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R.N., B.N., M.N., Ph.D, CCNE
Professor – Nursing
Phone: (204) 571-8580
Fax: (204) 571-8568
Office: HSB 041
chachulak@brandonu.ca
Biography
Kathryn Chachula is a Registered Nurse with a diverse clinical background that includes community health nursing in a remote, fly-in First Nations community in northern Manitoba, nursing within a rural community in New South Wales, Australia, among other experiences that include medicine, post-operative nursing, critical care, and emergency nursing.
Kathryn has served as a Council member on the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. She is a Research Affiliate with the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research and program reviewer for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. She also serves as a Teaching Affiliate with Brandon University’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan
- Master of Nursing (Special Focus: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education), University of Alberta
- Graduate Certificate in Simulation Education, Bryan College of Health Sciences
- Advanced Studies in Critical Care Nursing, Mount Royal University
- Bachelor of Nursing, University of Manitoba
Research Interests
Dr. Chachula’s research centres upon teaching and learning in nursing education, incivility, student experiences of psychological trauma, simulated learning environments, inter-professional education, the transition experience of Licensed Practical Nurses into undergraduate nursing education, as well as the experience of newly graduated Registered and Psychiatric Nurses entering the workforce. Kathryn has a particular interest in qualitative methodology that includes Phenomenology (van Manen), Grounded Theory (Glaser and Charmaz), quantitative approaches, as well as mixed methods research.
Publications
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5026-953X
Chachula, K., & Ahmad, N. (2026). Efficacy of a Psychological Body Armor™ course in nursing and psychiatric nursing students. Next Research, 11. Article e101997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2026.101997
McBride, J., & Chachula, K. (2026). Moral courage and ethical decision-making among registered psychiatric nurses in western Canada: A cross-sectional multiple-methods study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 35(2) e70262. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/inm.70262
Chachula, K., & Smith, N. (April 22, 2024). Racism, microaggressions, and sexism: Is this the welcome new graduates were expecting? Canadian Nurse. https://www.canadian-nurse.com/blogs/cn-content/2024/04/22/is-this-the-welcome-grads-were-expecting.
Chachula, K., Dusome, D., & Smith, N. (2023). New registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse graduates’ transition-to-practice amid the pandemic: An art-based grounded theory study. Nurse Education Today, 130, [Article number: 105946]. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105946
Chachula, K., & Varley, E. (2022). Perceptions and experiences of psychological trauma in nursing and psychiatric nursing students: A small scale qualitative case study. PLoS ONE, 17(11) [e0277195]. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277195
Chachula, K., Ahmad, N., Smith, N., & Henriquez, N. (2022). Incivility in nursing education: Sources of bullying and their impact on nursing and psychiatric nursing students. Quality Advancement in Nursing Education – Avancées en formation infirmière, 8(4), [Article 11]. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.17483/2368-6669.1331
Chachula, K., & Ahmad, N. (2022). Professional quality of life, stress, and trauma in nursing students: Before and during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14(8), 1333-1337. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tra0001216
Chachula, K. (2021). Professional quality of life factors and relationships in nursing and psychiatric nursing students: An exploratory study. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, [Article number: 994394]. 1-13. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2377960821994394
Chachula, K., Hyndman, K., & Smith, M. (2020). From practical nurse to bachelor of nursing student: Bridging the transition. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 17(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2020-0048
Chachula, K. (2020). A comprehensive review of compassion fatigue in pre-licensure health students: Antecedents, attributes, and consequences. Current Psychology. PMID: 33078054. 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-01122-3
Chachula, K., Smith, M., & Hyndman, K. (2019). Practical nurses’ lived experience of returning to school. Nurse Educator, 44(1), 53-57. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000543
