Dr. Teresa Petty Kristek advances emergency nursing through leadership and education

Dr. Teresa Petty Kristek, a 27-year emergency nursing veteran in Sterling, Virginia, is being recognized for leadership across education, mentorship and community preparedness. Her work spans HCA Healthcare, Ascend Learning, the Emergency Nurses Association and her own company, Whole Flock Health.

Why it matters: - Dr. Teresa Petty Kristek’s career shows how nursing leadership can shape both bedside care and workforce development. - Her work reaches emergency departments, national education standards, professional associations and community emergency preparedness. - Her focus on preceptor training speaks to a common challenge in nursing: helping new nurses transition into practice with stronger support.

What happened: - Dr. Teresa Petty Kristek, DNP, MSN, RN, FNE, TCRN, is being highlighted for a 27-year nursing career centered on emergency care, education and mentorship. - She began her nursing career in 1999 as a newly graduated registered nurse in the emergency department. - During the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to graduate school and earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a 4.0 GPA. - She later completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership in April. - She now serves as a Subject Matter Expert for Ascend Learning. - She also serves on the Emergency Nurses Association Board of Directors. - She founded Whole Flock Health, LLC, where she serves as CEO and Primary Nurse Educator. - Her upcoming national presentation, “The Golden Preceptors,” is scheduled for the Society of Urological Nurses Association in Las Vegas.

The details: - At HCA Healthcare, Kristek served as Director of Education. - In that role, she led nursing education strategy, supported clinical competency development and strengthened professional development programs. - Her work at HCA focused on staff performance, retention and patient outcomes across healthcare systems. - At Ascend Learning, she oversees emergency nursing competencies and helps refine national-level nursing education standards. - Her Emergency Nurses Association service includes work on emergency management, preparedness and nursing advocacy at the state and national levels. - Her credentials include Trauma Certified Registered Nurse, American Heart Association CPR Instructor, Biomedical Research, Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course Director, Basic Life Support Instructor, CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Instructor, Emergency Medication Technician, Vehicle Extrication Certification and Breast Self-Examination Certification. - She is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, Virginia Emergency Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, Association of Nursing Professional Development and Toastmasters International. - Through Whole Flock Health, she provides CPR certification, safety team training, medical management plan creation and implementation, and de-escalation education for community groups and churches. - She says the company extends nursing knowledge beyond traditional healthcare settings and helps communities prepare for emergencies. - She credits mentors Teri Ullsperger, RN, and Dr. Pamela Hicks Van-Haren with helping her through professional challenges and the loss of her father while she completed her doctorate. - She tells young women considering nursing to understand both the demands and the rewards of the profession. - She encourages nurses to stay grounded in purpose, keep learning and seek strong mentors and supportive colleagues.

Between the lines: - Kristek’s career reflects a broader shift in nursing toward leaders who combine clinical credibility with education design and workforce development. - Her emphasis on preceptor education suggests that retention and onboarding remain pressure points for emergency departments. - Her community-based training work shows how nurses are expanding into preparedness and public safety outside hospitals.

What's next: - Kristek’s Las Vegas presentation will bring her focus on stronger preceptor support to a national audience. - Her continued work with Whole Flock Health, Ascend Learning and the Emergency Nurses Association positions her to influence both frontline training and broader nursing standards. - Her stated goal is to help nurses and communities become better prepared for emergencies.

The bottom line: - Kristek is using three decades of emergency nursing experience to build a broader pipeline of prepared, supported and resilient nurses.