Maria Peña, Ph.D., RN, CNE

Maria Peña, Ph.D., RN, CNEMarquette University

Pleasant Prairie

MilwaukeeWI53201United States of Americamaria.pena@marquette.edu

Clinical Instructor

Education

Ph.D., Marquette University
M.S.N., DePaul University

Courses Taught

NURS 6003: Essentials for Nursing Practice

NURS 6007: Ethics, Policy, and Health Care Advocacy

NURS 6009: Organizational and Systems Leadership

NURS 6013:  Health Assessment and Fundamentals Lab/Clinical

NURS 6970:  Nursing Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions Clinical

NURS 6970S:  Nursing Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions Simulation

NURS 6971:  Nursing Care for Patient with Acute Conditions Clinical

NURS 6971S:  Nursing Care for Patient with Acute Conditions Simulation

NURS 6973:  Professional Nursing Practice Clinical

NURS 6973S: Professional Nursing Practice Simulation

NURS 6976:  Transition to Nursing Practice Clinical

Research Interests

Dr. Peña’s program of research focuses on understanding and addressing non-academic factors that influence nursing student success, with the ultimate goal of improving retention of both students and faculty and supporting the development of a nursing workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations it serves. Specifically, her research examines a) nursing students’ perceptions of the college environment and its influence on their sense of belonging and academic persistence, b) the relationship between student engagement, belonging, and retention in higher education, and c) faculty sense of belonging, factors that contribute to faculty retention, and their relationship to student academic outcomes.

Professional Affiliations

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN)

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Equity and Inclusion Committee Member, Marquette University College of Nursing

Faculty Recruitment Committee Member, Marquette University College of Nursing

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning (INACSL)

National League for Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society

Wisconsin League for Nursing

Certifications

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)

Publications

Link to Marquette University E-Publications – Peña