Nancy Hanrahan, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.

Dr. Hanrahan is Dean and Professor at the Northeastern University College of Health Sciences. She envisions optimal healing environments in mental health systems that value the inherent dignity, equality, and inalienable rights of all individuals with a mental illness to the access of appropriate, timely, effective and respectful health care. The health and well being of providers of mental health and physical healthcare is of equal concern. Dr. Hanrahan envisions psychiatric nurses as leaders working with policy makers on health policy reform; practitioners knowledgeable about the state of the science of behavioral health care; teachers and life long collaborative learners with individuals with mental illness and their families; and researchers discovering answers to questions that build the science of psychiatric nursing care.  Dr. Hanrahan teaches graduate level courses on the pathogenesis of mental disorders and psychopharmacology. Her research builds evidence for exemplary inpatient psychiatric environments that provide optimal conditions for psychiatric nurse practice and favorable patient outcomes. Additionally, her research focuses on innovative models for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing practice in the community with individuals with co-occurring serious mental illness and HIV. Dr. Hanrahan is involved with state and national policy initiatives such as creating a web-based advanced practice psychiatric nurse employment guide and reviewing RUC codes for reimbursement.