Education

• MA University of Iowa
• BS Mount Mercy College

About

Cathy Penn, Associate Professor of Nursing, has taught nursing students at Mount Mercy University since 1988.

She has taught sophomore, junior and senior nursing students in a variety of clinical specialties and setting, primarily in adult medical surgical nursing and community nursing. She currently teaches sophomore physical assessment, nursing skills and foundations of nursing courses.

Penn has a varied clinical background in critical care, neurologic and rehabilitation nursing and is certified in the rehabilitation nursing specialty. She has experience as a clinical nurse specialist and nurse manager in hospital settings and has led interdisciplinary teams in hospitals initiatives to improve safety and quality of care.

She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society and has served as Faculty Advisor, Treasurer and President of the Kappa Xi chapter. She was selected by Sigma Theta Tau, International for their Chiron Mentorship program and collaborated on an evidence base nursing project in that program. She maintains an active interest in evidence-based practice and improving quality and safety in nursing.