Amy A. Nichols, Ed.D., R.N., C.N.S., C.H.S.E., A.N.E.F.
Associate Dean for Academics and Clinical Professor
Amy Nichols is the associate dean for academics and a clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. As associate dean for academics, she partners with school and program leaders to oversee the school’s graduate-degree programs, collaborate on curriculum changes, review workload and enhance inclusion plans for faculty and liaise with UC Davis campus units.
As a clinical professor, Nichols serves as a specialty content expert in maternal child health and evidence based practice for the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing and also teaches courses in improving quality in health care, primary health care and preparation for clinical practice in the Master of Science — Family Nurse Practitioner and Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Studies degree programs. Her background is in maternal-child nursing, women’s health, simulation pedagogy and leadership.
Nichols’ academic interests include the preparation of new nurses as leaders in evidence-based practice, leadership, advocacy for diverse patient populations and change agents for healthier families and communities. She also has extensive knowledge with the use of simulation-based learning and transforming curriculums using this methodology. Previously, she served as the school’s director of clinical simulation.
Prior to joining the School of Nursing, Nichols taught as an associate professor of nursing for 20 years at San Francisco State University School of Nursing and adjunct faculty in University of San Francisco School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Nichols was also previously a nursing director for 10 years leading the Center for Nursing Excellence at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
Nichols earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Design from the University of San Francisco. She also earned a Master of Science in Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist from UCSF. She is a fellow of the Academy of Nursing Education. Nichols has been published in several nursing and medical journals in the areas of nursing education, simulation, leadership and perinatal nursing, including The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, Clinical Simulation in Nursing Journal, Geriatric Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist: A Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, and the International Journal of Nursing Education.
Contact Information: Phone: 916-734-1493 | Email: aanichols@ucdavis.edu
