Augusta University
Caroline McKinnon
Associate Professor
- Augusta GA UNITED STATES
- EC 5350
- College of Nursing
McKinnon focuses on behavioral health in nursing education and the health workforce
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Biography
Dr. Caroline McKinnon is an associate professor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice department, with a joint appointment in The Graduate School. She serves as the concentration coordinator for the psych mental health nurse practitioner program and the elected college faculty senate chair. McKinnon is a member of multiple national organizations and has served in multiple leadership positions for the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. She is an Augusta University alumna, earning her PhD in Nursing in 2013. She also has an MSN for family NP and adult PMH CNS nursing from the University of Virginia.
McKinnon focuses on behavioral health in nursing education and the health workforce. She is currently funded as a co-investigator through HRSA to study behavioral health integration for nursing education practice, quality, and retention in an interprofessional collaborative practice program. She recently authored a chapter on substance use and abuse in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health: A Resource for Advanced Practice psychiatric and Primary Care Nurse Practitioners. The textbook was awarded 2nd place in the ANA Book of the Year Awards in the category of child nursing. Her first-author publications can be found in the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing.
McKinnon has been recognized for the impact of her work and expertise, having received the Excellence in Service award from the college and being a nominee for the Augusta University Good Neighbor Award. She continues to seek professional development opportunities, becoming certified as a QPR Gatekeeper Instructor for suicide prevention and attaining her certificate in Access, Success, and Belonging.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Excellence in Mentoring
2017 Beta Omicron Chapter Sigma Theta Tau, International
Education/Teaching Pedagogy Poster Award—1st Place
2017 International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
Excellence in Service
2025 AU College of Nursing
Education
Boston College
B.S.N. cum laude
Nursing
1986University of Virginia
M.S.N.
Family NP and Adult PMH CNS
2002Augusta University
Ph.D.
Nursing
2013Affiliations
- Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE)
- United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF)
- International Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN)
- American Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau, International Nursing Honor Society
Links
Media Appearances
Nursing professor adds voice to national discussion on mental health
Jagwire online
2024-07-23
“The more we increase awareness, the more we create the possibility of coworkers looking out for each other. This is particularly advantageous because the nature of a lot of mental health crises is that people isolate themselves and may not be aware that they need help,” said Caroline McKinnon, PhD, an associate professor in Augusta University College of Nursing doctor of nursing practice department.
Articles
Weight reduction goal achievement among veterans with mental health conditions.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association2018-09-21
Despite the use of weight management programs among veterans, the impact of mental health diagnoses on weight reduction goal achievement is unknown.
Workplace Incivility Among OR Nurses: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) Journal2025-09-29
Workplace incivility (WPI) is a form of rude behavior involving a disregard for another individual that occurs in perioperative environments. Workplace incivility can cause burnout and negatively affect patient safety, job performance, professional productivity, and mental and physical health.
