Biography

Kimberley’s expertise in undergraduate psychiatric nursing education spans more than three decades while concurrently engaged in active clinical practice initially as a front line psychiatric nurse and later in Administrative/Management capacity as an Evening Supervisor at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Kimberley currently offers Equine Assisted Psychotherapy services through not-for-profit, private practice.

Education

Ph.D. (candidate), University of Calgary
M.Ed. (Distance Education Specialty), Athabasca University
B.Sc.N.,  Brandon University
Registered Nurse Diploma, Brandon General Hospital, School of Nursing
Registered Psychiatric Nurse Diploma, BMHC, School of Psychiatric Nursing

Research Interests

Areas of research interest include: suicide in rural populations, equine assisted psychotherapy/learning, undergraduate and graduate psychiatric nursing education, curriculum development, teaching and learning, mental health psychiatric nursing, mental health of rural and isolated populations, dementia, distance education, ongoing continuing competency, and issues encountered by our aging population. Kimberley’s strength lies in the area of qualitative research.

With full membership within the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Kimberley welcomes opportunities to serve as MPN student thesis advisor and/or committee member.

Selected Publications

Ryan-Nicholls, K. D. (2014). Advanced education for RPNs: A hard fought battle. Canadian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research. 7, 40-52. www.cjpnr.org.

 Ryan-Nicholls, K. D. & Will, C.I. (2009). Rigour in qualitative research: Mechanisms for control. Nurse Researcher.16 (3), 70-85.

 Ryan-Nicholls, K. D. & Haggarty, J. (2007). Collaborative Mental Health Care in Rural and Isolated Canada: Stakeholder Feedback. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 45 (12), 37-45.

 Ryan-Nicholls, K. D. (2005). Limited clinical site availability, outstanding mental health needs and barriers to faculty practice: A proposal for resolution. Nurse Education in Practice. 5 (3), 172-179.

 Ryan-Nicholls, K.D. & Racher, F. E. (2004). Investigating the health of rural communities: Toward framework development. Rural and Remote Health 4 (online) no. 244. Available from http://rrh.deakin.edu.au