FACULTY PROFILES

Melissa A. Wholeben

Associate Professor
Nursing

Office Building: Health Sciences and School of Nursing Building
Office Room: HSSN 334
Phone: (915) 747-7264
Email: mwholeben@utep.edu

Expertise: See Research Profile in Expertise Connector

Bio

Dr. Melissa Wholeben is an Associate Professor of Nursing with expertise in trauma-informed care, emergency nursing, and forensic nursing practices. Her research focuses on improving outcomes for trauma patients through evidence-based interventions, including strategies for emergency nurses caring for interpersonal violence survivors and culturally informed approaches to reduce health disparities. Dr. Wholeben has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on multiple funded projects, including an NIH R01 trial evaluating a culturally informed brief intervention for Latinx populations and studies developing forensic evidence collection training for emergency nurses. She has published extensively on trauma-informed education, emergency preparedness, and violence prevention, and her work includes validating patient-perception instruments, creating educational tools for trauma nurses, and advancing best practices in trauma care delivery. She maintains active certification as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN), underscoring her commitment to excellence in nursing education and trauma care.

Awards and Honors

UTEP EDGE Faculty Fellow (2025-2026) (09/01/2025-09/30/2025)
Faculty Marshall of Students (UTEP Fall 2024 Commencement-College of Nursing) (12/14/2024)
UTEP EDGE Faculty Fellow (2024-2025) (09/01/2024-09/30/2024)

Education

Ph D in Nursing Science, New Mexico State University (2013)
MSN in Nursing, UT Tyler (2007)
BSN in Nursing, UTEP (2004)

