Biography

Dr. Johnson joined the College of Nursing team in 2021 as assistant professor and assistant dean of the Lincoln division. Her nursing education began with receiving a diploma from Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, followed by RN-BSN (UNMC CON), MSN (Nebraska Wesleyan University), and PhD (UNMC CON) degrees. She is an experienced nurse educator who has taught students in bachelor, graduate, and doctoral programs. Her clinical expertise is in care of medical-surgical patients and those with kidney disease.

Research

Dr. Johnson’s research interests are in community-based engagement and activating persons to manage their chronic kidney disease. Her focus is on blending self-management with community-based interventions to promote kidney health and slow disease progression.

Research Interests

• Enhancing an understanding of CKD progression
• Developing skills to manage daily health care
• Building confidence with managing one’s health
• Bridging cultural practice with healthy behaviors
• Inclusion of diverse population and equity with managing health care
• Incorporating lifestyle medicine to daily routine
  • Nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social support, and environmental exposure

Grant Support (Previous 5 years)

July 2018–June 2021
Bryan College of Health Sciences, Helen Weber Professorship, $12,000

Publications

Blome, M., Johnson, M.L., Beck, M., & Jones, M. Obligations and behaviors that impact sleep. Nurse Educator. [Accepted for publication with release date October/November 2021]

Blome, M., Johnson, M.L., Jones, M., Moore, M., & Beck, M. (2021, April). Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(4), 196-202. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20210322-03

Johnson, M.L., Hunt, T., & Johnson, J. (2020). Nurse-led intervention promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in a Yazidi community. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659620941580

Johnson, M.L., Zimmerman, L., Welch, J., Hertzog, M., Pozehl, B., & Plumb, T. (2016). Patient activation with knowledge, self-management and confidence in chronic kidney disease. Journal of Renal Care, 42(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jorc.12142

Welch, J.L., Johnson, M.L., Zimmerman, L., Russell, C.L., Perkins, S.M., & Decker, B.S., (2014). Self-management interventions in stages 1 to 4 chronic kidney disease: An integrative review. Western Journal of Nursing Research, https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945914551007

Service

Nebraska Action Coalition (2012 – 2021, July: Dissolution)

• Chair of Executive Committee
• Co-lead of Leadership Team
• Leadership Team member

New Americans Task Force (2021 – present)

Nebraska Nurses Association (2018 – present)

• Chair: NPDC
• C0-chair: Nursing Professional Development Committee (NPDC)

Midwest Nursing Research Society (2018 – present)

Institutional Review Board, Bryan College of Health Sciences (2014 – present)

• Secretary (2018 – 2021)

Faculty Senate Chair, Bryan College of Health Sciences (2015 – 2016)

Recognition

2016 Bryan College of Health Sciences, President’s Award

2012 – 2014 Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence, Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar