Dania Mohammad Ali Abu-Alhaija

Dania Abu-Alhaija, PhD, is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Occupational Health Nursing Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Her research focuses on occupational health and safety among healthcare workers, with current work examining nurses’ exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs. Dr. Abu-Alhaija’s professional background includes experience in acute care and medical-surgical units, as well as in research and academic settings. She has taught undergraduate and graduate nursing students in both clinical and didactic courses.

PhD in Nursing: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, (Occupational Health Nursing)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid, Jordan, (General Nursing )

Graduate Certificate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina, United States, (Total Worker Health)

08-15-2022 -To Present Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), University of Cincinnati College of Nursing., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

11-2022 -08-2022 Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Cincinnati College of Nursing., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

01-2022 -08-2022 Adjunct Instructor, Graduate Program , University of Cincinnati College of Nursing., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

08-2021 -11-2021 Registered Nurse , UC Health/University of Cincinnati Medical Center., Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

10-2010 -08-2017 Clinical Nurse Trainer , Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Nursing., Irbid, Jordan

12-2009 -10-2010 Registered Nurse , King Abdullah University Hospital., Irbid, Jordan

Grant: #T42-OH008432-16 Investigators:Bhattacharya, T., A., Davis, K., Smith, C. R., Kim, J., Freeman, A., Reichard, J., & Bloomer, J. 2022 -2026 .Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety. Education and Research Center Competitive Renewal. Role:Co-I. $9,000,000. Active

Investigators:Abu-Alhaija, D., Gillespie, G., & Miller, E. 07-2022 -06-2023 .Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety through the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center. Factors and strategies influencing chemotherapy safety among oncology nurses. Role:PI. $5,680. Completed Type:Grant

Investigators:Abu-Alhaija, D. & Gillespie, G. 03-2022 -12-2022 .Medique Product Research Grant through American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Healthcare workers’ level of adherence to COVID-19 precautionary guidelines and their attitude toward the adherence to these guidelines post-vaccination. Role:PI. $1,500. Completed Type:Grant

Grant: #T42OH008432. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health through the Targeted Research Training Program of the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center . Role:Fellow. Completed Type:Fellowship

Investigators:Abu-Alhaija, Dania 09-01-2024 -08-31-2027 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Promoting Adherence to Chemotherapy Handling Guidelines Among Oncology Nurses Role:PI $322,779.34 Active Type:Grant

Investigators:Abu-Alhaija, D., Gillespie, Smith, C. 10-2025 -10-2027 Sigma Theta International/Beta Iota Chapter Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Factors Affecting Adherence to Occupational Safety Practices. Role:PI $2,300 Active

Peer Reviewed Publications

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Johnson, Kimberly D (2023. ) The emergency nurse responses to triage interruptions and how these responses are perceived by patients: An observational, prospective study.International emergency nursing, , 67 ,101251 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania; Bakas, Tamilyn; Shaughnessy, Elizabeth; Miller, Elaine (2023. ) The Factors That Influence Chemotherapy Exposure Among Nurses: An Integrative Review.Workplace health & safety, , 21650799221140583 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania; Miller, Elaine; Bakas, Tamilyn; Shaughnessy, Elizabeth (2022. ) The Development and the Content Validation of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale.Seminars in oncology nursing, , 38 (6 ) ,151317 More Information

Miller, Elaine T; Abu-Alhaija, Dania M (2019. ) Cultural Influences on Pain Perception and Management.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses, , 20 (3 ) ,183-184 More Information

