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Kristine Pfendt

Associate Professor of Nursing

Kristine Pfendt - NKU Faculty

I have taught laboratory skills, medical-surgical clinicals and leadership practicums in addition to many didactic courses. Working with students has been my main objective and has made for a most rewarding career.

Degrees Held:

  • MSN – Northern Illinois University, 1980
  • BSN – Northern Illinois University, 1976

Career Highlights:

  • Promoted to Tenured Associate Professor, 2010
  • Co-founder and past director of the Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved, a nonprofit entity of NKU, 2011-2015
  • Invitation by AACN to present webinar "The Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved," 2015
  • Authored online continuing education program "Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma," 2013
  • Co-authored "Problem Based Learning in Nursing Education: Strategies for Scenario Development," 2010
  • Chapter Revisions "Change, Innovation, and Conflict Management" in the textbook Nursing Leadership and Management by Patricia-Kelly Heidenthal, 2007, 2009 and 2012.

Which online degree program(s) do you teach?

RN to BSN

  • Which classes do you teach online?

    NRP 478: Leadership Practicum and NRS 477: Nursing Leadership

  • What do you want students in your courses to learn? What is the learning outcome or objective?

    To know that there are formal and informal leaders in the nursing paradigm and that both can be effective change agents.

  • Why did you start teaching?

    I knew in graduate school that teaching nurses was what I wanted to do. I have taught laboratory skills, medical-surgical clinicals and leadership practicums in addition to many didactic courses. Working with students has been my main objective and has made for a most rewarding career.

  • What advice would you give to those considering this online program?

    I would advise students to dedicate structured time to online courses. This is difficult when working and raising families, but it essential to success in an online program. Assignments may take more time than estimated. Always do the research before responding to an assignment.

    Finally, students should remember that professors are there for them and that they ought to contact instructors when necessary.

  • What qualities make someone particularly successful in nursing?

    Successful nurses are intelligent, proactive, adaptable and willing to go "the extra mile" in preparing assignments.

  • What do you think is the biggest challenge that nurses face today?

    Time management can be the greatest challenge for busy nursing students.

  • What is the one book you think everyone should read?

    The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

  • Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students may not know.

    I have been a world traveler and have spent time visiting Hong Kong, China, Australia and Turkey. I have also been to England, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

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