VUSN Nursing Informatics

Congratulations to Bobby Midkiff, MSN Nursing Informatics graduate and 2026 Founder’s Medalist for the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing! 🏅

The Founder’s Medal is awarded to the top scholar in each Vanderbilt school, recognizing exceptional academic achievement and leadership. Bobby’s passion for innovation, technology, and advancing patient care reflects the future of nursing informatics and the impact informatics leaders can make across healthcare.

We are proud to celebrate this incredible accomplishment and all he has achieved at VUSN.

Today we recognize the impact of nursing informatics and the professionals helping drive innovation across healthcare. Thank you for advancing patient care through technology, data, and collaboration. 💙

Flexible paths. Real impact. Applications are now open for Fall 2026 for the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Nursing Informatics Program.

Whether you’re advancing through our MSN, exploring a post-master’s certificate, or starting your informatics journey, our flexible online and in-person pathways are designed to meet you where you are.

Turn your passion for nursing and technology into impact—apply today: https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/programs/specialties/ni/

Reflecting on a wonderful evening from our Data Science Workshop!

After a day of deep diving into Gen AI, AI tools and agents, Dean Pam Jeffries graciously opened her home to our NI students, faculty, and visitors for dinner.

We are still so grateful for her hospitality and the chance to build connections outside the lab.

This week at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, our Master’s Nursing Informatics students are participating in an immersive 3-day Data Science Workshop designed to build hands-on skills in emerging technologies shaping the future of healthcare.

We are thrilled to collaborate with Jesse Spencer-Smith from Vanderbilt’s Vanderbilt College of Connected Computing, who is leading sessions on:

🔹 AI agents and their role in healthcare systems
🔹 Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI
🔹 Practical data science and computational thinking skills
🔹 Responsible and ethical AI use in clinical environments

Over the three days, second-year Nursing Informatics students are exploring how advanced analytics and AI technologies can support clinical decision-making, improve healthcare quality, and enhance patient outcomes.

Exciting to see our students developing the competencies needed to lead in the AI-enabled healthcare ecosystem.

For the final installment of our Spring 2026 Nursing Informatics course spotlight, we are highlighting Theories, Frameworks and Models Supporting Informatics Practice!

This essential course provides the foundational "why" behind the "how" of informatics. It dives deep into evidence-based practice, socio-technical models, and human factors engineering to give students a comprehensive understanding of information science theories. By exploring how to effectively change processes, learners gain the tools necessary to support and advance modern informatics practice.

The course is led by Kelly Aldrich DNP, RN, NI-BC, FHIMSS, FAAN, our Director of Innovation & Professor of the Nursing Informatics Specialty Program. Under her guidance, students learn to bridge the gap between complex theoretical frameworks and the practical needs of a shifting healthcare landscape.

Learn more about our program and how to get started: https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/programs/specialties/ni/

For the third installment of our Spring 2026 Nursing Informatics course spotlight, we are diving into Nursing Informatics Practicum I!

In this immersive course, learners step into the professional world to implement the role of the informatics nurse specialist within a healthcare setting. It’s the bridge where theory meets practice; students work alongside experienced preceptors to observe and participate in real-world informatics activities—from deep-dive data analysis and system evaluation to navigating complex organizational informatics processes.

The course is led by our Program Director, Susan Alexander, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, who guides students as they integrate their knowledge and skills to solve authentic healthcare challenges. This practicum ensures our graduates aren't just experts in tech, but leaders in the practical application of data-driven care.

The countdown to in Boston is on!

Join Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Nursing Informatics as we explore the intersection of care and technology. Our Program Director, Susan Alexander, will be on-site at Booth 109 in the exhibit hall to chat about our program, research, and the future of the field.

March 26-28 | Boston, MA See you there!

For more information: https://www.ania.org/events/2026-ania-annual-conference

As we continue highlighting our Spring 2026 Nursing Informatics courses, this second spotlight focuses on Informatics and Quality Improvement for Patient Safety in the Learning Health System, a course on how quality improvement and informatics work together to advance patient safety within the learning health system.

In this course, students apply quality improvement methodologies and outcome measurement to enhance healthcare delivery. Through health informatics, they strengthen skills in data-driven decision-making, systems thinking, and change management — all grounded in continuous improvement.

The course is led by Kelly Aldrich DNP, RN, NI-BC, FHIMSS, FAAN, Director of Innovation and Professor of the Nursing Informatics Specialty Program, who prepares students to lead safer, smarter, and more data-informed healthcare systems.

Big news in the world of Nursing Informatics! 🏆

We are thrilled to announce that Applied Clinical Informatics for Nurses (3rd Edition) has been awarded First Place in the 2025 AJN Book of the Year Awards!

This recognition in the Information Technology & Telehealth category highlights the essential role of informatics in modern practice. A huge shoutout to our very own VUSN Nursing Informatics community:

Susan Alexander (Co-Editor)

Heather Carter-Templeton (Co-Editor & VUSN NI Alum!)

Kelly Aldrich (Chapter Contributor)

Leading the way in evidence-based technology and education. Anchor Down! ⚓️💉