RN-BSN Virtual Capstone Project Poster Hall
Student-led research advancing patient care and community health
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About the project
RN-BSN students present theoretical research projects focused on real-world health care challenges and current evidence-based practice. Each project includes a scholarly abstract and short video presentation to discuss their deliverable.
Summer 2026 RN-BSN Project Abstracts
Acuity Tools and Patient Outcomes: How patient acuity tools can help nurses prevent burnout, and provide better outcomes for patients
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins, MSN Abstract Nurses today have an increased workload of complex patients, that need quality and timely care. However, due to the care demand of these patients [&he…
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Afib Risk Factors Prevention Tips
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe Abstract Background: A-fib recurrence happens at a high rate; however, there is not a lot of information informing patients about potential risk factors and how to [&…
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Assessment of Capillary Refill Time as a Prognostic Indicator in the Early Management of Septic Shock
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN Abstract The purpose of this project is to evaluate capillary refill time (CRT) as a prognostic indicator in the early management of septic shock. […]
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Barriers to Heart Failure exacerbation prevention
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Heart failure remains a big public health issue because of its complexity, high morbidity and mortality rates, and how frequently people are readmitted to …
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Building Vaccine Confidence: Evidence-Based Communication Strategies for Nurses
Faculty instructor: Professor Sharna Aaen Clark Abstract Childhood immunizations are among the most effective strategies for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases; however, vaccine hesitancy continu…
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Building Vaccine Confidence: Evidence-Based Communication Strategies for Nurses
Faculty instructor: Professor Sharna Aaen Clark Abstract Background Childhood immunizations remain one of the most effective strategies for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases. However, vaccine he…
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CICU-Tailored ICU Liberation Bundle Checklist
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Background: The Society of Critical Care Medicine’s ICU Liberation (ABCDEF) Bundle improves critically ill patient outcomes via holistically and systemat…
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End-of-life Medication Management
Faculty instructor: Sharna Aaen Clark Abstract End-of-life medication management Background End of life care can be a challenging stage of life to manage for the health care professionals and the [&he…
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Evaluating Evidence-Based Wound Care Education to Support Nursing Competency Development
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins, MN, RN CNE Abstract Wound care is a fundamental nursing responsibility, yet evidence suggests that many nurses and nursing students feel underprepared to provide e…
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Evidence-Based Breastfeeding Support After Cesarean Birth
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN Abstract Breastfeeding following cesarean birth presents unique challenges that may delay skin-to-skin contact, reduce breastfeeding initiation, and negative…
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Extended delayed cord clamping vs standard delayed cord and the impact on neonatal outcomes.
View Mary Hieb’s infographic Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe Abstract Background Delayed cord clamping is an evidence-based practice that is recommended by professional organizations because i…
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Grooming behaviors and sexual abuse – an infographic for adolescents
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Background Nearly 1 in 20 boys and 1 in 4 girls will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Child sexual abuse (CSA) can […]
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Hypertension Awareness for Younger Adults
Faculty instructor: Sharna Clark Abstract Background: Hypertension is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death. Despite the av…
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Kratom Withdrawal: A Comparative Analysis and a Proposed Evidence-Based Nursing Protocol
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, Sharna Clark, Annette Jenkins Abstract Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, has experienced a significant rise in use across th…
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Mental Health Advance Directives: Barriers to Implementation and Education to Increase Utilization
Faculty instructor: Dr. Kelsey Pascoe Abstract Background: Current literature supports mental health advance directives (MHADs) as a tool for decreasing involuntary hospitalizations and increasing emp…
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Optimizing Supplemental Oxygen Use at the Bedside
Faculty instructor: Professor Jenkins Abstract Background At a specific facility, it has been noticed that patients have received supplemental oxygen longer than necessary. Recent literature suggests …
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Practicum project
View Steven Quisora’s infographic Faculty instructor: Sharna Clark Abstract It is essential to have patient safety and ensure quality of care through effective communication among interdisciplin…
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Practicum Project: Asthma Management
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is a leading cause of preventable emergency department visits and hospital admissions. Current evidence shows …
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PRN Next Dose Availability Display
Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Background Medication administration errors involving pro re nata or PRN medications remain a significant patient safety concern in acute care settings. Nu…
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Seeing Results in the ED: Pause, ASK, Plan
View Ray Fernandez’s infographic Faculty instructor: Annette Jenkins Abstract Test results are being accessed by patients electronically prior to review and interpretation by the care team. Emer…
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What’s in a Name? From PCOS to PMOS and What Healthcare Professionals Should Know
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN Abstract Women’s health has historically been underfunded, under-researched, and women’s concerns are often dismissed or minimized. Polycystic ovarian sy…
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RN-BSN Project Abstracts Spring 2026
A Guide to Address Vaccine Hesitancy Among Russian-speaking Communities
ADDRESSING VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG THE RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES
BACKGROUND:
Vaccines are an integral part of public health, protecting the population from communicable diseases. They are scient
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A Nursing Approach to Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions: Teach Back Method and Standardized Discharge Education
Abstract
Heart Failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States, with many patients being readmitted frequently.
