Kathleen Wheeler wins APNA award for Excellence in Education

Connecticut Nursing News, Dec 2004-Feb 2005

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) recently presented its 2004 Excellence in Education award to Kathleen Wheeler, APRN, Ph.D, professor of nursing at Fairfield University. According to the APNA, the award is made each year to a nurse who: "demonstrates contributions to the education of nurses as, for example, a faculty member, administrator, educator, staff development coordinator, staff nurse, quality professional, or clinical specialist; demonstrates innovative approaches in disseminating new knowledge in the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing; demonstrates collaboration with other disciplines in knowledge dissemination; and demonstrates positive mentoring to peers and new nurses."

Wheeler joined Fairfield University in 1992 and developed the university's Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program in 1994, making it the only one of its kind in the state at the time. The program provides registered nurses with a master's degree and prepares them to apply for state licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. She has served on a number of APNA committees and last year co-chaired The National Panel sponsored by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties that worked to create universal competencies and guidelines for schools offering psychiatric nurse practitioner programs.

Wheeler earned her B.S.V in nursing from the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing, which this year honored her with its Distinguished Alumnus Award and an M.A. and Ph.D. in nursing from New York University. In addition to making numerous academic presentations in her field, she has published more than 30 articles, edited a book on critical pathways and received numerous research and program grants.