Browsing by Author "Holt, Nicole"

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Oral Health Education Through Illustration
(Montana State University, 2022-04) Holt, Nicole
American Indian preschool children experience almost three times the rate of untreated decay as children from other groups. There are many aspects to this problem but among them is the slow arrival of information to rural and remote areas. GoodHealthTV (GHTV) is designed to address this information gap and equip parents and families with information to improve overall oral health literacy and confidence in pursuing treatments for their loved ones. This project will consist of two parts; the first is the creation of scientific illustrations explaining a new dental procedure, and the second part is a survey measuring the effectiveness of the illustrations. Broadcasting high-quality information using the GHTV Network depends on strong communication skills, which will be demonstrated through the illustrations. The illustrations will depict complicated chemical processes in a way that benefits the lay audience member. GHTV provides healthcare information to waiting-room patients in 48 Montana IHS clinics. The scientific illustrations will show how silver diamine fluoride (SDF) acts on the tooth so that people will be more likely to allow dental hygienists to use SDF on their children’s teeth. Illustrations will be paired with voice-over text, music, and live footage to create a quality production for statewide viewership. While the drawings are being aired on GHTV in the IHS clinics, surveys will be given to viewers to measure the effectiveness of the illustrations. If the illustrations are effective, parents will have an increased understanding of how SDF works and confidence in electing this new treatment.
Using Photos to Improve the College Experience of Indigenous BSN Students
(2023-04) Holt, Nicole
Purpose: To improve the enrollment, retention, and well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students pursuing degrees in nursing through an environmental intervention to reduce cultural mismatch and highlight AI/AN nurses through history. Background: Enrollment of American Indian students in higher education has historically been low. Currently, around 19% of American Indian students enroll in college, while 42% of white students enroll. The population is affected by this lack of education by having the highest poverty rates of any race group. Of the 19% of American Indian students that enroll in college, only a small number graduate. Dropout rates are high among native students due to cultural mismatch, finances, and a lack of representation and cultural understanding at their universities. It is important to explore a variety of environmental approaches to address the obstacles to AI/AN students completion of the 4-year degree. Methods: The display will be in a location that nursing students will pass by frequently, which will help foster a sense of belonging among AI/AN students. Results: Copyright for photos of the nurses will be gained for educational purposes, and the photos will be displayed in the building that houses the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing. Photos in the display will include nurses Elizabeth Sadoques (Abenaki), Virginia Rosebud Sneed Dixon (Cherokee), and Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail (Apsáalooke/Crow), among others. This project is a part of the (Caring for Our Own Program, which has been successful in increasing the enrollment and retention of AI/AN students. The goal of this project will be to continue to increase enrollment and retention but also to improve the well-being of AI/AN students, and then AI/AN communities. Implications: Most native students come from one of the seven American Indian reservations in Montana, and when they graduate, many will return to their communities for their careers. When the students serve their community through nursing, they also serve as role models for younger generations. This will likely encourage children to pursue nursing in college, increasing enrollment. Because they have role models from their communities, these students will likely graduate, increasing retention. Putting up the display is a relatively short-term project, but the effects will be long-lasting.