Readmissions can be linked to gaps in patient learn
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Addressing Black Maternal Mortality in the United States
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN Abstract Abstract Black maternal mortality in the United States continues to be a public health crisis involving persistent racial disparities. Black women a…
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Enhancing Discharge Education in the Emergency Department: A Literature Review of Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Patient Understanding
Abstract
Effective patient education is a main part of safe nursing, but the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Department (ED) limits the time nurses have for thorough discharge teaching. Many p
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From Burnout to Resilience: Supporting Mental Health in Healthcare Workers
Background: Healthcare workers face significant occupational stress from high workloads,
emotional demands, and staffing shortages, which can lead to burnout and compromised
well-being. This stress
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Hand Hygiene — To reduce the incidence of infections among school-aged children.
Abstract
Public health and prevention of infectious disease transmission start with hand hygiene education and training. Unsatisfactory hand hygiene education and training among high school students
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Implementing continuous video monitoring to reduce patient falls in hospitalized patients.
Faculty instructor: Kyle West DC, ARNP, PMHNP-BC Abstract Abstract Patient falls remain a significant safety concern in hospitals, with approximately 700,000 to 1 million falls occurring annually in t…
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Implementing video monitoring for fall prevention in hospital units
Patient falls remain a significant safety concern in hospitals, with approximately 700,000 to 1 million falls occurring annually in the United States, and nearly 30% resulting in injury. Despite the u
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Improving Bowel Preparation Quality in Endoscopy: An Evidence-Based Intervention to Reduce Inadequate Preparation Rates
Improving Bowel Preparation Quality in Endoscopy:
An Evidence-Based Intervention to Reduce Inadequate Preparation Rates
Leatha French, RN
Washington State University College of Nursing
NURS 495
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Improving Timeliness and Quality of Wound Treatment in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Abstract
As the aging population, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are facing more and more challenges. One of the most concerning is delayed or missed wound care because of a high nurse-to-patient r
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Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Facility
Abstract
Access to reliable transportation is a well-documented social determinant of health (SDOH), particularly among older adults residing in skilled nursing (SNF) and long-term care (LTC) settings
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Pediatric Emergency Protocol “C.A.L.M.”
Pediatric Emergency Protocol “C.A.L.M.”
Background
Pediatric emergency care requires quick, sharp interventions adapted to a mixed population, where physical assessment can mean life or death. R…
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PHQ-9 A simple tool for early depression detection
Faculty instructor: Dr. Kyle West Abstract Depression is a common and serious public health issue, affecting about 18.3% of adults in the United States. Even though it is widespread, many […]
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Practicum Project
Faculty instructor: Kelsey Pascoe Abstract Abstract Heart failure is a common chronic disease with high rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and complex self-management. Heart failu…
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Question-Persuade-Refer QPR and its effectiveness. Should we implement in K-12 schools?
Faculty instructor: Dr. Kelsey Pascoe Abstract Abstract Adolescent suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for adolescents despite being preventable. There is a lack of evidence that one [&…
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Reducing Preventable Hospital Re-admissions in Heart Failure Patients Through Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions Through Post-Discharge Education and Follow-Up
Stefan Ball
NURS 495
Kelsey Pascoe, PhD, RN
March 24, 2026
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Telehealth and Mental Health Access in Rural Communities
In rural areas where individuals face barriers such as a lack of providers, remote location, and limited access to care, mental health disparities continue to be a major concern. By making mental heal
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Think Before You Ride: Brain Safety and Electric Scooters.
Abstract
Electric scooter use has increased significantly in recent years, accompanied by a rise in related injuries. Current literature indicates that many of these injuries involve the head, face,
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Vaccines and Your Child: Answering Common Questions
Abstract
Vaccination recommendations and guidelines are frequently changing, leaving parents to wonder if their child’s vaccines are still safe. Previous research has indicated continued safety and…
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About the RN-BSN Program
The Washington State University College of Nursing RN-BSN program is designed for working registered nurses who want to build on their existing education and advance their careers.
Delivered primarily online, the program offers flexible, asynchronous coursework with the option to start any semester, allowing students to balance school with work and family responsibilities. Instead of traditional clinical hours, students complete practice experiences through community and population health projects and a capstone, applying what they learn directly to real-world settings.
With individualized advising and a focus on leadership, evidence-based practice, and community impact, the RN-BSN program helps nurses expand their skills and open doors to new professional opportunities.