Lorraine M. Rusch, PhD, RN, CNE, is an Associate Professor and Paramedicine Department Chair at Creighton University's College of Nursing. Her research interests include healthcare-related professional formation; development of clinical reasoning and decision making skills; interprofessional health education; and cardiac health.
Dr. Rusch holds a PhD in Nursing Education from Villanova University, an MSN from Pacific Lutheran University, and a BSN from Creighton University.
Dr. Rusch's work is situated within the broader field of nursing education and focuses on enhancing education and practice through innovative teaching strategies and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. She has been awarded multiple honors for teaching and scholarship including the 2019 Nebraska Nurses Association Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, 2021 Creighton University Distinguished Educator Award, and several Teaching Excellence Awards from students.
Dr. Rusch is committed to advancing the nursing profession through excellence in teaching, innovative research, and service to the community.
Research Focus
Nursing Education: Development of and Assessment of Clinical Reasoning & Decision Making; Adult Cardiac Health
Teaching in Nursing and the Role of the Educator Schoening Anne M., De Gagne Jennie C, Oermann Marilyn H, Rusch Lorraine, The Transition from Clinician to Educator [Book Chapter] 2025
Public Health : Improving Health via Inter-Professional Collaborations Packard Kathleen A., Kalkowski Julie C., White Nicole D., Ryan-Haddad Ann M., Black Lisa L., Flecky Kathleen A., Furze Jennifer A., Rusch Lorraine M., Qi Yongyue, A financial education program and health of single, low-income women and their children [Book Chapter] 2014
Public Health : Improving Health via Inter-Professional Collaborations White Nicole, Packard Kathleen, Kalkowski Julie, Ryan-Haddad Ann, Flecky Kathy, Furze Jennifer, Rusch Lori, Black Lisa, Education program for single women of low-income and their children [Book Chapter] 2014
Publications
Journal of prevention (2022 : Print) White Nicole D, Kalkowski Julie C, Walters Ryan W, Flecky Kathy A, Black Lisa L, Furze Jennifer A, Peterson Julie A, Rusch Lorraine M, Haddad Ann M Ryan, Fuji Kevin, Effect of Financial Education and Coaching on Economic Stability in Low Income, Single Mother Families 2026
Nursing Forum Flott Elizabeth, Kirkpatrick Amanda, Rusch Lori, Koziol Dana, Laughlin Ann, Williams Jacqueline, Ball Sarah, Hanks Jacquie, Minnich Margo, Fostering collaborative learning and leadership through near-peer mentorship among undergraduate nursing students 57:5, p. 750 - 755 2022
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine White Nicole, Packard Kathleen, Black Lisa, Peterson Julie, Kalkowski Julie, Walters Ryan, Haddad Ann Ryan, Flecky Kathy, Rusch Lorraine, Furze Jennifer, Improving Health through Action on Economic Stability 2022
Nurse Educator Rusch Lorraine, Manz Julie A., Hercinger Maribeth, Oertwich Ann, McCafferty Kandis, Nurse Preceptor Perceptions of Nursing Student Progress Toward Readiness for Practice 44:1, p. 34 - 37 2019
Nurse Education in Practice Rusch Lorraine M., McCafferty Kandis, Schoening Anne M., Hercinger Maribeth, Manz Julie A., Impact of the dedicated education unit teaching model on the perceived competencies and professional attributes of nursing students 33, p. 90 - 93 2018
Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning White Nicole D., Black Lisa L., Rusch Lorraine M., Qi Yongyue, Kalkowski Julie C., Furze Jennifer A., Ryan-Haddad Ann M., Packard Kathleen A., Flecky Kathleen A., Two year sustainability of the effect of a financial education program on the health and wellbeing of single, low-income women 29:1, p. 68 - 74 2018
Nurse Educator Rusch Lorraine, Beiermann Trisha, Schoening Anne M., Slone Cindy, Flott Beth, Manz Julie, Miller Jacque, Defining Roles and Expectations for Faculty, Nurses, and Students in a Dedicated Education Unit 43:1, p. 14 - 17 2018
International Public Health Journal Packard Kathleen A., Kalkowski Julie C., White Nicole D., Flecky Kathleen A., Furze Jennifer A., Rusch Lorraine M., Ryan Haddad Ann, Black Lisa L., Qi Yongyue, Effect of a financial education program on the health of single, low-income women and their children 7:1, p. 37 - 47 2015
International Public Health Journal White Nicole D., Packard Kathleen A., Kalkowski Julie C., Flecky Kathleen A., Furze Jennifer A., Rusch Lorraine M., Black Lisa L., Ryan Haddad Ann M., A novel financial education program for single women of low-income and their children 7:1, p. 49 - 55 2015
Journal of Women's Health Kalkowski Julie C., Flecky Kathleen A., Black Lisa L., Cochran Teresa M., Stricklett Kate M., Martens Stricklett Kate, Packard Kathleen A., White Nicole D., Ryan Haddad Ann, Furze Jennifer A., Rusch Lorraine M., Impact of a Financial Success Education Program on Quality of Life and Health in Single, Low-Income Mothers 22:3, p. 32 - 33 2013
Nursing leadership forum Rusch Lorraine M, Supporting clinical nursing leadership and professional practice at the unit level 9:2, p. 61 - 66 2004
Presentations
Empowering Homeless Individuals through an Interprofessional Campus to Community Engagement (poster 30) -0001
Addressing Self-Efficacy and Self-Awareness in Undergraduate Nursing Students Through End-of-Life Simulation (poster 21) -0001
Distinguished Educator in Teaching as Scholarship Award The recipients of the award must: hold a full-time faculty appointment at the university; must be at least at the rank of Associate Professor; and must show a consistent commitment to the teaching mission and objectives of the University and one's primary appointed department. Creighton University
DAISY Faculty Award Nominee Creighton University, College of Nursing Students Creighton University, College of Nursing Students
Teaching Excellence Award for Undergraduate Classroom Instruction Creighton University College of Nursing Undergraduate Class of 2019
DAISY Faculty Award Nominee Creighton University, College of Nursing Students
2019 Outstanding Nurse Educator Nebraska Nurses Association
DAISY Faculty Award Nominee Creighton University, College of Nursing Students
Winifred J. Ellenchild Pinch Research Award Frailty in the Adult Homeless Population Research Iota Tau Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
DAISY Faculty Award Nominee Creighton University, College of Nursing Students
Keynote Speaker--Member Induction Ceremony Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Iota Tau Chapter
2014 Positive Image of Nursing Award Nebraska Nurses Association
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Pacific Lutheran University
Teaching Excellence Award for Undergraduate Classroom Instruction Awarded by graduating student cohort Creighton University College of Nursing
“40 Under 40” Nebraska Nursing Leaders Nebraska Action Coalition for the Future of Nursing
2012 Outstanding Dissertation Award Midwest Nursing Research Society, Nursing Education Research Section
John P. Schlegel, SJ, Diversity Award for Excellence & Innovation Unit/Department/Program Collaborative Recipient Office of Interprofessional Scholarship, Service & Education (OISSE)
Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Creighton University College of Nursing
Winifred J. Ellenchild Pinch Research Award Sigma Theta Tau, Iota Tau Chapter
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society academic honor society Villanova University
Doctoral Student Moderator Selected as Doctoral Student Moderator for Nursing Educator Summit (unexpectedly unable to attend) National League for Nursing
Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Awarded by graduating student cohort Creighton University College of Nursing
Tyler Memorial Nursing Scholarship Pacific Lutheran University