Biography
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009 followed by a Master of Science in Nursing in 2013 from the University of Utah. Before becoming a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) I worked for five years as the charge nurse for both the child and adolescent inpatient units at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute in Salt Lake City. As a PMHNP I have worked in various settings including a psychiatric crisis center, several substance use disorder treatment centers, an eating disorder treatment center, therapeutic boarding schools, and at the BYU Student Health Center. I have worked with BYU as an adjunct faculty from 2014-2019 when I was hired full time at BYU.
My wife Danina and I have three children. I enjoy family time most of all, playing guitar, wrestling kids (my own), watercolor painting, and spending time outdoors.
Research Interests
Substance Use DisordersResilience
Well-Being (personal, community, systems)
Positive Psychology
Interdisciplinary lens in research
Spiritual Care
Cultural Humility
Qualitative
Teaching Interests
Mental HealthPublic Health
Substance Use Disorders
History of Nursing
Distress Management
Positive Psychology
Pediatric Nursing
Education
- MSN, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing , University of Utah (2013)
- BS, Nursing , University of Utah (2009)
- BA, Spanish , Utah State University (2008)
Licenses and Certifications
- AANP, Buprenorphine Training Certificate (2018 - Present)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan) PMHNP-BC (2014 - 2028)
- Utah DOPL, A.P.R.N. Controlled Substance (2014 - 2026)
- Utah DOPL, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (2014 - 2026)
Honors and Awards
- Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University (2019 - Present)
Memberships
- International Family Nurse Association (2022 - Present)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2012 - Present)
- American Nurses Association (2009 - Present)
- Utah Nurses Association (2009 - Present)
- Trascultural Nursing Society (2024 - 2025)
Professional Citizenship
- Member, American Nurses Association (2009 - Present)
- Other, American Psychiatric Nurses Association Utah Chapter (2021 - 2023)
- Conference-Related Role, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2020 - 2021)
- Officer (specify in Other), American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2020 - 2021)
- Other, American Psychiatric Nurses Association Utah Chapter (2019 - 2020)