Kathleen Czekanski, Ph.D., R.N., CNE

As Dean, Dr. Czekanski is responsible for the administrative leadership of the departments within the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and serves as the chief nurse administrator for the Nursing Programs.  Dr. Czekanski joined La Salle in 2008 as director of the graduate and RN-BSN programs and served as the associate dean for the Nursing Programs from 2012 to 2015.  Dr. Czekanski’s scholarship addresses end of life care and dementia caregiving, and she is particularly interested in the experience of people caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease as they transition to the caregiving role.

Areas of Expertise

Dementia caregiving
Hospice, palliative care
Community health
Education

Education

Ph.D.–Nursing, Duquesne University
MSN–Family Health Nursing, Management, The College of New Jersey
BSN–Villanova University

Certifications

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), National League for Nursing

Training

End of Life Nursing Education Consortium Training – sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and City of Hope Cancer Center
Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium Training – sponsored by the Hartford Foundation and the AACN

Teaching

Nursing research
International public health nursing
Family systems concepts for primary care
Professional ethics

Research Interests

Dementia caregiving
Hospice, palliative care
Community health
Education

Publications

Byrne, D., Overbaugh, K., Czekanski, K., & Wilby, M., Blumenfeld, S., & Laske, A. (2020).  Assessing undergraduate nursing students’ attitudes towards the dying in an end-of-life simulation using NLN’s ACE-S unfolding case study. The Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing. 22(2), 123-129.

Czekanski, K., Mingo, S., & Piper, L. (2018). Coaching to NCLEX-RN success: A post graduation intervention to improve first-time pass rates. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(9), 561-565. doi: http://dbproxy.lasalle.edu:2101/10.3928/01484834-20180815-10

Czekanski, K., Hoerst, B., & Kurz, J. (2018). Instituting evidence-based changes to improve NCLEX-RN® pass rates. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(1), 11-18.

Czekanski, K. (2017). The experience of transitioning to the caregiving role for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. American Journal of Nursing. 117(9), 24-33.

Wolf, Z., & Czekanski, K. (2015). Bathing disability and bathing persons with dementia. MEDSURG Nursing. 24 (1), 9-14.

Wolf, Z., Czekanski, K., & Dillon, P. (2014). Course syllabi: Components and outcomes assessment. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 4. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v4n1p100

Czekanski, K., & Wolf, Z. (2013). Encouraging and evaluating class participation. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 10. Available at: http://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/vol10/iss1/7

Piper, L., & Czekanski, K. (2012). Use of a simulated administrative decision-making exercise in an online master’s nursing administration course. Journal of Nursing Education, (51), 1-2.

Wolf, Z. & Czekanski, K. (2011). Analyzing student complaints against nursing programs: Taxonomies of complaints and outcomes. Journal of Professional Nursing. 27(5), 283-291.

Hodgson, N., Gitlin, L., Winter, L., & Czekanski, K. (2011). Undiagnosed illness and neuropsychiatric behaviors in community-residing older adults with dementia. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders. 25(2), 109–115.

Bicknell, P. & Czekanski, K. (2009) Clinical nurse leader®: Potential nursing role for long-term care. PADONA Journal, 22(1), 21-24.

Griffiths, M., Papastrat, K., Czekanski, K. & Hagan, K. (2004). The lived experience of NCLEX failure. Journal of Nursing Education. 43: 322-325.

Griffiths, M. & Czekanski, K. (2003).  Meeting the needs of the health system: A refresher course for registered nurses. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 34: 162-173.

Book Chapter

Czekanski, K, (2008). Dying Care in Ackely, B., Ladwig, G., Swan, B. A., & Tucker, S.  Evidence-based nursing care guidelines. St. Louis: Mosby.

Presentations

October 15, 2019
Assessing Undergraduate Nursing Student’s Attitudes Towards the  Dying in an End-of-Life Simulation Using an ACE-S Unfolding Case Study. 45th Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention. Washington, DC. Byrne, D., Overbaugh, K., Czekanski, K., Wilby, M., Blumenfeld, S., & Laske, A.

November 16, 2018
Steering Students toward NCLEX-RN® Success – An innovative post-graduation intervention to improve first-time pass rates. 2018 AACN BSN Conference. New Orleans, LA. Mingo, S., Czekanski, K., &  Piper, L.

March 26, 2018
Supporting Best Practices in Testing and Evaluation: A Performance Improvement Plan to Address NCLEX-RN® First-Time Pass Rates.  Institute for Educators Spring Conference. University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD. Czekanski, K. & Hoerst, B.

March 1, 2012
A Curriculum Revision Project Based on the Essentials of Master’s Education and the Adult Gerontology Competencies. 2012 AACN Master’s Education Conference. San Antonio, TX. Czekanski, K.

October 29, 2011
Research Utilization with Three Populations of Staff Nurses. Symposium presentation at Sigma Theta Tau International 41st Biennial Convention.  Grapevine, Texas. With Dr. P O’Connor and Dr. P. Bicknell.

April 15, 2011
The Use of Simulated Administrative Ethical Decision Making in Online Masters in Nursing Administration Course. American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Hot Topics Conference, Baltimore, MD.

February 25, 2011
The Use of Role Play in an Online Masters in a Nursing Administration Course.  2011 Master’s Education Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.

March 28, 2008
The Experience of Transitioning to the Caregiving Role for a Family Member with Alzheimer’s disease or a Related Dementia.  2008 Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) 20th Annual Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA.

Professional Organizations

Sigma Theta Tau, International
Eastern Nursing Research Society