Tiffani L. Chidume

Dr. Tiffani L. Chidume serves as an Associate Clinical Professor in Auburn University's College of Nursing, bringing 24 years of expertise in nursing education, critical care, and health information technology since joining the faculty in 2018. A certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and dual-certified healthcare simulation educator (CHSE-A/CHSOS), she actively shapes institutional policy through Auburn University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and chairs the Inclusive Simulation and Mentoring group (InSiM).

Her academic credentials include a Doctor of Nursing Practice (2020) and BSN (2001) from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, and an MSN (2013) from Troy University. She maintains active certifications in healthcare simulation operations and critical care nursing.

Chidume's research pioneers virtual reality integration in nursing education, with emphases on inclusive simulation design, end-of-life communication training, and fall prevention for older adults. Her work bridges emergency/critical care nursing with health disparity reduction through interprofessional collaboration, particularly in virtual environments addressing underserved populations. Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward immersive technologies that enhance clinical judgment while embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into simulation frameworks.

Her award-winning scholarship includes INACSL's 2024 Research and Academic Excellence Awards, the 2023 Anthony Battaglia Scholarship, and the 2021 NESIN Best Research Award. These recognize her transformative contributions to simulation pedagogy and health equity.

Chidume secures significant funding including a $35,000 Biggio Center grant for virtual reality implementation and $6,400 for simulation technology innovation. She mentors through InSiM while leading interprofessional collaborations with speech-language pathology, developing clinical experiences that address communication barriers and discharge teaching challenges. Her committee work spans simulation, technology, and diversity initiatives across the College of Nursing.

As founder of InSiM, she cultivates communities where inclusive simulation practices advance healthcare education. Her leadership in SSH, INACSL, and NLN drives national conversations on equitable simulation design, while her 2025 presentations demonstrate ongoing innovation in virtual reality mental health training and DEI integration.