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Paula Kustenbauder
DNP, RN, CCRN, CNE

Assistant Teaching Professor

103H Sheetz Family Wellness Center,
Penn State Altoona

Phone: 814-940-3324

Email: pjk16@psu.edu

Kustenbauder’s esearch interests include professional identity of pre-licensure nursing students, and  compassionate communication skills for nurses provided care for patients and families faced with critical illnesses.

Education

  • DNP, Penn State University
  • MSN, Indiana University of PA
  • BSN, St Francis University in Loretto, PA

Teaching

Courses Taught
  • NURS301: Nursing Care of the Adult Client Requiring Medical-Surgical Intervention
  • NURS405B: Nursing Care of the Adult Client with Complex Health Problems: Part B
  • NURS350: Genetics, Ethics, and Legal Issues in Nursing
Clinical Expertise and Areas of Specialization

PRIMARY CLINICAL FOCUS:

  • Critical Care

CERTIFICATIONS:

  • CCRN
  • CNE
Mentorship
  • Mentorship of DNP student 2024

Research

Research Interests and Areas of Expertise
  • Compassionate communication skills for nurses providing care to patients and families faced with critical illness.
  • Professional identity of pre-licensure nursing students

Publications and Scholarly Work

  • Mellett, C., White, B., Adam, M., Kustenbauder, P., Nagy, A., Cruz, L., & Berish, D. E. Becoming a Nurse: Professional Identity in Prelicensure Nursing Students. Nurse Educator. [Accepted September 2024]

Service

Professional Organization Involvement and Fellowships
  • NLN
  • Beta Sigma
  • NLN
  • CNEA Program Evaluator
Nese College of Nursing named a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence