Featured Alumni

My name is Chelisa Crabtree. I live in a rural area of northern Arkansas. I am married and share a blended family with my husband that includes three girls and two boys. I have been a nurse for over twenty years. I initially obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant certification, followed by my LPN, RN, BSN, and now my DNP-PMHNP degree. My nursing background includes Med-Surg, Long-Term Care, and Mental/Behavioral/Psychiatric Health areas of nursing. I have over 15 years of experience in management and leadership, having held roles such as Clinical Director, Director of Nursing, and Assistant Director of Nursing. Most of my career has revolved around psychiatric mental health care, with over thirteen years of experience, including the Clinical Director position over geriatric and adult inpatient behavioral health. I assisted and helped facilitate the addition and opening of the adult inpatient unit. This field of nursing has always been a passion of mine since I was a teenager, due to personal/family exposures and experiences that led to my desire to help others with their mental health care. I have always had a desire to help and educate others, help break the stigma surrounding mental health, and promote overall well-being by utilizing the patient-centered, holistic approach through increasing the knowledge and awareness of mental/behavioral/psychiatric mental health care.

I grew up in a Christian household. I firmly believe that for healthier, overall well-being, one must address the mind, body, and spiritual areas. Encountering mental illness throughout multiple areas of nursing has grown my love for the specialty area as well. I hope to collaborate and partner with my local school system and entities within my community to address pediatric and adult mental health care. I chose this terminal degree to advance my knowledge and skills because, as a nurse, the learning is ongoing. It is important to always stay up-to-date on current nursing and delivery of health care, while utilizing evidence-based practices and/or guidelines as a guide to provide and promote optimal care.

I chose Liberty University to pursue my career goals and dreams, as this university met my own personal beliefs, morals, and values about providing holistic care that included the Christian Worldview in care provided. Liberty University and its DNP program added more knowledge, skills, professionalism, experiences, and overall leadership guidance and support, both personally and professionally. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the beginning of my final year of the DNP-PMHNP program. The news and treatment plans were overwhelming, daunting, and my motivation and faith were diminishing. I owe it to GOD and my instructors at LU for giving me the strength and motivation to continue to the completion of my program, beating Breast Cancer, and restoring my faith. Without the prayers and support of my instructors, my family, and my friends, I could not have made it to the end of my program. God led me to where I needed to be. I have always striven to be the best servant leader and role model I can be. I feel God led me to Liberty University and the DNP-PMHNP program to fulfill this desire so that I can serve Him through helping others, promoting optimal patient outcomes, providing optimal delivery of care, and assisting with improving overall well-being for the patients, population, and the nation’s health. With my terminal degree, I will be able to influence and impact the current and future healthcare system and delivery of care, thus assisting with healthcare reform. With Liberty University and this DNP-PMHNP program, I can make a difference in the lives of others and ensure that nursing continues to have a voice in health care.