Biography

Dr. Kelly Betts EdD, APRN, CPNP-BC, CNE serves as the assistant dean for the West Nebraska Division of the College of Nursing in Scottsbluff Nebraska. She is also a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner who practices in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). She is a graduate faculty in the graduate program. Currently, her clinical research is focused on the link between oral health and systemic health. She and her research team have developed an interprofessional, medical-dental model that provides oral health screening, intervention, and referral in the pediatric well child visits. This medical-dental model involves nursing and dental hygiene students in an interprofessional setting to enhance student knowledge and attitudes towards interprofessional education. In the past, Dr. Betts’ research interests have been in academic outcomes of nursing students, pediatric diabetes, interprofessional education, and pediatric obesity. Dr. Betts is also a DNP project advisor for the DNP students in the Panhandle and serves as an undergraduate and graduate nurse preceptor while practicing as an APRN. She has been in academia since 2008 and loves teaching and mentoring students.

Research

Research Interests

• Nursing Student academic success
• Pediatric Obesity
• Pediatric Diabetes
• The systemic link between oral health and systemic health in children

Grant Support (Previous 5 years)

February 2021
Educating Nurses to Practice at their Scope in Telehealth Care Delivery, $350,000, Carithers, C. (P.I.)

January 2020-December 2022
Building Healthy Families: Child Obesity, $5,700. Betts, K. (PI)

January 2019-December 2021
Integrated Dental Medical Model: A Pilot Study, $25,000, Moravec, L (P.I.)

November 2017-December 2018
An Interprofessional Intervention for Oral Health Care among Institutionalized Older Adults, $6,875, Efurd, M. (P.I.)

January 2017
Enhancement of RES-4133: Patient and Family Centered Care, $4,917, Boone, (P.I.)

Publications

Hanna, K.M., Hansen, J.R., Betts, K.J., Brage Hudson, D., Campbell-Grossman, C. & Hanish, A. (2021). Habit and Routine Interventions with Emerging Adults with Diabetes: An Integrative Review. Western Journal of Nursing Research,1-12. Doi:10.1177/01939459211032280.

Aguirre, T., Meier, N., & Betts, K. (2020). Targeted community outreach events to deliver healthcare to diverse rural populations. Arch Psy Mental Health. ttp://doi.org/10.29328/journal.apmh.1001021

Betts, K.J. (2020). Children and post-traumatic stress disorder: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Am Nurse Today, 15(5), 2-5.

Betts, K.J., Shirley, J.A., & Kennedy, R. (2017). Identifying Academic & Social Risk Factors of Baccalaureate Nursing Students using the College Persistence Questionnaire. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(12): 159-167.

Betts, K.J. (2016). Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students and a Qualitative Analysis of their Medication Administration Experiences. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(27); 76-81.

View all publications »

Service

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) International Nursing Society.

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Gamma Pi Chapter at Large.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

National League for Nursing (NLN).

American Nurses Association (ANA).

Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA).

Nebraska Nurse Practitioner Association (NNPA).

Panhandle Area Health Education Center Advisory Board (AHEC).

Panhandle Business Professional Women (BPW).

Recognition

2020 UNMC College of Nursing, Daisy Award Nominee.

2017 University of AR for Medical Sciences, Phenomenal Women Award.

2014 Sigma Theta Tau International, Virginia Henderson Fellow.

2010 UAMS, Chancellors Excellence Teaching Award.

2010 UAMS College of Nursing, CON Excellence in Clinical Teaching award.