to facilitate the development and implementation of studies to test novel diagnostic devices for Covid-19. The Ethics and Human Subjects Oversight Team (EHSO) was tasked to provide ethics and regulatory expertise to stakeholders in the RADx Tech effort. The EHSO developed a set of Ethical Principles to guide the overall effort and provided consultation on a wide range of ethical and regulatory concerns. Having access to a pool of experts with ethical and regulatory knowledge who met weekly to tackle issues of importance to the investigators was critical to the overall success of the project.
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Ubiety in nursing practice: Making each patient the star of the minuteNurses work in a fast-paced environment with increased expectations and distractions. Ubiety is a new concept that describes how nurses care for one patient at a time amid distractions. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of exemplar registered nurses (Daisy Award nurse nominees) in practicing ubiety when caring for patients in an acute care setting. Qualitative data was collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed. "Making each patient the star of the minute" emerged as the main theme and included five subthemes which highlight how nurses practice ubiety: (1) anticipating and managing distractions, (2) putting my whole self in, (3) nurse self-preservation, (4) my nursing identity, and (5) favorable practice environment. Results of this study highlight the importance of developing skills to anticipate patient care needs and supporting individual self-preservation strategies for nurses.
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Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease Using SBAR as a Communication Tool: A Pilot StudyBackground: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy that causes debilitating pain. Patients often report dissatisfaction during care seeking for pain or a sickle cell crisis (SCC). The Theory of Self-Care Management for SCD conceptualizes assertive communication as a self-care management resource that improves healthcare outcomes. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine whether adults with SCD could learn to use the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) communication method using a web-based trainer, and it aimed to determine their perceptions of the training. Methods: The participants included n = 18 adults with SCD. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) among three reviewers was used to evaluate the participants’ ability to respond as expected to prompts using SBAR communication within the web-based platform. Content analysis was used to describe the participants’ perspectives of the acceptability of using the SBAR patient–HCP communication simulation. Results: The SBAR IRR ranged from 64 to 94%, with 72% to 94% of the responses being evaluated as the using of the SBAR component as expected. The predominant themes identified were (1) Patient–Provider Communication and Interaction; (2) Patients want to be Heard and Believed; (3) Accuracy of the ED Experience and Incorporating the Uniqueness of each Patient; and (4) the Overall Usefulness of the Video Trainer emerging. Conclusions: This pilot study supported the usefulness and acceptability of a web-based intervention in training adults with SCD to use SBAR to enhance patient–HCP communication. Enhancing communication may mitigate the barriers that individuals with SCD encounter during care seeking and improve the outcomes. Additional studies with larger samples need to be conducted.
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Experiences With a Distant Reiki Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Science of Unitary Human Beings FrameworkAn increasing number of individuals are reporting increased stress and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A feasibility, mixed-method design was conducted to investigate distant Reiki as a virtual healing modality within Rogers' framework of the Science of Unitary Human Beings. Data were collected using pre- and post-distant Reiki session interviews and 2 surveys. Study findings demonstrated changes in participant pattern manifestation and statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety (P < .001). The preliminary findings support the feasibility of distant Reiki and suggest that nurses, who are Reiki practitioners, may influence the human-environmental field to foster healing.
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Facilitators and Inhibitors of LPN-to-RN Student Transition: A Cross-Sectional National SurveyAIM The aim of the study was to describe the transition conditions (facilitators and inhibitors) encountered by licensed practical nurses in registered nurse educational programs (LPN-to-RN students). BACKGROUND LPN-to-RN students are important because they may increase diversity and numbers of RNs. However, no prior study has examined transition experiences of LPN-to-RN students across the United States. METHOD A cross-sectional survey of LPN-to-RN students was conducted using Meleis et al.’s transition theory. RESULTS Students (n = 873) from 131 nursing programs responded. The most common facilitators were personal motivation and believing the content taught was valuable; the most common inhibitors were juggling multiple responsibilities and personal stress levels. Several significant relationships between transition conditions and program/student characteristics were identified. CONCLUSION Faculty in LPN-to-RN programs can increase support for students by refining their own actions and addressing potential challenges when LPN and non-LPN nursing students share classes.
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The Buddy System: An Intervention to Reduce Distress and Compassion Fatigue and Promote Resilience on a Palliative Care Team During the COVID-19 PandemicThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19) dramatically increased the number of stressors on healthcare workers, including palliative care practitioners. Restrictions and increased demands on time made it difficult for the UMass Memorial Health palliative care team to utilize preexisting wellness strategies. In response to team members' stress reactions, a buddy system intervention was conceived and implemented to restore a sense of connection and self-efficacy (Phase 1). Our objective with this quality improvement project was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the buddy system and evaluate staff attitudes toward this intervention. After four months, feedback from team members informed redesign to a more structured buddy system (Phase 2). A mixed-methods design of this project included a qualitative online survey along with quantitative data collection with the Professional Quality of Life Scale V (ProQOL V) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) during Phase 1. Phase 2 was also evaluated quantitatively with ProQOL V and BRS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of this project to enhance qualitative data on staff attitudes and beliefs. Of the 12 study participants, 10 completed all phases of the study. Participants reported the buddy system was a useful, easy-to-implement intervention for mitigating personal distress and compassion fatigue (CF) by providing a strong sense of support and connection to team members.
