Lauren Petersen, DNP, MPH, APRN, PNP-PC
Clinical Associate Professor
Contact
Office Address
6-138C Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States
Affiliations:
Titles
Clinical Associate Professor
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Research Focus Area
- Diagnostic reasoning in APRN education and teaching strategies
- Educational innovation in APRN preparation using simulation and gamification strategies
- Health equity consideration and public health perspectives in pediatric primary care
- Quality improvement in pediatric healthcare delivery
Biography
Biographical Summary
Dr. Petersen is a clinical associate professor in the School of Nursing and a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She serves as the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. She brings a unique combination of experience and expertise in microbiology, public health, and pediatric nursing. Dr. Petersen’s teaching responsibilities in the Pediatric DNP programs includes diagnostic reasoning pedagogy, development of innovative, active teaching strategies, and DNP project advising.
Dr. Petersen also maintains a pediatric primary care practice and precepts nurse practitioner students in this setting. Dr. Petersen is committed to evidence-based care grounded in public health perspectives and is dedicated to fostering students' development in clinic practice and scholarly pursuits.
Professional Memberships
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- MN Chapter, President-Elect 2026-Present
- MN Chapter, Continuing Education/Program Chair 2024-2025
- Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners 2024-Present
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) 2025-Present
Education
DNP, University of Minnesota
MN, University of Minnesota
MPH, University of Minnesota
Publications
Selected Publications
Petersen, L. A., Delkoski, S., & McCarthy, S. (2025). Diagnostic reasoning for APRN learners: Overview of teaching strategies. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 36(2), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2025341
Smith, S. K., Benbenek, M. M., & Petersen, L. A. (April, 2025) Diagnostic reasoning foundations: Background and suggested competencies. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 36(2), 109-122. https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2025354
Book Chapter
Petersen, L. A., & Gingerich, S. (2023). Professionalism. In Schadewlad, D. (Ed.), Zaccagnini & White's Core Competencies for Advanced Practice Nursing: A Guide for DNPs (5th ed., 257-294). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Bradley, C. S., Flaten, C., Muehlbauer, M., Woll, A., Clark, L., Benbenek, M., Delkoski, S., Donnelly, J., Friedrich, C., Geiger-Simpson, E., Petersen, L., Peterson, B., Ruud, M., Smith, S. (2022). Engaging Standardized Patients in Nursing Education. Clinical Simulations in Nursing: Advanced Concepts, Trends, and Opportunities. Wolters Kluwer.
Podcast
Petersen, L. A., & Gingerich, S. (2023). Professionalism. Zaccagnini & White's Core Competencies for Advanced Practice Nursing: A Guide for DNPs. (December 27, 2023)
Presentations
Selected Presentations
Bavis, M., Smith, S. K., Benbenek, M. M., Petersen, L. A., & Griffith, P. (2025, Oct. 2). Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning [Webinar Series], Diagnostic Reasoning Webinar Series, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).
Smith, S. K., Benbenek, M. M., & Petersen, L. A. (2024, April). Preparing the clinical learner: Developing an introduction to diagnostic reasoning for APRN students. Paper presented at the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) 50th Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Petersen, L. (2020, November 30). Active learning: Pediatric virtual simulation. Presentation at Ideas for Active Learning, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN.