ISU-Meridian’s Kelly Pesnell honored for nursing practice excellence

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners has selected Idaho State University’s Dr. Kelly Pesnell as the state’s 2014 nurse practitioner of the year.

Pesnell, a clinical assistant professor at the Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center since 2007, will be honored in June at the AANP national conference in Nashville, Tenn.  She was selected for clinical excellence, leadership, scholarship and helping to develop Idaho’s only Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which began this fall at ISU.

“I was truly surprised,” Pesnell said when she was notified of the state honor.  “I felt humbled someone thought my work worthy enough to be nominated.”

A family nurse practitioner for 11 ½ years, Pesnell practices at West Valley Rural Clinics in Parma.  As the clinic’s only bilingual nurse practitioner, she is able to serve the region’s large Spanish-speaking population.

“I like the patient-provider interaction and applying the art of nursing to the health care needs of a rural community,” said Pesnell.

Pesnell, D.N.P., holds a master’s degree in family nurse practice from ISU and a doctorate in nurse practice from University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

Nurse practitioners provide primary, acute and specialty health care to patients of all ages.  They conduct patient assessments, make diagnoses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications and manage treatment plans.