Indiana University School of Nursing Clinical Assistant Professor Jennifer Jimenez, DNP, RN, will be honored as the 2026 recipient of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Award for Excellence in Leadership-APRN for her role in strengthening Indiana’s psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce through education, mentorship, and professional development.
Jimenez is one of nine APNA members nominated by their peers to receive awards recognizing exceptional contributions to improving mental health outcomes through prevention, education, and science-based treatment. Jimenez and her fellow awardees will be recognized during APNA’s 40th Annual Conference, held October 28-31 in Phoenix.
“Receiving the APNA Award for Excellence in Leadership is truly an honor and very humbling,” Jimenez said. “For me, it represents the impact of working alongside students, colleagues, and community partners who share a passion for improving mental healthcare in Indiana.”
At the IU School of Nursing, Jimenez helps prepare the next generation of psychiatric-mental health nursing professionals while extending that commitment to strengthening the workforce across the state.
In addition to her role as clinical assistant professor, Jimenez is coordinator of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track for students pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The track uses a wide range of advanced practice learning experiences to prepare students in the assessment, diagnosis, clinical management, and prevention of mental illness across the lifespan.
“I am especially proud that the award recognizes efforts to support and grow the psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce, because preparing the next generation of PMHNPs is work that I care deeply about,” Jimenez said. “This award motivates me to continue advocating for our profession and the patients and communities we serve.”
Mentorship is also central to Jimenez’s work with DNP students as they develop into confident psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
“Seeing their growth from the classroom to clinical practice is one of the most rewarding parts of my role,” she said. “I have been able to support students, build strong clinical partnerships, and help create pathways for future mental health providers. Those experiences have shaped my leadership style and reinforced the importance of investing in others so they can make a meaningful difference in their communities.”
Jimenez has carried that commitment to mentorship and professional development beyond the classroom, creating connections and resources for psychiatric-mental health professionals throughout Indiana. In 2023, she founded the Psychiatric-Mental Health Consortium, a professional network that provides education, mentorship, networking, and peer support for psychiatric-mental health nurses and other behavioral health professionals.
