Dr. Gonder achieved her RN from an Associate degree program in North Idaho. She truly was one of those little girls who dreamt to be a nurse ‘someday.’ She achieved that goal in her early 20s and continued to progress in the profession, achieving her PhD in nursing on the same day she celebrated her 50th birthday. She enjoyed precepting new hires and student nurses, which led to teaching. Her first academic teaching position was in an LPN program (vocational technical). Teaching eventually went on to include all levels of undergraduate nursing from LPN to ADN and various BSN entry programs (pre- and post-licensure). Before joining the Gonzaga team, she started work on designing a graduate Health Management course for a master’s degree program. Naturally, she has a passion for nursing education and the nursing profession (embracing its past, present, and future as a respected practice).
Her primary research area is adult congenital heart disease. Other areas of research interest include (a) nursing education and best practices in teaching and learning, (b) health care economics, (c) health determinants, (d) politics, and (e) theology.
Manuscript [under peer review]: ‘Exploring chronic congenital heart disease using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA): A methodological insight.’ International Journal of Qualitative Methods (2024)
‘Managing life with a broken heart: An experiential journey into role development as a young adult with chronic congenital heart disease.’ Doctoral Dissertation. Idaho State University
Gonder, K., Clarkson, G., & Dwyer, K. (2022). Taking a closer look at occupational/career
development in young adults with a complex congenital heart defect: A secondary analysis. Basic and Applied Nursing Research Journal, 3(1), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.11594/banrj.03.01.03
Podium Presentation
Gonder, K. ‘Clinical Reflections on Nursing’ - What happened to Nursing’s
Metaparadigm?’ [panel discussion]. 25th International Philosophy of Nursing (IPON) conference. Irvine, CA. (2022)
