Pamela R. Jeffries

Pamela R. Jeffries is Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (since 2021) and Valere Potter Distinguished Professor of Nursing. She previously served as Dean of George Washington University School of Nursing (2015-2021) and held leadership roles at Johns Hopkins University. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Executive Fellow, she is a global leader in nursing education innovation, simulation theory, and technology integration.

Education: PhD in Nursing (Indiana University), MSN (Indiana University), BSN (Ball State University). Her research focuses on experiential learning, simulation-based education, and online pedagogy. She has led major grants from NIH, HRSA, and NLN, developing groundbreaking simulation frameworks like the NLN Jeffries Simulation Theory.

• Key awards: Sigma Theta Tau Research Hall of Fame (2012), AACN Teaching Excellence Award (2013), Society for Simulation in Healthcare Fellowship (2017)
• Professional roles: Board member of American Academy of Nursing and Global Network for Simulation in Healthcare (GNSH)
• Author of 7 books on simulation, including AJN Book of the Year-winning texts

Her leadership transformed nursing programs at both Vanderbilt and George Washington, emphasizing interprofessional education, simulation infrastructure, and pandemic-era clinical solutions. Current initiatives focus on advancing nursing education through technology and evidence-based practice.