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University of Colorado College of Nursing

College of Nursing
 

Faculty Profile

Cathy J. Thompson, PhD, RN, CCNS

Associate Professor and CNS Option Coordinator

Cathy.Thompson@ucdenver.edu

Dr. Thompson is a critical care clinical nurse specialist and the Option Coordinator for the CNS option at CU.  Her main teaching areas are advanced pathophysiology, applied evidence-based practice, advanced practice, and the clinical nurse specialist classes in the graduate program. As a researcher, her main program of research focuses on translational research and evidence-based practice from an individual and organizational level. She has also studied pain in infants and adults, and currently is expanding her research interest into the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her most recent research studies have explored the role of the nurse opinion leader and the effectiveness of audio/video lectures in online courses.

Dr. Thompson is nationally recognized for her expertise through her writings and presentations at local, regional, national and international conferences. She has published on a variety of clinical and professional topics in critical care and evdience-based practice. Dr. Thompson has presented on critical care, evidence-based practice, innovative teaching methodologies, and leadership topics in local, national, and international forums. 

Dr. Thompson has held varying leadership positions, on the local and national level, in multiple organizations including the Board of Directors for both the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the AACN Certification Corporation. She is a member of the Editorial Board of The Internet Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice.

Degree Awarding Institution Field of Study Graduation Date
PhD Texas Woman' University Nursing Research and Theory 1997
MSN The University of Texas-Houston Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist 1991
BSN The University of Texas-Houston Nursing 1990
AS Mesa College Nursing 1984
Title Organization Year
CNS Educator of the Year National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists March 2008
Chancellor' Teaching Recognition Award University of Colorado Denver, Graduate School May 2006
President's Award for Teaching Excellence University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing May 2004
Chancellor' Teaching Recognition Award University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing May 2000
Chancellor'sTeaching Recognition Award University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing May, 1999
AACN Service Appreciation Award American Association of Critical-Care Nurses May, 1999
AACN Certification Corporation Service Appreciation Award American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Certification Corporation May, 1999
  1. Thompson, C. J. (in press). Chapter 11. Designing studies for EBP. In J. Houser & K. Oman (Eds.), Evidence based practice: An implementation guide for hospitals. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
  2. Thompson, C. J. (in press). Chapter 10. Cardiac problems. In J. Foster & S. Prevost (Eds.), Advanced practice nursing for adults in acute care. F. A. Davis.
  3. Thompson, C. J., & Waters, J. (2009). Journal clubs. In R. Fink, K. Oman, & M. B. Flynn (Eds.), Professional resources: Practice outcomes research manual. Denver, CO: University of Colorado Hospital.
  4. Thompson, C. (2006). Fostering skills for evidence-based practice: The student journal club. Nurse Education in Practice, 6, 69-77.
  5. Fink, R., Thompson, C. J., & Bonnes, D. (2005). Overcoming barriers and promoting the use of research in practice. Journal of Nursing Administration, 35(3), 121-129.
  6. Thompson, C. J. (2003). Overcoming the research-practice gap. In K. S. Oman, M. E. Krugman & R. M. Fink, Nursing research secrets (pp. 15-24). Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.
  7. Hagedorn, S., Weis, B., & Thompson, C. J.(2003). Defining the essence of the nurse practitioner: APN student competency evaluation (pp. 18-21). In T. Guberski (Ed). New paradigms in advanced nursing practice: Teaching and technological strategies in nurse practitioner education. NONPF Monograph.
  8. Thompson, C. J. (Issue Ed.). (2001). Translating research into practice: Preface. Critical Care Nursing Clinics, 13(4), xiii-xvi.
  9. Thompson, C. J. (2001). The meaning of research utilization: A preliminary typology. Critical Care Nursing Clinics, 13(4), 475-486.
  10. Thompson, C. J., McNeill, J. A., Sherwood, G. D., & Starck. P. L. (2001). Using collaborative research to facilitate student learning. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 23(5), 504-516.
  • PI, A Descriptive Survey of Nurse Opinion Leaders, University of Denver College of Nursing, Intramural Program. 2007 – 2008 Funded.
  • PI, Research Utilization in Organizational Settings: A Multisite Study, (R. Fink, K. Bent, Co-PIs), University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing, Intramural Program. 2002 – 2004 Funded.