OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Nurses for Newborns (NFN), a nonprofit organization that is seeking to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Middle Tennessee through free, in-home nursing visits. They provide education, health assessments, and connections to community resources for prenatal and postpartum mothers and their infants; specifically, those facing medical, emotional, or social barriers. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive resource to support caregivers of infants through their transition from the NICU to home. A needs assessment revealed that families would benefit from additional support and resources to help bridge the transition from the NICU to home. Topics such as common NICU terminology, continued care support, basic infant care, infant development, and community resources were included in this guide through an occupational therapy perspective. This information was also disseminated to short-term, occupational therapy LEND trainees through an educational lecture with a specific focus on occupational therapy’s role in supporting infants with neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) after birth. Additionally, a food bank-informed postpartum meal guide was created to support caregivers in understanding their own nutritional needs after pregnancy, specifically for families who live with food insecurity. Each piece of this project was supported by evidence-based research, created with the continuous feedback of the NFN nurses, and developed considering holistic occupational wellness. Overall, the goal of this project was to use research and lived experiences to inform resource development while thoughtfully considering the various social barriers that families face every day.

Publication Date

Spring 4-21-2026

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Elena Espiritu

Department

Occupational Therapy, School of

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Keywords

Occupational therapy; maternal; infant; NICU; LEND; postpartum; nutrition; caregiver education; neonatal abstinence syndrome; neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome

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