Kathy Reavy, PhD, RN

Teaching
Kathy has taught the undergraduate introductory nursing research class for over 8 years.  She consistently keeps the course current as evidenced by her creation of an evidence-based practice semester project, including development of a form to assist students in learning how to critique a research publication.  Kathy consistently looks for ways to promote best teaching practices and often implements new ideas with the assistance of teaching grants.  She was visionary in recognizing the benefits of delivering new content through technology and received a State of Idaho grant for Adobe Connect and Adobe Presenter.  The Adobe technology has enhanced students’ abilities to engage in distance education for graduate studies and baccalaureate completion.  Numerous classes in the on-ground baccalaureate program also use the technology in a blended or hybrid presentation of new course content.  When the student enrollment in classes doubled due to a depressed economy and without the addition of more faculty, Kathy wrote for and received permission to utilize undergraduate teaching assistants.  This idea was validated through a pilot study and is now a common practice that contributes to student and faculty effectiveness.  Currently, Kathy is actively involved in the process of a memorandum of understanding between Boise State University and University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, for the purpose of student and/or faculty exchanges.  Evaluation of this project is being conducted using descriptive research methodology.  Finally, the popular NICU placement for senior students is now a section in the required senior clinical, NURS 427.  This very popular class is successful because of the academic-practice partnership.  The structure of the class provides new information related to nursing care and pathophysiologies specific to the NICU population, in addition to the hands-on clinical experiences.

Service
Kathy recently served as chair of the University’s Research Committee.  She also served as an active member of the University’s Service Learning Board and the Gender Studies Board.  Currently, Kathy remains active with the University’s Canadian Studies Board and chairs the School of Nursing’s Promotion and Tenure Committee.  Kathy also is on the editorial board for the Northwest Section of the Journal of Rural and Remote Health. She also keeps her national nursing organization memberships current.

Scholarship
Kathy’s scholarship activities revolve around refugees in the Boise area.  She recently completed a research position with the Culturally Appropriate Resources and Education (CARE) prenatal and pediatric refugee clinic.  Kathy collected data and submitted numerous grant reports.  Since the completion of the clinic’s grant, Kathy is working with elder (greater than 60 years of age) refugees.   Kathy’s creative teaching involves scholarship and her scholarship creatively involves students.  Kathy is a frequent speaker and presenter with a growing portfolio of writings.