Dana M. Hansen Ph.D., APRN, ACHPN, FPCN

Associate Professor

Bio

My desire to improve the quality of end-of-life experiences for patients and their families has been the driving force behind my career. I have dedicated myself to ensuring high-quality care at the end of life and educating students about the needs of patients with serious illnesses and their families through the generation of scientific knowledge. My work has been supported by both internal and external funding, which has allowed me to expand my research program. The impact of my research extends beyond patient and family outcomes, significantly influencing end-of-life education for nursing and medical students.

Publications
The issues faced by family caregivers of seriously ill family members are timeless. When a family member takes care of their seriously ill loved one, it is essential but difficulty work and this work takes a toll on the family caregiver. It is imperative to move the science surrounding family caregivers from a place of knowing how the stress and burden of caregiving affects their health and quality of life to applied interventions that decrease the burden of caregiver. Therefore, the goal of my research program is to understand how communication through social media by the family caregiver and their ill loved one, effects caregiver burden, the ability of the caregiver to create meaning out of the situation, and the caregiver’s quality of life.

Building Resiliency during Crisis

The CAREol Program - Catalyzing Relationships at the End of Life

The CAREol Program is an Interdisciplinary program delivering end-of-life curriculum that is based in Final Conversations and contains a cognitive and experiential component. The purpose is to improve the comfort and confidence of healthcare professional students in identifying important relational conversations, such as identity messages, and in facilitating these conversations between a dying patient and their family when necessary. Additionally, the CAREol Program aims to improve comfort and confidence in working in an interdisciplinary team, while improving resilience.

Peer Reviewed Publications
1. Hansen, D., Motter, T., Keeley, M., Shanholtzer, J., Aultman, J. & Woodbridge, C. (2022) Interdisciplinary simulation for nursing and medical students about final conversation: Catalyzing relationships at the end of life (CAREol). Palliative and Supportive Care, 1-7. DOI: 0.1017/S1478951522000992
2. Hansen, D., Stephenson, P., Lalani, N. & Shanholtzer, J. (2022). Reflective journaling as preparation for spiritual care of patients. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 25(1). Accepted 9-26-2022.
3. Stephenson, P., Hansen, D., Lalani, N., & Biggs, J. (accepted Feb. 2023). Nursing and medical students' responses about end-of-life communication reveal educational opportunities for spiritual care. Journal of Nursing Education 62(11), 601-605. DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20230906-03

4. Hansen, D., & Netzel, J. (2024). effective use of role modeling videos for end-of-life education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.06.015

Peer Reviewed Presentations
1. Hansen, D., Netzel, J., & Sheehan, D. Student perspectives on difficult family relationships at the end-of-life post role modeling videos. The McGill International Congress on Palliative Care held Oct 18-21, 2022. Montreal, Canada [International].
2. Hansen, D., Stephenson, P., Lalani, N. Spiritual attributes in nursing and medical student self-reflection on own death: Connections, beliefs, good death, and meaning. The McGill International Congress on Palliative Care. October 18-21, 2022. Montreal, Canada [International].
3. Hansen, D., Stephenson, P., Lalani, N. (March 2023). Spirituality in student reflections on own death. Midwest Nursing Research Society, Des Moines, IA. [Regional]

ADVANCING THE SCIENCE OF RECRUITMENT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS: FOCUS GROUP AND DELPHI METHODS.

Using a multi-step approach that included a focus group and Delphi method, we conducted this study to gain expert advice regarding material development for social media recruitment and to test the recruitment material with the target population.

Peer Reviewed Publication

Hansen, D., Petrinec, A., Hebeshy, M., Sheehan, D., & Drew, B.L. (2019). Advancing the science of recruitment for family caregivers: Focus group and delphi methods. Journal of Medical Internet Research Nursing, 2(1), e13862. DOI: 10.2196/13862

Use of social media as a communication tool for people with serious illness and their families.

This invited book chapter presents how social media, including social media illness stories, may be a venue for communication among patients, family caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Hansen, D., Petrinec, A. & Harb, N. (2019). Use of social media as a communication tool for people with serious illness and their families. In B.R. Ferrell and J. Paice (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing (5th ed. Pp. 791-799). Oxford University Press.

Ruland and Moore's: Peaceful end of life theory

The book chapter focuses on the Peaceful End of Life Theory developed by Ruland and Moore. This theory was constructed utilizing practice guidelines and has gained international recognition.

