Thank You to JAPNA Editor-in-Chief Geraldine Pearson
May 2023
American Psychiatric Nurses Association Applauds JAPNA Editor-in-Chief Geraldine Pearson’s Substantial Contributions to Journal
The APNA Board of Directors celebrates the exceptional leadership of Geraldine Pearson as she plans to retire from her position as Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA) Editor-in-Chief. To assure that JAPNA will continue to enjoy strong editorial leadership, APNA is launching the search for a candidate to assume the position on January 1, 2025.
As the official journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA) publishes psychiatric-mental health nursing scholarship that contributes to knowledge development and the continuum of care. JAPNA has the largest readership of psychiatric-mental health nurse academicians, scientists, advanced practice, and registered nurses of any nursing specialty journal.
Since 2016, Geraldine Pearson PhD, PMH-CNS, APRN, FAAN has served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal. The APNA Board of Directors credits her leadership for the publication’s exceptional advancement and growth while also maintaining the quality and scientific rigor for which JAPNA is known. To ensure a successful transition for the Journal as Dr. Pearson looks towards retirement, a search is underway to identify a candidate who will continue the excellence and momentum established under Dr. Pearson’s guidance.
Dr. Pearson has served as Editor-in-Chief for during a time of significant change. Throughout that time, she has ensured that JAPNA is aligned with best practices in publication ethics, incorporated strategies around open access opportunities and challenges, and kept pace with evolving understandings of cultural humility, inclusion, and equity. Amongst her significant achievements are an increase in submissions, the publication of a higher volume of research-oriented manuscripts, reduced time to decisions for submissions, and achieving a higher impact factor.
Dr. Pearson also oversaw the introduction of articles that include Nursing Continuing Professional Development contact hours, the publication of several special issues focused on pressing PMH nursing topics, and, perhaps most importantly, has fostered a culture of mentorship. For example, she engages APNA Board of Directors Student Scholars as reviewers, has welcomed several new members to the JAPNA Editorial Board, and is committed to ensuring that promising authors are engaged and guided towards a successful submission.
“My years as the editor of JAPNA have been one of the most fascinating, enjoying, and fulfilling professional activities of my nursing career,” says Pearson. “I’m confident that the journal is ready for new leadership and ideas. The most significant accomplishment I’m proud of is guiding us towards a journal milieu serving the APNA membership with openness and availability. Editing a journal requires a village of people! My village, including the associate and managing editors, the editorial board, the reviewers, authors, and readers, has been outstanding. Thank you to all and best wishes to the new editor!”
“The American Psychiatric Nurses Association has been incredibly lucky to enjoy Dr. Pearson’s exceptional leadership and expertise as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association,” says APNA President Chizimuzo (Zim) Okoli, PhD, MPH, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NCTTP, FAAN. “The success and continued advancement of the journal is a credit to her thoughtful leadership, commitment to the highest standards, and considerable expertise. The search for the next Editor-in-Chief will be a difficult one.”