Publications

Show us the Evidence: Submitting High-Quality Proposals to Advance Trauma Care. Journal of Trauma Nursing. Journal of Trauma Nursing 33 1 (2026), Melissa A. Wholeben, Jordan Rahm, Kenyatta Hazlewood, Vicki Moran.
Understanding Interpersonal Violence Incidence in a US-Mexico Border Community: A Geospatial Approach. Journal of Forensic Nursing 21 4 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Hyunjung Cheon, Amanda J. Goodson, Jayajit Chakraborty, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Enhancing emergency nurses forensic care for interpersonal violence survivors: A mixed methods study. Journal of Trauma Nursing 32 2 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Denise N. Delgado, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Incidence and Factors Associated with Interpersonal Violence in Trauma Patients in a US-Mexico Border City: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Journal of Trauma Nursing 32 2 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Hyunjung Cheon, Amanda J. Goodson, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Developing a Trauma-Informed Care Graphic Narrative Educational Tool for Emergency Trauma Nurses International Emergency Nursing 78 (2024), Melissa A. Wholeben, Robert McCreary, Elvira Carrizal-Dukes, Robbie Dukes.
Nurses Taking on Readiness Measures (N-TORM): A Nurse-Facilitated Household Emergency Preparedness Intervention Feasibility Study Health Emergency and Disaster Nursing 11 1 (2024), Tara Heagele, William Samuels, Melissa A. Wholeben, N Nurse-Clarke, L Adams, C McNeill.
Learning to Lead Through a Trauma-Informed Care Lens: A Tabletop Exercise Exemplar Journal of Nursing Education 63 4 (2024), Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane B. Monsivais.
Impact of Trauma-informed Care Training on Attitudes among Emergency Department Personnel, Staff Advocates, and Nursing Students Journal of Trauma Nursing 30 5 (2023), Melissa A. Wholeben, Yessenia Castro, Craig A. Field, Gloria Salazar.
Triple-jeopardy! COVID-19, high ACE scores, and the US-Mexico border. Mitigating risks with trauma-informed pedagogy Teaching and Learning in Nursing 18 3 (2023), Melissa A. Wholeben, Karen Fowler, Jacob Martinez.
Understanding the Impact of Trauma in Hispanic Nursing Students: Resilience and Learning Outcomes. Hispanic Health Care International 22 1 (2023), Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Effectiveness of Mindfulness Strategy to Promote Cultural Awareness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Egypt and the United States Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine 8 2 (2023), Audrey C. Tolouian, N Mohamed, Melissa A. Wholeben, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Diane M. Rankin.
Effectiveness of Mindfulness Strategy to Promote Cultural Awareness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Egypt and the United States Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine 8 2 (2023), Audrey C. Tolouian, N Mohamed, Melissa A. Wholeben, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Diane M. Rankin.
Effectiveness of mindfulness strategy to promote cultural awareness among undergraduate nursing students in Egypt and the United States Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine 8 2 (2023), Audrey C. Tolouian, , Melissa A. Wholeben, Sarah Y. Jimenez.
Understanding the impact of trauma in Hispanic nursing students: Resilience and learning outcomes. Hispanic Healthcare International Journal (2023), Karen R. Fowler, A. Wholeben .
Chapter 7: Realms of Nursing Practice 5th (2023), Melissa A. Wholeben, Audrey C. Tolouian.
Student Retention and Success in an RN-BSN Program: Determining Variables and Methods European Journal of Educational Sciences 9 2 (2022), Audrey Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Student Retention and Success in an RN-BSN Program: Determining Variables and Methods European Journal of Education Sciences (2022), Audrey Tolouian, Melissa Wholeban, Diane Rankin.
The Unprecedented Covid-19 Effect: Secondary Trauma in Patients & Strategies for Clinical Practice ESI Preprints (2022), Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Validation of Trauma-Informed Care Instruments: Emergency Department Environment and Transitional Secondary Environment. Journal of Trauma Nursing 29 6 (2022), Melissa A. Wholeben, Robert McCreary, Gloria Salazar.
Teaching Mindfulness to Mitigate Burnout in a Pandemic Journal of Trauma Nursing 29 1 (2022), Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Teaching Mindfulness to Mitigate Burnout in a Pandemic Journal of Trauma Nursing 29 1 (2022), Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Teaching Mindfulness to Mitigate Burnout in a Pandemic Journal of Trauma Nurses 29 1 (2022), Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Teaching Mindfulness to Mitigate Burnout in a Pandemic Journal of Trauma Nurses 29 1 (2022), Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Responding in a Pandemic: Student Nurse Educator Mentorships, the Other Side of Blackboard European Scientific Journal 17 30 (2021), Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane B. Monsivais, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Responding in a Pandemic: Student Nurse Educator Mentorships, the Other Side of Blackboard European Scientific Journal 17 30 (2021), Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane B. Monsivais, Melissa A. Wholeben.
The Development of an Innovative Mentorship Experience for an Online RN-to-BSN Program Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 11 3 (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria E. McKee, Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane M. Rankin.
The Development of an Innovative Mentorship Experience for an Online RN-to-BSN Program Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 11 3 (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria E. McKee, Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane M. Rankin.
The Development of an Innovative Mentorship Experience for an Online RN-to-BSN Program Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 11 3 (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria E. McKee, Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane M. Rankin.
A Simulated Reality for Patient Care: An Alternative to the Social Distancing Barriers of COVID-19 European Scientific Journal (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben.
Community Engagement: Moving from the Classroom to Interprofessional Education Collaboration European Scientific Journal (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Carla Ellis.
Community engagement: Moving from the classroom to interprofessional education collaboration European Scientific Journal ESC 2020 Proceedings (2021), Melissa A. Wholeben, Sarah Y. Jimenez.

