Lorena Guerrero, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC

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). 11^th 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