Karen S. Kesten

Karen S. Kesten, DNP, APRN, CCRN-K, CCNS, CNE, FAAN, serves a two year-term as immediate past chair of the AACN Certification Corporation board of directors from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2020. She was chair from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, and chair-elect from Jan. 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. Kesten served an extended term as a director from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, having served a three-year term from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014.

Kesten is an associate professor at George Washington University School of Nursing, where she teaches graduate and doctoral students in advanced nursing practice programs. She served as director of faculty initiatives at American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, and has experience as an educator, policymaker, researcher and bedside nurse in critical care. She served as associate professor and director of the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist programs at Georgetown University from 1999-2013.

Kesten has been a member of the AACN Nominating Committee, the API (Advanced Practice Institute) Program Planning Committee, Chapter Advisory Committee, PCCN Practice Analysis Task Force and Scholarship Review Committee. She is a current member and past board member and president of the Greater Washington Area Chapter.

She is a frequent writer and national presenter on DNP and APRN education and practice, competency-based education, nursing workforce issues and AACN’s Healthy Work Environment Standards. Kesten is a frequent contributor to peer-reviewed journals and a presenter at AACN’s annual National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition.

In 2017, Kesten was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She previously received the Competitive Faculty Research Award from Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the Dean’s Research Award, University Research Fund, The Catholic University of America. In 2013, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Georgetown University.

Kesten earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Certificate in Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, and a Master of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America.