Tara O'Brien

Image

First Name

Tara

Last Name

O'Brien

Credentials

PhD, RN, CNE

Assistant Clinical Professor

Co-Director, Doctor of Nursing Education Program

obrien.782@osu.edu

614-292-8045

Address

1577 Ne

City

Columbus

State

Zip Code

43210

Dr. Tara O’Brien is an assistant professor and early-stage principal investigator testing non-pharmacological real-time self-management interventions to promote health outcomes in kidney transplant recipients at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. Her research seeks to shift the paradigm of using printed materials to promote self-care, using wearable sensors, and working with health coaches. In prior work, she found that kidney transplant recipients using a multicomponent intervention for wearing an activity tracker, in combination with health coaching to monitor physical activity, had improved resting heart rates compared to a control group that only used the activity tracker.

Dr. O’Brien has 30 years of nursing experience working with underserved populations living with chronic disease in rural and urban communities. She brings 18 years of knowledge for integrating technology in the classroom to promote active learning and also using technology to achieve health goals in research. She has received over $400,000.00 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, International Transplant Nursing Society, American Nephrology Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing for her work targeting mobile technology to facilitate self-management after a kidney transplant. Dr. O’Brien received the Southern Nursing Research Society Aging Research Interest Group Rising Investigator Award in 2019, the Southern Nursing Research Society's Leadership in Research Award, the American Nephrology Nurses Association Outstanding Research Abstract Presentation in 2021 and 2023, and the 2024 Research Sharing Award, and the 2024 Medical University of South Carolina as the Emerging Leader Alumni Award.

Dr. O’Brien has been a certified nurse educator since 2010. She has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2019 Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing Award from the Nati

Community Service

2020-Present: Board of Directors Kidney Donor Conversations
2018-Present: Ambassador Advocate for Lifeline of Ohio
2018-Present: Community Volunteer for Lifeline of Ohio

Publications

O'Brien, T., Rose, K., Focht, B., Al Kahlout, N., Jensen, T., Heareth, K., Noir, U., & Daloul, R. (2023). The feasibility of Technology, Application, Self-Management for Kidney (TASK) intervention in post-kidney transplant recipients using a pre/posttest design. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9(1), 190. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01417-9
Mechtel, M., Kitt-Lewis, E., Reaves, C., Sinacori, B., O'Brien, T., Logan, P., Rimbey, P., Streiff, K., & Phillips, K. (2024). Durable Learning Strategies in Nursing Education: State-of-the-Evidence Review. The Journal of nursing education, 63(1), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20231112-05
O'Brien, T., Hood, A., King, T. S., & Brinkman, B. (2023). Nurturing a spirit of inquiry: Fundamentals of evidence-based practice in nursing. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 50(6), 509–511.
King, T. S., O'Brien, T. R., Anderson, C. M., & Melnyk, B. M. (2023). Meeting supply and demand for nurse educators: A novel terminal degree-the doctor of nursing education (DNE). Nurse Educator, 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001562. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001562
*Morrison-Beedy, D., King, T. S., Bochenek, J., O'Brien, T., & Sharpe, E. (2023). Building virtual global education (VGE) faculty expertise and organizational capacity. Science Talks, 100196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sctalk.2023.100196
# Rohrig, L., McClerking, C., Wilcox, J., & O'Brien, T. (2023). Large-scale interprofessional simulation for students from twelve health and social science programs: A curricular short report. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 31, 100619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2023.10061
*O'Brien, T., Rose, K., Focht, B., Al Kahlout, N., Zynda, L., & Daloul, R. (2022). Lessons learned for training a research team and teaching kidney transplant recipients how to use a mobile health technology for dietary intake and physical activity via a virtual platform. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 46(6), 527–530.
Brown, J. S., & O'Brien, T. (2022). Assessing and addressing fundamentals of social determinants of health factors in kidney transplant candidates and recipients. Nephrology Nursing Journal., 49(4), 345–349. PMID:36054807
#* Mackos AR, Casler K, Tornwall J, O’Brien T (2022). Revitalizing the muddiest point for formative assessment and student engagement in a large class. Nurse Educator. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001295
*McManis, M., O’Brien, T., Zurmehly, J., M., Smith, L. (2022). Mobile health application and hypertension management in rural, middle-age adults: A quality improvement project. Computer, Informatics, Nursing. CIN, 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000951. Advance online publication.
O'Brien, T, Tan, A., Rose, K., Focht, B., & Daloul, R. (2021). Maintenance phase of a physical activity intervention in older kidney transplant recipients: A 12-month follow-up. Geriatric Nursing. 42(6), 1541–1546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.08.019
Andrews, A.M., Cheng, A.L., Ellis, R.J.B., Emerson, A.M., O’Brien, T., & Russell, C.L. (2021). SystemCHANGE™ solutions to improve medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients: A secondary data analysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 48(4), 389-397, 417. https://doi.org/10.37526/1526-744X.2021.48.4.389
Troutman-Jordan, M., O’Brien, T., & Keaton, M. (2021). Older adults’ and attitudes on physical activity; Reasons to participate and abstain. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 38(4), 232–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2021.1972247
+O'Brien, T., & Rosenthal, A. (2020). Preferred features in mobile health applications for kidney transplant recipients: A qualitative approach. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 47(6), 529–536. https://doi.org/10.37526/1526-744X.2020.47.6
Troutman-Jordan, M., O’Brien, T., Blair, C., & Pena, T. (June, 2020) Physical activity, cardiovascular health and mood state in older adults, Geriatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.05.010
O'Brien T, Russell, C., Tan, A., Mion, L., Rose, K., Focht, B., Daloul, R., &Hathaway, D. (2020). A pilot randomized controlled trial using SystemCHANGE™ approach to increasing physical activity in older kidney transplant recipients. Progress in Transplantation
O'Brien, T., & Meyer, T. (2020). A Feasibility Study for Teaching Older Kidney Transplant Recipients How to Wear and Use an Activity Tracker to Promote Daily Physical Activity. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 47(1), 47-51.

Recent Research Activities: Dr. O’Brien recently completed a study funded by The Ohio State University College Nursing Seed Grant, titled The Use of a Consumer-Based mHealth Dietary App and Health Coaching with Kidney Transplant Recipients. In addition, Dr. O'Brien completed a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (2016-2020), Nursing Institute of Nursing Research for a K23 Award titled, Increasing Activity Post-Kidney Transplant with SystemCHANGE.

Funded Research Grants

O’Brien T., Tan A., & Rose K. (June 2020). The Use of a Consumer-Based mHealth Dietary App and Health Coaching with Kidney Transplant Recipients. ($7,225)
O’Brien, T., Hathaway D., & Russell, C. (March, 2018). Mobile Health Apps to Facilitate Self-management: A Qualitative Study of Kidney Transplant Recipients. American Nephrology Nurses Association Research Grant Program. ($3,000.00)
O’Brien, T., (March, 2017). Using REDCap for Assessing Increasing Activity Post-Kidney Transplant with SystemCHANGE. TM The Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science grant support (National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Grant 8UL1TR000090-05","National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Grant 8UL1TR000090-05. ($2975.00)
O’Brien, T., Hathaway D., & Russell, C. (September, 2016). Increasing Activity Post-Kidney Transplant with SystemCHANGE TM. K23NR016274 National Institutes of Health, Nursing Institute of Nursing Research. ($388,075.00), 09/26/2016-07/21/2019.
O’Brien, T., Hathaway D., & Russell, C. (July, 2016). The Use of Mobile Phone Technology in Kidney Transplant Recipients. International Transplant Nurses Society. ($2,500).
Smith, W., Myers, M., O’Brien, T., & Chan, A. (March, 2016). Interactive Exercise Intervention System via Xbox Kinect. University of Tennessee Health Science Center Pocket CORNET Research Award. ($50,000.00).

Honors

Research Sharing Award, The American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium
Southern Nursing Research Society Leadership in Research Award Medical University of South Carolina Alumni Award, Emerging Leader
Selected for The Ohio State University Leadership Series Outstanding Research Abstract Presentation, The American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium
2022 Commission on Magnet (COM) Poster Competition – 1st Place
2021 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Commination Television/Video Award, 2nd place Central Region Winner
2021 Outstanding Research Abstract Award by the American Nephrology Nurses Association
2020 Selected to for the College of Nursing Global Virtual Classroom Experience Award
2020 Selected Candidate for the Southern Nursing Research Society Leadership Academy
2019 National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing Award
2019 Southern Nursing Research Society, Aging Research Interest Group, Rising Investigator Award
2019 The Ohio State University Sphinx Senior Class Honorary, Faculty Mentor Award for Making a Difference in Student College Careers
2015 Received the nomination for the UNC-Charlotte Chancellor’s 2014-2015 Senior Survey for the person who made the most significant and positive contribution to student education

Professional Activities

2024-2026 National League of Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) Program Review Committee
2024-2025 American Nephrology Nurses Association Research Committee Chair- Designate
2023-2025 Southern Nursing Research Society Education Research and Implementation Group Chair - Designate
2022-2024 Awards Committee, Epsilon Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
2023-2024 American Nephrology Nurses Association Research Committee Chair- Designate
2021-2023 American Nephrology Nurses Association Research Committee
2021-2023 Southern Nurses Research Society, Vice President
2020-2023 Kidney Donor Conversations, Incorporate Board of Directors
2019-2023 National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence Education Committee member
2019-2021 Southern Nurses Research Society, Chair, Aging Research Interest Group
2019-2020 International Transplant Nursing Society, Task Force Chair, English Pamphlets and Handbooks
2018-2020 Faculty Counselor, Epsilon Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
2018-2019 Southern Nurses Research Society, co-Chair, Aging Research Interest Group
2017-2019 International Transplant Nursing Society, Education Committee
2016-2018 Southern Nurses Research Society, Leadership Succession Committee

News

October 08, 2025

From The Lantern: Ohio State College of Nursing set to double undergraduate enrollment

The Ohio State University College of Nursing is aiming to double undergraduate enrollment by 2027 in response to nationwide nursing shortages.

Read all about it in The Lantern:

Click here to read the article

October 01, 2025

From Ohio State News: Students in new accelerated nursing program at Ohio State ready for careers

Full-time program can be completed in as few as 18 months

A new program at The Ohio State University College of Nursing is helping students with a degree and an interest in a career in health care reach their goals at an accelerated pace.

The college launched the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) program in 2024 for students who have finished college in a non-nursing field but desire to have a career in nursing. The full-time program can be completed in as few as 18 months.