Nursing Faculty & Staff

Karen S. Thacker, Ph.D., RN, CNE

Dean, College of Professional Programs
Associate Professor of Nursing

Education Background

• 2006 - Doctorate of Philosophy, Widener University, PA
• 1987 - Master of Science in Nursing, West Virginia University, WV   
• 1981 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
• 1975 - Associate in Nursing, University of Charleston, WV
• 2008 - Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League of Nursing

Academic Experience

Dean, College of Professional Programs and Associate Professor of Nursing

• Responsible for Nursing Department, Social Work Program, Occupational Therapy Program, Education Department, Business Department, Criminal Justice, and Athletic Training Program - Monitor and facilitate curriculum, outcome assessment, faculty hire/evaluation processes in the College of Professional Programs, Budgets
• Monitor  and support accreditation processes (ACBSP Business Department; JRT Athletic Training; Major Review PA Department of ED; Major ED curricular revision and development of  8 Middle School concentrations; CCNE Nursing and State Board of Nursing; CSW Social Work; and ACOTE: Occupational Therapy; Regulatory reports and substantive changes for all programs)
• Over sight of grant initiatives within Professional Programs; including exit reports
• Curriculum Design in Nursing and Health Sciences
• Representation of Courses Taught in recent years: Research and Theory, Leadership, Policy and Curriculum

Selected Publications

• Thacker, K.S. & Long, J. (2010). Family presence in final moments: A precious gift. Journal of Christian Nursing, 27(1), 140-144.
• Thacker, K.S. (2008). Nurses’ advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing care. Nursing Ethics, 15(2), 174-185.
• Thacker, K.S. (2005). Academic-community partnerships: Opening the doors to a nursing career, Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 16(1), 57-63.

Selected National Presentations

• “Academic Leadership Strategies to Foster Personal Responsibility in Students”, [co-presenter], 28th Annual Academic Chairpersons Conference, Feb. 10-11, 2011, Orlando, FL.
• “Navigating the Gray Areas of Student Behavior Issues”, [co-presenter], Baccalaureate Education Conference, AACN, Chicago, IL, November 20, 2009
• “A System of Support for High Risk Nursing Students: Lessons Learned”, Poster [co-presenter], 2009 NLN Education Summit, September 23-26, 2009, Philadelphia, PA.
• “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.
• “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
• “The Perceptions of Advocacy Behaviors in End-of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced and Expert Nurses”, podium presentation at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Baltimore, MD., Nov. 3, 2007
• “Campus Leadership for Student Engagement, Inclusion and Achievement: Mutually Supportive Outcomes” Co-presentation at the AAC&U 2004, Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, January 21-24, 2004
• “Academic-Community Partnerships”, Baccalaureate Education Conference, San Antonio, TX, November 16-18, 2003

Selected Grant Writing

• Department of Health and Human Services Workforce Diversity #10-042, 1/10 (Not Funded)
• US Dept of Ed #P116Z090041: Nurse Scholarship and Education, 5/09 (Funded $95,000)
• PHEF and McKenzie Foundation Block Grants for Nursing Student Retention Scholarships: (Funded $239,000 : 2005-11)
• Josiah Macy Foundation: Culturally Competent Healthcare Initiative, 2/09 (Not Funded)
• US Depart of Ed # P116Z080025): Nurse Retention and Recruitment, 3/08 (Funded: $85,460)
• Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarships for Latino Nursing Students, 3/06 (Funded: $100,00)
• AACN Research Grant Award, SePA Chapter, 5/06 (Funded: $1,600.00

Professional and Community Service

• Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Advisory Council, 2009-ongoing
• Home Health Care Management, Inc. Board of Directors; Executive Committee; Chair, Medical Professional Advisory Committee; 2005-present
• Research Council, Reading Hospital and Medical Center: 2006-2010
• Berks Regional Research Alliance Steering Committee (co-founder): 2009-present

Honors/Awards

• Award Finalist for Nursing Research, Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, 10/08
• Woman of Distinction Award, Great Valley Council Girl Scouts, 3/06
• Independence Blue Cross Nursing Scholar Awards, Philadelphia, PA, 2005, 2006
• Wye Faculty Fellow, Aspen Institute, 2002

Research and Project Interests

• Student Success, Ethics/Advocacy in End of Life Care, Higher Education Leadership, Integrating Evidenced-Based Nursing Practice