News

The Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance featured VUSN Associate Professor Christian Ketel, DNP, RN, FNAP, as part of the Faculty Spotlight. Ketel found his calling in the nursing profession early in life. After working mostly behind the scenes the past decade to improve patient health outcomes, Dr. Ketel describes being “thrust” into the community. “It turned out to be a match made in heaven,” he says. “The community work, being out in public, engaging with people and community partners—I love it!” Read More

Three nursing faculty were awarded 2022 Seeding Success Grants, which support early stage research identified as likely to obtain federal, foundation and industry funding. Assistant Professor Mulubrhan Mogos received funding for “Pathogenic Memory T-cells as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Preeclampsia,” Assistant Professor Jeremy Neal for “Differences in Labor-associated Inflammation Following Spontaneous Labor Onset Among Low-risk Black and White Nulliparous Women,” and Assistant Professor Lori Schirle for “The Feasibility of Incorporating Pain Sensitivity Testing into Total Knee Replacement Workflow.” Read More

Nurse-midwives and educators from three prominent research universities have teamed up to improve pregnancy outcomes in Black communities by providing specialized training for doulas, persons who support birthing mothers and families through the entire process of childbirth. Doulas offer emotional and informational support for pregnant persons and their families. Read More

Assistant Professor Megan Simmons, DNP’13, PMC’13, MSN’05, has been named academic director for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, effective August 1. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing celebrated a successful year at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Thursday, where Dean Pamela Jeffries, PhD,  FAAN, ANEF, FSSH, announced that VUSN’s new Master of Nursing program, which allows students become master’s prepared registered nurses, received Tennessee Board of Nursing approval. Read More

Leaders at the forefront of systemic change make a difference by thinking about how to shift old patterns that have kept people marginalized. Thirteen students, including three from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, nominated by deans across Vanderbilt this year got the chance to engage in such big-picture thinking as participants in the Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership’s interprofessional student fellowship. Housed in the Vanderbilt Divinity School, the program brings together students from various disciplines to engage around socio-moral concerns.   Read More

VPIL teams, including FNP School of Nursing student Hayley Berry, spend one afternoon per week in a VUMC-affiliated clinic, seeing patients under supervision from preceptors from various health care professions, primarily physicians and nurse practitioners. They serve patients at Vanderbilt Familiar Faces Clinic, which provides ongoing care for patients with complex chronic medical conditions. Often, these patients also live with socio-economic and other personal stressors that can markedly affect their medical outcomes. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has launched a master of nursing degree to help meet the high demand for registered nurses in health care settings throughout the nation. The program aims to attract people looking for a career change or those with a bachelor’s degree in another field. Applications are open and will be accepted through August 2022. The program will begin in spring 2023. Read More

Christian Ketel and Carrie Plummer, both associate professors of nursing, were recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners for their stewardship and successful outcomes of the Vanderbilt Mobile Vaccine Program. These leaders have also received Vanderbilt’s 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the Health and Wellness Award from the Hispanic Family Foundation and the 2022 John W. Runyan Community Nursing Award from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing. Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Assistant Professor Alvin Jeffery is one of 12 nurse scientists accepted into the third cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. The fellowship program, funded by a $37.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, recognizes early- to mid-career nursing scholars and innovators with high potential to accelerate leadership in nursing research, practice, education, policy and entrepreneurship. Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing celebrated Commencement and Investiture Friday for those graduating in summer and fall 2021 and spring 2022. In total, 385 Master of Science in Nursing and 62 Doctor of Nursing Practice students graduated. An additional eight PhD in Nursing Science students received their degrees from Vanderbilt Graduate School. Read More

Master of Science in Nursing graduate Tip Tilton was selected as the School of Nursing's Founder's Medalist for the Class of 2022. The mother of two maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA at Vanderbilt while earning her MSN in Nursing Informatics and working more than 40 hours a week as an RN quality improvement coordinator for John Muir Medical Center. She is now a clinical nurse informaticist at the Center for Digital Health Innovation at University of California, San Francisco. Read More

When military nurse Stacey Rokas filled out her application to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, she was embedded with the U.S. Marines on a training exercise with an international joint force in South Korea. She was the officer in charge of medical care. Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Professor Sheila Ridner, PhD, FAAN, recently completed a large randomized trial to assess early detection methods coupled with a prevention intervention for a common side effect of breast-cancer treatments—lymphedema. Read More

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood will discuss leadership, nursing and health equity during a virtual conversation with Vanderbilt University School of Nursing leaders on Tuesday, May 17, noon-1 p.m. CST. The event is free and will be available via Zoom. Underwood, a registered nurse who represents Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, is… Read More

This May, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing celebrates Nurses Month by commemorating all the good that nurses do and their importance to the many people and organizations they serve. Using the American Nurses Association’s 2022 theme of Nurses Make a Difference, the school is encouraging… Read More