Hyndman, K., Thomas, R., Schira, R., Bradley, R., & Chachula, K. Patterson, S., Compton, S. (2019). The effectiveness of tobacco dependence education in health professional students’ practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [Special issue]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(21), [Article ID: 4158], 1-22. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214158. Open access link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/21/4158/pdf. Published in special issue of Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control available online: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/smoking_prevention
Henriquez, N., Hyndman, K., & Chachula, K. (2019). It’s complicated: Improving undergraduate nursing students’ understanding and care of LGBTQ older adults. Journal of Family Nursing, 25(4), 506-532. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840719864099
Chachula, K., Smith, M., & Hyndman, K. (2019). Practical nurses’ lived experience of returning to school. Nurse Educator, 44(1), 53-57. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000543
Rohatinsky, N., Chachula, K., Sedgwick, M., Press, M., Compton, R., & Lane, B. (2018). Comparison of nursing student and instructor preferences for block and non-block clinical models. Nurse Educator, 43(4), E1-EE6. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000458
Rohatinsky, N., Chachula, K., Compton, R., Sedgwick, M., Press, M., & Lane, B. (2017). Nursing student preference for block versus non-block clinical models. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(3), 152-157. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20170222-06
Hyndman, K., Thomas, R., Patterson, S., Compton, S., Schira, R., Godfrey, C., Bradley, R., & Chachula, K. (2016). The effectiveness of tobacco intervention education for health professional students’ practice: A systematic review protocol [2655]. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports, 14(6), 1-13. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-002446
Chachula, K., Myrick, F., & Yonge, O. (2015). Letting go: How newly graduated registered nurses in Western Canada decide to exit the nursing profession. Nurse Education Today, 35, 912-918. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.02.024
Resource Manual
Provincial Nursing Resource Group for Transfusion Practice. (January, 2017 – revised in 2019). Manitoba transfusion best practice resource manual. Partners: Best Blood Manitoba; Canadian Blood Services; Diagnostic Services of Manitoba; Government of Manitoba. https://bestbloodmanitoba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/MTBPRM-full-with-links-for-BBM-and-print-1.pdf
Shadow Health Conversation Guides for Canadian Nurse Educators
These guides are designed to help Canadian nursing instructors and students use Shadow Health’s Pharmacology and Health Assessment Digital Clinical Experiences effectively by identifying key differences between Canadian and American health care contexts. The guides provide quick references, terminology adaptations, and best practices to bridge the gap. These documents are a non-clinical, educational support resource and should not be used in place of provincial nursing regulations or standards.
- Chachula, K., & Wharton, J. (July 2026). Pharmacology: Canadian Conversation Guide e-Resource. Shadow Health | Elsevier.
- Chachula, K., & Wharton, J. (September 2025). Health Assessment: Canadian Conversation Guide e-Resource. Shadow Health | Elsevier.
Thesis & Dissertation
Chachula, K. Letting Go: How newly graduated registered nurses in western Canada decide to exit the nursing profession. Master’s thesis published with the University of Alberta Libraries, Edmonton, Alberta: June 2014. Supervisor: Dr. Florence Myrick. Committee Members: Dr. Olive Yonge & Dr. Randolph Wimmer. Available electronically in the Sigma Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10755/22153 (Thesis). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 10099704; ProQuest document ID: 1783597944. The author retains copyright.
Chachula, K. Shining a light: Compassion fatigue in psychiatric nursing and nursing students. Dissertation published with the University of Saskatchewan Libraries, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: August 2020. Co-Supervisors: Dr. Noelle Rohatinsky & Dr. Gerri Lasiuk. Committee Members: Phillip Goernert, Dr. Valerie MacDonald-Dickinson, Dr. Carol Bullin, Dr. Don Leidl, & Dr. Ann-Marie Urban. Available electronically in the Sigma Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10755/22154 (Dissertation).
Select Refereed & Non-Refereed Presentations
Smith, N., Chachula, K., Ahmad, N., & Anychie, A. Enhancing belonging and mental well-being among visible minority nursing and psychiatric nursing students. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the Horatio 2026 Congress. Mechelen, Belgium: May 29, 2026.
Chachula, K., & Smith, N. (October 27, 2025). Bullying and incivility in nursing. Virtual webinar for Health Links.
Chachula, K., Betihavas, V., Ahmad, N., & Pinkney, R. Practice readiness and resilience of senior students and new graduates entering practice in Canada and Australia. Abstract accepted for e-poster presentation at the International Council of Nurses Congress – Helsinki, Finland: June 9-13, 2025.
