Barbara Peterson, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, APRN, FNAP

Barbara Peterson is nationally recognized for leadership in childhood mental health nursing, and has a sustained record of excellence in interprofessional, inclusive, collaborative healthcare practice, education and scholarship. Dr. Peterson is a Clinical Professor, Psychiatric-Mental Health Specialty Coordinator, and Director of Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity. As the Specialty Coordinator of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice (PMHDNP) program, and as Director of Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity for the School of Nursing, she leads teams of students and faculty in addressing mental health problems, implementing strategies of dismantling health disparities, and preparing the nursing workforce to meet the increasing mental health needs of traditionally underserved populations. She tirelessly advocates for children’s mental health, health equity and interprofessional collaboration. Peterson is an expert Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse whose practice is based on interprofessional collaboration as she cares for children with complex mental health and social needs, many from immigrant or underserved families. Dr. Peterson has a sustained record of interprofessional leadership and advocacy for social justice. She believes that the synergy of interprofessional collaboration in teaching, scholarship and practice is critical to address the inequities in healthcare and education. In every aspect of research, clinical and academic work she promotes a strength-based approach that celebrates resiliencies while fostering understanding of mental health challenges.

Distinguished Alumni Humanitarian Award, University of Minnesota, 2022

Distinguished Fellow, National Academy of Practice, 2021

Diversity and Equity Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2021

Education Award, International Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN), 2018

Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2017

Daisy Award for “Commitment to the Understanding of Social Determinants of Health”, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2016

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network Community

American Psychiatric Nurses Association; Chair Child & Adolescent Advisory Board

Big 10 Academic Alliance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Workgroup

Global Mental Health Task Force, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice

International Society of Psychiatric Nurses: Board of Directors (2020-2023); President-elect (2023) 

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties

Wilkie, M. L., Martin, L., Peterson, B., Hanson, M., & Monsen, K. A. (2023). Indigenous model to support nursing student success, cultural identity and workforce diversity. Journal of Nursing Education, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20230601-01

Monsen, K. A., Drake, D., Looman, W. S., Peterson, B. L., Ruud, M., Smith, S. K., & Pesut, D. J (2022). Collective impact partnerships: The data-to-action hourglass model. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, 9(1) Article 3. https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/ijps/article/view/4762

Galehouse, P., Peterson, B., Kwasky, A., & Raphel, S. (2022). Strengthening the safety nets for child and adolescent mental health: Statement of the International Society for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing (36), A2-A4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2021.12.008
 
Peterson, B., Kameg, B., Plasse, M., Handrup, C., & Raphel, S. (2021). Mitigating the stress and mental health trauma of COVID-19 for nurses and health care providers: Position statement of the International Society for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 

Peterson, B., & Giama, N. (2021, February 4). Overcoming systemic racism in US nursing schools requires reflection, commitment and action. DailyNurse. https://dailynurse.com/overcoming-systemic-racism-in-us-nursing-schools-requires-reflection-commitment-and-action/

Peterson, B., Pittenger, A., Kaas, M., & Lounsbery, J. (2019). Partnering for a sustainable interprofessional PMHNP education curriculum. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(12), 723-727. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20191120-08.

Peterson, B., Kristofersson, G., & Kaas, M. J. (2018). Integrative nursing management of depressed mood. In M. J. Kreitzer, & M. Koithan (Eds.), Integrative Nursing, (2nd ed., pp.356-367). Oxford Press.

Kaas, M. J., Peterson, B., & Kristofersson, G. (2014) Integrative nursing in mental health: Models of team-oriented approaches. In M. J. Kreitzer, & M. Koithan (Eds.), Integrative Nursing, (pp.356-367). Oxford Press.

Garcia C., Zhang, L., Holt, K., Hardeman, R., & Peterson, B. (2014). Latina adolescent sleep and mood: An ecological momentary assessment pilot study. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 27, 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcap.12082.

Peterson, B. "Implicit Bias", Quality Health Associates Series on Health Equity, Quality Health Associates of North Dakota. (July 2023). Invited.

