Dr. Rita Trofino DNP, MNEd, RN

Education

• DNP, Carlow University
• MNEd, University of Pittsburgh
• BSN, University of Pittsburgh

Professional Certifications:  RN; AHA CPR Instructor; First Aid Instructor
 

Biography

Dr. Rita Trofino has taught nursing academia for over 40 years. She initially helped start the BSN Program at Saint Francis University in the summer of 1981. She worked full and part time for SFU over the years. Over the years she has published a book, several chapters in nursing textbooks, and articles. With her extensive teaching and nursing education and administration experience, she was appointed the Department Chair in the summer of 2011. The following she was additionally appointed to the Associate Dean School of Health Sciences and Education. Under Dr. Trofino's leadership,  the enrollment grew exponentially; the department experienced a six-year, in a row, 100% NCLEX; and in addition to the BSN Program seven new nursing programs were started. Dr. Trofino primarily taught courses in research, leadership and nursing management /practicum.

In 2022, the nursing deans in Pennsylvania  (Pennsylvania Higher Education Nursing Program Association , PHENSA)  awarded Dr. Trofino the "Distinguished Colleague Award". Twice she was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She volunteered for over forty years as an American Heart Association CPR and First Aid instructor to countless people. Dr.  Trofino is a volunteer Team Leader for accreditation site visits for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has completed more than 25 site visits.

Dr. Trofino retired from full-time employment in July 2025.  In May of 2025, the Board of Directors of SFU unanimously honored her with Professor Emerita status. She is currently employed part-time.

Courses Taught

• Principles of Cross Cultural Healthcare
• Nursing Assessment lab
• Management/Leadership Practicum
• Public Health  Perspective of Chronic Disease
• Strategies in Health Policy
• Clinical Residency Project 
• Principles of Cross Cultural Healthcare
• Nursing Assessment lab
• Management/Leadership Practicum
• Public Health  Perspective of Chronic Disease
• Strategies in Health Policy
• Clinical Residency Project