Chachula, K. Supporting the mental health of students and new nursing graduates in Manitoba: Research findings and recommendations. Virtual oral presentation at Nursing Grand Rounds (arranged through the University of Manitoba): April 8, 2025. Recording available to view at: https://umanitoba.yuja.com/V/PlayList?node=4121225&a=1926463596&autoplay=1
Chachula, K., Smith, N., & Dusome, D., New graduates’ transition to practice during the pandemic: An arts-based grounded theory study. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the International Council of Nurses Congress – Montreal, QC: July 1-5, 2023.
Chachula, K., & Ahmad, N. Effectiveness of a resilience-building course in nursing and psychiatric nursing students: Preliminary findings. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the International Council of Nurses Congress – Montreal, QC: July 1-5, 2023.
Chachula, K., Ahmad, N., Smith, N., & Henriquez, N. (2023). Incivility in nursing education: Sources of bullying and their impact on nursing and psychiatric nursing students. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at CASN Biennial Canadian Nursing Education Conference – St. John’s, NL & Virtual: May 29-30, 2023.
Chachula, K., Dusome, D., & Smith, N. New graduates’ transition to practice amid the pandemic. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the Nursing Education Research Conference – Washington, DC: March 30-April 1, 2023.
Chachula, K., Dusome, D., & Smith, N. New graduates’ transition to practice. Brandon University Faculty of Health Studies Seminar Series oral presentation & discussion – Brandon, Manitoba: May 25, 2022. A recording is available at: https://www.centreforruralmentalhealth.com/research-seminars
Smith, N., Chachula, K., & Dusome, D. Finding balance and belonging while facing racism, sexism, and criticism: The first year of RPN and RN transition in the workforce. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the Canadian Federation for Mental Health Nurses – National virtual conference October 21, 2021.
Chachula, K., Smith, N., & Dusome, D. Transition to practice: Finding our methodological way without losing ourselves. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the International Institute of Qualitative Methodology: Thinking Qualitatively Conference – Virtual International Conference hosted by UBC Okanagan: July 5, 2021.
Chachula, K. Professional quality of life in psychiatric nursing & nursing students: Findings & discussion. Brandon University Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health Seminar oral presentation & discussion – Brandon, Manitoba: January 13, 2021. A recording is available at: https://www.centreforruralmentalhealth.com/research-seminars
Henriquez, N., Chachula, K., & Hyndman, K. It’s complicated: Improving undergraduate nursing students’ understanding and care of LGBTQ older adults. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the Global Alliance for Human Caring Education: Human Caring Conference – Victoria, British Columbia: September 29-October 1, 2019.
Chachula, K. Student Nurse Perceptions and Experiences of Trauma. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society: 2019 Congress – Calgary, Alberta: July 25-29, 2019.
Rohatinsky, N., Chachula, K., Press, M., & Lane, B. Nursing student and instructor preference for clinical models: Evidence to support curriculum development. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society Nursing Education Research Conference – Washington, D.C.: April 19-21, 2018.
Chachula, K. Worlds colliding or planets just shifting? Keynote Address for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority New Grad Day for Nurses: Winnipeg, Manitoba: January 26, 2018.
Smith, M., Chachula, K., & Hyndman, K. Practical nursing students’ lived experience of returning to school to obtain a Bachelor of Nursing degree: Implications for program delivery. International Institute of Qualitative Methodology: Qualitative Health Conference (IIQM: QHR) – Kelowna, British Columbia: October 19 2016.
Chachula, K., Hyndman, K., Smith, M., & McPherson, N. The NCLEX is here. Are you teaching to the test? Abstract accepted for a round table presentation/discussion at the WNRCASN conference – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: February 17-19, 2016.
Sedgwick, M., Rohatinsky, N., Press, M., Compton, R., Chachula, K., & Lane, B. Students’ Clinical Instructors’ Perceptions of Block and Non-Block Clinical: Preliminary Findings Across Four Provinces. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the WNRCASN conference – Cranbrook, British Columbia: February 18-20, 2015.
Chachula, K. Surviving your first year as a Registered Nurse. Keynote Address and Workshop at the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association Annual Convention – Regina, Saskatchewan: January 28-31, 2015.