University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing faculty member
Kathryn Fiandt, D.N.S., recently received the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award. Each year, the award
recognizes a nurse practitioner from each state who demonstrates excellence
in practice.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced training
to provide primary health care in hospitals, clinics and the community.
They provide health promotion services; manage acute minor illnesses and
stable chronic illnesses; and prescribe medication.
In 1993, Dr. Fiandt accepted a position as assistant professor in the
UNMC College of Nursing in Omaha. The program, which began at the colleges
Kearney Division, is now offered in Omaha, Scottsbluff, Norfolk, Beatrice
and Kearney. Dr. Fiandt is also clinical director and practices at the
Family Health Care Center, a nurse-managed clinic, in South Omaha. Over
the years, she also has worked to improve legislation in Nebraska that
regulates the scope of practice of nurse practitioners.
The nominating committee was impressed by Dr. Fiandts many accomplishments.
Criteria for her selection included: demonstrates excellence as a nurse
practitioner and is a role model for other nurse practitioners and the
nursing profession; has made significant contribution to the improvement
of care for individuals, families and/or communities; is creative in her
approach to nursing care through effective communication and quality of
care; and has had a positive effect on clients and on nurse colleagues.
Dr. Fiandts dedication to serving vulnerable populations is evident
not only in her work at the clinic, but also in her research and the development
of a graduate course on vulnerable populations, said Polly Hulme, Ph.D.,
assistant professor in the UNMC Family Nurse Practitioner program and Nebraska
representative for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
She is an outstanding role model, great mentor and confidant, and very
deserving of the award, said Kathy Murphy, a nurse practitioner who practices
in Franklin, Neb.
A nurse practitioner since 1976, Dr. Fiandt has taught nurses and nurse
practitioners and practiced as a family nurse practitioner. She also served
as a nurse and nurse practitioner in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1990, and
retired as a lieutenant colonel.
She is a member of a variety of national and local organizations and
currently is chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee of the National
Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. She also serves as first
vice president of Nebraskas Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, a national
honorary nursing society which sponsors academic programs, writers seminars
and programs highlighting nursing research. It also offers research grants
and scholarships.