As we look back on 2024, the College of Nursing celebrates a year of incredible milestones, achievements, and growth. Here are the key highlights that shaped an unforgettable year:
January
The year began on a high note with the reaccreditation of our simulation program, from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSiH) in teaching/education and research. The HITS Program mission is to deliver excellent educational offerings and advance the science of health care simulation. This is carried out by ensuring experiential simulated learning opportunities and research and development of innovative simulation technologies for health care and health care education are guided by the best practices of healthcare simulation. Securing reaccreditation by SSiH ensures that the college remains at the forefront of simulation education and research in the United States and globally.
February
The BSN Scholars program was highlighted by local media as a program that will help meet the growing demands of the healthcare workforce. The United States saw the largest drop in nurses in 2021 than in four decades. This sparked the University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee Medical Center to come up with a solution. This solution will address the nursing shortage which affects the entire healthcare system. The BSN Scholar Program allows 102 students, who get their tuition paid for and are guaranteed a job at UTMC once they graduate.
March
Our global opportunities for the academic year concluded during the month of March. College of Nursing students and faculty traveled to Kenya, Peru, and Belize to blend education with service to provide healthcare and learn from international communities.
April
The College of Nursing DNP program ranked among the top 25 public universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools ranks. In the new rankings, the college’s DNP program is ranked 24th among public DNP programs. That is the highest ranking that the DNP program has placed. The college has moved up significantly in rankings over the last three years. The program has climbed over 14 spots since 2021, when it was ranked 38th among publics.
May
Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College of Nursing gathered on campus on May 6, to celebrate the halfway point of construction on the new Nursing Building. The celebration was marked by a beam signing for guests. Construction on the building began in August of 2022 when the former building was demolished. The new building will remain nestled between Volunteer Boulevard and Peyton Manning Pass. Over 150 people gathered to sign the beam that is slated to go at the entrance to the building off Peyton Manning Pass.
June
The College of Nursing achieved a record-breaking milestone in research funding, closing the fiscal year with an impressive $6,797,312 in awards. This accomplishment highlights the college’s growing impact in advancing health and wellness through innovative studies and strategic partnerships. Major grants included:
- Russell, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): Bridging to Opportunity: Good Jobs for Nurses in the Delta Region ($500,000)
- Berg, CNS-DOE: Digital Twin Machine Learning ($984,000)
- Johnson, HRSA: Up&Up ($932,000)
- Niederhauser, TNODH: CRNN and SmartShots ($2.7 million)
July
Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), announced that PhD students Chelsea Horn and Sue H. Coltrain have been selected as Jonas Scholar’s for the program’s 2024-2026 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.
August
Construction of the new Nursing Building reached its halfway point, showcasing steady progress toward creating a cutting-edge space for learning, collaboration, and discovery. The new building is on track to open in fall 2025. Features include classrooms, simulation labs, research labs and offices. The new building will allow the college to increase enrollment significantly, which will help train more nurses and address the nationwide nursing shortage.
September
Seth Manor and Kathryn McGowen, seniors in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Nursing, served as volunteer escorts for more than 140 military veterans on HonorAir Knoxville’s Flight 35 to Washington D.C. on Sept. 25. It was the organization’s second flight dedicated to honoring women veterans and celebrating their service by visiting national monuments. Manor and McGowen, both cadets in UT’s Army ROTC program, played a significant role on the trip, ensuring that veterans had a safe and memorable experience — assisting them at the airport, during the flight and at the memorials. This marked the College of Nursing’s first collaboration with HonorAir, reflecting our dedication to community service.
October
The college ranked as the highest undergraduate nursing programs in the state of Tennessee. This ranking was a 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.
November
The return of the beloved NightinGala brought together alumni, faculty, and supporters, raising over $100,000 for student scholarships. This event celebrated the transformative power of philanthropy in shaping the next generation of nurses. Attendees enjoyed an evening of auction items, dinner, dancing, and fellowship.
December
The year ended with a historic first for the College of Nursing as we held our first stand-alone pinning ceremony in years. Previously part of the university’s commencement, this special event celebrated the first cohort of BSN Scholars and RN to BSN students. It honored their achievements in a more intimate and meaningful setting. It was a proud moment that marked a renewed tradition for the college.
As we close the chapter on 2024, we are proud of all that we have accomplished together and look forward to continuing this momentum in the new year. Thank you to our students, faculty, alumni, and supporters for making 2024 a year to remember!
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark (865-974-9498, [email protected])