Regina Urban

Which classes do you teach online?

Pathophysiology, Nursing Research.

Why did you start teaching?

I enjoyed explaining concepts and skills to others when I worked as a nurse providing patient care. It was a natural transition to do it in small groups when I became a staff developer in the hospital and then as a clinical instructor in the academic setting.

What's the best advice that you have ever received?

“Promise me you’ll always remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Why are you interested in nursing? What drew you to this field?

My mother was a diploma nurse and my father was a medical technician in the Air Force. I enjoyed working in behavioral health, and obtaining a nursing degree was a natural extension of my career field. I enjoy taking care of people and helping families as a nurse. I enjoy teaching and working with students to help them accumulate knowledge that will support their nursing practice. Nursing is a wonderful career because you can work in so many diverse areas of health care and because it is so flexible.

What is the one book you think everyone should read?

The Harry Potter series (seriously).

What qualities make someone particularly successful in nursing?

Being organized, thorough assessment skills, good listening skills, clinical reasoning, willingness to be compassionate toward others, dedicated to excellence... and, oh yes, a small touch of ADD/ADHD is probably helpful.

What do you think is the biggest challenge that nurses face today?

Balancing time management with patient care needs and required administrative or patient satisfaction tasks. In addition, new knowledge becomes available constantly, and a good nurse works to incorporate that into one's practice. It's hard to juggle it all.

What do you want students to take away from your classes?

A practical and useful set of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills in pathophysiology and/or research/evidence based practice that they can apply in nursing school and in their practice at the bedside.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that you students may not know.

I am a first-generation college student and I believe that education is the key to one's future. In addition, I have three children, the first of whom is headed to college at UTA this fall. Go, Mavs!