Presentations

Nurse Scientists in Action: Participant Recruitment Using the Trauma Registry for Collaborative Research Endeavor. (2026), Volume Austin, Texas, Melissa A. Wholeben, Ashley Lindquist, Craig A. Field.
Graphic Narratives on the US-Mexico Border: Educational Tools to Improve Health Literacy. (2025), Volume Indianapolis, IN, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Melissa A. Wholeben, Jacob Martinez.
Social Disorganization and Interpersonal Violene in a US/Mexico Border City (2024), Volume San Francisco, California, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Social Disorganization and Interpersonal Violene in a US/Mexico Border City (2024), Volume San Francisco, California, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Beyond the Text: Graphic Comics as Educational Catalysts for Trauma-Informed Emergency Nursing (2024), Volume Denver, Colorado, Melissa A. Wholeben, Robert McCreary.
Exploring Interpersonal Violence Markers to Enhance an Emergency Department Nurse Training Program in Evidence Collection (2024), Volume Denver, Colorado, Melissa A. Wholeben, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Robert McCreary, Gloria Salazar.
Utilizing GIS Mapping for Strategic Healthcare Responses to Trauma Among Interpersonal Violence (IV) Survivors (2024), Volume Denver, Colorado, Melissa A. Wholeben, Hyunjung Cheon, Amanda J. Goodson, Robert McCreary.
Forensic Evidence Collection Training based on Interpersonal Violence (IV) markers and ED Nurses’ Experiences. (2024), Volume Virutal, Melissa A. Wholeben, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Robert McCreary, Gloria Salazar.
. A Nurse-Facilitated Household Emergency Preparedness Intervention for Elderly & Medically Frail Community Members (2023), Volume Philadelphia, PA, Tara Heagele, William Samuels, Melissa A. Wholeben, N Nurse-Clarke, L Adams, C McNeill.
Moving Towards Supportive Environments for Trauma Survivors: Incorporating Trauma- Informed Care Principles into an Undergraduate Curriculum (2022), Volume Las Vegas, Nevada, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Craig A. Field.
The Impact of Trauma-Informed Care Training on Healthcare Practitioners’ and Advocates’ Knowledge and Attitudes (2022), Volume Edinburgh, Scotland, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Craig A. Field.
The Impact of Trauma in Hispanic Nursing Students (2022), Volume Miami, Florida, Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben, Jacob Martinez.
The Effects of a Training on Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care. (2022), Volume El Paso, Texas, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Craig A. Field.
Understanding the Impact of Trauma in Hispanic Nursing Students. (2022), Volume El Paso, Texas, Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben, Jacob Martinez.
Creation of a Trauma-Informed Care Training Program for Healthcare Providers and Advocates at a Level 1 Trauma Hospital (2022), Volume Las Vegas, Nevada, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Craig A. Field.
The Effects of a Training on Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (2022), Volume Las Vegas, Nevada, Melissa A. Wholeben, Salazar, Craig A. Field.
A Culturally Sensitive Trauma-Informed Care Environment for a Border Community: The Development of a Health Equity Tool for Healthcare Providers (2022), Volume New Orleans, Louisiana, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Implementing a Trauma-Informed Care Environment: Understanding the Past, Analyzing the Present, & Empowering the Future (2021), Volume Indianapolis, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Tools of Past: Using Mindfulness Strategies to Create Nurse Leaders (2021), Volume Indianapolis, Melissa A. Wholeben, Audrey C. Tolouian.
Tools of Past: Using Mindfulness Strategies to Create Nurse Leaders (2021), Volume Indianapolis, Melissa A. Wholeben, Audrey C. Tolouian.
Hispanic Nursing Students: Incidence and Impact of Traumatic Events (2021), Volume Albuquerque, New Mexico, Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Hispanic Nursing Students: Incidence and Impact of Traumatic Events (2021), Volume Albuquerque, New Mexico , Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben .
First Steps in Becoming a Trauma-Informed Care Designated Level 1 Trauma Hospital (2021), Volume Virtual, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria S. , Robert M. .
