Kelly Berishaj, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, AFN-C, SANE-A , DF-AFN

Biography: 

Dr. Kelly Berishaj’s teaching, service, practice, and scholarship focus is in the specialty of forensic nursing. Dr. Berishaj has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing at Oakland University since 2007 and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the graduate forensic nursing program. Currently, she is the Forensic Nursing Program Director and a faculty mentor to graduate students.

Clinical Expertise: 

• Forensic nursing
• Critical care 
• Medical-surgical nursing

Education:

• DNP- Oakland University
• MSN-Nursing Education, Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist- University of Detroit Mercy
• BSN- Madonna University

Research Area Interests:

• Forensic Nursing
• Professional Nursing Practice 

Research/Publications:

• Publications (Journal)
• • Berishaj, K., Boyland, C., Reinink, K., & Lynch, V. (2020). The forensic nurse hospitalist: Expanding the role of the forensic nurse in an in-patient setting. The Journal of Emergency Nursing, 46(3), 286-293. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2020.03.002
  • Berishaj, K., Buch, C., & Glembocki, M. (2019). The impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge and beliefs of registered nurses pertaining to human trafficking. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 50(6), 269-274.
  • Stevens. M., & Berishaj, K. (2016). The anatomy of human trafficking: Learning about the blues (A healthcare provider’s guide). Journal of Forensic Nursing, 12(2), 49-56.

• Publications (book chapter) 
• • Berishaj, K. (2020). Sexual assault. In Schuiling, K. (Eds.), Women’s gynecologic health (4th ed.).  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
  • Berishaj, K., & Boyland, C. (2020). Intimate partner violence. In Schuiling, K. (Eds.), Women’s gynecologic health (4th ed.).  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
  • Berishaj, K. (2016). Sexual assault. In Schuiling, K. (Eds.), Women’s gynecologic health (3rd ed.).  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
• Publications (book review) 
• • Berishaj, K. (2019). Review of Fast facts about forensic nursing: What you need to know. Journal of Forensic Science.
• Publications (poster-refereed) 
• • Boyland, C., Reinink, K., Berishaj, K, & Glembocki, M. (2019, May). Caring for patients who are victims of trauma, violence, or maltreatment: A forensic nurse hospitalist role. Michigan Emergency Nurses Annual Conference 2019. Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
  • Berishaj, K., Glembocki, M.M. (2016, February). Forensic nursing: An innovative graduate nursing program.  American Association of College of Nurses 2016 Master’s Education Conference. Houston, Tx.
  • Berishaj, K.  (2015, February). Family perceptions of nursing quality in intensive care units practicing patient, family-centered care.  Leaping forward: Stitching evidence into practice. University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (2013, April). Family perceptions of nursing quality in intensive care units practicing patient, family-centered care.  Sigma Theta Tau International- Theta Psi Chapter Research Day, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
• Publications (poster-refereed) 

• Berishaj, K., & Glembocki, M.M. (2017, October). Forensic nurse death investigation: Development of an academic course in death investigation. International Association of Forensic Nurses Annual Conference- 2017. Toronto, ON, Canada.
• Berishaj, K., & Glembocki, M.M. (2017, June). Advancing professional nursing practice through the development of an innovative graduate forensic nursing program. International Conference on Nursing Science & Practice (Nursing Science-2017): Advancement of nursing science through research, practice and education. Dallas, TX.
• Berishaj, K., & Glembocki, M.M. (2015, October). Forensic nursing. ANA- Michigan 2015 Conference: Nursing….Tomorrow is Today. East Lansing, MI.

• Publications (oral-invited) 
• • Berishaj, K. (2019, October). Non-fatal strangulation: Education for the health care provider. 22ndAnnual Contemporary Issues in Trauma Nursing Conference. Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. & Boyland, C. (2019, May). Human trafficking: What healthcare providers need to know. Beaumont Health Nurse’s Week Continuing Education Offering. Royal Oak, MI
  • Berishaj, K. (2019, April). Forensic nursing. CSI: Forensic Science Class Outside Educational Series.  Detroit Tigers Organization and Oakland University. Detroit, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (2018, October). Forensic nursing: The impact on healthcare today. Professional Development Day- Troy Beaumont Hospital.  Troy, MI.  
  • Berishaj, K. (2018, May). Forensic nursing: The impact on healthcare today. Detroit Medical Center Nurses’ Week Annual Conference 2018. Detroit, MI.
  • Berishaj, K., & Diegel, R. (2018, May). Non-fatal strangulation: Education for the emergency department provider. Michigan Emergency Nurses’ Annual Conference- 2018. Mt. Pleasant, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (2017, November). Sexual violence: A team approach. 42nd Annual Southeast Michigan Agency/Faculty Workshop: Violence and Human Trafficking Across the Lifespan. Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (2014, March). Forensic nursing: More than just CSI. Sigma Theta Tau International- Theta Psi Chapter Research Day, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (2013, April). Family perceptions of nursing quality in intensive care units practicing patient, family-centered care.  Completed as portion of DNP graduation requirement. Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
• Grants
• • Berishaj, K. (PI). (2021). Advanced Nursing Education: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Health Resources Services Administration. Proposal amount: $1,500,000. Declined.
  • Zytko, D. (PI), McDonald, M. (Co-PI), Berishaj, K. (Co-PI), & Parkhill-Purdie, M. (Co-PI) (2020). HCC: Medium: Preventing Sexual Violence with Human-AI Interaction: A Curated Data Feed to Influence Consent Practices. National Science Foundation (submission in progress to Human Centered Computing). Proposal amount: $600,000.  Declined.
  • Berishaj, K. (PI), Kennedy, M. (Co-PI), & Gajewski, E. (Co-PI) (2020). Evaluation of Education and Confidence in Providing Care to Patients Who Have Experienced Intentional Trauma. Sigma Theta Tau International- Theta Psi Chapter (submitted Sept. 21, 2020- Small Research Grant). Proposal amount $1,000. Accepted.
  • Griffith, T., Berishaj, K., McIntosh, J. (2020). DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Forensic Nursing Student Scholarship Fund (submitted Sept. 1, 2020). Proposal amount: awarded $25,000.
  • Zytko, D. (PI), McDonald, M. (Co-PI), Berishaj, K. (Co-PI), & Parkhill-Purdie, M. (Co-PI) (2020). Designing Online Dating Systems as Protective Virtual Environments Against Sexual Violence. National Science Foundation (Submitted Dec. 11, 2019 to Smart and Connected Health solicitation). Proposal amount: $1,056,493. 2020-2024. Declined
  • Griffith, T., Berishaj, K., McIntosh, J. (2019). DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Forensic Nursing Student Scholarship Fund, awarded $20,000.
  • Berishaj, K. (2016). Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation: Faculty Scholars Program. Declined.
• Other Scholarly Work
• • Berishaj, K., Boyland, C., & Reinink, K. (2018). Forensic Nurse Hospitalist Proposal. 
  • Berishaj, K. (Program Approved April, 2015). Master of Science- Forensic Nursing Program Proposal.  Oakland University, Rochester: MI.
  • Berishaj, K. (Program Approved April, 2015). Graduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing Program Proposal.  Oakland University, Rochester: MI.

Professional Affiliations:

• Academy of Forensic Nursing
• American Academy of Forensic Science
• American Nurses' Association
• Forensic Nursing Certification Board (founding member), ABNS Liaison 
• International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) - National and Michigan Chapter
• Michigan Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
• National League for Nursing