Peterson, B. "Interpersonal Trauma: A Path to Post Trauma Recovery", University of Minnesota Department of Surgery Grand Rounds. (February, 2023). Invited.

Peterson, B. "Healing From the Effects of Two Pandemics: COVID-19 and Historical Racism: A Path to Post-Trauma Recovery and Meaning-Making," American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference. (October, 2022).

Drake, D., & Peterson, B. "Moving Toward Equity and Advocacy: Integrating Social Determinants of Health into DNP Curricula Through Poverty Simulation Training,"  American Association of Colleges in Nursing, Doctoral Education Conference. (January, 2022).

Peterson, B., & Giama, N. "Creating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies: The Nurse Leader Imperative," Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing Fall Leadership Conference. (October, 2021). Invited.

Peterson, B. "Committing To Health Equity and Inclusion in Nursing and Nursing Education (No Going Back to Normal)," University-Minneapolis Rotary Club. (April, 2021). Invited.

Peterson, B., & Kreitzer, M. "Healthcare Providers and COVID-19; Experiences with Loss, Grief, Learning and Growth," Wellbeing Leadership Series, University of Minnesota Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. (January, 2021; February, 2021). Invited. 

Peterson, B. "Social Entrepreneurship, Motivational Interviewing, and Change Theory," One Health Work Force Pre-Placement Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya. (August, 2018). Invited. 

Peterson, B. "Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety and Trauma Disorders: Influences of Culture and Immigration", International Society of Psychiatric Nurses Psychopharmacology Annual Conference, Phoenix, Arizona. (April, 2018).

Peterson, B., Drake, D. "Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Psychiatric Mental Health Curricula: Moving Toward Advocacy," International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Conference, Virtual. (April, 2021).

Kaas, M., Geiger-Simpson, E., Peterson, B., Kristofersson, G. "What Our DNPPMHNP Graduates Tell Us About Using Integrative Approaches in Clinical Practice," Integrative Health and Healing International Conference, Galway, Ireland. (April, 2019). 

Miller, J. L., Merighi, J. R., & Peterson, B. "Imagining a Different Horizon: How to Develop a Longitudinal IPE Simulation Curriculum in Mental Health," All Together Better Health, Auckland, New Zealand. (September, 2018). 

Peterson, B., Delaney, C., & Giama, N (2021, April 7). Leadership from the University of Minnesota | AACN’s Gallery of Leadership [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ygQxeZ4UudM.

Peterson, B. (2021, April 15). Post-Traumatic Growth with Barb Peterson [Podcast episode]. In The Nightingale Project – Where the Healing Begins. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-traumatic-growth-with-barb-peterson-phd-rn-cns/id1554184789?i=1000517275781

Peterson, B. (2021, February 26). In It Together: Dismantling Systems of White Supremacy [Video]. University of Minnesota School of Nursing Creative Nursing Journal Launch. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo2JF4TMPUU

Peterson, B. (2020, November 2). IDE Video for All School Assembly [Video]. University of Minnesota School of Nursing Strategic Communications. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTE_mYa25Cg

Peterson, B. (2020, October 22). Episode 67: Medical Racism [Podcast episode]. In The Minnesota Daily. https://mndaily.com/263256/podcasts/episode-67-medical-racism/

Peterson, B. (2020, April 28). FACE-COVID: Advice from Psychiatric/Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Students [Video]. University of Minnesota School of Nursing Strategic Communications. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMTRCQvkklM

Award: Creative Collaborations
Principal Investigator: Peterson, Barbara L
Sponsoring Organization: Minnesota Department of Health
Award Dates: 2020 - 2024

Award: Promoting Effective Coping Among Youth (Project PECAY)
Principal Investigator: Areba, Eunice
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota
Award Dates: 2017 - 2019

Award: Enhancing PMHNP and FNP DNP Student Readiness to Provide
Principal Investigator: Kaas, Merrie Jean
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2016 - 2020

Award: Enhancing Interprofessional Integrative Psychiatric/Ment
Principal Investigator: Kaas, Merrie Jean
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2015 - 2016

• Psychiatric-mental health nursing and interprofessional education
• Mental health promotion in vulnerable populations
• Diversity, inclusivity and health disparities