Karen Arca-Contreras

Karen Arca-Contreras is an Associate Professor of Nursing at the College of Staten Island, serving as the Success Coaching Program Coordinator and Deputy Chairperson. With over 30 years of nursing experience, she has held roles from staff nurse to nurse consultant, specializing in medical-surgical nursing, oncology, and nursing administration. Her research focuses on nursing education innovation, transgender healthcare integration, and student retention strategies.

She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Fairleigh Dickinson University, an MS in Nursing from Hunter College, and multiple degrees from the College of Staten Island (CSI), including a BS and AAS in Nursing.

Her research emphasizes flipped classroom methodologies, success coaching programs, and curriculum development for LGBTQ+ health. Notable awards include First Place in Program Innovation (2023), First Place Research Award (2021), and First Place in Nursing Education (2019). She has led initiatives like the Success Coaching Program and presented at conferences such as CUNY Nursing Discipline Council and the International Forum on Nursing & Nursing Education.

Her work bridges nursing practice and education, addressing student success, interprofessional collaboration through virtual simulations, and pandemic impacts on nursing education.