Clinical Associate Professor
Director of Undergraduate Program Nursing Sciences & Medical Surgical Education
Department
Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership
Undergraduate Studies Program
Contact
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Interests
Palliative Care
Bone marrow transplant
Oncology
Nurse Coaching
Teaching and Support for Students
Dr. Harden is a leader in clinical practice, teaching, and nurse coaching, dedicated to quality care and education in hematology, oncology, bone marrow transplant, and palliative care. As Director of Undergraduate Nursing Sciences and Medical Surgical Education at the School of Nursing, she mentors faculty, supports curriculum development, and enhances clinical judgment through innovative teaching. Dr. Harden is actively engaged in Palliative Care education and expands understanding through diverse programs at Michigan Medicine and the School of Nursing, while empowering nurses and supporting unit initiatives. Dr Harden’s formal clinical practice effort is in the Center for Clinical Excellence in Nursing (CCEN). The group works collaboratively with Michigan Medicine Professional Development and Education department to implement large program initiatives to enhance nursing practice. Initiatives include Central Nursing Orientation, Blitz Redesign, training for Code Prep Choreography, the Urgent
Dr. Harden lives by a philosophy of person-centered care which has provided the foundation for key areas of impact: oncology, palliative care, nurse coaching, and student/learner support.
Current Research Grants and Programs
Palliative Care Education Initiatives
Healthy Lifetime Nurse Coaching Research Program
Teaching
Dr. Harden has focused her teaching efforts in the areas of Oncology Nursing, Palliative Care and Nursing Communication. She teaches students in Nursing Therapies III the art and science of oncology nursing and many of her students have become oncology nurses themselves. Supporting students in the clinical setting is of utmost importance so they can learn, think, and grow in a positive environment. She is dedicated to teaching students, nurses and patients about palliative care and the benefits it provides for quality of life in the face of serious illness. She is a co-developer and instructor of the health science elective called Exploring Palliative care, a student-favored offering. Dr Harden is the co-instructor for the Communications in Nursing course, where students learn and experience communication concepts and strategies, while having fun communicating with fellow students in a supportive environment.
Affilliations/Service
Nurse Coach, Research Assistant, Healthy Lifetime Research Initiative 2019 - present
Co-Chair, Michigan Medicine Palliative Care Education Committee 2021 - 2025 (member, 2018 -2021)
Co-Chair, Palliative Care Conference and Core Curriculum Committee, 2024 - present (member 2018 - present)
Member, Foundational Course Initiative Grant, Pharmacology and Nursing Therapies II
Member, Planning Committee for Geriatric and Palliative Care Conference Committee - University of Michigan and Ann Arbor VA, 2021
Member, Marge Calarco Endowment Lectureship Conference 2019 - present
Member, Palliative Care Champions 2023 - present
Member, Recharge Room Steering Committee 2021 - 2024
President, Oncology Nursing Society Ann Arbor Chapter 2019 - 2021
Member, Oncology Nursing Society 1989 – present
Notable Awards/Honors
Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS) – (2005 – present) Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN) – (April 2014 – 2018) Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
Board Certified Nurse Coach (NC-BC) - (2023 - present)
Faculty DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty in Memory of J. Patrick Barnes (2019)
Education
DNP, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2017
MS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1991
BSN, Hope College, Holland, MI 1988
Publications Highlights
Potempa, K., Calarco, M., Flaherty-Robb, M., Butterworth, S., Isaman, D., Potempa, S., Laughlin, C., Schmidt, P., Struble, L., Harden, K., Ghosh, C., Furspan, P., & Ellis, A. (2023). Healthy Lifetime: A randomized trial of virtual health coaching for older adults. BMC Primary Care, 24(205). doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02162-x
Mason, H., Bigelow, A., Conrad, C., Harden, K., Price, D., Bohn, D., Mason, N. (2024). Expanding the toolbox: A palliative care lecture series for oncology advanced practice providers. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 1-8. Advance online publication.
Potempa, K., Butterworth, S., Flaherty-Robb, M., Calarco, M., Marriott, D., Ghosh, B., Gabarda, A., Windsor, J., Potempa, S., Laughlin, C., Harden, K., Schmidt, P., Ellis, A., & Furspan, P. (2023). The impace of nurse health coaching strategies on cognitive-behavioral outcomes in older adults. Internationl Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 416. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010416
Harden, K. & Prochnow, L. (2023). Clinical judgment measurement model helps maximize case-based didactice and clinical learning. Nurse Educator. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001380
Harden, K. L., Price, D. M., Bigelow, A. D., & Mason, H. L. (in press). Phases and transitions of serious illness: A structure for teaching palliative care. Journal of Nursing Education.
Price, D., Bigelow, A., Mason, H., & Harden, K. (2022). Running on empty: Diminished empathetic reserve in front line nurses. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 24(2), 132-139.
Mason, H., Price, D., Bigelow, A., & Harden, K. (2022). Multilevel classroom learning prepares nurses for future collaboration in palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 28(9), 401-405.
Bigelow, A., Price, D., Mason, H., & Harden, K. (2022). Teaching in times of crisis with a palliative care lens. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(5), 335-336.
Bigelow, A., Price, D., Mason, H., & Harden, K. (2021). Integration of palliative care into primary care - preliminary data: Identification of knowledge deficits and next steps. The University of Michigan Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine Research Series. Ann Arbor, MI. October, 2021.
Harden, K. L., Wall, P., Galunas, L., & Eastman, D. J. (2021). Managing falls: Implementation of a three-intervention initiative to improve quality of care for patients with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 25(2), 188-193.
Harden, K., Price, D. M., Mason, H., & Bigelow, A. (2020). COVID-19 shones a spotlight on the age-old problem of social isolation. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 22(6), 1-7.
Harden, K. L., Price, D., Duffy, E., Galunas, L., & Rodgers, C. (2017). Palliative care: Improving nurses knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in palliative care. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 21(5), E232-E238. doi: 10.1188/17.c.jon.E232-E238
Harden, K. L. & Schembri, J. A. (2016). Early intervention with transplantation recipients to improve access to and knowledge of palliative care. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 20(4), E88-E92, doi: 10.1188/16.cjon.e88-e92