Miller, Elaine T; Abu-Alhaija, Dania M (2019. ) Importance of Interdisciplinary Pain Management.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses, , 20 (2 ) ,91-92 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Gillespie, Gordon L (2022. ) Critical Clinical Events and Resilience Among Emergency Nurses in 3 Trauma Hospital-Based Emergency Departments: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of emergency nursing, , 48 (5 ) ,525-537 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Gillespie, Gordon Lee (2024. ) Healthcare Workers' Adherence and Attitudes Toward the Adherence to COVID-19 Precautionary Guidelines Post-Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.Workplace health & safety, , 72 (5 ) ,170-177 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania; Miller, Elaine; Shaughnessy, Elizabeth; Bakas, Tamilyn (2023. ) Psychometric Testing of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale: A Cross-Sectional Study.Seminars in oncology nursing, , 39 (6 ) ,151515 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Matibiri, Paidamoyo; Brittingham, Kyle; Wulsin, Victoria; Davis, Kermit G; Huston, Thomas; Gillespie, Gordon (2023. ) The Factors Associated with the Development of COVID-19 Symptoms among Employees in a U.S. Healthcare Institution.International journal of environmental research and public health, , 20 (12 ) , More Information

Miller, Elaine L; Abu-Alhaija, Dania (2020. ) Partnering with Family Caregivers in Pain Management.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses, , 21 (3 ) ,223-224 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Al-Faraj, Hanan; Miller, Elaine; Gillespie, Gordon L (2025. ) Psychometric Testing of the Revised Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale.Western journal of nursing research, , 47 (6 ) ,441-448 More Information

Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Al-Faraj, Hanan; Miller, Elaine T; Gillespie, Gordon L Factors and Strategies Influencing Chemotherapy Safety Among Oncology Nurses: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Journal of infusion nursing : the official publication of the Infusion Nurses Society, , 48 (1 ) ,17-24 More Information

Meyer, Holly Ann; Kiydal, Danya; Siefert, Kyle; Clark, Erin; Dondi, Amour Cornelius; Abu-Alhaija, Dania M; Davis, Kermit G; Gillespie, Gordon Lee (2024. ) Workplace Violence and Worker Well-Being: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of gerontological nursing, , 50 (11 ) ,44-52 More Information

Gillespie, G. L., Velez, A., Weldishofer, L., Abu-Alhaija, D. M., & Peek-Asa, C. (2026. ) Environmental walkthrough assessments of seven emergency departments for the prevention of workplace violence .NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, , 1-15

Miller, E., Harris, A., Abu-Alhaija, D., Okour A., & Bakas, T. (2026. ) Factors associated with minorities’ use of telehealth during COVID 19 .Western Journal of Nursing Research, , 48 (1 ) ,37-44

Abu-Alhaija, D. M., Al-Faraj, H., Almallah, W., Gillespie, G. (2026. ) Patterns of chemotherapy exposure and adherence to safety practices among nurses: A pilot descriptive study .Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, , 16 (7 ) ,45-52

Invited Presentations

Abu-Alhaija, D., Almallah, W., Al-Faraj, H., Gillespie, G. (12-12-2024. ) Exposure to hazardous drugs among nurses: Patterns of exposure and handling practices [Invited Presentation] .National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/National Occupational Research Agenda/ Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector council meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States/Virtual. Level:National

Abu-Alhaija, D. (10-28-2024. ) The factors that influence chemotherapy exposure among nurses [Invited Presentation] .Environmental Carcinogenesis Working Group, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. . Level:Local

Poster Presentations

Abu-Alhaija, D., Gillespie, G., Miller, E. (2022. ) Factors and strategies influencing chemotherapy safety among oncology nurses .University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Annual Symposium, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. . Level:Local

Gillespie, G., Davis, K., Abu-Alhaija, D. (01-11-2022. ) Workplace violence in community health settings: A project proposal .University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Annual Student Research Findings Symposium, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. . Level:Local

Abu-Alhaija, D., Al-Faraj, H., Almallah, W., Gillespie, G. (03-27-2025. ) Exposure to hazardous drugs among nurses: Patterns of exposure and handling practices [Poster Presentation] .Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. . Level:Regional

Lecture

Abu-Alhaija, D. (02-17-2022. ) Conducting and writing an integrative review .Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. UC. Level:Local

Paper Presentations

Miller, E. T., Abu-Alhaija, D. M. (03-2019. ) University of Chiba, Japan. Level:International

Abu-Alhaija, D., Bakas, T., Shaughnessy, E., Miller, E. (04-26-2022. ) The factors that influence chemotherapy exposure among nurses: An integrative review .Cleveland, Ohio, United States.

