About Kristen Erica Hunkin, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Erica is a dual board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and family nurse practitioner (FNP-C), with a PhD in behavioral neuroendocrinology. She is passionate about providing quality, collaborative, and comprehensive mental health services to patients across the life span. Erica possesses strong clinical skills enhanced by a natural ability to build rapport with patients and families. She follows evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience, personal observation, and intuition. As a PMHNP, Erica’s role is multifaceted, including educator, mental health advocate, therapist, and prescriber. She values a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare, with special interests in the integration of behavioral medicine, trauma informed care, and suicide prevention.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate, 2020
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Master of Science in Nursing, 2017
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, 2007
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

M.Sc., Marine Chemical Ecology, 2003
B.A., Biological Sciences, 1999
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Certifications:
ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified #2021016399, EXP 06/14/2026
AANP Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified #F09171221, EXP 09/25/2027
Memberships:
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Education & Certifications

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate, 2020
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Master of Science in Nursing, 2017
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI

Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, 2007
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

M.Sc., Marine Chemical
Ecology, 2003

B.A., Biological Sciences, 1999
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS