Donna M Hallas

Faculty

Donna Hallas headshot

Donna M Hallas

CPNP FAAN FAANP PhD PMHS PPCNP-BC

Clinical Professor
Program Director, Pediatrics NP

1 212 998 5295

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Donna Hallas, CPNP, FAAN, FAANP, PMHS, PPCNP-BC, PhD, is director of the Pediatrics NP Program and a Clinical Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP: PPCNP-BC) and a pediatric mental health specialist (PMHS). Dr. Hallas is fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN); a fellow of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; and a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). Dr. Hallas is a faculty scholar of the International Qualitative Institute at Alberta, Canada. She maintains a practice as a PNP in primary care for high-risk children and for young children with behavioral problems. At NYU Meyers, she prepares pediatric nurse practitioner students to provide quality health care services for infants, children, adolescents and young adults within a family-centered framework.

Prof. Hallas’ research is practice focused and includes developing and testing interventions for vaccine hesitant and refusing individuals. The overall goal of her research is to improve healthcare outcomes for pediatric patients. Her research focus for educational initiatives includes developing and testing interventions to increase diagnostic reasoning in nurse practitioner students.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Hallas has been a frequent speaker locally and nationally on the topic of vaccine hesitancy providing guidance on ways to improve vaccine uptake. In addition, she has been frequently asked to provide guidance on how to prevent COVID-19 infections for children in all settings.

Prof. Hallas has presented at national and international conferences on the implementation of evidence-based practice in ambulatory pediatric healthcare centers. She has presented the results of a randomized controlled trial to improve the social-emotional development of toddlers and improve maternal confidence in caring for toddlers at research conferences. She presented the outcomes for a qualitative study on the social and emotional development of adolescents whose mothers passed away during their pre-teen and teenage years. She implemented a funded study on oral health care for newborns and young children. She works collaboratively with dental faculty to improve the oral health care of children from diverse populations. She conducted a randomized controlled study to reduce the incidence of vaccine hesitancy in prenatal women and mothers of newborns. Prof. Hallas also received a 2.1-million-dollar HRSA grant to develop an innovative academic clinical partnership and educational program for preceptors who clinically educate primary care nurse practitioners.

She is published in peer-reviewed journals on the oral healthcare needs of young children and has designed a new approach for oral health assessment in office-based practices regarding young children. She was a content expert for the American Academy of Pediatrics for the design of a web-based program for pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and all primary care providers on oral health assessments, management, and referrals for children and adolescents to improve the oral healthcare and status of this population. Hallas also served as an expert panel member for the systematic evaluation of oral health programs through a grant from Robert Woods Johnson. Prof. Hallas writes a monthly column for nurse practitioners which is published in Contemporary Pediatrics. She is also co-editor for the Research Methodology section of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. In 2018, Dr. Hallas’ first textbook, Pediatric Behavioral Health for Nurse Practitioners: A Growth and Developmental Approach to Intercepting Abnormal Behaviors, received the prestigious American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award: First Place for Psychiatric Mental Health and Third Place for Child Health.  

Among her many honors, in 2022, Prof. Hallas received NYU Distinguished Teaching Award and the NYU Meyers Distinguished Teaching Award; In the 2018, she received the Nassau County Woman of the Year Award from NYS Assemblyman Representative, John Mikulin; In 2016 she received the AANP Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice (New York State) and the Nurse Practitioner of the Year award from the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island.

Prof. Hallas earned her PhD from Adelphi University, MSs from the State University of New York and Indiana University, and BSs from Adelphi University and the University of Hartford.

PhD - Adelphi University (1999)
MS - State University of New York (1991)
MS - Indiana University (1979)
BS - Adelphi University (1990)
BS - University of Hartford (1974)
Diploma - St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing (1971)

Primary care
Pediatric
Mental health

American Academy of Nursing (Fellow)
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Nurse Practitioners Fellows
Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Programs
Eastern Nursing Research Society
Greater New York Chapter of NAPNAP
International Institute of Qualitative Methodology, Alberta, Canada
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty
Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Gamma Chapter and Upsilon Chapter

Distinguished Teaching Award, NYU (2022)
Distinguished Teaching Award, NYU Meyers College of Nursing (2022)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2019)
Book of the Year Award, American Journal of Nursing (2018)
Woman of the Year, Nassau County 17th District (2018)
Award for Excellence, American Association of Nurse Practitioners New York State (2016)
Named One of the Top 25 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Faculty, U.S. (2014)
Distinguished Educator Award, NYU College of Dentistry (2012)
Nelms-Miller Editorial Award, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (2011)
Fellow, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (2011)
Nurse Practitioner of the Year, Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island (2010)
Award for Excellence in Education Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Gamma Chapter (2009)
President's Outstanding Contribution Team Award, Pace University NCLEX Success Team (2006)
Presidents Award for Excellence for the Manuscript, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (2003)
Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership, Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Gamma Chapter (1993)
Fellow, Nassau Association of Nurse Practitioners (1991)
Fellow, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (1991)
Induction Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Gamma Chapter, International Honor Society for Nurses (1990)
Winning Essay, Health and Public Affairs Scholarship (1990)
Honors Graduate, Adelphi University (1990)

Evaluation of the clinical hour requirement and attainment of core clinical competencies by nurse practitioner students

