鈥 2006 - Doctor of Philosophy, Widener University, PA
鈥 1987 - Master of Science in Nursing, West Virginia University, WV
鈥 1981 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
鈥 1975 - Associate in Nursing, University of Charleston, WV
鈥 2008-2023 - Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League of Nursing
鈥 Representation of courses taught in recent years at undergraduate and graduate levels:
鈥 Research and Theory
鈥 Leadership and Management Policy
鈥 Writing in Healthcare
鈥 Curriculum
鈥 Healthcare Policy
鈥 Nursing Education Nightingale Award of Pennsylvania, November 2017
鈥 Sister Donatilla Legacy Award, 猎奇重口视频 University Honor鈥檚 Convocation, April 2017
鈥 Upsilon Zeta Chapter, 猎奇重口视频 Nursing STTI Honor Society, October 2017
鈥 Nursing Excellence in Leadership, Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta International Honor Society of Nursing, May 2014
鈥 Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) nominee and institute participant, The Council of Independent Colleges and American Academic Leadership Institute, 2011-12
鈥 Award Finalist for Nursing Research, Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, October 2008
鈥 Woman of Distinction Award, Great Valley Council Girl Scouts, 2006
鈥 Independence Blue Cross Nursing Scholar Awards, Philadelphia, PA, 2005, 2006
鈥 Wye Faculty Fellow, Aspen Institute, 2002
鈥 Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, 1992-present
鈥 Slate, K.A., Stavarski, D.H., Romig, B.J. & Thacker, K.S. (2018). Longitudinal study transformed onboarding nurse graduates. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 34(2), 92-98.
鈥 Thacker, K.S., Stavarski, D.H., Brancato, V., Flay, C., & Greenawald, D. (2016). An investigation into the health-promoting lifestyle practices of RNs. American Journal of Nursing, 116(4), 24-31.
鈥 Ballantyne, S., Schreiner, M.B., & Thacker, K.S. (2016). Managing, mentoring, and motivating online course instructors: Emerging roles for chairs. The Department Chair, 26(4), 11-13. Jossey-Bass.
鈥 Thacker, K.S., Bertoti, D., Engler, E., Hartung, E. & Symanski, M.E. (2011). Academic leadership strategies to foster personal responsibility in students. The Department Chair, 22(2). Jossey-Bass.
鈥 Thacker, K.S. & Long, J. (2010). Family presence in final moments: A precious gift. Journal of Christian Nursing, 27(1), 140-144.
鈥 Thacker, K.S. (2008). Nurses鈥 advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing care. Nursing Ethics, 15(2), 174-185.
鈥 Thacker, K.S. (2005). Academic-community partnerships: Opening the doors to a nursing career, Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 16(1), 57-63.
鈥 鈥淏uilding Bridges to Enhance Degree and Career Opportunities鈥 [co-presenter], 37th Academic Chairs Conference, February 5-7, 2020, Savanah, GA.
鈥 "Seamless Academic Progression: The Dual Enrollment Model" [co-presenter], NLN Summit 2018, September 12-14, 2018, Chicago, IL.
鈥 "Mentoring, Managing and Motivating Online Course Instructors: Emerging Chair Responsibilities" [co-presenter], 33rd Academic Chairpersons Conference, Feb. 3-5, 2016, Charleston, SC.
鈥 "Health Promotion Lifestyle Practices of Registered Nurses" [presented on behalf of Berks Nursing Research Alliance], 22nd National Evidenced-Based Practice Conference of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, April 23- 24, 2015, Iowa City, Iowa.
鈥 "Thriving, not just Surviving: Effective Strategies for NCLEX Boot Camp", Poster [co-presenter] HRSA Workforce Diversity Health Disparities and Social Determinant of Health Summit, August 16-17, 2012, Bethesda, MD.
鈥 "Academic Leadership Strategies to Foster Personal Responsibility in Students", [co-presenter], 28th Annual Academic Chairpersons Conference, Feb. 10-11, 2011, Orlando, FL.
鈥 "Navigating the Gray Areas of Student Behavior Issues", [co-presenter], Baccalaureate Education Conference, AACN, Chicago, IL, November 20, 2009
鈥 "A System of Support for High Risk Nursing Students: Lessons Learned", Poster [co-presenter], 2009 NLN Education Summit, September 23-26, 2009, Philadelphia, PA.
鈥 "The Nursing Education Initiative: A Cure for the Nursing Shortage in Pennsylvania", presentation representing the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation at the 2008 Teamsters Women's Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, September 11, 2008.