Hansen, D.M. (2018). Cornelia M. Ruland and Shirley M. Moore: Peaceful end of life theory. In M. Alligood (Ed.) Nursing Theorists and Their Work (9th ed., pp. 564- 571). Mosby/Elsevier.

Family caregiver recruitment via social media: challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned.

This methodological research article discusses the challenges and opportunities faced while recruiting family caregivers through social media.

Hansen, D.M., Sheehan, D. & Stephenson, P. (2017) Family caregiver recruitment via social media: Challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 23(2), 608-611.

The caregivers' experience with an illness blog: A pilot study.

Life-limiting illness affects both the ill person and family caregivers in significant ways. Illness blogs provide an innovative way for families and friends to connect as the ill person shares his/her experiences. This research article describes a phenomenological study that identified three themes family caregivers experienced while interacting with their loved ones through illness blogs.

Peer Reviewed Publication

Hansen, D.M., Sheehan, D. & Stephenson, P. (2016). The caregivers' experience with an illness

blog: A pilot study. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 18(5), 464-469.

Parental Relationships Beyond the Grave

This qualitative descriptive study explores adolescent family relationships after the death of a parent.

Peer Reviewed Publication

Hansen, D.M., Sheehan, D.K., Stephenson, P.S. & Mayo, M. (2015). Parental relationships beyond the grave: Adolescents description of continued bonds. Palliative and Supportive Care, 14(4), 358-363.

EXPLORING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ASSOCIATIONS OF COMFORT, RELATEDNESS STATES, AND LIFE CLOSURE

This cross-sectional descriptive study uniquely examined family relationships at the end of life through the concepts of comfort, relatedness states and life closure from the hospice patient's perspective.
Peer Reviewed Publication
Hansen, D.M., Higgins, P.A., Warner, C.B. & Mayo, M.M. (2015). Exploring family relationships through associations of comfort, relatedness states, and life closure in hospice patients: A pilot study. Palliative and Supportive Care, 13(2), 305-311.

Our scientific journey is strong through collaboration

The following articles are based on research conducted by our research team. My contribution to our team is providing content expertise on family caregivers, family relationships at the end of life and social media recruitment. I also contribute through data collection, data analysis and contributing to publication creation.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D. & Hansen, D. (2023). Integrating art and theory to understand moral distress. Journal of nursing education, accepted for publication February 2024.

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Petrinec, A., Hansen, D., & Mayo, M. (2023). Measuring spiritual uncertainty for hospice and palliative care providers. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 29(4), 180-186. doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.4.180

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D. (2022). The State of Spirituality Scale as a screening tool for spiritual distress. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 26(6), 593-596. DOI:10.1188/22.CJON.593-596

Sheehan, D., Hansen, D., Stephenson, P.S., Mayo, M.M., Albatainey, R. & Anaba, E. (2019). Telling adolescents that a parent has died. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 21(2), 152-159.

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D. & Mayo, M. (2019). Spiritual uncertainty among hospice providers: “There were tensions”. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 21(1), 90-95.

Sheehan, D., Stephenson, P Mayo, M., Snyder Cowen, D. & Hansen, D. (2019). Supporting adolescents with parent in hospice. In B. R. Ferrell & J. Paice (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of

Palliative Nursing (5th ed., pp. 783-791). Oxford University Press.

Stephenson, P.S., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D. & Mayo, M.M. (2017). The spiritual nature of uncertainty among hospice patients. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 19 (5), 480- 486.

Stephenson, P. S., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D., & Mayo, M. M. (2017). The spiritual nature of uncertainty among hospice patients. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 19(5), 480-486.

Mayo. M., Sheehan, D.K., Hansen, D.M., Stephenson, P., Christ, G.H., Heim, K., Shahrour, G., & Draucker, C.B. (2016). An examination of interactions between health care providers and adolescents with a parent in hospice. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 18(4), 302-309.

Stephenson, P. S., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D. & Mayo, M. M. (2015). Uncertainties experienced by family members when one parent is dying. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21(10):488-494.

Funded Research

Hansen, D. (2023). Rescaling the CAREol Program. Healthy Communities Research Institute. $17,850.00, May 2023. Role: PI

Sanders, M.B., et al. Hansen, D. Resiliency: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others, Health Resources

and Services Administration (HRSA), (January 2022) $1,034,528.00. Role: Site PI.

Hansen, D., Motter, T., Shanholtzer, J. Catalyzing Family Relationships at the End of Life, Joshua Macy Jr. Foundation, (July 2020) $35,000, Presidents Grant. Role: PI

Hansen, D., Motter, T., Shanholtzer, J. Catalyzing Family Relationships at the End of Life, Henderson

Reserve Fund, (July 2020) $4,000. Role: PI

Petrinec, A.B., Hansen, D., Family Caregivers of ICU Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological and Health Related Quality of Life. LaBoon Stenporche/University Research Council Grant, Kent State

University. $3,345. Role: CO-I

Hansen, D. Health Care Provider Experiences with Patient Social Media Illness Stories. Kent State University Research Council Award. (February 2019). $2,500.00. Role: PI

Hansen, D., Sheehan, D., Drew, B. Family Caregiver Recruitment through social media. New Investigator Seed Grant, Midwest Nursing Research Society. (March 2016-October 2018). $10,000.00. Role: PI

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D., & Broome, B. Determining the Feasibility of the State of Spirituality Scale. Palliative Collaborative Research Consortium (PCRC) subsidized by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). (May 2016-May2017). $17, 999. Role: Co-I

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Hansen, D. Understanding Spiritual Uncertainty among Hospice and Palliative Care Providers. American Nurses Foundation. (October 2016- September 2018). $4,887.20; Role: Co-I.

Stephenson, P., Sheehan, D., Mayo, M., Hansen, D., proposal submitted April 2015, Uncertainty at the end of life. Kent State University Research Council Award. 2015-2016. $2,495. Role: Co-I.

Hansen, D., Sheehan, D. The family caregivers’ experience with an illness blog: A pilot study. Zeller Scholarship Fund. (October 2014-2015). $2,500.00. Role: PI

Stephenson, P., Hansen, D., Sheehan, D. Infusing interactive pedagogical methods into a core graduate nursing course. Kent State University Teaching Council Summer Teaching Development. (May 2014 to

August 2014). $6,500.00. Role: Co-I

Hansen, D. Exploring the associations among comfort, relatedness states, and life-closure. Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Alumni Research Committee, Case Western Reserve University. (January

2012 to January 2013). $500.00. Role: PI

ABOUT US

I’m a paragraph. Use this space to tell people more about what you do and the services you offer. Double click here or click Edit Text to get started.

Published Work with Students

Peer Reviewed Publications

Distelhorst, K., Hansen, D. (2022). Neighborhood matters for transitional care and heart failure hospital readmission in older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 47, 183-190. doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.202.07.014.

Distelhorst, K., Graor, C.H. & Hansen, D. (2021) Upstream factors in population health: A concept analysis to advance nursing theory. Advances in Nursing Science, 44(3), 210-223. DOI 0.1097/ans.0000000000000362

Hebeshy, M., Hansen, D., Broome, B., Abou Abdou, S., Murrock, C. & Bernert, D. (2021). Reliability and construct validity of the nurses’ intention to use deep vein thrombosis preventive measures questionnaire. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 30(1), 124-134. DOI: 10.1891/JNM-D-20-00061

Kanan, S., Shahrour, G., Broome, B., Bernert, D., Alibrahim, M. & Hansen, D. (2021). Predicting intentions to physical activity in jordanian patients with coronary artery disease: Impact of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 16(1), https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2020.0068

Hebeshy, M., Hansen, D., Broome, B., Bernert, D., Murrock, C.J. & Abo Abdou, S. (2020). Development of the nurses’ intention to use deep vein thrombosis preventive measures questionnaire. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 28(3), E216–E232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/JNM-D-19-00011

Teaching

Life-long learning in nursing involves personal and professional growth. To care for another human being in their most vulnerable state requires a journey of self-reflection, questioning, and engaged learning. Understanding these values shapes my teaching philosophy and the methods I use to engage my students.

Theory Construction

Spring Semesters

This course explores theory construction. Strategies for theory development including logical‑empirical-deductive and inductive approaches are examined in this course. Emphasis is on elements and strategies used in theory building.

Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice

Fall, Spring and Summer sessions

This course examines concepts and theories common to all specialty areas of nursing. It provides a firm basis for advanced clinical nursing practice. Progress in theory development for nursing practice is addressed.

Introduction to Evidence Based Practice

Fall, Spring and Summer sessions

This course introduces the student to the process of identifying quality research studies and applying the findings to nursing practice to improve patient outcomes.

Fall, Spring and Summer sessions