Sheri Howard, PhD, RN, CHSE
Tenured Associate Professor-Nursing Education & Nursing Leadership Track Coordinator
Professional Overview
Dr. Sheri Howard is a tenured faculty member whose research focuses on advancing technology innovation and transforming education through technology-enhanced learning. Her work is driven by a vision to reimagine teaching and learning for students, faculty, patients, and healthcare professionals by integrating emerging technologies into practice.
Dr. Howard has established a distinguished record of scholarship and research centered on simulation, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI)—technologies that are redefining nursing education and reshaping how learners acquire knowledge, develop clinical skills, and deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
She holds national certification as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, a credential that reflects her advanced expertise in simulation pedagogy, educational innovation, and technology-rich learning environments.
Nationally recognized as a leader in healthcare technology innovation, Dr. Howard is frequently invited to share her expertise in faculty development and technology-enhanced education at both national and international levels. Her work places her at the forefront of a transformative movement in healthcare education—leveraging simulation, VR, and AI to prepare competent, compassionate professionals and to shape the future of nursing education and practice.
PhD: William Carey University
MSN
BSN
- Nursing education
- Research methods
- Simulation
- Technology
- Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS)
- National League Nursing (NLN)
- Sigma Theta Tau
- Beta Theta at Large
- Tennessee Simulation Alliance
- Tennessee Nursing Association (TNA)
- American Nursing Association (ANA)
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- Mississippi Nurses Association
- Outstanding Research & Scholarship Award 2025
- Families USA Health Equity Academy Fellow 2024-2025
- Extraordinary Nurse Educator-Nominated-Daisy Foundation 2023-2024
- Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)
Howard, S. Taylor, M. (2025). Using virtual reality in mental health nursing students to improve Behavioral Health Equity. Computers Informatics Nursing. January 2025. doi:10.1097/CIN.0000000000001195
Howard, S., Mary, A., Lee, S., Taylor, M. (2025). Virtual reality in health Information and patient outcomes: A systematic review. Computers Informatic Nursing.
Howard, S., Byars, C., Buford, J.(2025). From Fun to Fundamentals: How virtual escape rooms to boost nursing test readiness. Journal of Nursing Education (In Review)
Collins, T., Howard, S., (2024) Simulating virtual standardized patient encounters (VSPEs) for nurse practitioner students. Journal for Nurse Practitioner 20(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105155
Park, S., Lee, S., Howard, S., Yi, J., (2024) A review of music intervention to reduce anxiety and pain among patients undergoing procedures. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2024;12:e48802. Published 2024 Jul 8. doi:10.2196/48802
Augusta, T., Howard, S. (2024) Exploring medication adherence in African Americans using the health belief modes and the social determinants of health. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice. DOI #: 10.1891/RTNP-2024-0071
Abdelaziz, O., Lee, S., Lefler, L., Howard, S., (2024). Perceptions and attitudes of nursing students and Registered Nurses towards advanced technology: Review of literature. Computers Informatic Nursing. DOI: 1001097/CIN.0000000000001221
Howard, S. Lefler, L (2023) Using the community action poverty simulation to change student’s attitudes and beliefs to support health equity in future practice. Journal for Nurse Practitioners.19(10), 104790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104790
Howard, S. (2021). An evaluation of the defined observer role in simulation with baccalaureate nursing students. Nursing Education Perspectives. DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000603
Howard, S., Collins, T (2019). A simulated clinical experience for nurse practitioner students to develop skill-based competencies. Journal of Nursing Education. 58(11), 674-674 https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20191021-12
Howard, S (2018). Increasing fidelity and realism in simulation for nursing students. Lippincott Nursing Education Expert Insights.; https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/increasing-fidelity-and-realism-in-simulation
Jacobs, M. & Howard, S. (2017). The impact of simulation training in different settings. Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing Counts, 31(1), 12.
Several Virtual Reality studies and grants