Cira Fraser, Ph.D., RN, is a professor and graduate faculty in the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies. She is the director of the DNP program and teaches several courses focused on the development and implementation of DNP projects. Her expertise as a nurse researcher and experience in diverse areas of practice enhance her ability to expertly guide DNP students with practice-based DNP projects. 

Fraser is the principal research investigator for nursing studies exploring predictors of adherence to glatiramer acetate therapy in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Research also has focused on the psychosocial aspects of living with MS. Other interests include daughter caregivers of stroke survivors and publications on normal pressure hydrocephalus in older adults. Fraser is a member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Education

Ph.D., Adelphi University

MSN, Rutgers University

BSN, College of Staten Island

Publications

Akwei, E & Fraser, C. (2023). The effect of a self-management education program on self-efficacy in older adults with type 2 diabetes [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 72(3), E111-E112.

Bialoblocki, C., Fraser, C. & Mahoney, J. (2023). The effect of an education program on self-care beliefs in adults with hypertension. [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 72(3), E112.

Russo, T. & Fraser, C. (2022). An integrated review and development of a toolkit for registered nurses on ostomy care[Abstract]. Oncology Nursing Forum, 49(2), E90-E91.

Veltre, H. & Fraser, C. (2022). The effect of an education program on beliefs about bariatric patients in registered nurses [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 71(3), S105-S106.

Fraser, C. (2021). Self-reported spasticity symptoms, emotional health, and social functioning in individuals with multiple sclerosis [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 70(3), E102.

Amundson, M. & Fraser, C. (2021). The effect of a nurse practitioner led education program on self-care beliefs in heart failure patients [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 70(3), E122-E123.

Musacchio-Acito, M. & Fraser, C.(2021). The effect of an education program on outcome expectancy to adhere to a cholesterol-lowering diet in adults with hyperlipidemia [Abstract]. Nursing Research, 70(3), E143-E144.

Fraser, C. & Keating, M. (2014). The Effect of a Creative Art Program on Self-Esteem, Hope, Perceived Social Support and Self-Efficacy in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.  Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 46 (6), 330-336.

DiIorio, C, Hinkle, J.L., Stuifbergen, A., Algase, D. Amidei, C.S., Austin, J., Buelow, J.M., Fraser, C., Gulick, E. E., Habermann, B. & Smeltzer, S.C. (2011). Updated research priorities for neuroscience nursing. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 43 (3), 149-155.

Fraser, C. (2011). Family issues associated with military deployment, family violence, and military sexual trauma (445-455). In S.W Stark (Guest Ed.), Victims of Abuse , Nursing Clinics of North America. Philadelphia:  WB Saunders Company.

Fraser, C & Stark, S. (2011). Gait disorder in older adults: Is it NPH? The Nurse Practitioner,36 (3), 14-20.

Fraser, C. (2010). Multiple Sclerosis: Nursing strategies to improve patient outcomes.  Monograph. Brockton, MA: Western Schools, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-57801-412-5

Fraser, C.J. & Mahoney, J. (2009). The relationship between self-efficacy, self-esteem, hope and disability in women with multiple sclerosis. In D. O’Mahoney & A. de Burca (Eds.), Women and Multiple Sclerosis (pp. 111-123). Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Fraser, C.J., Meehan, D. & McGurl, J. (2009). A comparative study of health outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis. In D. O’Mahoney & A. de Burca (Eds.), Women and Multiple Sclerosis (pp. 139-151). Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Fraser, C., Mahoney, J., & McGurl, J. (2008). Correlates of sexual dysfunction in men and women with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing,40 (5), 312-317.

Fraser, C & Polito, S. (2007). Comparative study of self-efficacy in men and women with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing , 39 (2), 102-106.

Fraser, C., & McGurl, J. (2007). Psychometric testing of the americanized Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS). Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 39 (1), 13-19.

Fraser, C, Morgante, L., Hadjimichael, O & Vollmer, T. (2004). Prospective study of adherence to glatiramer acetate in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroscience  Nursing, 36  (3), 120-129.

Fraser, C. & Stark, S. (2003). Cognitive symptoms and correlates of physical disability in individuals with progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Journal of  Neuroscience Nursing, 35 (6), 314-320.

Fraser, C, Hadjimichael, O. & Vollmer, T. (2003). Predictors of adherence to glatiramer acetate in individuals with self-reported progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. Journal of  Neuroscience Nursing, 35 (3), 163-170, 174.

Fraser, C., Hadjimichael, O. & Vollmer, T. (2001). Predictors of adherence to copaxone therapy in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Journal of  Neuroscience Nursing, 33  (5), 231-239.  

Fraser, C.  (1999). The experience of transition for a daughter caregiver of a stroke survivor. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 31 (1), 9-16.

Presentations

Cruz, M., Fraser, C. & Sciarra, E. (2024, March 16). The Development and Evaluation of a Toolkit on Mindfulness for School Nurses (Poster Presentation). New Jersey State School Nurses Association Spring Conference. School Nurses Make the Impossible, Possible. New Brunswick, NJ.

Pagnotta, G., Fraser, C. & Brady, K. (2024, March 16). The development and evaluation of a toolkit for nurses on the psychosocial issues in children with cancer and their families (Poster Presentation). New Jersey State School Nurses Association Spring Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.

