05/29/2025
Merj’s population expertise includes: Women, teens, lgbtq+
Dr. Merjurie RicklefsDNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, RN-BC, Ph.D(c)
“Invest in yourself, and when the time comes, invest in others, and you will leave the world a better place than when you found it.”
Merj embodies dedication, compassion, and a profound commitment to mental health and nursing. As a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Board-Certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), she not only heals but inspires. She has been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society in Nursing. She is a member of several honor chapters, mainly Gamma Psi-at-Large, Pi Kappa Chapter, and Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society. Currently a graduate nursing professor at Walden University, she is a prior PMHNP Track Coordinator and a professor at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii. Committed to lifelong learning, she is pursuing her second doctorate, a Ph.D. in Nursing, focused on research science to deepen her impact on mental health.
Her journey is one of service and resilience. As a military spouse, she volunteered as an American Red Cross Registered Nurse, caring for active duty and veterans service members and their families grappling with challenges like PTSD, substance misuse, anxiety, and depression in Hawaii. Her diverse experience in medical-surgical units and behavioral health facilities underscores her holistic approach to care.
Merj’s practice is grounded in empathy and cultural competence, welcoming clients of all races, cultures, religions, ages, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Rooted in her nursing background, she listens intently to every story, offering personalized care to clients across the lifespan—from children to adults—addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, OCD, and more.
With a heart for service and a vision for transformative care, Merj stands as a beacon of hope, empowering individuals to heal and thrive.
