Our research team is interested in exploring the factors that influence and describe both learner well-being and academic persistence, as well as professional well-being and workforce retention among registered nurses.
Our primary goal is to develop interventions that enhance well-being, support academic persistence, and improve workforce retention.
We work collaboratively and independently with research teams in other universities and hospital systems to conduct research projects in our areas of interest.
People:
Regina Urban, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, MA-LPC
Dr. Urban is an Assistant Professor at UTA and teaches research-related courses to graduate and undergraduate students. Her research is focused on describing and enhancing well-being in nursing students and registered nurses working in academic and hospital-based settings.
As a Master Trainer for the Resiliency Program, Dr. Urban has taught Resiliency Training to students and nurses since 2022 and assisted with training individuals as facilitators for the program since 2024. A registered nurse for 28 years, Dr. Urban has previous experience working in emergency department, intensive care, and cath lab/EP lab settings and as a hospital-based educator. She has previous degrees and experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Leslie Jennings, PhD, CNE, RN
Dr. Jennings is an Assistant Professor at UTA and teaches in both the pre-licensure and RN-BSN programs. Previous roles at UTA included coordinating a program to support the success and retention of nurse scholars as they progressed through pre-requisite coursework. Her research is focused on exploring key determinants that influence success and retention in nursing students.
Dr. Jennings has taught Resiliency Training to students and a variety of healthcare workers since 2022. She has been a registered nurse for over 30 years working primarily in medical-surgical and perioperative nursing roles.
Additional Team Members:
Kelle
Ceil
Adrianna
Raeann