Gantz, N. & Fraser, C. (2023, July 20-23). Promoting healthy staff environments during pandemics and stressful work environments (Podium presentation). Sigma Theta Tau International 34th International Nursing Congress, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Akwei, E & Fraser, C. (2023, March 23-24). The Effect of a Self-Management Education Program on Self-Efficacy in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes (Poster Presentation). Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference. The 35th ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions, Addressing Determinants of Health Through Nursing Science. Philadelphia, PA.

Bialoblocki, C., Mahoney, J. & Fraser, C. (2023, March 23-24). The Effect of an Education Program on Self-Care Beliefs in Adults with Hypertension. (Poster Presentation). Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference. The 35th ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions, Addressing Determinants of Health Through Nursing Science. Philadelphia, PA.

Gantz, N. & Fraser, C. (2023, Feb. 10-12). Perception of the Care Environments in a Pacific Northwest Hospital in ICU Registered Nurses (Podium presentation). Sigma Theta Tau International Creating Healthy Work Environments, Austin, Texas.

Russo, T. & Fraser, C. (2022, April 27-May 1). An integrated review and development of a toolkit for registered nurses on ostomy care (Poster presentation). Oncology Nursing Society’s Signature Conference, Anaheim, CA.

Bernard, J. & Fraser, C. (2022, March 31-April 1). The effect of an education program on diabetes self-efficacy in low health literacy patients (Poster presentation). Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference. The 34^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Charting the Path of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through Nursing Science, Providence, RI.  

Veltre, H. & Fraser, C. (2022, March 31-April 1). The effect of an education program on beliefs about bariatric patients in registered nurses. (Poster presentation). Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference. The 34^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Charting the Path of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through Nursing Science, Providence, RI.  

Leahy, C. & Fraser, C. (2022, March 30-31). The effect of a prenatal infant feeding education program on infant feeding intentions and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnant women (Poster presentation). New Jersey League for Nursing Convention, Atlantic City, NJ.

Briggs, K. & Fraser, C. (2022, March 30-31). The effect of a mindfulness program utilizing heartmath on perceived stress in critical care nurses (Poster presentation). New Jersey League for Nursing Convention, Atlantic City, NJ.

Fraser, C. (2021). Self-reported spasticity symptoms, emotional health, and social functioning in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Research poster presented at the Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference, Virtual 33rd ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions, March 25 and 26, 2021.

Musacchio-Acito, M. & Fraser, C. (2021). The effect of an education program on outcome expectancy to adhere to a cholesterol-lowering diet in adults with hyperlipidemia. Research poster presented at the Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference, Virtual 33rd ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions, March 25 and 26, 2021.

Amundson, M. & Fraser, C. (2021). The effect of a nurse practitioner led education program on self-care beliefs in heart failure patients. Research poster presented at the Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference, Virtual 33rd ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions, March 25 and 26, 2021.

Nettingham, M. & Fraser, C. (2021). The effect of a tailored education program on perceived behavioral healthcare competency in medical surgical nurses. Research poster presented at the 2021 New Jersey League for Nursing (NJLN) Convention, March 24-25, 2021, Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, NJ.

Worth, P. & Fraser, C. (2019). The effect of a sepsis protocol education program on attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and intent in post-acute nurses. Poster presented at the NJHA, Organization of Nurse Leaders for the Continuum of Care conference, Princeton, NJ, May 17, 2019.

Barrington, E., Foley-Danecker, M., Fraser, C. & Mahoney, J. (2018). The impact of video monitoring on patient falls and cost of care. Presentation at the Avasure Synposium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 4, 2018.

Maughan, E., Jannone, L. & Fraser, C. (2015). School Nursing Around the World: An International Research Study  presented by Maughan, E and Jannone, L. at the School Nurses International Conference: A World of Opportunity- International Perspectives on Maximising Children and Young People’s Health Through School Nursing Services. ‘Visible, Confidential, Accessible’ at the University of Greenwich Old Royal Naval College, Park Row London, July, 28, 2015. Contribution to the study: data analysis and prep of data slides.

Fraser, C. (2012). A prospective study of spasticity in individuals with multiple sclerosis in transition from interferon to glatiramer acetate . Research poster of the preliminary findings presented at the American Academy of Neurology conference in New Orleans, April 26, 2012.

Keating, M. & Fraser, C. (2012). The effect of a creative art program on individuals with multiple sclerosis. Research poster of the preliminary findings presented at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers conference in San Diego, June 2012.

Invited by Teva Neuroscience to present at the Global Perspectives in MS Nursing: From Nursing Support to Multi-Disciplinary Team Work. Research Poster – Psychometric Testing of the Americanized Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS) . Poster by  Fraser, C., & McGurl, J., Stockholm, Sweden, April 4-5, 2008.

Professional Associations

International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses

American Association of Neuroscience Nurses

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers 2000-present

Awards

Research Award, International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, San Diego, June 2012.

Hannelore Sweetwood Mentorship Award, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Lambda Delta Chapter, Monmouth University, May 9, 2007

Writing Excellence Award  for A Prospective Study of Adherence to Glatiramer Acetate in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (2004) was the winner of the 2005 JNN, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, April 2005.