2026 Elections: President-Elect

An APNA President-Elect serves a three-year term on the board: One as President-Elect, one as President, and one as Immediate Past President. View Full President-Elect Description & Qualifications

• Duties Include: Representing the association as requested, mentoring current and prospective board members, assuming the functions of president in the absence of the president,
• Qualifications Include: Informal and formal leadership experience, knowledge of APNA, ability to work with diverse styles and personalities to facilitate teamwork and consensus

Candidates

President-Elect

Kristen Kichefski, DNP, MBA, RN, PMH-BC, NEA-BC

Present Position
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Bradley Hospital and Brown University Health System Behavioral Health Nursing

Education
2023 – DNP, UMass Medical School
2016 – MSN, University of Texas at Tyler
2016 – MBA, University of Texas at Tyler
2012 – BSN, Rhode Island College
1999 – BS, UNC at Wilmington
1997 – AA, Cape Fear Community College

APNA Contributions

• 2025–Present, Co-Chair, APNA Restoring Workplace Safety Taskforce

• 2021-Present, APNA Audit Committee

•  2011-Present, APNA Member

• 2011-Present, APNA Annual Conference Attendee

•  2025-2026, Faculty & Presenter, APNA Competency-based training for the one-hour face-to-face [Online course].

• 2021-2025, APNA National Board Member – Treasurer

• 2023-2025, APNA Care of Persons in Criminal Justice System Committee

• 2019-2022, APNA-ISPN Scope & Standards Revision Joint Task Force, 3rd Edition

• 2017-2020, APNA Staffing Taskforce

• 2017-2020, Co-Chair, APNA Administrative Council

• 2016-2017, President, APNA New England Chapter

• 2016-2017, Massachusetts Representative, APNA New England Chapter

• 2015-2016, Rhode Island Representative, APNA New England Chapter

• 2014-2017, Conference Planning Committee, APNA New England Chapter

• 2013-2016, Treasurer, APNA New England Chapter

• 2011-2012, APNA Seclusion & Restraint Workgroup

Other Experience

• Previous Positions:

  • 2018-2023, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

  • 2017-2018, McLean Hospital

  • 2011-2017, Butler Hospital

• Clinical Faculty appointment at University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services

• APNA Annual Conference Presenter with 10 podium and 9 poster presentations since 2015

• National speaker on care of special populations, workforce development, and safety

• Becker’s Hospital Review Podcast Guest, “Investing in people and safety: Building a resilient behavioral health workforce” (2025)

•  MindCast Podcast Guest, “Parenting under pressure: Tools for tough moments”, (2025) and “Real life de-escalation strategies” (2024)

APNA members should vote for me to serve as President-Elect because I am a dedicated senior nurse leader with a proven record of building systems that support psychiatric-mental health RNs, APRNs, and direct care staff in utilizing their education, skill, and scope to the fullest extent to improve the lives of the individuals we serve.  I believe in the power of our voices, our work, and the collective impact psychiatric mental health nurses have on the health of our profession and communities.  As a nurse executive overseeing behavioral health nursing in a large academic medical system, I have the privilege of impacting patient outcomes and workforce sustainability through focus on innovative, data-driven interventions that center on reducing workplace violence, eliminating restrictive practices, and raising the overall standard of care for individuals across the lifespan receiving care in hospital, community, research, and public health settings.  As president-elect, I will bring my strategic leadership, governance experience, and strong commitment to the APNA to represent my fellow members in advancing our unified voice in healthcare.

I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by continuing to strengthen the dissemination of evidence-based practices through our conferences, web resources, and publications. I believe our purpose is fulfilled by being the premier resource to connect RNs and APRNs to the generation of new knowledge and the translation of knowledge into practice throughout academia, research, government, public policy, hospital and community care.   I am dedicated to achieving this mission through mentorship, strengthening member engagement, and leading with transparency and purpose.

President-Elect

Andrea Kwasky, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC

Present Position
Full Professor (Tenured) University of Detroit Mercy
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Behavioral Medical Center-Troy

Education
2007 DNP Oakland University
2002 MSN Wayne State University
1999 BSN Western Michigan University

APNA Contributions

• Presented oral or poster presentations at 13 of the last 16 APNA conferences and 2025 preconference workshop.
• 2023-2024 Youth Suicide Prevention Position Workgroup – Steering Committee
• 2021-2022 Scope and Standards APNA/ISPN Joint Task Force Member. Revised the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (3rd Edition)
• 2018 Poster Presentation Reviewer and Conference Volunteer
• 2016-2020 Manuscript Reviewer
• 2013-2014 Research & Scholarship Council – Steering Committee
• Child and Adolescent Council – Advisory Panel
• Education Council – Advisory Panel
• 2011, 2014, 2015 Continuing Education Reviewer
• 2010 APNA Research Grant Recipient

Other Experience

• 2021-present International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), Policy Committee, Member
• 2017-2026 National Alliance on Mental Illness (Michigan), Board Member, Secretary 2023-2025
• 2021-present Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, Journal of ISPN, Editorial Board Member
• 2018-2019 Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, Guest Editor, Special Issue-Infant Mental Health
• 2016-2018 ISPN, Communication Committee, Co-chair
• 2016 ISPN, Poster Presentation Reviewer
• 2015-2017 ISPN, ACAPN Division Director
• 2015-2016 ISPN, Communication Task Force, Chairperson
• 2014-2015 ISPN, Marketing and Development Committee, Co-chair
• 2012-2015 ISPN, Marketing and Development Committee, Member
• 2012 NCSBN NCLEX Examination Item Development Panel, Volunteer
• 2012 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Content Expert Registry Member
• 2009, 2011 ANCC, Field Test Participant
• 2008 ANCC, Item Writer
• 2006 ANCC, Standard Setting Expert Panel Member

APNA members should vote for me to serve as President-Elect because, as a dual-certified child adolescent psychiatric clinical nurse specialist/nurse practitioner and university professor, I have spent the last 24 years passionately advocating for those that we serve and 18 years educating the next generation. I have more to give. I lead with a strong commitment to mentorship and professional development, creating supportive environments that encourage others to flourish. My leadership is grounded in evidence-based practice and mission-driven service, reflected in my national and international collaborations, contributions to national practice standards, and suicide prevention initiatives that extend meaningful impact beyond my own institutions.

As President-Elect for APNA, I will uphold the mission and vision of the organization and utilize this opportunity to continue to highlight psychiatric nursing as a critical voice in healthcare, while also supporting nurses through ongoing workforce opportunities and challenges, stigma elimination, suicide prevention, and the promotion of evidence-based, compassionate care.

I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by: I will help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and educational organization by advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing through education, policy, scholarship, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. Psychiatric nursing professionals are fundamental to our healthcare system, as we are witnesses to the vulnerability of our shared humanity. Mental health is inseparable from physical health, community health, and overall well-being, and psychiatric nurses across the continuum are critical to addressing the emotional, psychological, behavioral, and social needs of individuals and families. I am committed to supporting the well-being and development of current and future psychiatric nurses, advancing mental health equity, eliminating stigma, and fostering collaboration that elevates the voice and impact of psychiatric nursing within the broader healthcare system and nation.