Columbia Nursing Student Spotlight Series: Kasey Jackman

This is 3 of 4 in Columbia Nursing’s 2017 Graduate Spotlight series.

 

Kasey Jackman, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC is a 2017 PhD graduate at Columbia University School of Nursing and a member of the Project AFFIRM research team. Kasey’s dissertation research focused on non-suicidal self-injury among transgender adolescents and young adults.

 

Kasey is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with clinical experience working with youth in in-patient and out-patient psychiatric settings. Kasey earned a BS in Nursing at Columbia Nursing in 2005, and a MS in Psychiatric-Mental Health program in 2010, also at Columbia Nursing.

 

Kasey is the co-founder and co-leader of the LGBTQIA Health and Health Disparities Research Interest Group of the Eastern Nursing Research Society. Kasey’s research interests focus on the mental health of sexual and gender minority youth with the goal of decreasing mental health disparities and promoting resilience.

 

Why did you choose Columbia Nursing?

 

I chose to return to Columbia Nursing for my PhD because of its reputation for excellence in nursing education. I knew the reputation was well-deserved because I completed a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree at Columbia Nursing.

 

As a 2017 graduate, how does it feel?

 

It feels unreal that I'm finishing my PhD. The time has flown by!

 

What did you gain from your education at Columbia Nursing?

 

I gained a depth of understanding and skill in nursing research that has started me on the path to developing a program of research focusing on the health of sexual and gender minority youth with the goal of decreasing health disparities and promoting resilience.

 

What’s the next step in your career?

 

I am pursuing postdoc positions to strengthen and build upon the research skills I learned at Columbia Nursing.

 

Do you have a favorite memory of your time at Columbia Nursing?

 

My favorite memories involve the time spent with my amazing PhD cohort. They are wonderful people and brilliant academic nurses. I would have been hard-pressed to get through this stage in my career without them.

 

How did Columbia Nursing make you a better nurse?

Columbia Nursing made me a better nurse by supporting and encouraging me to pursue research with clear policy implications and the potential to make a significant contribution to improving the health of vulnerable and underserved minority populations.