Although physically in a classroom at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, a group of students were far, far away, virtually experiencing campfires, galaxies, snowfall and other relaxing settings. The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students were exploring how virtual reality can be used in health care and education, taking part in an innovative VUSN pilot program called SparkleVille, which uses technology to enhance kinesthetic learning. The program also offers learning opportunities for nursing informatic students as part of their practicum.  Read More

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver honored 36 scholars from across the university at an endowed chair investiture ceremony on campus March 30. Dean Pamela Jeffries received the Valere Potter Distinguished Chair in Nursing and Professor Julie Barroso received the Julia Eleanor Blair Chenault Chair in Nursing during the celebration. Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing continues to be ranked as one of the nation’s top schools by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Graduate Schools Rankings. Vanderbilt’s master of science in nursing program was ranked No. 8 and its doctor of nursing science was ranked No. Read More

Montana State University professor and economist Peter Buerhaus. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham Peter Buerhaus, PhD, FAAN, FAANP(h), a renowned researcher who studies the health care workforce and economy will share his expertise on the future of nursing, health equity and the relationship balance between nurses, leadership and educators. Read More

Nursing educators challenged with incorporating nursing informatics into their curriculum in accordance with the new AACN Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education can get a jump start at a three-day conference offered by Vanderbilt University School of Nursing this summer. The Vanderbilt Informatics Summer Teaching Academy (VISTA) will be July… Read More

Terri Allision, assistant dean for academics, DNP program, was interviewed recently by writer Michelle Wojciechowski for "The DNP Executive Leadership Career Path: Is it Right for You?" The Minority Nurse article appeared in their special DNP issue earlier this month. Read More

The new season of Nashville Public Television’s hit show, Call the Midwife, starts this Sunday—and as they have since the series came to NPT in 2013, Vanderbilt School of Nursing nurse-midwives are ready to share their insights and experiences in post-episode blogs. Read More

A multidisciplinary team that includes Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Associate Professor Kelly Aldrich, DNP, FHIMSS, in collaboration with the School of Engineering, established the foundation for an automated, up-to-date assessment of personal protective equipment across U.S. hospitals—work that got its start before the COVID-19 pandemic, but took on greater urgency. Read More

School of Nursing leaders representing specialties ranging from nurse-midwifery to family nurse practitioner visited the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell last week. The visit was a reciprocal one after Blanchfield leaders toured VUSN recently. The visits are part of an initiative to deepen a partnership between VUSN and the military hospital. During their visit, they discussed educational opportunities and student placements for those interested in military medicine. VUSN academic and clinical placement leaders were also part of the field trip. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Building has earned LEED certification, signifying it is a healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green building. The building opened in 2019 as one of the university's most technically advanced facilities complete with interactive and virtual classrooms and cutting-edge simulation laboratory. It earned the Gold LEED accreditation by incorporating high efficiency flush and flow plumbing, installing systems for energy cost savings and strategically sourcing raw materials—including repurposing a tree removed from the site as material for a focal wall. Read More

Topics ranging from intercultural competency to climate change and social justice will be part of the School of Nursing’s Diversity Month activities ending March 1. Each activity consists of student-developed programming about different cultures and health challenges. They are presented by diversity-based student organizations as a means of creating dialogue… Read More

Assistant Professors Christian Ketel, DNP’14, RN, and Carrie Plummer, PhD, MSN’05, ANP-BC, received Vanderbilt’s 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award on Monday, Jan. 17, for developing and leading the VUSN/VUMC Mobile Vaccine program. The award recognizes Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, School of Nursing or Medical Center… Read More

Sharon Jones, assistant professor of nursing, and David G. Schlundt, associate professor of psychology, are participating in a collaborative research project to address health disparities and advance health equity in Nashville. The five-year project—Engaging Partners in Caring… Read More

The School of Nursing Diversity and Inclusion committee will host a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. CST to discuss “COVID Perspectives, Values and Vaccination Hesitancy.” A panel of public health and prevention experts will  discuss the complexities of personal and professional communication with individuals who are hesitant or… Read More

A researcher working on financial, legal and medical interventions for social determinants of health will give the winter 2022 Vanderbilt School of Nursing Dean’s Diversity Lecture on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at noon-1 p.m. CST. The lecture will be presented virtually on Zoom. The event is free, but registration is necessary. Register Read More

Martha A. Dawson, DNP, RN, FACHE, president of the National Black Nurses Association, will present the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture on Monday, Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m. CST. Co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Vanderbilt School of Medicine, this year’s MLK Day lecture will be… Read More

Following Vanderbilt University's announcement that undergraduate and most graduate schools would postpone the start of the spring 2022 semester until January 17, Dean Pamela Jeffries provided specific information for the School of Nursing. Highlights included the information that VUSN classes would start January 4 as previously scheduled, that staff would work remotely until January 18, and that most specialty program classes would start in hybrid/remote formats for the first few weeks of 2022. Read her message Read More

