Donna Petko

Contributing Faculty
College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Dr. Donna J. Petko received her DNP from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2017. Prior to completing her doctorate, she received her post-master’s in nursing education in 2014 and her MSN in family nurse practitioner in 2013 from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Dr. Petko completed her BSN in 2009 at West Suburban College of Nursing in Oak Park, Illinois. She is board certified in family practice by the ANCC and is a certified nurse educator through the NLN. Dr. Petko is currently employed as a family nurse practitioner in the immediate care and house calls practice settings. She has over 25 years of health care experience in clinical practice, health care administration, and teaching. Dr. Petko has worked as a staff nurse, case manager, program manager, director, administrator, primary care provider, health and wellness coach, and professor. She is a licensed RN and APRN in multiple states across the country. Dr. Petko teaches at multiple universities and serves as a contributing faculty member in the MSN NP program at Walden University. Her professional affiliations include Sigma Theta Tau International, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, among others.

Courses Taught

NURS 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders

NURS 6531 - Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan

NURS 6512 - Advanced Health Assessment

NRNP 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders

PRAC 6540 - Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders Practicum

Education

DNP, University of Massachusetts

Post-master's Certificate, University of St. Francis

MSN, University of St. Francis

BSN, West Suburban College of Nursing

Public Service

Illinois Healthcare Professional Emergency Volunteer Program, Volunteer -

Awards / Honors

Inducted Sigma Theta Tau International, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2017

Inducted Sigma Theta Tau International, University of St. Francis, 2011

Publications

Petko, D. J. (2019). .

Petko, D. J. (2019). .

Petko, D. J. (2012). .

Petko, D. J. (2011). .

Petko, D. J. (2020). .

Petko, D. J. (2009). .

Presentations

Petko, D. J. (2020). Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Reducing Stress in Nursing Students: An Integrative Review and Toolkit (Update), Samuel Merritt University.

Petko, D. J. (2011). Best Practices in Online Teaching Strategies, University of St. Francis.

Petko, D. J. (2015). Bipolar Disorders I & II, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Petko, D. J. (2009). Change of Shift Report: Enhancing Communication, West Suburban College of Nursing.

Petko, D. J. (2020). Coaching Patients in Chronic Disease Management (Update), University of St. Francis.

Petko, D. J. (2015). Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Petko, D. J. (2019). Healing Depression from an Ayurvedic Perspective, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Petko, D. J. (2020). Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Reducing Stress in Nursing Students: An Integrative Review and Toolkit (Update), Samuel Merritt University.

Petko, D. J. (2015). Other Psychotic Disorders, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Petko, D. J. (2011). The History and Recognition of Advanced Practice Nursing in Illinois from 1982 to 1998, University of St. Francis.