Christina Lightner
PhD, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC, CNE
Coordinator of Academic Wellness and Assistant Teaching Professor
University Park
Phone: 717-279-1952
Email: cml5107@psu.edu
Lightner is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Coordinator of Academic Wellness at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, where she inspires a culture of wellness through her leadership, faculty connections, and student support. As a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC), Lightner brings 16 years of nursing experience across labor and delivery, women’s health, maternal-child nursing, and simulation coordination. She serves on the Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) advisory board. Lightner is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) through the National League for Nursing, a Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) facilitator, and a Mental Health First Aider. She earned her Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing from Penn State University, a Master’s in Women’s Health Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, and a PhD in Nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Education
- PhD, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- MSN, University of Cincinnati
- BSN, Penn State University
- ADN, Penn State University
Awards and Honors
- BHAC Impact Award-2025
- Innovation Fellowship-2024
- Certified Nurse Educator-2022
Teaching
Courses Taught
- NURS320: Coordinator and Clinical
- NURS251: Lab
- NURS450B: Coordinator
- NURS301: Clinical
Clinical Expertise and Areas of Specialization
- Women’s Health
- WHNP-BC
- Mental Health First Aider
- COPE Facilitator
- Wellness
Mentorship
- DNP -3
- MSN -1
Research
Research Interests and Areas of Expertise
- Wellness
- Women’s health
- Simulation
Presentations and Conference Involvement
- (March 28, 2025). “Fostering Wellness in Nursing: Insights from Mental Health Bulletin Boards”. Sigma Creating Healthy Work Environments, Phoenix, AZ.
- Lightner, C. (November 15, 2024). “Penn State University Wellness Innovations for Nese Nursing Students (WINNS)”, PCNP Annual Conference: Mindsets Move Mountains, Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, Seven Springs, PA.
- Lightner, C. (October 15, 2024). “Building Nursing Self-Efficacy in Maternal-Child Clinical,” Faculty Speaker Series, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, University Park, PA, USA.
- Lightner, C. (June 13, 2024). “Workforce Wellness: Integrating Well-Being into Daily Life and Work,” Penn State World Campus Business to Business Webinar, Penn State World Campus, University Park, PA, USA.
- Lightner, C. (October 9, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) Webinar Series, The Ohio State University.
- Lightner, C. (May 11, 2023). “Implementation MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Translating Research to Innovations in Practice 6th Annual Symposium, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, State College, PA.
- Lightner, C. (April 20, 2023). “Implementation MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” 6th Biennial Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) Summit, BHAC, Wilmington, NC.
- Lightner, C. (March 31, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Beta Sigma Virtual Research Day: Advocating for Equitable Person-Centered Care, Beta Sigma.
- Lightner, C. (Co-Presenter), & Edgar, W. (October 2022). “MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG for Nursing Students Personal Well- Being,” Penn State Parents and Families Weekend, Penn State University Ross & Carol Nese College of Nursing.
Publications and Scholarly Work
- Lightner, C., (In Progress). Undergraduate Clinical Learning Environment: Impact on Maternal-Child Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy, National League for Nursing (NLN) Nursing Education Perspectives.
- Criscitello, A., Wolgast, K., & Lightner, C. (2025). MINDSTRONG Program Delivery Type for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Program Evaluation. Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal. [Accepted November 2024].
- Peachey, B. N., Nelson, M. A., & Lightner, C., et al. (2025). Building a Wellness Culture at the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: A Case Journal of Radiology Nursing, 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2024.11.006
- Wolgast, K., Lightner, C., & Berish, D. E., et al. (2025). MINDSTRONG Cognitive Behavioral Skills Building Initiative to Enhance Wellness in Nursing Students at a Big 10 University: Lessons Learned. Journal of Radiology Nursing, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2024.11.004
- Lightner, C., et al. (2025). Promoting Nursing Students’ Healthy Behaviors Through Cognitive Skills-Building. Journal of Radiology Nursing, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2024.11.010
- Melnyk, B., Hsieh, A., Tan, A., Dirks, M., Gampetro, P., Gawlik, K., & Lightner, , et al. (2023). State of Mental Health, Healthy Behaviors, and Wellness Support in Big 10 University Nursing and Health Sciences Faculty, Staff, and Students During COVID-19. Journal of Professional Nursing, 48, 152-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.07.006
- Lightner, C., et al. (in press). Key #9- Unlock Digital Well-being: Key Tactics for Effective Messaging and Connection, in 12 Keys to Achieving Optimal Health, Happiness and Well-Being: An Evidence-Based Guide for Nurses & the Healthcare Workforce. Wolters Kluwer.
DISSERTATION:
- Lightner, C. (2022). “The Impact of the Maternal-Child Clinical Learning Environment on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy.” ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
- ORCID: 0009-0000-4587-4535
Editorial and Peer Review Roles
- BHAC peer reviewer
- Beta Sigma Board Member-Community Liaison and Virtual Research Day Planning Committee Chair 2025
Service
Community and Policy Engagement
- SCOPE Volunteer
Professional Organization Involvement and Fellowships
- Innovation Fellowship, The Ohio State University
- Beta Sigma Faculty Involvement Board Member
Clinically-oriented Conference Presentations and Clinical Publications
- March 28, 2025. “Fostering Wellness in Nursing: Insights from Mental Health Bulletin Boards. Sigma Creating Healthy Work Environments, Phoenix, AZ.
- Lightner, C. (November 15, 2024). “Penn State University Wellness Innovations for Nese Nursing Students (WINNS)”, PCNP Annual Conference: Mindsets Move Mountains, Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, Seven Springs, PA, USA, 16 in attendance, Accepted. State.
- Lightner, C. (October 15, 2024). “Building Nursing Self-Efficacy in Maternal-Child Clinical,” Faculty Speaker Series, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, University Park, PA, USA.
- Lightner, C. (June 13, 2024). “Workforce Wellness: Integrating Well-Being into Daily Life and Work,” Penn State World Campus Business to Business Webinar, Penn State World Campus, University Park, PA, USA.
- Lightner, C. (October 9, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) Webinar Series, The Ohio State University.
- Lightner, C. (May 11, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Translating Research to Innovations in Practice 6th Annual Symposium, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, State College, PA.
- Lightner, C. (April 20, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” 6th Biennial Building Healthy Academic Communities (BHAC) Summit, BHAC, Wilmington, NC.
- Lightner, C. (March 31, 2023). “Implementation of MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG at Penn State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: Lessons Learned,” Beta Sigma Virtual Research Day: Advocating for Equitable Person-Centered Care, Beta Sigma.
- Lightner, C. (Co-Presenter), & Edgar, W. (October 2022). “MINDSTRONG/MINDBODYSTRONG for Nursing Students Personal Well- Being,” Penn State Parents and Families Weekend, Penn State University Ross & Carol Nese College of Nursing.
Interprofessional Collaboration, Community Engagement, and Global Health
- SCOPE Volunteer
Social Media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christina-lightner-phd-crnp-whnp-bc-cne-235630291?trk=contact-info
Learn more about Interprofessional Education »
Download Lightner’s Curriculum Vitae »
Last updated 8/24/2025
