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Cara A. Busenhart, PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM

Cara Busenhart portrait
Clinical Associate Professor, School Of Nursing

Program Director, Nurse‐Midwifery Education Program , SON-Kansas City

cbusenhart@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Cara Busenhart, PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM, (she/her) is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Program Director for the Midwifery Education Program at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. Dr. Busenhart has been recognized for her contributions to graduate nursing education with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty in 2019 and 2020. Cara not only teaches didactic and practicum courses in midwifery and advanced practice, but she has experience with clinical skills/procedural training; large-classroom, team-based learning; and online teaching modalities. She loves sharing her passion for women's health, patient-centered care, equity and inclusion, and evidence-based care.

Dr. Busenhart has been a nurse for over 25 years and has previously provided care to women and families as a Certified Nurse-Midwife with Perinatal Specialists of Kansas City, The University of Kansas Health System, and JayDoc Free Health Clinic. Cara is eager to facilitate interprofessional education and practice for learners and practitioners, having served as a preceptor, clinical instructor, and provider in private practice, safety net clinics, and the academic health center.

Cara is an active member of numerous professional organizations and stakeholder groups, while also providing expertise and representation for regulatory bodies in nursing and advanced practice.

Education and Training
  • PhD, Nursing , University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS
  • MSN, Nursing, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Other, Nurse-Midwifery, University of Kansas School of Nursing
  • BSN, Nursing, Truman State University
  • Other, Advanced Practice Nursing, Duke - Johnson & Johnson
  • Other, Advanced Practice Nursing/Interprofessional Practice, Duke - Johnson & Johnson
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Kansas State Board of Nursing
  • Certified Nurse‐Midwife, American Midwifery Certification Board
  • Registered Nurse, Kansas State Board of Nursing
Professional Affiliations
  • Directors of Midwifery Education, Chair, 2021 - 2022
  • American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) , Midwifery Fellowship Task Force, Co-Chair, 2020 - 2020
  • Directors of Midwifery Education, Chair Elect, 2020 - 2021
  • Kansas Association of Advanced Practice Nurses, Member, 2019 - 2021
  • American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) , Continuing Education Review Committee, Member, 2018 - Present
  • American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) , Clinical and Academic Educators Committee, Member, 2018 - Present
  • Directors of Midwifery Education, Secretary, 2018 - 2020

Research

Overview

Dr. Busenhart has research experience with simulation in healthcare, competency-based education, and interprofessional education. Additionally, Cara is an active member of a team within the School of Nursing working to improve advanced practice nursing workforce development in rural and underserved settings.

Dr. Busenhart leads the first clinical post-graduate fellowship program for advanced practice nurses (APRNs) in Kansas, Providing a Bridge to Practice in Complex Healthcare Settings: A Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program. As part of this HRSA-funded program, APRNs are mentored in the care of rural, urban, and/or tribal individuals in our region, with a focus on interprofessional care, expanded maternal-child competencies, integrated behavioral health, and telehealth.

Dr. Busenhart also leads another HRSA workforce grant aimed at increasing the quality maternity care workforce, Midwives KAN (Kansas Advancing Nurse-Midwifery). This traineeship program provides funding for DNP nurse-midwifery students to attend school full-time, build the skillset for caring for underserved populations, and diversifying the maternal care workforce.

Additionally, Dr. Busenhart is the Midwifery Coordinator on the Grow andamp; Stay Advanced Nursing Education Workforce grant from HRSA and chairs the Maternal, Child, andamp; Family Health Committee for the Kansas Rural Health Center.

Publications
  • Busenhart, Cara. 2010. Chapter 6: Reproductive Pharmacology
  • Busenhart, Cara, Gardner, Sandra, Snell, BJ. 2017. Discharge Teaching
  • Busenhart, Cara, Willmarth, Melissa. 2012. Family Planning and Gynecology (Chapter 6) & Neonatal Care (Chapter 5)
  • Icenogle, Mary, Busenhart, Cara., A., Whitney, Lucinda, Buller, Carol, Schwartz, Lori, Peterson, JoAnn, Teel, Cynthia. 2019. Mental Wellness Action Plan and Mental Wellness Self-Care Plan. https://guides.library.kumc.edu/ld.php?content_id=48265547
  • Icenogle, Mary, Busenhart, Cara., A. , Whitney, Lucinda, Buller, Carol, Schwartz, Lori, Peterson, JoAnn, Teel, Cynthia. 2019. Mental Health Toolkit. https://guides.library.kumc.edu/mentalhealthtoolkit
  • Willmarth-Stec, M, Arbour, Megan, Busenhart, Cara, Lange-Kessler, Julia, Rouhana, Nichole. 2015. ACNM Exam Prep Workbook
  • Breedlove, Ginger, Busenhart, Cara. 2005. Screening and Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 50 (1), 51-4
  • Meyer, Mary, Groller, Karen, Myers, Sarah, Busenhart, Cara, Waugh, Shirley, Stegenga, Kristin. 2014. Simulation as a learning experience: Perceptions of new Registered Nurses. Clinical Simulation in Nursing
  • Icenogle, Mary, Busenhart, Cara., A., Whitney, Lucinda, Buller, Carol, Schwartz, Lori, Peterson, JoAnn, Teel, Cynthia. 2019. Mental Wellness Action Plan and Mental Wellness Self-Care Plan. https://guides.library.kumc.edu/ld.php?content_id=48265547
  • Icenogle, Mary, Busenhart, Cara, Buller, Carol, Peterson, JoAnn, Schwartz, Lori, Whitney, Lucinda, Teel, Cynthia. 2020. A creative action plan for mental wellness: Tools for primary care in rural and underserved settings. Creative Nursing, 26 (4), Online article