Kerri Outlaw: Clinical Associate Professor

Clinical Associate Professor

Education

  • Post Graduate Certificate, Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The University of Alabama, 2019
  • DNP, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Troy University, 2013
  • MSN, MSNAH, Troy University, 2009
  • BSN, Nursing, Troy University, 1996

Biography

Dr. Outlaw is a native of Troy, AL. Dr. Outlaw has over 28 years of nursing experience and has worked in a variety of settings including Obstetrics, home health, hospice, outpatient surgery and the past Twelve years have been in Psychiatric/mental health both acute and outpatient care. Dr. Outlaw has over 15 years of service in Academia and is currently a fulltime Associate Professor, as the PMHNP Concentration Coordinator at University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing on their main campus in Tuscaloosa Alabama. She has been employed with UA since 2022.

She is a member of American Nurses Association (ANA), Sigma Theta Tau, Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA) and American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and she is a licensed Nurse Practitioner in the states of Alabama.

Dr. Outlaw completed her Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree of Nursing at Troy State University (Troy, Al); Master of Science Degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Troy University (Troy, Al); Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Troy University (Troy, Al) post graduate certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Al).

Dr. Outlaw and her husband of 32 years have 3 beautiful adult children and one
granddaughter. Dr. Outlaw is active in her community and a current volunteer for Hospice. She serves as a medical professional annually in Honduras every June. She attends church at the Highlands in Montgomery Alabama.

Honors and Awards

Areas of Interest

  • Mental Health
  • Substance Abuse Disorders
  • Rural Health
  • Health Promotion & Wellness

Scholarly Highlights

  • The use of simulation in preparing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners for clinical practice is not well researched. Communication and the ability to be able to pick up on the nuances of nonverbal communication with clients is vital in the holistic treatment of the patient. Incorporating simulation into formal education is challenging but a much needed component of the PMHNP program. (In Progress)
  • Considering the “personal connection” that many mental health professionals verbalize as their reason for seeking out psychiatric nursing. Does this belief produce a more effective clinician, or does it unknowingly creates bias based on past experience?
  • The use of Telemedicine in mental health. Since the emergence of COVID and the reduction of face to face visits for mental health patients, can the PMHNP provide the comprehensive care needed for best practice? Is there a happy medium that meets both patient and provider goals for holistic patient care?