Kristin Merritt, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN-K, is Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Duke Regional Hospital and a registered nurse with over 28 years of experience.

Prior to assuming her role as CNO, she was Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) in Neurosciences for Duke University Health System and was responsible for neuroscience nursing practice and clinical and administrative operations across the health system. Merritt also served as the Duke Raleigh Hospital ICU and Neuroscience Stepdown Nurse Manager from 2012 to 2016 and as Neuroscience Service Line Director from 2016 to 2018. Before joining the Duke team, Merritt worked in over 29 hospitals throughout the United States as a staff nurse, travel nurse, and nursing leadership position.

Merritt holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Leadership from East Carolina University. She graduated from The Healthcare Management Academy GE Chief Nurse Officer Fellowship in 2021. She also graduated from the 2012 Nurse Manager Fellowship program at the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). In addition, Merritt holds two professional board certifications in nurse executive advanced and critical care nursing.

She is a member of the following professional organizations: American Nurses Association (ANA), AONL, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), AACN – Greater Raleigh Area Chapter, and North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA).

Merritt is active in the community. She serves as a clinical assistant professor for East Carolina University Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education and a member of the East Carolina University Doctorate in Nursing Practice Advisory Board. She has been a member of the AONL Membership Committee for the last three years, a member of the Wake Early College Health and Sciences Advisory Board, a reviewer for the American Nursing Credential Center (ANCC) Magnet Conference and an expert reviewer for AACN Circle of Excellence, Chapters, and Evidence-Based Practice, and for the North Carolina Great 100 Nurses Selections committee.