Donna Eull, PhD, MA, RN, CHPPN

Donna Eull holds a BSN degree from 1986, a PhD in Nursing (2021) with a minor in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices from the University of Minnesota, and an MA in Organizational Management (2001) from Concordia. As a Clinical Associate Professor with a nursing and integrative therapies background, she has engaged in educating nurses about pain management and palliative care. She has collaborated with multiple children's hospitals, developed curricula, and spoken at national and international conferences on these subjects. Recognizing a gap in addressing nurses' well-being and resilience, Dr. Eull has integrated activities like stretching exercises and guided meditation into nursing education to address these important aspects. Her extensive experience includes education partnerships with five North American children’s hospitals, curriculum development, speaking engagements, and conducting assessments to enhance learning and practice.

• Acute pain management in children 
• Partnering with parents in pediatrics
• Pediatric palliative care

Dr. Eull believes in using multiple methods to measure successful learning, including discussion, narratives, case studies, simulation, salons, and flipped classrooms. She has been responsible for organizational pain and palliative care education and developing the curricula for nursing and allied health professionals. She has created self-directed E-learns and well as virtual and in person instruction, and leading 50 plus classes each year.

She recognizes the importance of teaching resilience, self-care, and well-being to nursing students. Dr. Eull incorporates activities like bird breathing exercises and guided meditation into her courses to emphasize these lessons. Her motivation stems from firsthand experience of witnessing new nurses struggling with the demands of the profession and the lack of focus on self-care during their training.

Dr. Eull has two main teaching objectives; for students to gain the ability to quickly access, understand, and apply new information in order to adapt their approach and practice to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes, and because care has to be accomplished in genuine partnership with patients and families, students must also acquire the interpersonal skills needed to be effective in their role as a nurse. Importantly, this includes prioritizing self-care, resilience, and the communication skills needed to effectively collaborate within a team and provide care for patients and their families.

Dr. Eull's clinical experience encompasses several key roles, including Clinical Practice Specialist for Pain, Palliative Care, and Integrative Medicine at Children’s Minnesota (2013-2021). In this capacity, she developed and delivered education on pain and symptom management to healthcare professionals, established best practices, maintained compliance with regulations, and led the Children’s Comfort Promise™ initiative for standardized acute and procedural pain care. Earlier, she served as a Clinic Coordinator for Pain and Palliative Care at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota (2004-2013), overseeing the care of patients with complex pain and palliative needs. She also worked as a Care Coordinator for the Hospice and Palliative Care Program (1997-2004) and as a Clinical Nurse for Home Care and Hospice (1986-1997), providing in-home care for medically complex patients, managing various medical interventions, and ensuring scheduling and reimbursement for home nursing.

• Future of Nursing Scholar, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2021
• Eileen Vinnes Kalow Fellowship in Children’s Health, School of Nursing, 2020
• Amy Wenger Fellowship in Pediatric Nursing, 2018
• Innovation in Health Care, The Children’s Comfort Promise, The VitalSmarts Influencer Institute, 2018
• The Children's Comfort Promise, Minnesota Hospital Association Quality Improvement/Safety Award for a Large Hospital, 2017
• Champions for Children’s Group Award, The Children’s Comfort Promise, Children’ Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2016
• Health and Wellness Innovation Award Finalist, Women’s Health Leadership Trust, 2016
• Board Quality Award, The Children’s Comfort Promise, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2014

Kirk, L., Eull, D., Flaten, C., & Paun, O. (2023). Combating social isolation in older adults: An intergenerational nursing communication project. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(10), 7–11. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20230915-02

Eull, D., Zachrison, B., Nickel, A. (2022). Feasibility trial of weighted blankets as an intervention for emergence delirium in postoperative pediatric patients. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 62, 30-35.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.11.022

Looman, W. S., Eull, D. J., Bell, A. N., Gallagher, T. T. & Nersesian, P. V. (2022). Participant-generated timelines as a novel strategy for assessing youth resilience factors: A mixed-methods, community-based study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 67, 64-74.

Postier, A. C., Eull, D., Schulz, C., Fitzgerald, M., Symalla, B., Watson, D., Goertzen, L., Friedrichsdorf, S. J., 2018. Pain experience in a US children's hospital: A point prevalence survey undertaken after the implementation of a system-wide protocol to eliminate or decrease pain caused by needles. Hospital Pediatrics, 8(9), 515-523. doi: https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2018-0039

Friedrichsdorf, S. J., Eull, D., Weidner, C., Postier, A. (2018). A Hospital-wide initiative to eiminate or reduce needle pain in children using lean methodology. Pain Reports, 3(7). doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/PR9.0000000000000671

Friedrichsdorf, S., Eull, D., Weidner, C. (2016). Commentary: A children’s comfort promise: How can we do everything possible to prevent and treat pain in children using quality improvement Strategies? Pediatric Pain Letter, 18(3),

Friedrichsdorf, S. J., Postier, A., Eull, D., Weidner, C., Foster, L., Gilbert, M., Campbell, F. (2015). Pain outcomes in a US children's hospital: A prospective cross-sectional survey. Hospital Pediatrics, 5(1), 18-26. doi: https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2014-0084

Chrastek, J., Duncan, J., Eull, D. (2010). Yes of course you can care for kids! Just need a little retooling. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(2), 324.

