Education:
DNP, Touro University-Nevada, Henderson, NV (Nursing Leadership)
PGC, WHNP, Regis College, Weston, MA (Women’s Mental Health NP)
PGC, PMHNP, Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (Psychiatric Mental Health NP)
MSN, Excelsior College, Albany, NY (Nursing Informatics)
ASN, Excelsior College, Albany, NY (RN)
MEd, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (Curriculum and Instruction)
MA, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (Health and Wellness Counseling)
BS, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (Marketing and Psychology)
Certification:
PMHNP-BC, ANCC
WHNP-BC, NCC
Certified Nurse Educator, NLN
Certified Professional Midwife, NARM
PMH-C, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, PSI
Certified Lactation Consultant, ALPP
Contact Info:
Email: Nicole_Walters@baylor.edu
Office: Virtual
Phone: 423.276.3942
Work and Education
Dr. Walters is the coordinator for the Psychiatric Mental Health NP track at Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing. She has over 20 years’ experience in healthcare and has worked in various areas of clinical nursing and midwifery practice including psychiatric nursing, maternal-newborn nursing, and midwifery clinics in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Walters has a research and clinical focus in women’s mental health, and a special interest in reproductive psychiatry and the maternal infant dyad. Additionally, her research interest has included the use of technology innovation such as AI and VR in nursing education. Dr. Walters works clinically in a psychiatry and women’s health clinic, where she provides perinatal mental health and primary care services to a variety of populations. Prior to entering a teaching role, she worked in a rural midwifery clinic in Central Appalachia where she recognized the unique mental health needs of women during the perinatal period and the outcomes on the growing infant. Her lectures are infused with imagery and stories of her own experiences in clinical practice as well as gradients for becoming more resilient in the work of nursing. Dr. Walters has extensive leadership with new program design and faculty mentoring initiatives and project development. Her teaching is informed by her faith, leadership, clinical and institutional experiences while incorporating a variety of educational modalities.
Professional Organizations and Honors
Dr. Walters is a leader in her field as an advocate for women’s mental health and the incorporation of breastfeeding initiatives for both mother and baby in all life scenarios. She motivates groups to find innovative ways to assist new mothers to decrease mental health crisis and improve maternal child outcomes. Her leadership in increasing awareness of maternal mental health needs as well as advocating for the nursing profession and NP practice to be a leader in this realm is driven by her clinical experiences. She has served as an elected leader in local, state, and national organizations and served international organizations in consulting and leadership capacities as well. She is working with several groups to increase the number of NLN Certified Nurse Educators and encourage nurse graduates to pursue a calling in educating the next generation. Dr. Walters is a member of the National League for Nursing, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the American Psychiatric Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International. Additionally, she serves in member and volunteer capacities for Resolve, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Postpartum Support International and Pregnancy Resource Centers.
Articles and Presentations
Dr. Walters’ scholarship focuses on several areas within mental health including the integration and faith and mental health initiatives, maternal mental health, the first 1000 days of life mental health for infants and improving nursing student and nursing professional resilience in practice. She is an invited presenter and collaborator nationally for topics related to her scholarship focus as well as curriculum design and innovative measures to meet the clinical needs of nursing students. Recent article contributions included Nurse Practitioners in Rural Areas, and “What Impact Does Parental Mental Health Have on Children.” In recent years, Dr. Walters has presented on; “The Correlation of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction to Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Intervention for Practice”, “Evidence Based Implementation of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Screening Tools”, and “Mental Health and Breastfeeding Initiatives for Support.”
Community
Dr. Walters serves her community and is actively engaged in a variety of aspects. At the top of her priorities is her dedication to serving as wife and mother to her 3 boys and is involved in a diverse range of community sports, homeschool co-op, and a nature exploratory collaborative. She then focuses efforts to serves the youth and women within the church. Dr. Walters offers time on local midwifery peer reviews for community and volunteers for public health screenings. She continues to serve as a mentor and preceptor within the nursing community and is passionate about the clinical experience and transition to practice.