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Lisa Thomas, Ph.D., RN, CNE, FAAN

Professor, RN/BSN Track Leader
Thomas, Lisa

Summary

My nursing career has spanned many settings and multiple roles. I worked clinically as a registered nurse in float pool, neonatal intensive care, and home health before I found my true clinical passion in oncology and hospice nursing.

After spending several years at the bedside, I became acutely aware that major healthcare worker safety gaps were unaddressed in direct patient care settings. I began working as a volunteer member/chair of the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Nurses Association legislative committee in 1998 and was appointed executive director of the association in 2000. In this role, I had the opportunity to engage with policymakers in ÁùºÏ±¦µä and Washington D.C. and was integral to developing several successful legislative initiatives that continue to provide protections for bedside healthcare workers.

Through my legislative work, I also found a love for teaching nurses. After completing my doctoral studies at the University of California San Francisco, I was honored to join my alma mater as a member of the faculty.

On a personal note, I am a native of the Carson Valley and am proud to call Reno my home. I have two adult daughters – both of whom are registered nurses working in Northern ÁùºÏ±¦µä healthcare settings.

Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor, University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno (2014 – Current)
  • Assistant Professor, University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno (2005 – 2014)
  • Executive Director, ÁùºÏ±¦µä Nurses Association (2000 – 2005)
  • Healthcare Worker Safety Liaison, American Nurses Association (1998 – 2005)

Publications

  • Black Thomas, L (2020). Underreporting of bloodborne pathogen exposures in nursing students. Nurse Educator, 45(2), 78-82. doi:10.1097/NNE.0000000000000696
  • Black, L.M. (2013). Ditch the pinch: Bilateral exposure injuries during subcutaneous injection. American Journal of Infection Control, 41(9), 815-819. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.10.017.
  • McClure, E. & Black, L.M. (2013). The role of the clinical preceptor: An integrative literature review. Journal of Nursing Education, 52(6), 335 – 341. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20130412.
  • Hicks, V. & Black, L.M. (2013). Evaluation, identification, and management of pediatric stroke in the emergency room using a pathway algorithm. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 39(2), 132-137. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2012.11.013
  • Black, LM. (2012). Chinks in the armor. Percutaneous injuries from hollow bore safety engineered sharps devices. American Journal of Infection Control, 41(5), 427-432. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.05.025
  • Black, LM. Parker, G., & Jagger, J. (2012). Chinks in the armor. Activation patterns of hollow bore safety engineered devices. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 38(3), 842-844. doi: 10.1086/666630
  • Tellez, M.S., Black, LM., & Tinoco, A. (2011). California Hispanic nurses: Analysis of 1997, 2004, 2006, 2008 survey data. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, 12(3), 150-158. doi: 10.1177/1527154411417452
  • Black, LM. (2011). Tragedy into policy: A quantitative study of nurses' attitudes toward patient advocacy activities. American Journal of Nursing, 111(6), 26-35. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000398537.06542.c0
  • Black, LM., Spetz, J. & Harrington, C. (2010). Nurses who do not nurse: Factors that predict non-nursing work in the US registered nursing labor market. Nursing Economics, 28(4), 245-254.
  • Black, LM., Spetz, J. & Harrington, C. (2008). Nurses working outside of nursing: Societal trend or workplace crisis?  Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, 9(3), 143-157 .  doi: 10.1177/1527154408319288

Research Interests

  • Healthcare worker safety
  • Nursing workforce
  • Academic integrity

Education

  • BSN, University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä Reno – 1993
  • MSN, Nursing Education. University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno – 2003
  • PhD, Nursing with Health Policy Emphasis, University of California, San Francisco – 2007