Cara A. Busenhart, PhD, APRN, CNM, FACNM
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.
- 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
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Kansas State Board of Nursing
- Certified Nurse‐Midwife, American Midwifery Certification Board
- Registered Nurse, Kansas State Board of Nursing
- 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
