Mykell Barnacle, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Associate Professor of Practice
Aldevron Tower 148F 
(701) 231-7730

Mykell.Barnacle@ndsu.edu 

Research Interests

• Rural Healthcare Education
• NP Competencies
• Rural NP Residency
• Tobacco Cessation
• Health Promotion

Kerri Benning, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Practice
Bismarck, Library 3 
(701) 224-3831 

Kerri.Benning@ndsu.edu

Research Interests 

• Pediatrics
• Rural Health
• Preventative Screening

Carrie Nelson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Practice
Aldevron Tower 148J
(701) 231-7747

Carrie.Nelson@ndsu.edu

Research Interests

• Healthcare Burnout & Mental Health
• Rural Mental Health
• Post-secondary Student Health & Wellness
• Obesity & Bariatric Surgery

Allison Peltier, DNP, RN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Practice
Bismarck Site, Library 4 
(701) 224-3820

Allison.Peltier@ndsu.edu

Research Interests 

• Healthcare Disparities
• Women’s Health
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Heidi Saarinen, DNP, RN, FNP-C 
Assistant Professor of Practice
Aldevron Tower 148G 
(701) 231-7821

Heidi.Saarinen@ndsu.edu 

Research Interests

• Health promotion/disease prevention
• Obesity/diet/ exercise; sleep medicine
• Mental health
• Breastfeeding
• Patient/ provider education/teaching.

Kolby Schaeffer, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
Assistant Professor of Practice
Aldevron Tower 540P
(701) 231-8002

Kolby.Schaeffer.1@ndsu.edu 

Research Interests

• Tobacco Prevention and Control / Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)
• Innovative Educational Methods
• Mentorship
• End-of-Life Education / Palliative Care
• Burnout/Empowerment