Impact of traumatic Events on Hispanic Students (2021), Volume New York, New York, Karen Fowler, Melissa Wholeben.
Impact of Traumatic Events on Hispanic Nursing Students (2021), Karen Fowler, Melissa A. Wholeben, Jacob Martinez.
Coffee Shop: Interweaving Global Mindfulness Awareness into Nursing Education (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Naglaa El Mokadem, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Diane M. Rankin.
Coffee Shop: Interweaving Global Mindfulness Awareness into Nursing Education (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Nagala E. , Sarah Y. Jimenez, Diane M. Rankin.
Coffee Shop: Interweaving Global Mindfulness Awareness into Nursing Education (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Nagala E. , Sarah Y. Jimenez, Diane M. Rankin.
Responding in a Pandemic-MSN Nurse Education Mentorships: The Other Side of BlackBoard (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane B. Monsivais.
Responding During an Educational Experience Pandemic: MSN Nurse Education Mentorship (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Diane B. Monsivais, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Mindful Leaders in a Border Community: Being Present in the Moment (2021), Volume Virtual, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Coffee Shop: Creating a Sense of Community in a Virtual World (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Coffee Shop: Creating a Sense of Community in a Virtual World (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Coffee Shop: Creating a Sense of Community in a Virtual World (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Building Resiliency using Mindfulness in Nursing Academia (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Building Resiliency using Mindfulness in Nursing Academia (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Nursing Students Develop Quality Improvement Projects for Facilities using Live Videoconferencing during a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Nursing Students Develop Quality Improvement Projects for Facilities using Live Videoconferencing during a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Organizational Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care for the SANE Population: Evaluating Community Risk and Creation of a Healthcare Provider Tool (2021), Volume Virtual, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Taking Time to Enjoy Some Coffee! Adding Mindfulness to Daily Practice (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Nursing Students Develop Quality Improvement Projects for Facilities using Live Videoconferencing during a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Nursing Students Develop Quality Improvement Projects for Facilities using Live Videoconferencing during a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Building Resiliency using Mindfulness in Nursing (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Building Resiliency using Mindfulness in Nursing (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Taking Time to Enjoy Some Coffee! Adding Mindfulness to Daily Practice (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Taking Time to Enjoy Some Coffee! Adding Mindfulness to Daily Practice (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Going Virtual in a RNBSN Academic Program: Creation of Leadership Quality Improvement Projects in a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Going Virtual in a RNBSN Academic Program: Creation of Leadership Quality Improvement Projects in a Pandemic (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Modification and Validation of a Trauma-Informed Care Healthcare Provider Tool for the Trauma & SANE Population (2021), Volume Virtual, Melissa A. Wholeben, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Nurses Having a Cup O' Joe While Social Distancing: Virtual Mindfulness to Relieve Stress (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Nurses Having a Cup O’ Joe While Social Distancing: Virtual Mindfulness to Relieve Stress (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
Nurses Having a Cup O’ Joe While Social Distancing: Virtual Mindfulness to Relieve Stress (2021), Volume Virtual, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben, Diane M. Rankin.
“Going Virtual in a RNBSN Academic Program: Creation of Leadership Quality Improvement Projects in a Pandemic.” (2021), Volume Virtual, Diane M. Rankin, Audrey C. Tolouian, Melissa A. Wholeben.

