Jinnie Tkach, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC

About Me

Dr. Tkach began her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she dedicated nearly a decade to providing care for critically ill pediatric patients. This experience shaped her understanding of complex patient management and solidified her passion for pediatrics.

Driven to advance her expertise and better support her patients, Dr. Tkach earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus in Pediatric Acute Care at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). She has experience in pediatric hospitalist medicine and currently practices in pediatric anesthesia, applying her extensive clinical background to ensure safe and effective anesthesia management for young patients.

At UMSL, Dr. Tkach teaches across both undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on pediatric care, simulation coordination, and guiding DNP students through their CSP capstone projects. She is committed to helping shape the next generation of nurses by sharing her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm.

Education

• DNP: University of Missouri- St. Louis
• BSN: Central Methodist University
• ASN: Jefferson College

Research Interests

Dr. Tkach’s scholarly interests include pediatric critical care, pediatric neurocritical care, and simulation-based research. She is particularly interested in how simulation can enhance clinical decision-making, interprofessional collaboration, and patient safety. Her work focuses on using simulation as a tool to strengthen learners’ critical thinking, situational awareness, and overall clinical competence.

Her dissertation centered on optimizing clinical protocols to improve eye care for critically ill pediatric patients receiving neuromuscular blockade. She has also served as a research nurse coordinator for studies investigating therapeutic hypothermia following pediatric cardiac arrest and the use of T-biomarkers in traumatic brain injury.

Selected Publications

Tkach, Jinnie, "Eye Care Protocol in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients on Neuromuscular Blockage" (2022). Dissertations. 1245. https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1245

Other Scholarly Activities

Tkach has had the opportunity to participate in medical mission trips to Panama and Nicaragua. During these experiences, she provided pediatric care and education to underserved communities, which was incredibly rewarding. These trips not only helped Dr. Tkach grow as a clinician but also deepened her understanding of global health challenges and the importance of cultural competence in healthcare.

Honors and Awards

• DAISY Nominee 2022 for Extraordinary Nurses

• Magna Cum Laude

• Outstanding RN Graduate 2015

Memberships

• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• Society for Simulation in Healthcare

Teaching Areas

• Pediatric Health
• Heath Assessment
• DNP Capstone
• Simulation