Hallas, D., Biesecker, B., Brennan, M., Newland, J. A., & Haber, J. (2012). Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 24(9), 544-553. 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2012.00730.x
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the national practice of fulfilling 500 clinical hours as a requirement for graduation from nurse practitioner (NP) programs at the master's level and to compare this standard to a comprehensive approach of evaluating attainment of clinical competencies. Data sources: The National Organization of NP Faculties (NONPF) and specialty accreditation bodies publications were used for references to clinical hour and core competency requirements for graduation from NP programs. Data from one university from student documentation on a commercial electronic tracking system were also analyzed. Conclusions: Data analysis revealed that the 500 clinical hours correlated to populations, skills performed, required levels of decision making, and expected diagnoses. However, assurance that these clinical hour requirements translated to exposure to all core competencies for entry into practice could not be established. Implications for practice: A more comprehensive approach to the evaluation of student core competencies by implementing one or more performance-based assessments, such as case-based evaluations, simulations, or objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), as a strategic part of NP evaluation prior to graduation is proposed. This change is viewed as critical to the continued success of NP programs as master's level education transitions to direct BS to DNP educational preparation for advanced nursing practice.

Letter to the Editor

Hallas, D. (2012, January 1). In Journal of Pediatric Health Care (Vols. 26, Issue 1, p. 4). 10.1016/j.pedhc.2011.09.004

Evidence-based care management of the late preterm infant

Souto, A., Pudel, M., & Hallas, D. (2011). Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 25(1), 44-49. 10.1016/j.pedhc.2010.04.002

Nursing Strategies to Reduce the Incidence of Early Childhood Caries in Culturally Diverse Populations

Hallas, D., Fernandez, J., Lim, L., & Carobene, M. (2011). Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 26(3), 248-256. 10.1016/j.pedn.2009.07.010
Abstract
Abstract
In the United States, early childhood caries (ECC) is a major unmet health care need adversely affecting the overall health of young children from diverse ethnic populations. Nurses who work in the newborn nursery, pediatrics, public, and community health centers have a unique opportunity to positively influence a change in this epidemic of ECC. Guided by Leininger's theory of cultural care, these authors describe ways to implement a comprehensive culturally sensitive oral health education program for parents of newborns and infants. Interventions based on the best available evidence for oral health education, a culturally sensitive caries risk assessment, recommendations for fluoride varnish treatments, and ways for parents to establish a dental home for the infant by 12 months old are presented.

Uncharacteristic Bullous Lesions on a Newborn: What's Your Diagnosis?

Oppenheimer, J., & Hallas, D. (2011). Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 25(3), 186-190. 10.1016/j.pedhc.2010.10.002

Take action to influence children’s oral health

Hallas, D. (2010). Nurse Practitioner, 35(2). 10.1097/01.NPR.0000367926.70364.66

Role of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in Oral Health Care

Hallas, D., & Shelley, D. (2009). Academic Pediatrics, 9(6), 462-466. 10.1016/j.acap.2009.09.009
Abstract
Abstract
Dental caries remain the most prevalent unmet health need in US children. Access to care is particularly problematic for poor children and is compounded by the shortage of dentists to meet the needs of this patient population. Expanding the roles of pediatricians, family physicians, and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) who provide primary care services to children may be a strategy to address in this issue. Enhancements in current PNP education and certification processes are needed to support the expansion of oral health-related clinical responsibilities. Although oral health is included in the published curriculum for PNPs and certification exams require specific oral health knowledge, gaps in postgraduate training persist and few data document the extent to which current oral health-related educational goals are being achieved. We recommend enhancements in oral health education and research to evaluate curriculum innovations, the development of partnerships between stakeholder groups to leverage existing resources, and ongoing surveillance of oral health-related practice patterns among PNPs. Leadership at the national level is needed to develop policies that support curriculum changes and the implementation of oral health practice guidelines for PNPs that will improve access and reduce health disparities.

A guide to scholarly writing in nursing.

Hallas, D., & Feldman, H. R. (2006). Imprint, 53(4), 80-83.

Attitudes and beliefs for effective pediatric nurse practitioner and physician collaboration

Hallas, D. M., Butz, A., & Gitterman, B. (2004). Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 18(2), 77-86. 10.1016/j.pedhc.2003.09.009
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and beliefs of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) and pediatricians concerning collaborative practice relationships and to explore the themes that emerged to establish a definition of collaborative practice between PNPs and pediatricians as it applies to current practice trends. Methods: Twenty-four PNP and pediatrician dyads were identified through a random sampling technique from a list of names of certified PNPs obtained from the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses. Questionnaires were mailed to certified PNPs and the collaborating pediatrician. Data were collected and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methodology. Results: All PNPs and pediatricians were board certified and most had 6 or more years experience in a collaborative practice. The qualitative data revealed that open communication and a relationship built on mutual trust and respect, sharing of knowledge, and clinical expertise are essential components of a collaborative practice relationship if the shared goal of excellent patient care is to be achieved. Attitudes of importance in a collaborative practice relationship rated significantly higher by the PNPs included "respect for you as a professional" and "advocate for child health issues." Conclusion: The data revealed that the words "supervision" and "independence" should be changed to "consultation" when describing a contemporary collaborative practice relationship between a nurse practitioner and physician.

Evidence-based practice: The paradigm shift

Hallas, D., & Melnyk, B. M. (2003). Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 17(1), 46-49. 10.1067/mph.2003.14