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  • person smiling

    Steed chosen to direct Family Nurse Practitioner program

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 25, 2023

  • person smiling

    Kennedy named Association of Women’s Health and Obstetrics Neonatal Nurses fellow

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 24, 2023

  • Illustration of four hands forming a circle. Text reads Academy for Diverse Aspiring Nurse Leaders

    School of Nursing and VUMC launch new program for diverse nurses aspiring to leadership

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 11, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    “If You Want to Be a Nurse”–Reflections from an Experienced VUSN Nurse in Recognition of Nurses Month

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 10, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    "If You Want to Be a Nurse"–Reflections from an Experienced VUSN Nurse in Recognition of Nurses Month

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 10, 2023

  • VUSN Research Spotlight: Deonni Stolldorf

    VUSN Research Spotlight: Deonni Stolldorf

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    May. 4, 2023

  • A School of Nursing classroom photographed from the back of the classroom. Students fill seats. In the foreground, a student has his or her laptop open to the Vanderbilt website.

    MSN program rises to No. 6 in “U.S. News & World Report” Best Graduate Nursing Rankings

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Apr. 25, 2023

  • A School of Nursing classroom photographed from the back of the classroom. Students fill seats. In the foreground, a student has his or her laptop open to the Vanderbilt website.

    MSN program rises to No. 6 in "U.S. News & World Report" Best Graduate Nursing Rankings

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Apr. 25, 2023

  • group of people smiling with an award

    Rolanda Johnson receives university award

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Apr. 23, 2023

  • person smiling, standing outside in front of the nursing school building

    VUSN dean receives advocacy award from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners

    The American Association of Nurse Practitioners selected Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Dean Pamela R. Jeffries, PhD, FAAN, ANEF, FSSH, as their Tennessee honoree for the 2023 Advocate State Award for Excellence. The award recognizes her work as dean and educator to support and promote the nurse practitioner role. Read More

    Apr. 20, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Sigma’s Iota inducts new members, prepares to celebrate 70 years

    Sigma Theta Tau International’s Iota at-Large chapter, based at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, welcomed 100 new members and their guests this week. At the ceremony, the students were inducted, signed the chapter’s induction book, and received purple and white honor cords to wear with their regalia. They join the more than 40 VUSN faculty and countless alumni who are part of the organization. Read More

    Apr. 13, 2023

  • VUSN Research Spotlight: Lori Schirle

    VUSN Research Spotlight: Lori Schirle

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Apr. 6, 2023

  • Call the Midwife, with group of people smiling, NPT logo and VUSN logo

    “Call the Midwife” and VUSN bloggers return this Sunday on NPT

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Mar. 15, 2023

  • Headshot of smiling woman. Text reads: VUSN Research Spotlight, Amy Campbell, PhD Candidate

    VUSN Research Spotlight: Amy Campbell

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Mar. 1, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Bryant chosen to direct AGACNP program

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Mar. 1, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Engineering and nursing take on interdisciplinary collaboration to use eye tracking and machine learning for education and training

    First-year nursing students, U.S. Army soldiers and a middle school science class might seem very different at first glance. But when you consider the recent work of Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering Gautam Biswas, the similarities become clear. Gautam Biswas (Photo by John Russell). Each group has been a test case for Biswas’ research, which collects multimodal data such as clicks on a computer, hand gestures, eye gaze position and speech and then applies artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to help analyze how students learn and how trainees perform. Read More

    Feb. 20, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    VUSN Research Spotlight: Dr. Nadia Markie Sneed

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Feb. 13, 2023

  • Two photos of smiling people, photo of exterior of VUSN building, Text: Assistant Professors Julia Steed & LeTizia Smith

    Nursing faculty hope to diversify graduate health science programs with Sesquicentennial Grant

    Assistant Professors Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, and LeTizia Smith, DNP, MSN’07, were selected for a Vanderbilt University Sesquicentennial Grant for “Project SHARE: Sharing Strategies for Academic Faculty and Student Recruitment.” The project will evaluate new ways to recruit and retain faculty and students of color in Vanderbilt’s graduate health science programs. Read More

    Feb. 9, 2023

  • Seven people pose in a row. One man, six women.

