Kara P. Corvino, DNP, MSN, RN, CEN, CHSE, is a Professor of Practice in the School of Nursing at Simmons University. Experienced nursing educator and emergency nurse with over 25 years of clinical and academic experience. Skilled in leadership, mentoring, concept-based curriculum design, and simulation-based instruction. Actively practicing at the bedside as a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and ACLS/BLS instructor, bringing current clinical expertise into every learning environment. Committed to preparing practice-ready nurses through technology integration, leadership development, and competency-based learning that bridges theory with real-world practice.
Dr. Corvino fosters an inclusive environment grounded in respect and belonging, drawing on her experience working in a multicultural Level I Trauma Center to emphasize cultural competence, effective communication, and advocacy for equitable, patient-centered care.
Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Nursing Education – Regis College, Weston, MA (August 2024)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nursing Education – Capella University, Minneapolis, MN (June 2021)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Elms College, Chicopee, MA (June 1997)
Area of Expertise
Dr. Kara Corvino brings more than 25 years of nursing experience and five years of full-time nursing faculty experience to Simmons University. She has extensive experience in emergency and trauma nursing, including roles as a staff nurse, charge nurse, educator, preceptor, and mentor. Her professional and scholarly interests include emergency nursing, simulation-based education, clinical judgment, and transition to practice. Her work on multi-patient simulation has been published in a peer-reviewed nursing journal and presented at a national simulation conference. She continues to practice clinically, bringing current, real-world nursing experiences into her teaching.
Licenses/Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Massachusetts
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)
- ACLS & BLS Instructor Certification
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) Certification
- AVADE Universal Precautions for Workplace Violence Prevention
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
- International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)
- Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
- New England League for Nurse Educators (NELNE)
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA)
- Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH)
Courses
- NURS 347 - Complex Nursing Care Management across the Continuum
- NURS 498 - Synthesis and Role Transition
Community Engagement
Dr. Corvino is actively engaged in the nursing and healthcare community through her continued clinical practice, professional service, and mentorship. She is committed to supporting nurses and students while advancing excellence in nursing education and clinical practice.
Research and/or Special Projects
Dr. Corvino’s research and scholarly work focuses on simulation-based nursing education and transition to practice. She developed and implemented an innovative multi-patient simulation (MPS) experience designed to strengthen clinical judgment, prioritization, delegation, and communication. Her MPS work has resulted in peer-reviewed publication and national presentation and continues to inform her development of innovative simulation-based learning experiences.
Publications
Corvino, K. P. (2025). Implementing a multipatient simulation experience into a curriculum: An educational innovation project. Teaching and Learning in Nursing https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2025.03.024
Presentations
Corvino, K. P., Cunnie, K., & Brice-James, E. (2026, June). Fostering transition to practice through multi-patient simulation: A qualitative review of student reflections. An educational innovation project [Peer-reviewed poster presentation]. INACSL Annual Conference, Oklahoma City, OK. Lead author and presenter.