Abu-Alhaija, D., Al-Faraj, H., Gillespie, G., Miller, E. (10-13-2023. ) Factors and strategies influencing chemotherapy safety among oncology nurses .Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. UC. Level:Regional

Abu-Alhaija, D., Al-Faraj, H. (07-16-2025. ) Chemotherapy exposure among nurses: Patterns of exposure, handling practices, and contributing factors [Webinar; Invited Presentation] .United States. Level:National

Qasem, I., McKinley, E., Davis, G., Abu-Alhaija, D., & Gillespie, G. (03-27-2026. ) Shared burdens, Separate systems: Workplace violence against nurses in Jordan and the United States [Poster Presentation] .Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Level:Regional

10-2022 Distinguished Poster Presentation Award. University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center symposium. Status:Recipient

2021 Outstanding PhD Student Award. University of Cincinnati College of Nursing

08-2017 -04-2021 Graduate Assistantship Award the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing.

2009 Honored by Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein for being the first-Rank holder of the 21st batch which ended at the end of the academic year 2008-2009.

2006 -2009 Dean’s Honor List Jordan University of Science and Technology/Faculty of Nursing. Type:Recognition

06-2024 Golden Pen Award for Excellence in Writing American Association of Occupational Health Nursing

10-2025 Excellence in Research Award from the Beta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

(University of Cincinnati Institutional Review Board. ) Member Type:University/College Service Level:University 01-2023 -To Present

University of Cincinnati (Middle East and North Africa strategy group. ) Member Type:University/College Service Level:University 08-2022 -04-2023

Jordan University of Science and Technology. (First Aid Orientation Workshop. ) Other Type:University/College Service Level:University 2014

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Accountability group. ) Member Type:University/College Service Level:College 08-2022 -To Present

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. (Research and Scholarly Activities Council. ) Co-Chair Type:University/College Service Level:College 08-2022 -To Present

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. (International Future Nurse Leaders Association. ) Member Type:University/College Service Level:College 2020 -To Present

Ohio Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:State 2023 -To Present

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:National 2022 -To Present

Ohio Nurses Association. Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:State 2021 -To Present

Pain Management Nursing Journal. Reviewer Type:Other Level:Prof. Org. 2018 -To Present

Journal of Nursing Measurement. Reviewer Type:Other Level:Prof. Org. 2022 -To Present

University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Pilot Research Project Training Program Grant. Reviewer Type:University/College Service Level:University 05-2023 -03-2025

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. (Post Doctoral Fellow Search Committee. ) Committee Chair Type:University/College Service Level:College 03-2024

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing (Research and Scholarly Activities Council. ) Committee Chair Type:University/College Service Level:College 08-2023 -05-2024

University of Cincinnati. (University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Pilot Research Project Training Program Grant ) Reviewer Type:University/College Service Level:University 05-2024

Midwest Nursing Research Society Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:Prof. Org. 2024

Sigma Theta Tau International/Beta Iota Chapter Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:Prof. Org. 2024

Southwest Ohio Association of Occupational Health Nurses chapter Vice-Chair Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:Prof. Org. 2024

(PhD Curriculum Evaluation Taskforce ) Co-Chair Type:University/College Service 10-2025

(Office of Research and Scholarship Program Manager Search Committee ) Type:University/College Service 09-2015

(PhD Executive Track Taskforce ) Co-Chair Type:University/College Service 02-2025 -05-2025

(University Research Council (URC) Graduate Student Stipend and Research Cost Program for Faculty-Student Collaboration ) Reviewer Type:University/College Service 12-2025 -01-2026

Occupational health, Occupational safety, Nurse, Healthcare workers, Chemotherapy exposure, Instrument development, Psychometric testing.

Academic - University of Cincinnati College of Nursing
University Hall 320
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221-0038
Phone: (513) 558- 5147
dania.abu-alhaija@uc.edu ; abualhdm@ucmail.uc.edu