Faculty practice provides faculty members with the opportunity to be engaged in their area of expertise. As leaders of exemplary, innovative, and culturally proficient faculty engagement, faculty members fulfill the mission of the UA Capstone College of Nursing’s Faculty Practice Committee. The Faculty Practice Committee strives to increase the visibility of the school of nursing by spotlighting the practice of faculty members as they practice in community agencies. Practice sites are diverse and represent the expertise and background preparation of faculty engaged in faculty practice. Faculty “spotlights” are updated multiple times annually to showcase the exceptional work of faculty practice members. Be sure to return to this webpage in the future to learn about the practice of other faculty members!
Kate McConathy, MSN, BSN, RN, FNP-C
Instructor
I have been privileged to teach in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Specifically, in undergrad, I have taught in the Physical Assessment, Fundamentals, and Adult Health courses, and in the graduate program, Family Nurse Practitioner courses. Throughout my time at the college, I have been grateful for the opportunity to contribute to educating the next generation of nurses.
I completed my studies as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2015, and since then, I have been working for Medical West, a hospital in Bessemer, AL. Initially, I worked as an Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner, but transitioned to Sleep Medicine in 2020. I work in an outpatient clinic to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who have sleep-related complaints.
Medical West cares for patients of diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds across Jefferson, Bibb, and Shelby Counties.
A typical day at the clinic involves seeing patients in thirty-minute appointment slots. Patients present with sleep-related complaints that may stem from poor sleep hygiene or a disease process, such as sleep apnea. During each appointment, I educate patients on the importance of deep, refreshing sleep to their overall health. If additional diagnostic testing is necessary, Medical West offers a sleep lab for further evaluation of patients’ concerns.
As a clinician in the field of Sleep Medicine, it is crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest research and innovative technologies. These advancements are contributing to the progression of the field, allowing for more options for treatment for people with sleep-related diseases. As a healthcare professional, staying up-to-date on the latest research helps to ensure that I provide my patients with the highest quality and safest care. I stay updated by regularly reviewing the latest research and staying active in my local Sleep Medicine organization, Sleep Professionals of Alabama, and national association, the Sleep Research Society.
I am interested in interdisciplinary collaboration, as the field of Sleep Medicine intersects with many other areas of medicine. Poor sleep is associated with various health conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Collaboration with other healthcare team members allows for a holistic approach to patient care by creating individualized, comprehensive patient care plans and addressing the symptoms and underlying causes of sleep disorders. Furthermore, taking these care plans and empowering patients with knowledge about the impact of sleep on their overall health can be transformative for their health.
I am passionate about educating others about the importance of regular, deep, refreshing sleep! Sleep health is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of overall health and well-being. I am currently working on completing my Ph.D. with a focus on helping Generation Z sleep. My research aims to increase awareness about the importance of sleep health and promote healthy sleep practices. I plan to incorporate my research findings within my practice and disseminate them to others in my field and beyond.
Sleep Medicine is a rapidly evolving field with more research linking chronic diseases, such as mental illness, to poor sleep. In addition, advances in sleep tracking through wearable technology and innovative technology to treat sleep apnea are changing the field in the best way!
I am passionate about providing holistic care for patients in sleep medicine to promote long-term quality health. The diversity of my patient population allows me to address disparities in sleep health across different racial and cultural groups. I have seen a significant decrease in patient morbidity/mortality by breaking down barriers with education and interdisciplinary collaborative practice. Through my role at the CCN and support from the Faculty Practice Committee, I can disseminate this valuable knowledge to colleagues and CCN students and, in turn, our community and beyond.