Kimberly Hadler, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC
PMH MP Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Education transforms individuals to navigate their environment with knowledge and skill. I want to inspire students to be lifelong learners that shape the world around them. My teaching philosophy incorporates the theory of constructivism or experiential learning. I use case studies, discussion boards, and simulated learning experiences to facilitate student learning of critical thinking skills, application of knowledge in real-to-life situations, and engagement with their fellow learners. These varied methods offer diverse ways for students to demonstrate learning that is unique to their needs.
Biography
I am a native Hoosier from Indiana. I started my nursing career as a medical assistant and worked in a family practice office. I then received an associate degree in nursing. As an undergraduate nurse, I worked on the med.-surg. floor and in the emergency room. I then received a master's degree in nursing, specializing in psychiatric mental health. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I have worked with adults and geriatrics in the inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient, and long-term care settings. I received a doctorate in nursing from Florida Southern College in 2024. I am now focusing my career on academia. I am passionate about behavioral health. I am focused on preparing the next generation of nurses in the psychiatric behavioral health field. I am board certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and as a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. I am a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
I am married to my husband Henry, also a native Hoosier. We enjoy living in Florida with the warm weather and sunshine. We have a miniature schnauzer named Earl.
Education
Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, August 2024
- DNP project: A Familiar Music Intervention to Decrease Agitation in Adults with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment
- Served on the Academic Curriculum Student Advisory Committee
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Nurse Educator Certificate Program (Admitted for January 2025-December 2025)
Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist), May 2004
- Thesis: Relaxation Techniques for Anger Management
- Graduate with Distinction
- Post-Master Certificate (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), August 2015
- Community Learning Network Clinical Research Certificate Program, April 2010
Indiana University East, Richmond, Indiana
- Associate of Science in Nursing, May 1997
- National Dean’s List
Interests
I enjoy reading, baking, traveling, the ocean, sunshine, and spending time with my husband Henry and dog Earl. I am also a lifelong learner.
Awards
- Graduate with Distinction, IUPUI, 2024
- National Dean's List, IU East, 1997
Publications
Florida Southern College
DNP project: A Familiar Music Intervention to Decrease Agitation in Adults with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment
Project presented as a poster presentation at the annual Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) in September 2024. Project is featured on the GAPNA website as a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover narration.
Bakas, T., McLennon, S., Carpenter, J., Buelow, J., Otte, J., Hanna, K., Ellett, M., Hadler, K., & Welch, J. (2012). Systematic review of health-related quality of life models. BioMed Central, 10(134), 1-12.
Projects
Florida Southern College
DNP project: A Familiar Music Intervention to Decrease Agitation in Adults with Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment.
Project was presented as a poster presentation at the annual Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) in September 2024. Project is featured on the GAPNA website as a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover narration. The project has been submitted for approval for poster presentations at the annual chapter conference for the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)/Florida chapter for March 2025 and the annual conference of the APNA in October 2025.