Lorena Guerrero, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor of Nursing

Phone: 253-535-7374
Email: guerrelc@plu.edu
- Professional
- Biography
Education
- Ph.D., Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2009
- M.S.N., University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2002
- B.S.N., University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- A.D.N., San Antonio College, 1993
Areas of Emphasis or Expertise
- Family Health
Biography
Dr. Lorena C. Guerrero, is a Latina researcher, educator and a native of Chile. She is fondly known as “Dr. G” by her students. She has been happily married for over 25 years to Charles – a true Texan and great BBQ cook! Together they have raised two adult children; son, Quinton and daughter, Kattia – both Lutes! In her personal time, she enjoys home and RV camper remodeling, camping, scrapbooking, hiking, and kayaking.
Education
Dr. Guerrero began her nursing career in San Antonio, Texas by receiving an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from San Antonio College in 1993. A true life-long learner, she entered the ADN to MSN program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and in 2002, she received a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN), a Master Degree in Nursing (MSN) with a minor in Nursing Education, and a certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In 2009, she completed her PhD in clinical nursing research from UTHSCSA. Her dissertation, Managing my Pregnancy: A Grounded Theory of Pregnancy and Childbearing Beliefs and Practices of Women of Mexican Descent, is housed in the Virginia Henderson Library for Sigma Theta Tau International.
Teaching Areas
Dr. Guerrero has been educating nurses since 2003. Dr. Guerrero joined the PLU School of Nursing as a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2011 and received tenure in 2017. Dr. Guerrero teaches in the BSN program (community health course) and in several FNP and DNP programs.
Scholarly Interests
Dr. Guerrero is committed to improving the health of vulnerable populations. In 2012, she developed the Community Based Clinical program (CBC) and activities. CBC activities provide faculty supervised community-based health screenings that are aimed at mentoring PLU FNP students in health promotion/prevention. As the coordinator for this program, Dr. Guerrero is responsible for coordinating and providing health screenings, sport physicals and chronic disease education to at risk populations. Since 2012, She has developed specific CBC events for 16 separate community partners, mentored 45 FNP students, and have served 481 patients since the program’s inception.
Current Practice
Since 2002, Dr. Guerrero has practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the states of Washington and Texas. Most of her NP career has been working with underserved communities to include people experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. Her clinical experience in public health includes employment with the San Antonio Texas Department of Health’s STD clinic, Pierce County Jail, and several Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Texas and Washington. This unique experience has given her an expertise in acute, chronic disease management with a focus on health promotion and prevention. In 2013, she began working in the private sector in an internal medicine clinic in Puyallup, WA and since 2017 she has Nurse Practitioner run, Family Medicine clinic where she precepts FNP students from PLU and other NP programs.
Grants
2019-2022 Participated in writing contribution and execution of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program Grant, Award #2 T94HP308740300, $2,795,952*
2016-2017 Participated in writing contribution and execution of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship (AENT) Program Grant, Award #1 A10HP300450100, $349,999*
2012-2014 Lead author and key faculty personnel responsible for execution of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship (AENT) Program Grant, Award #A10HP25165, $256,000*
Publications
Guerrero, L.C., & Jones, L.M. (2016). Cultural and ethnic influences in pharmacotherapeutics in Woo, T. M. & Robinson, M. V. Pharmacotherapeutics for nurse practitioner prescribers. F.A. Davis Company: Philadelphia, PA.*
Presentations
Guerrero, L.C. (August30 – September 2, 2020). 11th International Council of Nurses’ NP/APN Network Conference. Assessing STI/HIV Risk in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: A Call for Action. Podium presentation.*
Guerrero, L.C., Wallace, S., & Cook, C. (August30 – September 2, 2020). 11th International Council of Nurses’ NP/APN Network Conference. Interrupting the Cycle of Incivility in Nursing: Assessment in an Educational Setting. e-Poster presentation.*
Wallace, S., Guerrero, L.C., & Wolfer, C. (2019). Washington State Nurses Association Convention. Using the Clark Civility Index to Assess Student Perception of Civility in a School of Nursing. Poster presentation.*
Robinson, M. & Guerrero, L. (2019). Western Institute of Nursing. Theater Students in NP Education: Connecting Careers and Community Needs. Poster presentation.*
Guerrero, L. C. (2019). Pacific Lutheran University Center for Continuing Nursing Learning. Pharmacotherapeutics Update 2019. Functional GI Disorders, Podium Presentation.
Guerrero, L. C. (2019). Foundations of Faith Community Nursing 2019, Pacific Lutheran University Center for Continuing Nursing Learning. Family Violence Foundations of Faith Community Nursing. Podium presentation.
Guerrero, L. C., & Gibson, M. University of Washington Acute and Primary Care Practice 2018. Integration of Primary Care Services in an Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program: Assessing Risk for STI, Poster presentation.*
Guerrero, L. C. (April 2017). Foundations of Faith Community Nursing 2017, Pacific Lutheran University Center for Continuing Nursing Learning. Family Violence Foundations of Faith Community Nursing. Podium presentation.
Guerrero, L. C. National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Annual Conference, Using Social Media to Increase Advanced Practice Nursing Student Visibility as Experts in Health Promotion. Poster Presentation. *
Research
Dr. Guerrero conducts educational research with nursing students and the concepts of attitudes towards vulnerable populations. She is also engaged in research with Dr. Sharon Wallace looking at civility as it applies to the nursing educational setting and transitioning to practice.
Professional Awards
2002-Present Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society for Nursing, member
2007-2008 Outstanding Undergraduate Flex Faculty Member, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2007-2008 Baptist Health Foundation Scholarship recipient
2006-2007 Baptist Health Foundation Scholarship recipient
2006 Hispanic Medical Association Scholarship recipient
2000 Baptist Health System Red Star for customer service
1999 Baptist Health System Red Star for customer service
1994 Best of St. Luke’s Award
1993 Phi Theta Kappa, Honor Society for 2-year colleges
1993 San Antonio College President’s Part-Time Honors List
1993 Talent Roster for Distinguished Academic Performance at a Two-Year College
Social Media