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Kelly D. Kearney

DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC

Associate Professor

Co-director, DNP Program

Department of Graduate Studies

Kelly D Kearney, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, earned her Master’s and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Kearney’s institutional service includes serving in the role of Track Coordinator of the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Cizik School of Nursing since 2016. She has led multiple psychiatric-mental health courses in the Master’s and Doctoral program, and enjoys teaching in the didactic and clinical courses.

Dr. Kearney has worked as a PMHNP for the past 10 years. Much of that time has been spent in outpatient psychiatry treating children, adolescents, and adults. Common disorders treated include depression, anxiety, post- traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and conduct disorder.  Additional experience includes working with dual diagnosis in a residential and partial hospitalization setting.

Dr. Kearney serves on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Greater Houston/Galveston area. She is a member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners of Texas, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nurses.

Education

Cizik School of Nursing. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Doctorate of Nursing Practice
2015

Cizik School of Nursing. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration
2012

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2009

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR
Bachelor of Science in Health Science
2005

Clinical/Research Focus

Dr. Kearney’s research of interest includes healthcare equitable for patients with psychiatric disorders, and make nursing education equitable.