Assistant Professor Colleen Reilly Moss, BS’00, MSN’01, DNP, NNP-BC, has been named academic director for the neonatal nurse practitioner specialty at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Moss had been interim co-director with assistant professor Patricia Scott, DNP, NNP-BC, C-NPT. “Colleen has a passion… Read More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is funding research led by Kelly Aldrich, DNP, FHIMSS, associate professor of nursing informatics, to analyze daily hospital personal protective equipment on-hand inventory to measure trends, patterns or statistically significant changes in PPE supply in the nation’s nearly 7,000 U.S. hospitals. Read More

In this exclusive MedPage Today video, NPWH Committee Co-chair Ginny Moore, DNP, APRN, of VUSN, describes the objectives and takeaway from her presentation including why women have a higher susceptibility to misuse than men. Read More

When Marilyn Dubree, MSN’76, graduated with her master’s degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, she had no intention of remaining at Vanderbilt for the rest of her career. Thankfully for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and for the more than 7,000 nurses she serves, Marilyn did just that. Read More

Rates of satisfaction with professional development opportunities among non-faculty advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and PAs increased nearly twofold following implementation of a pilot clinical advancement program at VUMC. Dr. April Kapu said that this program may help improve burnout rates among clinicians by “providing an infrastructure for professional growth and development,”… Read More

Vanderbilt University professors Sheila Ridner at the School of Nursing and Barbara Murphy at the School of Medicine have contributed to the development of a first-of-its-kind device to treat head and neck lymphedema–a chronic disease that causes fluid buildup in the body and can complicate normal functions. When this disease occurs in the head… Read More

Pam Jones, BSN’81, MSN’92, DNP’13, FAAN, has been appointed associate vice chancellor for health and wellness at Vanderbilt University, Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain announced today. In her new role, Jones will oversee all aspects of the university’s strategic health and wellness priorities, including the current response to the… Read More

Vanderbilt University Provost Cybele Raver recorded a video greeting for the School of Nursing community, wishing all a wonderful start to the fall semester and commending VUSN students for their dedication to health care and helping others. Read More

Vanderbilt University students and faculty began in-person classes for the fall 2021 semester this week. Utilizing the university’s health and safety protocols, Vanderbilt School of Nursing is pleased to welcome students, staff, faculty, postdocs and visitors back to campus. On August 12, Vanderbilt University announced updated COVID-19 guidance and protocols. See this video from Dean Pamela Jeffries for information.  Read More

VUSN DNP alumna Dina Velocci, DNP, CRNA, APRN, recently took office as the 2021-2022 president of the 59,000-member American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). “It is my honor and a privilege to serve as president of the AANA in this watershed year, in which CRNAs continue to prove that… Read More

Dawn Aycock, PhD, FAHA, FAAN, will give the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Dean’s Diversity Lecture on Thursday, August 26, at noon CT in Nursing Annex room 155. The in-person lecture, “It’s About Time: Addressing Primary Stroke Prevention in African Americans,” is free and open to the Vanderbilt community. Aycock,… Read More

Associate Professor of Nursing Laurie Connors, DNP, FAANP, has received a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute to train doctors of nursing practice and PhD nurses in the translation and integration of genomics into academics, research and clinical practice. “We will deploy a ‘train the trainer’ model,” Connors said. “Our participants will take their skills back to their universities to serve as champions to incorporate genomics into curriculum, research, scholarship and clinical practice." Read More

Two Vanderbilt School of Nursing professors have received grants totaling more than $3 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration to educate nurse practitioners to provide critical health care particularly in rural and underserved areas. Ginny Moore, director of the women’s health nurse practitioner specialty and… Read More

For the third consecutive year, the American Association of Men in Nursing has named the School of Nursing an AAMN Best Nursing School/College for Men in Nursing. The honor recognizes a nursing school for significant efforts in recruiting and retaining men in the nursing profession. In order to be… Read More

Professor Julie Barroso, PhD, RN, ANP, FNAP, FAAN, has been named to the Julia Eleanor Blair Chenault Endowed Chair of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Barroso, who joined VUSN in 2020, is a distinguished nurse scientist whose research focuses on people living with HIV… Read More

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier announced the establishment of a new faculty honor, the Chancellor’s Award for University Service, at the Vanderbilt University Spring Faculty Assembly on April 1, and the first recipient was VUSN’s Pam Jones, BSN’81, MSN’92, DNP’13, senior associate dean for clinical and community partnerships. “It goes without saying… Read More

The School of Nursing announced the appointment of three new academic specialty directors for its Master of Science in Nursing program, as well as a new director of program evaluations. Professor Sharon Karp, MSN’99, PhD’08, has been appointed director of program evaluations. In this role, she… Read More