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Impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity: Data from a paediatric weight management trialThere is growing concern that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is exacerbating childhood obesity. We sought to examine the effects of the pandemic on weight and weight-related behaviours among children with overweight and obesity participating in an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial of a paediatric practice-based weight intervention with 2 study arms: nutritionist-delivered coaching telephone calls over 8 weeks with an accompanying workbook on lifestyle changes versus the same workbook in eight mailings without nutritionist coaching calls. In a pooled, secondary analysis of 373 children in central Massachusetts (aged 8-12 years, 29% Latinx, 55% White, 8% Black), the monthly rate of BMI increase more than doubled for those children whose 6-month study visit occurred post-pandemic onset (n = 91) compared to children whose 6-month study visit occurred pre-pandemic onset (n = 282) (0.13 kg/m2 versus 0.05 kg/m2 ; ratio = 2.47, p = 0.02). The post-pandemic onset group also had a significant decrease in activity levels (β -8.18 MVPA minutes/day, p = 0.01). Caloric intake and screen time did not differ between the pre- and post-pandemic onset groups. These findings show that after the start of the pandemic, children with overweight and obesity experienced an increase in weight and decrease in activity levels. This data can inform public health strategies to address pandemic-related effects on childhood obesity.
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Social Connectedness among Long-Stay Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's and Dementia: Exploring Individual and Facility-Level VariationIntroduction: This study sought to explore individual and facility-level variation in social connectedness among long-stay nursing home residents with Alzheimer's or other dementias (ADRD). Methods: We identified 721,074 long-stay residents with ADRD using 2016 Minimum Data Set 3.0 data. Social connectedness was defined using the social connectedness index (SCI) (high: SCI = 5, lower: 0 < SCI ≤ 4). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) provided estimates of the associations between resident-level and facility-level characteristics, and high SCI was derived from logistic models. Results: The SCI Cronbach's alpha was 0.69; 78.6% had high SCI scores. Men were less likely than women to have higher SCI scores (aOR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.97-0.98). Increasing age was associated with higher SCI scores (e.g., aOR [85-94 vs. 40-64 years]: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.06-1.07). Those with moderate cognitive impairment (aOR: 0.87) and severe cognitive impairment (aOR: 0.85) had reduced odds of SCI = 5 relative to those with mild/intact cognitive function. Residents living in homes with special care dementia units and with higher percentage of residents with dementia had decreased odds of high social connectedness. Discussion/conclusion: Understanding resident- and nursing home-level variation in social connectedness may be important for targeting interventions that reduce isolation among residents with ADRD.
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Psychological Distress and Work-Related Quality of Life Among Oncology Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional StudyBackground: Oncology nurses are at disproportionate risk for psychological distress because they often encounter ethical challenges and deaths while providing care. Exposures to emergent suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic compound their chronic distress, which likely increased their vulnerability to psychological distress and may increase their risk for reduced work-related quality of life (WRQOL). Objectives: This study examined the association between psychological distress and WRQOL among oncology nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of psychological distress and WRQOL among oncology nurses (N = 63) was conducted. Findings: The mean Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale score was 33.4, showing low depression levels, mild anxiety, and mild stress. The mean PTSD score was 29.3, and the mean WRQOL Scale score was 78.8. Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly correlated to PTSD, and WRQOL was negatively correlated to PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress.
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A Feasibility Study of Therapeutic Conversations with Family Members to Reduce the Symptoms of Post-Intensive Care SyndromePURPOSE: The purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the use of a nurse-centered intervention, the Critical Caring Program, with family members of critically ill adults. The intervention was a series of therapeutic conversations with a family member, beginning in the ICU and following patient discharge from the ICU. FRAMEWORK: The Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model (Patterson, 1988) provided the conceptual framework; the intervention was adapted from the Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Model. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled design with two groups (usual care and intervention) was used to assess the feasibility of the intervention. A convenience sample of 19 adult family members were recruited from an 18-bed ICU from October 2021–January 2022. RESULTS: 151 family members were screened for participation; 40 who were eligible and 19 were enrolled. Overall retention was 58% for the intervention group; 62% for the usual care group. Outcomes revealed no statistically significant differences between groups or changes within groups. The nurses viewed the training and conversations as positive but identified incorporating the visits into routine practice as challenging. CONCLUSION: The Calgary Family Intervention Model is a useful model for addressing families’ need for communication and support. Additional research is needed on incorporating therapeutic conversations into critical care nursing practice.
