News

Metzl to discuss political allegiances, health decisions and racial anxiety in Jan. 11 VUSN Dean’s Diversity Lecture

December 8, 2020

Why do some Americans put their health at risk by allegiance to a political policy, issue or leader? What motivates them? How do politicians use those allegiances, as well as racial anxiety? And what can health care practitioners do for these patients? Physician and sociologist Jonathan M. Metzl, MD, PhD, will address these questions and…

Ridner returns to cancer patient research and care during Research Ramp-up to advance intervention studies

November 20, 2020

When in-person research activities at Vanderbilt were put on hold in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheila Ridner, PhD’03, MSN’00, FAAN, the Martha Rivers Ingram Professor of Nursing and director of the PhD in Nursing Science Program, was the primary investigator on two research studies with oncology patients. “The participants in the lymphedema prevention study had given us five years of their lives, and so we also felt an ethical responsibility to finish our work in supporting them,” Ridner said.

Recent honors and awards for School of Nursing faculty and students

November 18, 2020

Faculty and students in the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing are regularly recognized for career accomplishments, research, scholarship and leadership. Recent noteworthy honors include: Professor Susie Adams, PhD, PMC’01, PMC’11, FAANP, FAAN, was inducted into the 2020 University of Kentucky College of Nursing Hall of Fame during virtual ceremonies held in September. Adams was hailed…

VUSN’s Schorn reflects on time with Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance IPE program

November 18, 2020

Mavis Schorn, PhD, APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP, served with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance’s (MVA) Interprofessional Education and Inter-Institutional Collaborative Learning (IPE) program for almost nine years. She was Director and Co-Director during the last four. Earlier in 2020, she stepped away from the program. She recently reflected on her tenure and passing the torch.

Ketel looks forward to work as IPE Co-Director for Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance

November 18, 2020

Assistant Professor and Clinic at Mercury Courts Clinical Director Christian Ketel, DNP’14, RN, has added a new role: Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Inter-Institutional Collaborative Learning co-director with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance. He sat down with MVA writer Matt Schorr recently to talk about his new adventure.

Top nurse informaticist named VUSN senior associate dean

November 16, 2020

A nursing informatics expert with extensive health system, academic and government experience has been named senior associate dean for informatics at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Patricia (Patty) Sengstack, DNP’10, RN-BC, FAAN, currently serves as academic director for the school’s nursing informatics specialty in its master of science in nursing program. She also has a…

National Study: Pandemic, Oversight Waivers Impact Advanced Practice Nurses

November 11, 2020

Preliminary results from a national survey reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), while findings related to the temporary easing of practice restrictions show little effect on APRN practice. In states with restrictive practice requirements, barriers that impact patient care and access continued to exist despite waivers issued to help…

Ken Wallston, prominent nursing researcher and health psychology pioneer, has died

November 11, 2020

Professor of Nursing, Emeritus, Kenneth A. Wallston, PhD, MA, regarded internationally as one of the founders of health psychology, died in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 27. He was 78. A faculty member at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for more than 40 years, Wallston worked widely in the transdisciplinary arena termed behavioral medicine….

VUSN receives $1.35 million NFLP grant to educate future faculty

November 1, 2020

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has received a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) to support Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students who are interested in becoming nursing faculty members. The award brings the funds the school has received for the NFLP program since 2008…

Six Vanderbilt School of Nursing alumni named fellows by American Academy of Nursing

October 27, 2020

Six Vanderbilt University School of Nursing graduates will be inducted as fellows into the American Academy of Nursing on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Invitation to fellowship is one of the highest recognitions bestowed by AAN. Fellows are recognized for their extraordinary commitment to the promotion of the public’s health through evidence and innovation. They are…

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