KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee, College of Nursing and Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital recently celebrated the next generation of pediatric nurses during a Pediatric Registered Nurse program (PRN) completion ceremony, recognizing students who completed the immersive, yearlong training experience.
The ceremony honored nursing students who dedicated their senior year to gaining specialized, hands-on experience in pediatric care through one of the region’s most innovative academic-practice partnerships.
Launched to address the growing need for pediatric nurses, the PRN program provided rising senior nursing students the opportunity to work alongside pediatric nurses, physicians, and interdisciplinary care teams at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital while completing their undergraduate education.
“Today, we celebrate more than program completion. We celebrate the future of pediatric health care,” said Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the college. “These students gained invaluable clinical experience, built confidence in complex care environments, and are prepared to make an immediate impact for children and families across our region.”
Throughout the program, students participated in clinical rotations across multiple pediatric care settings during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. The experience was complemented by pediatric-focused simulation training and targeted skill development sessions designed to support a seamless transition into professional practice.
The PRN program was made possible through the generosity of David and Deborah Stevens, whose support provided participating students with a full summer tuition scholarship and tuition stipends during the academic year.
“The opportunity to invest in both organizations and in the future pediatric workforce has been incredibly meaningful,” said David Stevens, chair of the Board of Directors at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. “These students represent the next generation of compassionate, highly skilled pediatric nurses.”
Leaders at Dolly Children’s emphasized the program’s role in strengthening the regional workforce and ensuring high-quality care for East Tennessee’s youngest patients.
“Traditional nursing programs often lack adequate pediatric exposure, creating a practice readiness gap that this model helps close,” said Carrie Grant, Chief Nursing Officer at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. “Children are not little adults— caring for them requires specialized skills and intentional preparation. This investment strengthens our workforce, builds a sustainable pediatric pipeline, and helps ensure we can continue to provide the best care for our children across the region and beyond. We are deeply grateful to the Stevens and University of Tennessee, College of Nursing for their partnership in bringing this program to life.”
About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, research, and service. Ranked #1 in Tennessee for undergraduate nursing education, the college prepares highly skilled nurses through innovative programs and strong community partnerships. Learn more at nursing.utk.edu.
About Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, formerly known as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, is a free-standing, independent, not-for-profit pediatric health care system that serves the East Tennessee region and beyond. Dolly Children’s is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center. Our vision is to take care of our future, one child at a time. For more information, visit DollyChildrens.org.
Contact:
Kara Clark Cardwell ([email protected], 865-974-9498)