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COVID-19 and the Transformation of Intensive Care Unit TelemedicineThe concept of telecritical care has evolved over several decades. ICU Telemedicine providers using both the hub-and-spoke ICU telemedicine center and consultative service delivery models offered their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine center responses were more efficient, timely, and widely used than those of the consultative model. Bedside nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and respiratory therapists incorporated the use of ICU telemedicine tools into their practices and more frequently requested critical care specialist telemedicine support.
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“I felt isolated”: Patients’ Hospitalization Experiences During the COVID-19 PandemicPurpose: The purpose of this Qualitative Descriptive study was to describe the experience of hospitalized adults during the pandemic who did not have COVID-19. Specific Aims: The specific aims of the study were to: Describe the hospital experience, including but not limited to, interactions with hospital staff, visitation, isolation, physical and emotional stressors, and the environment. Identify perceived comfort needs during hospitalization and perceptions of the nurse’s role in providing comforting interventions. Examine the ability to achieve physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental comfort during hospitalization despite the required infection control measures. Framework: This study was guided by Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort (1994). Design: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interview questions focused on the overall hospital experience, the nurse’s role in their experience, comfort needs, and the experience of having comfort needs met during the hospitalization. Results: Twenty participants took part in this study. Conventional content analysis revealed five main themes. The themes are: I don’t expect the hospital to be comfortable, I was always tense, Wanting human connection, Communication is important, and Nurses are busy. Conclusion: The findings identified a need for targeting education, research, and policy development to improve patient comfort (physical, psycho-spiritual, sociocultural, and environmental). This is important as we look toward improving the overall patient experience during hospitalization.
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Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease Using SBAR as a Communication Tool: Secondary Data AnalysisPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of SBAR-cued web-based communication skills training and address study participants' perceptions of the training. Specific Aims: Evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of participants to answer prompts of SBAR-cued communication responses. Describe individuals' perspectives of the acceptability of using SBAR patient-HCP communication simulation to better prepare for ED visits during a SCC. Framework: This study was guided by The Theory of Self-Care Management for Sickle Cell Disease (SCMSCD). Design: A secondary analysis was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) of qualitative data was used to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of participants to answer prompts of SBAR-cued communication responses. Content analysis was also utilized to describe individuals' perspectives of the acceptability of using SBAR patient-HCP communication simulation to better prepare for ED visits during a SCC. Results: IRR between raters ranged from 64%-94% with predominant themes of (1) Patient-Provider Communication and Interaction, (2) Patients want to be Heard and Believed, (3) Accuracy of the ED Experience and Incorporating the Uniqueness of each Patient and (4) Overall Usefulness of the Video Trainer emerging. Conclusions: This secondary analysis supported how SBAR can be effectively used to assist patients in a SCC to communicate with their HCP. Participants' responses indicated the training module facilitated communication between patients and HCPs.
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E-Cigarettes - a review of the evidence - harm versus harm reductionThe World Health Organization estimates there are 1.1 billion cigarette smokers across the globe and that tobacco related deaths number 7 million per year. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are available to contribute options for smoking cessation and include e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, and vaping. The growing use of ENDS, or e-cigarettes, in the US and globally across populations is dramatic. Although users may think that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible tobacco products, the evidence shows that there are known risks and harms for users. E-cigarettes have varying amounts of toxicants, nicotine, and carcinogens and put the user at risk for lung diseases and COVID-19 similar to smokers. Currently, most governing bodies have not approved e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool but do state if a person has failed conventional smoking cessation treatments that e-cigarettes used alone for the short term may help those to quit combustible tobacco and nicotine. A shared decision-making approach should be used when discussing e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool. More studies and long-term data are needed to assess potential benefits and harms. What is known is that prevention efforts and policy are needed to avoid adolescents and other vulnerable populations from initiating tobacco or e-cigarette use.
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Diving in: Using a “Shark Tank” approach to teach business skills to future DNP leadersDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education prepares graduates to lead clinical improvement and innovation across practice settings. Advanced clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and the development of quality/safety competencies uniquely prepare the DNP program graduates to drive organizational change. Adding business and financial competencies to the skill set of DNP graduates strengthens the impact and value of their role on financial, quality, and operational outcomes. The Organizational Systems and Healthcare Financing course in a DNP program was redesigned to engage learners using an innovative approach to teach business and financial principles. This paper aims to (a) describe a novel “Shark Tank” approach whereby students develop and “pitch” their business proposals to a panel of healthcare executives; (b) share examples of impactful change projects by student teams; (c) report DNP course and program evaluations including students’ satisfaction and perceptions of value and knowledge gained in business principles; and (d) report opportunities for bidirectional mentorship, faculty recruitment, and succession planning. The success of this innovative team-based approach for teaching business/financial skills better prepares future DNP leaders and has implications for other DNP programs. Using this teaching strategy created opportunities for faculty recruitment, succession planning, and bidirectional mentorship of DNP-prepared nurse leaders.