鈥 "Attitudes to Evidenced-Based Practice: A Study to Examine RN Perceptions Related to Nursing Research", Poster [co-presentation] at The 15th National Evidenced-Based Practice Conference, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. April 24, 2008
鈥 The Perceptions of Advocacy Behaviors in End-of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced and Expert Nurses鈥, podium presentation at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Baltimore, MD., Nov. 3, 2007
Selected Academic Experience:
鈥 Associate Professor of Nursing (August 2021 鈥 present)
鈥 Dean, College of Professional Programs and Associate Professor of Nursing (2011 - 2021)
鈥 Responsible for Nursing Department, Social Work Program, Occupational Therapy Department, Education Department, Business Department, Criminal Justice Department, Athletic Training Program, Behavioral Health Program, Healthcare Science Program, and Physical Therapy Department
鈥 Facilitates strategic alliance between Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences and 猎奇重口视频 University; includes the Medical Imaging, Surgery Technology, Applied Health, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs
鈥 Monitor and facilitate curriculum, outcome assessment, faculty hire/evaluation, and budget processes in the College of Professional Programs
鈥 Community partnership development for professional healthcare and human service programming
鈥 Monitor and support accreditation processes (ACBSP- Business Department; CAATE- Athletic Training; PDE-Education Department; CCNE and PA State Board of Nursing- Nursing Department; CSWE- Social Work;
鈥 ACOTE- Occupational Therapy; CAPTE, Physical Therapy; Regulatory reports and substantive changes for all programs)
鈥 Representation of courses taught in recent years at undergraduate and graduate levels: Research and Theory, Leadership and Management, Policy, and Curriculum
Professional Practice Experience:
鈥 Registered Nurse, Cabell Huntington Hospital, WV, 1975-1990
Funded Grant Projects:
鈥 Berks County Community Foundation Grant to support Nursing Program's Summer Enrichment Program "SUCCESS Project" for incoming nursing freshman [co-wrote], August 2017 (funded $8,000)
鈥 Department of Health and Human Services Scholarships for Disadvantages Students (HRSA-SDS) Grant #TO8HP30170, [co-wrote], July 2016, (funded $550,000 x 4 years totaling $2,200,000)
鈥 Berks County Community Foundation Grant to support Laboratory creation in Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program [co-wrote], December 2012 (funded $50,000)
鈥 Alden Trust Grant for Nursing Simulation Laboratory [co-wrote], March 2012 (funded $100,000)
鈥 Department of Health and Human Services Workforce Diversity Grant #HRSA11-400), July 2012 (funded $333,929)
鈥 PA Department of Health Office of Health Equity Workforce Diversity Grant, November 2010 (funded $5,000)
鈥 US Department of Education #P116Z090041: Nurse Scholarship and Education, May 2009 (funded $95,000)
鈥 PHEF and McKenzie Foundation Block Grants for Nursing Student Retention Scholarships [co-wrote]: 2005-2011 (funded $239,000)
鈥 US Depart of Ed # P116Z080025): Nurse Retention and Recruitment, March 2008 (funded $85,460)
鈥 Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarships for Latino Nursing Students, March 2006 [co-wrote] (funded $100,00)
鈥 AACN Research Grant Award, SePA Chapter, May 2006 (funded $1,600.00)
Selected Professional and Community Service
鈥 Home Health Care Management, Inc. Board of Directors; Chair, 2015-2018; Vice-Chair, 2012-15; Executive Committee 2006-2018; Chair, Medical Professional Advisory Committee; 2005-2014
鈥 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Accreditation Program Evaluator, 2010-2018
鈥 Reading Hospital Tower Health Shared Governance Redesign Team [facilitator], 2017-2018
鈥 PA Department of Education On-site Program Reviewer, 2009, 2012
鈥 Nursing Research Council, Reading Hospital Tower Health: 2006-ongoing
鈥 The Berks Regional Nursing Research Alliance (co-founder): 2009-ongoing
鈥 Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Advisory Council, 2009-2011; Girl Scouts Take the Lead Event Committee, 2013, 2014, 2015
Professional and Community Service
鈥 Advisor to Caron Treatment Center for the development of nursing education video/program on best practices in addiction treatment, 2021
鈥 Advisory Committee to the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, 2020-2023
鈥 Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Ethics Committee, 2018-2023
鈥 Tower Health at Home Board of Directors, 2019-2023
鈥 Home Healthcare Foundation, 2019-ongoing
鈥 Home Health Care Management, Inc. Board of Directors; Chair, 2015-2018; Vice-Chair, 2012-15; Executive Committee 2006-2018; Chair, Medical Professional Advisory Committee; 2005-2014
鈥 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Accreditation Program Evaluator, 2010-2018
鈥 Reading Hospital Tower Health Shared Governance Redesign Team [facilitator], 2017-2018
鈥 PA Department of Education On-site Program Reviewer, 2009, 2012
鈥 Nursing Research Council, Reading Hospital Tower Health: 2006-ongoing
鈥 The Berks Regional Nursing Research Alliance (co-founder): 2009-ongoing
鈥 Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Advisory Council, 2009-2011; Girl Scouts Take the Lead Event Committee, 2013, 2014, 2015