Kristen Childress DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, AGNP-C, CWCN-AP

I have been a nurse practitioner since 2004, currently certified by the ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner and AANP as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. Initially I graduated as an Adult/Older Adult Nurse Practitioner from the University of Washington, which was well-correlated with my passion for geriatric care. However, in 2007 I returned to the UW to obtain my degree as a Doctor of Nursing Practice in the second DNP cohort. At that time I also added a post-master’s certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, which has allowed me to expand my work in global health and increased my marketability as a nurse practitioner. I am also board-certified as an Advanced Practice Certified Wound Care Nurse.

I have practiced in a variety of settings including geriatrics/internal medicine, community-based primary care, wound care, dialysis rounding, and urgent care. Since 2010 I’ve owned my own wound care consultation business, and I participate in global health opportunities whenever possible.

My areas of clinical and scholarly interest include issues related to aging with a focus on factors affecting the most vulnerable elderly and their access to person-centered care, including dementia, homebound status, rural dwelling, complex health conditions (including chronic wounds), and a need for 24-hour care. I am also passionate about the role of palliation to improve quality of life for patients living with chronic diseases and life-limiting conditions.

In 2010 I began working in clinical instruction at the UW, and I’ve been teaching in the DNP-FNP program since 2014.

Education

BSN, University of Washington, Tacoma

MSN, AOANP, University of Washington

DNP, FNP, University of Washington

Awards

Nurses of Influence Distinguished Practitioner Award, University of Washington, School of Nursing, 2022

Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization

Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association

Pacific Northwest Palliative Care organization for Advanced Practice Providers

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society

Psi-at-Large chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

 

What classes do you teach?

NSG 520: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing

NCLIN 516-801: Advanced Clinical Practicum I-IV

NCLIN 521: Diagnostic Decision Making and Clinical Skills Laboratory

NMETH 801: Practice Doctorate Project

What do you love about the UW School of Nursing?

I appreciate the breadth of knowledge and experience available to students and faculty within our department. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to collaborate with people who have like interests as we work together to push the knowledge and skills in nursing practice forward. There is such an opportunity to grow professionally as I learn from my wonderful colleagues and have encouragement to grow my skills and the evidence base for my practice.

Department

Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing

Research Areas

• Innovative Interventions
• Symptom Science
• Health Equity
• Lifespan Health

Research Centers

• Center for Global Health Nursing