    Student-run Shade Tree Clinic adds monthly pediatric clinic

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Feb. 7, 2023

  • VUSN Celebrating Diversity Month

    VUSN fosters inclusivity and understanding during Diversity Month

    The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office and Black Student Nurses Affinity Group are hosting Diversity Month 2023. Throughout February and March, different student-led affinity groups will bring in speakers and hold activities to promote inclusivity and an increased understanding of health equity and different cultures. Read More

    Feb. 3, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt School of Nursing Approved for a $250,000 Engagement Award for Project on Overcoming Barriers to Patient- and Family-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research

    A team at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has been approved for a $250,000 funding award through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Awards program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The funds will support identifying and disseminating strategies for overcoming barriers to patient- and family-centered comparative effectiveness research with patients who are critically ill and hospitalized in an intensive care unit setting. Read More

    Jan. 30, 2023

  • Photos of two people smiling, Text: Tonya Elkins, Christian Ketel

    School of Nursing receives HRSA grant to train community health workers

    Vanderbilt School of Nursing has received a $3 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to create a training program, standardized set of competencies and certification for community health workers in Tennessee. The new initiative is in partnership with the Tennessee Community Health Worker Association and Rural Health Association of Tennessee. The Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee, which kicks off with informational sessions in early 2023, will train up to 90 people per year to help their communities. Read More

    Jan. 17, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Courtney Pitts recognized for social justice work

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Jan. 13, 2023

  • Vanderbilt University

    Akintade delivers MLK Lecture on diversity in nursing

    Bimbola Akintade, PhD, MBA, MHA, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, will present the School of Nursing’s Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative lecture, “Getting Comfortable with Discomfort: Improving Health Outcomes through Diversity in Nursing” on January 10 from noon to 1 p.m. in NA 161. The lecture will discuss how increasing the diversity of nursing students can lead to improved health outcomes across communities and offer leadership principles to help achieve those goals.  Read More

    Jan. 9, 2023

  • two people smiling

    Nursing students welcomed into profession at fall pinning

    Nursing students were all smiles Friday afternoon as they gathered with friends, family, faculty and staff at the fall pinning ceremony that marked the completion of their Vanderbilt University School of Nursing programs. The event recognized 42 students in the master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs. Click the headline to see the full story and photo gallery. Read More

    Dec. 13, 2022

  • African American woman in a camel colored suit makes presentation

    Academy for Diverse Emerging Nurse Leaders debuts

    Nurse leaders from eight states in either clinical practice or academic nursing came together from Nov. 14-18 at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) for the inaugural Academy for Diverse Emerging Nurse Leaders. The academy, a joint effort of VUSN and VUMC, is a new leadership development program for nurses new to health care leadership and academic positions who are from groups historically underrepresented in nursing and/or those who support them. Read the story in the VUMC Reporter. Read More

    Dec. 8, 2022

  • outside of nursing building, brick with fall leaves

    VUSN wins Best Schools for Men in Nursing award

    For the fifth year in a row, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has been named one of American Association for Men in Nursing’s Best Schools for Men in Nursing. The award honors schools that offer supportive education experiences to men in the nursing field and those that work to recruit men to their programs. Read More

    Nov. 21, 2022

  • three people smiling, holding an award

    Ahn wins American Heart Association early career award

    Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Postdoctoral Fellow Soojung Ahn, PhD, RN, has received the 2022 Martha N. Hill Early Career Investigator Award from the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. The award honors early career researchers whose work contributes to understanding, preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.  Read More

    Nov. 21, 2022

  • Vanderbilt's Bass Military Scholars pose in a group for a photo

    Nursing student among the Bass Military Scholars Vanderbilt spotlights for Veterans Day

    Veterans Day is a chance to honor those who have served in the military, and Vanderbilt University has a rich tradition of recognizing the leadership qualities of veterans through its Bass Military Scholars Program. Watch as a few participants of the program—including School of Nursing student Lydia Kosgei—speak about the program in advance of Veterans Day. Read More

    Nov. 9, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Nursing PhD student works to alleviate nurse burnout

    Vanderbilt University School of Nursing PhD student Rosalind de Lisser, FNP, PMHNP, studies how psychological safety and the work environment affect nurse practitioner burnout. De Lisser hopes to impact workplace burnout and plans to use her dissertation research to inform future policy and development of workplace interventions that promote well-being. Read More

    Nov. 4, 2022

  • 2022 Dean's Diversity Lecture Presented by Rumay Alexander

    Health equity focus of November 15 Dean’s Diversity Lecture

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Nov. 1, 2022

  • three people smiling with text that reads Professor Carol Ziegler, Assistant Professor James Muchira, Associate Professor Zdravka Tzankova

    Interdisciplinary partnership leads to Vanderbilt Climate, Energy and Health Equity lab

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Oct. 31, 2022

  • Logo for the Insight Into Diversity HEED Award 2022

    School of Nursing earns 2022 INSIGHT Into Diversity award

    For the third year in a row, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has won a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. Read More

    Oct. 24, 2022

  • Group of people standing, smiling and holding awards

    School of Nursing honors outstanding alumni and friends for accomplishment, service and impact

    The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Association recognized 11 alumni and friends for their extraordinary work during the recent 2022 Reunion State of the School Address and Awards Ceremony. Read More

    Oct. 18, 2022

  • Chanceller shakes hand of Tim Groves

    Chancellor honors two VUSN staff members at fall staff assembly

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Oct. 5, 2022

  • Female Air Force Captain poses in front of the Ross Clinic in Texas.

