Kirsten

Hanrahan

DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAAN

Specialization 

• Evidence-based practice (EBP)  
• Clinical research: Pediatric pain, implementation, and IV management  
• Distraction in Action  

Dr. Hanrahan is the Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice and a Nurse Scientist at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, a Certified pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Adjunct Faculty at University of Iowa College of Nursing. Hanrahan is well-versed in EBP and clinical research. Her research interests include pediatric pain, implementation, and IV management. She has consulted for a National Institutes of Health multi-site study and is co-founder of the Distraction in Action© tool that helps parents learn to be a distraction coach for their child during medical procedures. Hanrahan recently served as site principal investigator the US Clinician Wellbeing Study. She is an author of the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care and the Iowa Implementation for Sustainability Framework. She has authored numerous publications and has given local, regional, national, and international presentation. She has authored evidence-based guidelines and implemented multiple EBP changes in the clinical setting. Hanrahan is a recipient of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses Award, a participant in the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship: Communicating Science & Improving Care Program, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.  

Achievements & Projects 

• 2013 named one of the 100 Greatest Iowa Nurses 
• 2019 inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)  
• 2020–2021 Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship: Communicating Science & Improving Care Program 
• “Distraction for Pediatric Painful Procedures” OPENPediatrics presentation and podcast 

Select Publications 

Email: [email protected]