Looman WS, Eull D, Geiger-Simpson E, Lee J, Nersesian PV, Bell AN, Miller AL. (2023). Assessment of youth coping and appraisals through a timelining activity: Validation and utility of a tool for pediatric research and practice, published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Mar 6:S0891-5245(23)00056-1. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.02.007. Epub ahead of print.

Eull, D. J. "Touch, Look, Compare; Reducing peripheral IV infiltrates and extravasations", Education Days, Children's MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. August 01, 2021.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise: Reducing pain with needles", The American Academy of Pediatrics, Virtual Pediatric Pain Conference, The American Academy of Pediatrics, June 01, 2021.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise: Reducing pain with needles", The Society of Pediatric Nurses 31st Annual Conference; Converging ideas to create healthier future, The Society of Pediatric Nurses, April 01, 2021.

Eull, D. J. "Reducing Pain and Anxiety with Needle Procedures in Primary Care", The Children's Health Network, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. November 01, 2020.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise", Children's Healthcare Canada National Conference, Ottawa, Canada. December 01, 2019.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise", North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, United States. October 01, 2019.

Eull, D. J. "Distraction and Positioning", Centre Care, St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. July 01, 2019.

Eull, D. J. "The Comfort Promise; Reducing pain with Needles", Centre Care, St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2019.

Eull, D. J. "Comfort Promise in Sedation Unit", Society for Pediatric Sedation Conference, Society for Pediatric Sedation, Aurora, Colorado, United States. May 01, 2019.

Eull, D. J. "Using Improvement Methodology to Drive the Children's Comfort Promise", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2018.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise; Caring for Kids in Crisis", Trauma/Emergency Medicine symposium, Jacobi Medical Center, New York City, New York, United States. May 01, 2018.

Eull, D. J. "The Children's Comfort Promise; Strategies to Calm Sick Kids", Emergency Response Conference, Wisconsin Indian Head College, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States. March 01, 2018.

Eull, D. J. "Using Improvement Methodology to Drive No Needless Pediatric Pain", P, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2017.

Eull, D. J. "The Comfort Promise: Implementing an Organization-wide Pain Management Protocol for Needle Procedures", Society of Pediatric Nurses Annual Meeting, Society of Pediatric Nurses, West Palm , Florida, United States. April 01, 2017.

Eull, D. J. "Using Improvement Methodology to Drive No Needles Pediatric Pain", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2016.

Eull, D. J. "Children's Comfort Promise; Successfully implementing an evidence based pain protocol for needle procedures throughout a large children's hospital and clinic system", American Pain Society Annual Meeting, American Pain Society, Austin, Texas, United States. May 01, 2016.

Eull, D. J. "Hush Little Baby; Pediatric Pain Management Without Using Drugs", Spring Refresher, Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. April 01, 2016.

Eull, D. J. "Transforming Hospital Culture and Improving Patient Experience through Reduction of Needle Pain", Midwest Regional Child Life Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. November 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J. "Using Lean Methodology to Reduce Needle Pain in Children", International Forum on Pediatric Pain, Nova Scotia, Canada. October 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J. "Bringing evidence to the bedside and transforming culture; Implementing and sustaining an organization-wide pain protocol for needle procedures", Oklahoma Children's Pain Summit, Oklahoma Children's Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. September 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J. "Children's Comfort Promise; Reducing Pain with Needles", 25th Annual Practical Pediatrics for Primary Care, Children's of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. September 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J. "Using Improvement Methodology to Drive No Needless Pediatric Pain", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J.E "Using Lean Methodology to Reduce Needle Pain in a Large Children's Hospital: The Children's Comfort Promise", International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, Seattle, Washington, United States. May 01, 2015.

Eull, D. J. "Interdisciplinary Approach to Complex/Chronic Pain", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2013.

Eull, D. J. "It Must Be in Their Head; debunking the Myths about Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents", National Telehealth Conference, Bloomington, Minnesota, United States. October 01, 2010.

Eull, D. J. "Chronic Pain, an Interdisciplinary Approach", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2010.

Eull, D. J. "Yes of Course You Can Care for Kids! Just Need a Little Retooling!", HPNA/AAHPMA Annual Assembly, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. March 01, 2010.

Eull, D. J. "Rounding with the Stars; When East meets West: Cultural Considerations in Palliative Care", HPNA/AAHPMA Annual Assembly, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. March 01, 2010.

Eull, D. J. "Common, Complex and Complicated? Chronic Pediatric Pain Management", Grand Rounds, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. December 01, 2009.

Eull, D. J. "Interdisciplinary Approach to Complex/Chronic Pain", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2009.

Eull, D. J. "Chronic Pain: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Pain Management", Pain Day Conference, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. November 01, 2008.

Eull, D. J. "Interdisciplinary Approach to Complex/Chronic Pain", Pediatric Pain Master Class, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. June 01, 2008.