Kirsten Hepburn is a 1st year BSN to PhD student.
- Current credentials and degrees: RN
- Hometown: Omaha, NE
Research/professional interests: I'm still working on my dissertation topic, but I’ll be studying factors related to early pregnancy loss and perinatal bereavement. I became interested in this area of research after becoming a Bereavement RN and realizing that there are a lot of unanswered questions related to pregnancy loss.
Describe your nursing experience before starting the PhD program (if any). I was the Bereavement RN at Methodist Women’s Clinic for four years. Prior to that I was an ED RN.
What are your career goals? I plan to teach as well as continue with research. My dream is to make sure every OB-GYN clinic is equipped to offer the absolute best resources available to women experiencing a pregnancy loss.
Why I chose a PhD in nursing: I have a strong interest in research.
Why did you choose UNMC? I love UNMC! I got my BSN from UNMC and knew the quality of education here. When it came time to apply for PhD programs, I didn’t give any thought to going to school anywhere else.
What are three fun facts about you?
- I spent six months in Alaska living and working at a Musk-ox domestication project farm.
- Long before I decided on nursing, I was full-time professional photographer for a high-end clothing boutique’s website based out of Kansas City, MO.
- My father immigrated to the US from Scotland, which makes me a dual American- British citizen.