Kirsten N Hanrahan
May 2026
Kirsten N
Hanrahan
,
DNP, RN, ARNP, CPNP-PC,FAAN
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
University of Iowa Health Care
Iowa City
,
IA
United States
Dr. Hanrahan embodies a lifetime of excellence, leadership, mentorship, and innovation.
For over four decades, Kirsten Hanrahan has exemplified the highest ideals of the nursing profession. Her extraordinary career—spanning clinical, advanced practice, administration, research, innovation, and national leadership—reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing professional nursing, elevating patient care, and transforming healthcare systems locally, nationally, and globally.
Kirsten began as a neonatal nurse and advanced to Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), constantly elevating the visibility and credibility of nursing. She is a coauthor of the Iowa Model Revised: EBP to Promote Excellence in Health Care, now requested by more than 16,000 organizations across all 50 states and 75 countries and cited over 2,000 times. This work has significantly advanced global nursing practice and solidified the UI’s reputation as an innovation leader.
Kirsten also coauthored Evidence-Based Practice in Action, honored with the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award twice, underscoring the international influence of her scholarship. A champion for professional development, Kirsten leads the National Advanced EBP Conference annually, supporting thousands of nurses in advancing their knowledge and skills. Her mentorship has shaped emerging leaders, clinicians, and scholars across the country.
As a peer reviewer for five journals, Kirsten strengthens the integrity of nursing science while guiding others in their scholarly pursuits. Her own professional excellence is reflected in her DNP attainment and FAAN recognition, as well as national leadership roles. Kirsten serves on the UI IRB, representing nursing and advocating for ethical, patient-centered, rigorous research. Her leadership in nursing innovation has produced over 100 prototypes and distributed more than $100,000 in funding to support four major jumpstart projects, cultivating a culture where nurses generate solutions that improve care.
Kirsten’s work has directly enhanced clinical outcomes and patient experiences through research on pediatric distraction for painful procedures, transitioning central line flushes to saline, and advancing evidence-based care in rural communities. She has received notable recognition, including the Magnet Prize and the verbal recipient of an Iowa Combat Cancer Grant. Her recent NIH and VA-funded rural health initiatives demonstrate her dedication to reducing disparities in access to evidence-based care. With over 100 publications and more than 100 national and international presentations, Kirsten is widely viewed as a visionary, transformational leader. Her contributions were further recognized with the UI Outstanding Staff Award (2026). Dr. Hanrahan embodies a lifetime of excellence, leadership, mentorship, and innovation. Her impact on the profession—and on the countless patients and nurses influenced by her work—will continue shaping nursing for decades to come.
Kirsten began as a neonatal nurse and advanced to Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), constantly elevating the visibility and credibility of nursing. She is a coauthor of the Iowa Model Revised: EBP to Promote Excellence in Health Care, now requested by more than 16,000 organizations across all 50 states and 75 countries and cited over 2,000 times. This work has significantly advanced global nursing practice and solidified the UI’s reputation as an innovation leader.
Kirsten also coauthored Evidence-Based Practice in Action, honored with the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award twice, underscoring the international influence of her scholarship. A champion for professional development, Kirsten leads the National Advanced EBP Conference annually, supporting thousands of nurses in advancing their knowledge and skills. Her mentorship has shaped emerging leaders, clinicians, and scholars across the country.
As a peer reviewer for five journals, Kirsten strengthens the integrity of nursing science while guiding others in their scholarly pursuits. Her own professional excellence is reflected in her DNP attainment and FAAN recognition, as well as national leadership roles. Kirsten serves on the UI IRB, representing nursing and advocating for ethical, patient-centered, rigorous research. Her leadership in nursing innovation has produced over 100 prototypes and distributed more than $100,000 in funding to support four major jumpstart projects, cultivating a culture where nurses generate solutions that improve care.
Kirsten’s work has directly enhanced clinical outcomes and patient experiences through research on pediatric distraction for painful procedures, transitioning central line flushes to saline, and advancing evidence-based care in rural communities. She has received notable recognition, including the Magnet Prize and the verbal recipient of an Iowa Combat Cancer Grant. Her recent NIH and VA-funded rural health initiatives demonstrate her dedication to reducing disparities in access to evidence-based care. With over 100 publications and more than 100 national and international presentations, Kirsten is widely viewed as a visionary, transformational leader. Her contributions were further recognized with the UI Outstanding Staff Award (2026). Dr. Hanrahan embodies a lifetime of excellence, leadership, mentorship, and innovation. Her impact on the profession—and on the countless patients and nurses influenced by her work—will continue shaping nursing for decades to come.