    Alumna is one of the U.S. Airforce's first aerospace nurse practitioners

    U.S. Air Force Capt. Molly Dunkelberger, MSN'17, has a new role with the 17th Medical Group at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas: She is one of eight pioneering aerospace nurse practitioners in the Air Force. Aerospace nurse practitioner is a new career field and Dunkelberger and her seven colleagues have been specially trained in aerospace medicine to fill the growing gap of flight surgeons. Dunkelberger serves as the primary care manager for the 17th Security Forces Squadron. Read More

    Sep. 29, 2022

  • hands and a folder

    School of Nursing’s reputation for excellence draws new cohort of students

    Fall 2022 brought 584 new faces and a variety of backgrounds as part of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing incoming class, with 143 PreSpecialty (bachelor’s in a field other than nursing), 343 Direct Entry (BSN-prepared), 66 Doctor of Nursing Practice, one new PhD in Nursing Science and 23 Post-Master’s Certificate students, some of whom are also obtaining the DNP. Read More

    Sep. 26, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Jennifer Kim becomes GAPNA president

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Sep. 20, 2022

  • School of Nursing image

    School of Nursing to hold in-person Open House October 1

    The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing will hold its in-person Open House on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the MN, MSN, DNP, PhD and Post-Master's Certificate Programs. Register now. Read More

    Sep. 14, 2022

  • person in red shirt and gray jacket smiling

    Jeffery working with VU, VUMC and VA on substance use disorder prediction technology

    Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Assistant Professor Alvin Jeffery is a biomedical informatics expert, lending his expertise in developing back-end computational work to problems across health care. Here, Jeffery details studies funded by two recently awarded grants, including a grant of more than $2.3 million over five years from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Read More

    Sep. 1, 2022

  • person smiling

    Hannah Proctor to lead Vanderbilt’s strengthened support for reproductive health and parenting

    Vanderbilt has named Hannah Proctor, MSN’16, to the new role of reproductive health and parenting resource coordinator for the university community. Proctor has been part of the VUSN/Vanderbilt COVID response effort since early in the pandemic. She is a certified nurse-midwife, and will be the first point of contact for pregnant individuals and parents who may need assistance and support. She will be available to help faculty, students, staff and postdoctoral scholars. Read More

    Sep. 1, 2022

  • people watching a talk, smiling

    Informatics made easy for educators, thanks to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing experts

    Nursing educators from across the United States traveled to Nashville this summer to attend the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s three-day, intensive Vanderbilt Informatics Summer Teaching Academy (VISTA). The workshop was created to help nursing schools incorporate informatics knowledge in curriculum required by the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essential Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Read More

    Aug. 29, 2022

  • The clock tower in Vanderbilt's Kirkland Hall, with the rest of the campus beyond it

    VUSN celebrates 2022 Reunion in person

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Aug. 25, 2022

  • person walks across stage at pinning

    School of Nursing celebrates program completion with formal pinning ceremony

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Aug. 25, 2022

  • child with headache

    Going back to school can literally be a headache

    Going back to school can trigger headaches in children. In this feature from Vanderbilt Health, Jane Hearnsberger, MSN’2011, BS’10, Suzanne Beaird, MSN’07 and Lauren King, MSN’09, share information about potential causes and offer some ideas for how to prevent headaches. Read More

    Aug. 18, 2022

  • VUSN building at night with all windows lit

    Nursing faculty honored as fellows

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Aug. 8, 2022

  • Four photos of people smiling

    Four faculty to be inducted as American Academy of Nursing fellows

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Aug. 1, 2022

  • TIGER Translation and Integration of Genomics is Essential to Doctoral Nursing

    TIGER program seeks doctoral nurses for genomics education program

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Jul. 29, 2022

  • Two women of color stand next to each other in a classroom

    Leadership program for diverse new nurse leaders and faculty launched

    Julia Steed Assistant Professor Julia Steed, PhD’18, MSN’10, will become academic director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program, effective Aug. 1, 2023. She replaces Professor Courtney Pitts, DNP, FAANP, who led the top-ranked specialty for the past seven years. “We’re pleased to… Read More

    Jul. 27, 2022

  • bowl of stir fry

    Community Kitchen teaches seniors healthy cooking skills

    Dishes clink and the delicious smell of stir fry fills the air as a small group of nursing students laugh and talk with residents at an Urban Housing Solutions community center. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing students are there to demonstrate food preparation techniques and healthy recipes for local senior citizens, as part of an Enhancement of Community and Population Health course series. Read More

    Jul. 21, 2022