The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing continues to establish itself as a leader in nursing education, recently ranked the highest undergraduate nursing programs in the state of Tennessee. This ranking comes as part of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges report. The college climbed an impressive 32 spots to 19th among public universities nationwide and rose 41 spots to 26th among all nursing schools in the country.
“We are incredibly proud to see our undergraduate nursing program recognized as one of the top 20 among public universities, and number one in the state,” said Victoria Niederhauser, dean and Sara Rosenbalm Croley Endowed Dean’s Chair. “This significant rise in the rankings reflects the dedication and excellence of our faculty, staff and students as well as the innovative approaches we’ve taken to enhance nursing education. As we continue to address the growing demand for highly skilled nurses, this ranking shows our commitment to preparing future leaders in health care.”
These prestigious rankings come at a time of transformational growth for the college. They are in the midst of an effort to construct and open the new Croley Nursing Building, set to welcome its first students in the fall of 2025.
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the educational experience for nursing students, offering a blend of technology-driven learning environments and collaborative spaces. The building will include seven modern classrooms equipped with advanced teaching tools, a 250-seat auditorium to host lectures and community events, and 17 dedicated nursing simulation spaces, providing students with immersive, hands-on training to refine their clinical skills. In addition to indoor learning areas, the Croley Nursing Building will feature an outdoor teaching and event plaza, allowing for creative, flexible programming and student engagement.
“The new building will be a game-changer in our ability to educate and prepare the next generation of nurses, especially at a time when the demand for nursing professionals is at an all-time high,” said Niederhauser. “Enrollment in the college is at an all time high with 1299 students enrolled across all programs.”
The new Croley Nursing Building is not just a response to the growing number of students entering the field but also a critical part of the college’s long-term strategy to address the national nursing shortage. With its cutting-edge facilities, the college aims to produce even more highly skilled nurses who are prepared to meet the evolving demands of the health care industry.
The College of Nursing has also strengthened partnerships with leading health care institutions, including its innovative BSN Scholars Program, which collaborates with the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC).
Students accepted will attend class and complete their clinical rotations at UTMC with access to an onsite learning lab and simulation center at the satellite campus, which is located in the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm. This program has the same accreditation standards and follows the same mission, vision, values, and honor code as the existing programs. Students in the BSN Scholars Program are awarded a minimum of $17,000 in tuition assistance from UTMC with a three-year work commitment post-graduation.
“Our programs have always been highly competitive, but with the BSN Scholars Program, we are creating more opportunities for students to become Vol nurses,” said Niederhauser. “By expanding our enrollment, we are not only providing more access to a top-tier nursing education, but we are also responding directly to the growing need for nurses in Tennessee and beyond.”
As the College of Nursing prepares for this exciting new chapter, its leadership remains focused on maintaining the momentum.
“Our goal is not only to provide an excellent education but to inspire future nurses to lead, innovate, and transform health care,” Niederhauser added.
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark (865-974-9498, kmclark2@utk.edu)