Background and experience
Kristina Pettersen is a University Lecturer at the Department of Health and Nursing Science at the University of Agder, where she has been employed since 2023. She is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in Mental Health from Oslo and Akershus University College and has further education in cognitive therapy for psychosis as well as supervision in cognitive therapy.
Pettersen has extensive clinical experience in mental health care within specialist healthcare services, including positions at Oslo University Hospital, Diakonhjemmet Hospital and Sørlandet Hospital. She has worked in inpatient units, outreach teams and outpatient services, with particular experience in psychosis, acute psychiatry and mental health work. In addition, she has several years of experience from school health services in the Municipality of Oslo, where she worked with children, adolescents and young adults in primary and secondary education.
Through her professional background, she has developed expertise in relational work, interdisciplinary collaboration and follow-up of individuals in vulnerable life situations. Her experience from both municipal and specialist health services influences her work with teaching, student follow-up and professional development.
Areas of responsibility
- Pettersen is the coordinator for the first year of the Bachelor’s Programme in Nursing and is course coordinator for SY120 Basic Nursing Care. She works closely with students throughout their first year of study and has extensive knowledge of the transition into higher education and nursing education. Her role includes responsibility for coordination, follow-up of large student cohorts and the development of learning environments that promote safety, belonging and academic development.
- She is particularly concerned with combining structure and systems understanding with a relational approach to student follow-up. Her work focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that strengthens students’ academic and personal development throughout the first year of study.
- Pettersen also contributes to teaching at bachelor’s and master’s level within nursing, psychosocial health and public health nursing. In addition, she participates in professional development and collaborative projects related to interprofessional learning and collaboration between services for children and adolescents.
Teaching
Pettersen has completed university pedagogy training (UniPed) at the University of Agder and works with a relational and student-active teaching approach. She emphasises dialogue, reflection and the integration of theory, practice and experience, and works systematically to create safe and inclusive learning environments.
She teaches at bachelor’s and master’s level within nursing and psychosocial health, with particular focus on:
- Basic nursing care
- Mental health and prevention
- Interprofessional collaboration and collaborative learning
- Collaboration between services for children and adolescents
- Cognitive therapy
Research
Pettersen’s academic interests are particularly related to interprofessional collaboration, collaborative learning and the development of health-promoting and preventive work for children and adolescents. She is also interested in mental health, stress management and self-care, with a particular focus on supporting helpers and professional practitioners.
She participates in research and development work related to partnerships between the university and practice field in Lindesnes municipality. The work is carried out in collaboration with Janne Lund at UiA and applies participatory practice research as a method. The project explores the development of practice-oriented collaboration models and competence development within services for children and adolescents.
Pettersen is also involved in a scoping review examining causes and risk factors related to suicide among men.
Project details
PROFUND – Profesjoner i samspill
Pettersen is part of the working group for PROFUND – Profesjoner i samspill, a strategic initiative at the University of Agder that develops interprofessional education across professional study programmes. She contributes to the planning and implementation of learning activities that strengthen students’ collaborative skills in complex practice settings, particularly in work involving vulnerable children and adolescents.
Kompetanseløftet for spesialpedagogikk og inkluderende praksis
Pettersen participates in a working group connected to Kompetanseløftet for spesialpedagogikk og inkluderende praksis, with assignments in Lindesnes municipality. The work is based on partnerships between the university and the practice field and focuses on developing practice-oriented competence based on local needs. She has contributed with presentations on development work related to the Inclusion Team in Lindesnes municipality in university networks and at national conferences.
Projects
- Kompetanseløftet for spesialpedagogikk og inkluderende praksis
- Profund