Grants

R01: Stage II: Efficacy Trial of a Culturally Informed Brief Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Related Health Disparities and Treatment Inequities Among Latinxs (Year 4) (08/01/2025 - 06/30/2026) - NIAAA (year 4)
Validation of a Trauma-Informed Care Tool for Trauma Survivors (01/01/2022 - 05/31/2023) - Sigma Delta Kappa Chapter

Current/Future Courses

Term	Course	Section	Syllabus
Spring 2026	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	24061	Syllabus
Spring 2026	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	24062	Syllabus

Past Courses

Select Term:

Term	Course	Section	Syllabus
Fall 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	13827	Syllabus
Fall 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	13829	Syllabus
Summer 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32666	Syllabus
Summer 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32667	Syllabus
Spring 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	24573	Syllabus
Spring 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	24574	Syllabus
Fall 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	14319	Syllabus
Fall 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	14321	Syllabus
Summer 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32993	Syllabus
Summer 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32994	Syllabus
Spring 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	25335	Syllabus
Spring 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	25336	Syllabus
Fall 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	15276	Syllabus
Fall 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	15278	Syllabus
Summer 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	35576	Syllabus
Summer 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	35577	Syllabus
Spring 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	26498	Syllabus
Spring 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	26499	Syllabus
Fall 2022	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	19945	Syllabus
Fall 2022	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	19953	Syllabus
Summer 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	34945	Syllabus
Summer 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35555	Syllabus
Spring 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	25537	Syllabus
Spring 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	27186	Syllabus
Fall 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	16316	Syllabus
Fall 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	18007	Syllabus
Summer 2021	NURS 4511 - Population Focused Care	35617	Syllabus
Summer 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35453	Syllabus
Summer 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35454	Syllabus
Spring 2021	NURS 3604 - Fundamentals of Nurs Practice	28419
Spring 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	26147	Syllabus
Spring 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	28428	Syllabus
Fall 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	16604	Syllabus
Fall 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	19693	Syllabus
Fall 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	19694	Syllabus
Summer 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35473	Syllabus
Summer 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	36352	Syllabus
Summer 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	36353	Syllabus
Spring 2020	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	26995	Syllabus
Fall 2019	NURS 4503 - Nursing in the Community	15516	Syllabus
Fall 2019	NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen	16084	Syllabus
Summer 2019	NURS 4414 - Evidence Based Research	33664	Syllabus
Summer 2019	NURS 3314 - Evidence-Based Research	36082	Syllabus
Summer 2019	NURS 3314 - Evidence-Based Research	36083	Syllabus
Summer 2019	NURS 4503 - Nursing in the Community	33977	Syllabus
Summer 2019	NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen	32716	Syllabus
Spring 2019	NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen	26482	Syllabus

Course Evaluations

Term	Course	Section	Evaluation
Fall 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	13827	Evaluation
Fall 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	13829	Evaluation
Summer 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32666	Evaluation
Summer 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32667	Evaluation
Spring 2025	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	24573	Evaluation
Fall 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	14319	Evaluation
Fall 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	14321	Evaluation
Summer 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32993	Evaluation
Summer 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	32994	Evaluation
Spring 2024	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	25335	Evaluation
Fall 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	15276	Evaluation
Fall 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	15278	Evaluation
Summer 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	35576	Evaluation
Summer 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	35577	Evaluation
Spring 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	26498	Evaluation
Spring 2023	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	26499	Evaluation
Fall 2022	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	19945	Evaluation
Fall 2022	NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr	19953	Evaluation
Summer 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	34945	Evaluation
Summer 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35555	Evaluation
Spring 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	25537	Evaluation
Spring 2022	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	27186	Evaluation
Fall 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	16316	Evaluation
Fall 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	18007	Evaluation
Summer 2021	NURS 4511 - Population Focused Care	35617	Evaluation
Summer 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35453	Evaluation
Summer 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	35454	Evaluation
Spring 2021	NURS 3604 - Fundamentals of Nurs Practice	28419	Evaluation
Spring 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	26147	Evaluation
Spring 2021	NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic	28428	Evaluation

Bio

Awards and Honors

UTEP EDGE Faculty Fellow (2025-2026) (09/01/2025-09/30/2025)
Faculty Marshall of Students (UTEP Fall 2024 Commencement-College of Nursing) (12/14/2024)
UTEP EDGE Faculty Fellow (2024-2025) (09/01/2024-09/30/2024)

Ph D in Nursing Science, New Mexico State University (2013)
MSN in Nursing, UT Tyler (2007)
BSN in Nursing, UTEP (2004)

Publications

Show us the Evidence: Submitting High-Quality Proposals to Advance Trauma Care. Journal of Trauma Nursing. Journal of Trauma Nursing 33 1 (2026), Melissa A. Wholeben, Jordan Rahm, Kenyatta Hazlewood, Vicki Moran.
Understanding Interpersonal Violence Incidence in a US-Mexico Border Community: A Geospatial Approach. Journal of Forensic Nursing 21 4 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Hyunjung Cheon, Amanda J. Goodson, Jayajit Chakraborty, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Enhancing emergency nurses forensic care for interpersonal violence survivors: A mixed methods study. Journal of Trauma Nursing 32 2 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Denise N. Delgado, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Incidence and Factors Associated with Interpersonal Violence in Trauma Patients in a US-Mexico Border City: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Journal of Trauma Nursing 32 2 (2025), Melissa A. Wholeben, Hyunjung Cheon, Amanda J. Goodson, Gloria Salazar, Robert McCreary.
Developing a Trauma-Informed Care Graphic Narrative Educational Tool for Emergency Trauma Nurses International Emergency Nursing 78 (2024), Melissa A. Wholeben, Robert McCreary, Elvira Carrizal-Dukes, Robbie Dukes.

