Laura Conahan

Laura Conahan is an Assistant Professor and Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator in the School of Nursing at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She has been with CSULB since 2014, advancing from a clinical instructor role. Dr. Conahan maintains an active clinical practice as the lead Family Nurse Practitioner and Director of Nursing at a family practice and aesthetic medicine facility. Her research focuses on health promotion in primary care, dermatology condition management, and strategies for preceptor recruitment in advanced practice nursing education.

Education:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), CSU Southern California DNP Consortium
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), California State University, Long Beach
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), California State University, Long Beach
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (BA), University of California, Davis

Research Interests:

Dr. Conahan’s clinical research emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and dermatology conditions (e.g., acne, scarring, pigmentation disorders). Her academic research addresses preceptorship quality, student health service utilization, and reducing obesity-related stigma. She develops patient education materials to enhance healthcare accessibility.

Awards & Professional Affiliations:

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• California Association of Nurse Practitioners
• National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor’s Society, Iota Eta Chapter

Advising & Clinical Work:

Dr. Conahan oversees the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, focusing on student-preceptor partnerships. Her clinical work integrates aesthetic medicine and primary care, emphasizing patient quality of life. She advocates for evidence-based practices in both clinical and educational settings.