UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nikki Sleddens, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor
Director of Clinical Education

402-559-4625

Nikki Sleddens, PT, PhD
Dr. Sleddens is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Clinical Education in Physical Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She received her Master of Physical Therapy from UNMC in 1995 and practiced primarily in the acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health settings. She was the founding Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for the Southeast Community College PTA Program and eventually served as the Program Director. She received her certification as a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult in 2015. She earned a PhD from the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine - Medical Science Interdepartmental Area at UNMC in 2023. The focus of her dissertation was burnout of physical therapists.

She is engaged in teaching, research and service related to burnout, student wellness, quality improvement in physical therapy education and clinical education readiness. She is a longstanding member of the APTA and served as the Recording Secretary for the Academy of Education Clinical Education Special Interest Group. Her professional service also includes election for two terms as the Vice-President of the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association. She has been an invited speaker at the regional, national, and international level on topics related to burnout, quality improvement, clinical education, interactive learning, and TEAMSTEPPs. She is an APTA Level 1 and Level 2 Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program Trainer and TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer.
Education
  • PhD, Dept of Psychiatry, UNMC, 2023
  • Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor, 2015
  • Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2013
  • Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009
  • MPT, Division of Physical Therapy Education, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1995