School of Nursing: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Innovative Degree and Certification Programs

NKU's nursing programs are directly associated with multiple top-ranked hospitals located throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Additional experiences include area nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and primary health care settings.

Undergraduate Majors

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Accelerated)

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

Post-Graduate and Nurse Practitioner Advancement Certificates

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Simulation Center

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NKU's Center for Simulation Education is proud to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

NKU’s Center for Simulation Education uses technology and thoughtfully designed spaces to create a safe learning environment where students can practice real-life healthcare situations. The center features eight inpatient simulation rooms including an operating room, and a multi-bed critical care room. In addition, the center has a simulated home health environment and eight outpatient examination rooms. The simulation spaces, as described below, allow for exploration and learner-centered education.

Our Mission

The Northern Kentucky University Center for Simulation Education delivers innovative, evidence based, learner-centered experiential education and engages in impactful scholarly endeavors, which empower our learners to have a positive influence on safety and population health.

Our Vision

To be recognized as a leader in healthcare simulation education by empowering diverse learners to enhance safety and the quality of healthcare delivery.

Core Values

Community engagement shall be a priority, through both education and service.
Honest, fair, and ethical behavior will be at the heart of every decision and action.
Creativity and innovation will be the hallmarks of our teaching, scholarship, and service.
Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness shall characterize the community of belonging we foster.
Open communication and shared responsibility will ensure a climate of collegiality and respect.

Learn more about the Sim Center

Accreditations

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate and Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

The NKU Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 S. Prospect Avenue Suite 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001, Phone: 847-692-7050

School of Nursing Mission

Consistent with the mission and values of NKU and CHHS, The School of Nursing empowers students to advocate for the well-being of all communities through an innovative, evidence-based learning environment that fosters excellence in academics, scholarship, engagement, practice, leadership and lifelong learning.

Our People

Kim Dinsey-Read, Ph.D, MSN, RN

Director of Nursing & Associate Professor of the School of Nursing

FH 395M
859-572-5630
dinseyreadk@nku.edu

Nurse Anesthesia Program

Judy Audas, DNAP, APRN-CRNA, MSN
Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program

FH 475A
859-572-5627
audasj1@nku.edu
Courtney Hamilton, DNP, RN
Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia Program

FH 475C
859-572-6581
hamiltonc11@nku.edu
Brian Kasson
Faculty

FH 475C
859-572-7966
kassonb1@nku.edu
Brett J. Kendon, DNP, CRNA, ARNP, DipCA, CHSE
Anesthesia Simulation and Assistant Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program

FH 475A
859-572-5242
kendonb1@nku.edu
Jennifer McLeod, DNAP, APRN, CRNA
Didactic Faculty

FH 475B
859-572-5274
mcleodj1@nku.edu

Graduate Nursing

Karen O'Connell, PhD, RN, CEN, NEA-BC
Associate Director, Graduate Nursing Studies

FH 495C
859-572-7918
oconnellk@nku.edu
Jitana Benton-Lee, DNP, MSN, MBA-HC, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Professor, DNP & MSN programs

FH 599C
859-572-5895
bentonleej1@nku.edu
Felicia Dooley

Master of Science in Nursing, Preceptor Coordinator

FH 495A
859.572.5805
waltonf1@nku.edu
Amanda Johnston

GA, Preceptor Coordinator Assistant

FH 495A
859.572.5805
johnstona11@mymail.nku.edu
Amy Finnell, MBA, MSN, RN, BSHCS
Concentration Coordinator, Nurse Executive Leadership Program

859-572-5476
finnella2@nku.edu
Roxanne Gall, MSN, ARNP, CNS
Concentration Coordinator, Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

FH 495B
859-572-1305
gallr1@nku.edu
Teresa Huber, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN
Program Director, Master of Science in Nursing

FH 495G
859-572-7662
hubert@nku.edu
Carolyn Kallmeyer, MSN, APRN, PPCNP-BC, FNP-BC
Concentration Coordinator, Family Nurse Practitioner

859-572-5554
kallmeyerc2@nku.edu
Adrianne J. Lane, EdD, RN, CNE
Professor

859-572-5895
lanea6@nku.edu
Lisa Long, Ph.D, RN
Program Director, Post Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice

FH 599A
longl4@nku.edu
Jennifer Moreland, MSN, APRN, NP-C
Clinical Assistant Professor

859-572-5327
eisenmanj@nku.edu
Sandra W. Nichols, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Coordinator, APRN Programs; Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP Concentration Coordinator; Psych-Mental Health
psych-mental health Concentration Coordinator; Assistant Professor

walkers5@nku.edu
Denise Robinson, PhD, RN, APRN
Regents Professor

859-572-5327
robinson@nku.edu
Karen Vietz, PhD, RN
Graduate Faculty, DNP & MSN Programs

859-572-5895
vietzk1@nku.edu
Lynne Zajac, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, Graduate Faculty

FH 495H
859-572-5178
zajacl1@nku.edu

Undergraduate Nursing

Erin Robinson, Ed.D, MSN, RN
Associate Director, Undergraduate Nursing Studies

FH 499B
859-572-6323
robinsoner@nku.edu
Marybeth Baribeau, Ed.D/CI, MSN/ed, BSN, RN
Program Director, RN to BSN Program
Concentration Coordinator, Nursing Education Program

FH 495F
859-572-1419
baribeaum1@nku.edu
Jillian Boyle, RN, BSN, MSN, SANE
Lecturer

FH 395B
859-572-7919
hayj@nku.edu
Deborah Chilcote, DNP, RN, RNC-MNN
Assistant Professor

FH 395K
859-572-1571
chilcoted1@nku.edu
Lisa Cuntz, DNP, MSN, RN
Program Director, Traditional Nursing Program

FH 395J
859-572-5854
cuntzl1@nku.edu
Traci Freeman, DNP, MSN, RN
Program Director, Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing Program

FH 395E
859-572-7965
freemant1@nku.edu
Erin Gardlik, MSN, RN
Faculty

FH 399D
859-572-1393
Gardlike1@nku.edu
Julie Hart, DNP, RN, CNE
Associate Professor/Simulation Educator

FH 499A
859-572-1553
hartj5@nku.edu
Beth Hickey, RN, MSN, CRRN
Lecturer

FH 395H
859-572-6153
hickeybe@nku.edu
Jennifer Hunter, RN, MSN
Nurse Advocacy for the Underserved (NACU), Lecturer

FH 499D
859-572-6342
hunterj10@nku.edu
Erin Kelley, MSN, RN, CCRN, CMSRN, CCCTM
Faculty

FH 399C
859-572-5608
kelleye3@nku.edu
Caron Martin, MSN, RN
Associate Professor

FH 399A
859-572-5983
martinc@nku.edu
Carrie McCoy, Ph.D., MSPH, RN, CEN, CNE
Professor

FH 395M
859-572-6541
mccoy@nku.edu
Joy Melvin, MSN, RN

FH 495A
859-572-5245
melvinj1@nku.edu
Shawn Nordheim, Ed.D., RN, CCRN-K, CNE
Lecturer

FH 395D
859-572-5539
nordheims@nku.edu
Cathy Pence, RN, MSN, CCRN
Associate Professor

859-572-5895
pencec1@nku.edu
Kris Pfendt, RN, MSN

Associate Professor

pfendtk@nku.edu
Anita Phillips, APRN, RN,ANP-C, MSN,BS,BSN
Faculty

FH 395F
859-572-5895
phillipsa21@nku.edu
Angela Powell, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Role Transition Clinical Coordinator/ Lecturer

FH 495K
859-572-5210
powella1@nku.edu
Angela Riley, MSN, RN, APRN, NP-C
Lecturer

FH 399B
859-572-7539
rileya4@nku.edu
Tracy Ripberger MSN, RN
Lecturer

FH 397C
859-572-7611
bucklertr@nku.edu
Lynn Smith, Ed.D, MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor

FH 395G
859-572-5671
smithl22@nku.edu
Brittney Sorrell, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Faculty

FH 395A
859-572-5895
sorrellb1@nku.edu
Amber Nattin Thomas, BS, BSN, MSN, RN
Lecturer

FH 359
859-572-5327
thomasa8@nku.edu