Presentations

Nurse Scientists in Action: Participant Recruitment Using the Trauma Registry for Collaborative Research Endeavor. (2026), Volume Austin, Texas, Melissa A. Wholeben, Ashley Lindquist, Craig A. Field.
Graphic Narratives on the US-Mexico Border: Educational Tools to Improve Health Literacy. (2025), Volume Indianapolis, IN, Sarah Y. Jimenez, Melissa A. Wholeben, Jacob Martinez.
Social Disorganization and Interpersonal Violene in a US/Mexico Border City (2024), Volume San Francisco, California, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Social Disorganization and Interpersonal Violene in a US/Mexico Border City (2024), Volume San Francisco, California, Amanda J. Goodson, Hyunjung Cheon, Melissa A. Wholeben.
Beyond the Text: Graphic Comics as Educational Catalysts for Trauma-Informed Emergency Nursing (2024), Volume Denver, Colorado, Melissa A. Wholeben, Robert McCreary.

R01: Stage II: Efficacy Trial of a Culturally Informed Brief Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Related Health Disparities and Treatment Inequities Among Latinxs (Year 4) (08/01/2025 - 06/30/2026) NIAAA (year 4)
Validation of a Trauma-Informed Care Tool for Trauma Survivors (01/01/2022 - 05/31/2023) Sigma Delta Kappa Chapter

Current/Future Courses

Term

Spring 2026

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

24061

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2026

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

24062

Syllabus

Past Courses

Select Term:

Term

Fall 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

13827

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

13829

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32666

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32667

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

24573

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

24574

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

14319

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

14321

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32993

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32994

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

25335

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

25336

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

15276

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

15278

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

35576

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

35577

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

26498

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

26499

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

19945

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

19953

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

34945

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35555

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

25537

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

27186

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

16316

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

18007

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4511 - Population Focused Care

Section

35617

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35453

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35454

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 3604 - Fundamentals of Nurs Practice

Section

28419

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

26147

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

28428

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

16604

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

19693

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

19694

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35473

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

36352

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

36353

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2020

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

26995

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2019

Course

NURS 4503 - Nursing in the Community

Section

15516

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2019

Course

NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen

Section

16084

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2019

Course

NURS 4414 - Evidence Based Research

Section

33664

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2019

Course

NURS 3314 - Evidence-Based Research

Section

36082

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2019

Course

NURS 3314 - Evidence-Based Research

Section

36083

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2019

Course

NURS 4503 - Nursing in the Community

Section

33977

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2019

Course

NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen

Section

32716

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2019

Course

NURS 4502 - Nursing Leadership & Managemen

Section

26482

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

13827

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

13829

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32666

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32667

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2025

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

24573

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

14319

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

14321

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32993

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

32994

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2024

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

25335

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

15276

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

15278

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

35576

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

35577

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

26498

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2023

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

26499

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2022

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

19945

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2022

Course

NURS 4306 - Transition to Professional Pr

Section

19953

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

34945

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35555

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

25537

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2022

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

27186

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

16316

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

18007

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4511 - Population Focused Care

Section

35617

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35453

Evaluation

Term

Summer 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

35454

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 3604 - Fundamentals of Nurs Practice

Section

28419

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

26147

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2021

Course

NURS 4407 - Trans to Prof. Nursing Practic

Section

28428

Evaluation

Melissa A. Wholeben

Bio

Education

Scholarly and Creative Activity

Grants

Courses

Course Evaluations