MSN, PMHNP-BC , Doctoral (Alumni)
Ashley Parker, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is currently a first-year doctoral student at Frontier Nursing University and the Lead Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at a 60-bed extended acute care behavioral health facility who is enthusiastic about providing education and exposure to mental health while treating high acuity patients to reduce stigmatization. She specializes in thought and mood disorders such as Bipolar and Schizophrenia with comorbid substance use disorder. She is particularly interested in newly diagnosed patients with such disorders, teaching them and their families how to navigate their new diagnosis.
Ms. Parker possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Temple University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University. While working on an Adult Psychiatric Crisis unit at Thomas Jefferson University in 2020, she received the reputable Daisy Award, recognizing nurses for extraordinary compassionate care.
Ms. Parker is an active member of the American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has worked in mental health for 15 years in different capacities. Before becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, she had experience in the Behavioral Health and Psychiatry fields and has traveled to work in some of the top crisis stabilization units. She is certified in crisis prevention training and has taught numerous employees at several major psychiatric crisis hospitals.
Ms. Parker also leads mental health clinicals for Bachelor of Nursing Students at Kennesaw State University. Her research and approach to treatment are heavily based on reducing crisis hospitalization by increasing patient and family education on mental health and psychotropic medication treatments.