Samantha Juan
Contact
Bio
Dr. Juan is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at California State University, San Bernardino, whose scholarly work focuses on advancing nursing education through the integration of simulation, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technologies. She earned her Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 2023, where her dissertation examined the use of virtual simulation to cultivate empathy among nursing students.
Dr. Juan’s research bridges the disciplines of nursing, computer science, and psychology to design and evaluate technology-enhanced learning environments that promote both clinical competence and compassionate care. Her interdisciplinary collaborations have led to the development of AI-driven and virtual reality simulation tools that assess clinical decision-making, predict student competencies, and deliver adaptive feedback to support individualized learning.
Grounded in the belief that technology should enhance, rather than replace, the human touch in healthcare, Dr. Juan’s work emphasizes the ethical and empathetic use of AI to prepare nurses who can think critically, act decisively, and care holistically. Her ongoing research aims to inform the design of data-informed and emotionally attuned learning systems that not only elevate nursing education but also improve patient outcomes and the quality of human care.
Education
EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University, 2018-2023
MSN from Pennsylvania State University, 2001-2003
BSN from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, 1996-1999
Research and Teaching Interests
External Grants
2025 AACN Faculty Scholar Grant ($25,000), PI, Transforming Nursing Education with AI: Predicting Student Competency and Academic Success https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacns-foundation-for-academic-nursing-announces-2025-faculty-scholar-grant-recipients
2024 SSH Early Career Mentored Research Award ($10,000), PI, The Application of Virtual Simulation in Promoting Empathy https://www.ssih.org/early-career-mentored-research-award-winners
Publications
Juan, S., & O'Connell, K. A. (2024). The Impact of Virtual Simulation on Empathy in Undergraduate Nursing Students. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 93, 101570.
Juan, S., & O'Connell, K. A. (2023). A Systematic Review of the Application of Simulation to Promote Empathy in Nursing Education. Simulation in Healthcare, 10-1097.
Dickinson, J. K., Juan, S., McGuane, A., & McKenzie-Henry, I. A. (2023). Use of nursing concepts in program and course descriptions: An analysis of prelicensure baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States. Nurse Educator, 48(1), 1-6.
Juan, S., Esseiva, Z., Macrae, J., & Nielsen, R. (2023). Anxiety provoking behaviors of nursing clinical instructors and effects on undergraduate nursing students' wellbeing: A mixed methods design. Nurse Education in Practice, 66, 103517.
Juan, S. (2021). Promoting engagement of nursing students in online learning: Use of the student-generated question in a nursing leadership course. Nurse Education Today, 97, 104710.