Jean Giddens, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF

Professional Background

Dr. Jean Giddens has been the Dean of the University of Kansas School of Nursing since April 2024. Previously she served as professor and dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing for 11 years. Dr. Giddens currently serves as Board Chair of of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Board of Directors.

Dr. Giddens is internationally known as an expert in conceptual approaches to teaching, learning and curriculum design as well as in innovative strategies for teaching and learning. She is the author of multiple journal articles, nursing textbooks and electronic media, and she has served as an education consultant to nursing programs throughout the country. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso and her doctorate in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University.

• BSN, Nursing, University of Kansas
• MSN, Medical-Surgical Nursing, University of Texas El Paso
• PhD, Education, Colorado State University

• American Associations of Colleges of Nursing, Chair, 2024 - Present
• American Associations of Colleges of Nursing, Chair Elect, 2022 - 2024
• American Associations of Colleges of Nursing, Member, 2019 - 2022

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• Giddens, Jean., Foret, Mullaney, Susan. 2023. Incorporating the AACN Essentials ‘spheres of care’ into nursing curricula. Journal of Professional Nursing, 47, 9-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.03.015
• Giddens, Jean, Douglas, Jay., P., Conroy, Shelley. 2022. The Revised AACN Essentials: Implications for Nursing Regulation. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 12 (4), 16-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s2155-8256(22)00009-6
• Giddens, Jean, Mansfield, Jerry., A.. 2023. A New Era for Nursing Education. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 39 (1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnd.0000000000000955