Photo by Patrick Clancy
In May, the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) awarded St. Catherine University’s director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program Nicole Beckmann, PhD, with the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) of the Year award at the annual spring event that took place in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
At the event, the organization bestowed awards for the PNP and organization of the year, and celebrated the graduation of PNP graduates from the University of Minnesota. Several St. Kate’s PNP students were also in attendance.
“Nicole Beckmann is an outstanding clinician and nurse scientist, and I am incredibly grateful for the wisdom and strategic leadership she has brought to our DNP program at St. Kate's,” said Kara Koschmann, PhD, associate professor and associate dean of nursing.
Beckmann began her role as DNP director at St. Kate’s this year, after teaching as an assistant professor in the program since 2021. During that time, she was also the coordinator for the PNP program. Outside of the University, she works as an advanced practice provider (APP) nurse scientist at Children’s Minnesota, where she is the first to hold that position. Through this role, she provides support to APP-led studies in evidence-based practice, quality enhancement, and research.
Beckmann has extensive experience in neonatology (special care nursing and intensive care coordination), pediatric blood marrow transplant (BMT), hospital medicine, and urology surgery. She holds a Master of Science in nursing from Duke University and a PhD in nursing from Vanderbilt University.