Kristen Childress

Dr. Childress obtained her degree as an Adult/Older Adult Nurse Practitioner from the University of Washington in 2003. She received her doctorate degree and post-graduate degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2009. She maintains board certification as both an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is an Advanced Practice Certified Wound Care Nurse.

Dr. Childress is an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington, and her areas of clinical and scholarly interest include issues related to aging with a focus on factors affecting the most vulnerable elderly and their access to care, including dementia, homebound status, rural dwelling, complex health conditions (including chronic wounds), and a need for 24-hour care. Her current clinical practice is in community-based primary care, where she has the privilege of caring for patients who have difficulty coming to the clinic for care due to functional challenges or cognitive impairment.

Kristen is passionate about partnering with patients and their families to identify their personal goals of care and working with them to maximize quality of life through palliation. She is also committed to providing high-quality care into the end of life, supporting patients and their families as they navigate this unique season.

Education

• BSN, University of Washington, Tacoma
• MSN, AOANP, University of Washington
• DNP, FNP, University of Washington

Awards

• Nurses of Influence Distinguished Practitioner Award, University of Washington, School of Nursing, 2022
• Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
• Pacific Northwest Palliative Care organization for Advanced Practice Providers
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty
• Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
• Psi-at-Large chapter of Sigma Theta Tau