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From the moment Lainey Briggs set her sights on a career in nursing, she knew it was more than a profession—it was a calling. “I was inspired to become a nurse because I have always wanted to help others,” shared Briggs. She was accepted into the nursing program at UT in 2004. “The rigorous academic… Read more: Lainey Briggs: Named Volunteer 40 Under 40

With over 30 years of nursing experience and nearly 20 years as a practicing family nurse practitioner, Melissa Hessock brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the College of Nursing. Currently serving as the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) concentration coordinator and interim director of international affairs, she is passionate about advancing nursing… Read more: UT Faculty Member Inspires Next Generation Nurses Through Education, Advocacy, Global Engagement

Joel Anderson, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the RRF Foundation for Aging to develop a culturally adapted version of the Savvy Caregiver® program, specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ caregivers of individuals living with dementia. The project aims to… Read more: Anderson Receives $250,000 Grant to Support LGBTQIA+ Dementia Caregivers

Since 1995, the Vine School Health Center has been providing comprehensive health care services to children and families, fostering their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The goal of VSHC, located at Knoxville’s Vine Middle Magnet School, is to make a difference in childrens’ lives. A collaborative effort of Knox County Schools and the College of… Read more: Hands-On Healing, Student Role at Vine School Health Center

Debra K. Moser, a professor at the University of Tennessee, has been named a Distinguished Scientist by the American Heart Association (AHA) for 2024. This prestigious recognition honors her extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular disease (CVD) research, particularly in improving outcomes for underserved populations. Moser, who is the director of the Research and Interventions for Cardiovascular… Read more: Moser Named 2024 American Heart Association Distinguished Scientist

CCNE Accreditation Review Third-Party Comment Dear University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing Constituents,The College of Nursing BSN, Post-Graduate Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program are going through their 10-year Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation review February 3-5, 2025. You are invited to submit third-party comments regarding each of the programs to… Read more: CCNE Accreditation Review Third-Party Comment

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… Read more: 2024, A Year in Review

Perinatal mental health is a critical concern, with studies showing that up to 1 in 5 women suffer from maternal mental health disorders. Conditions like perinatal depression and anxiety can have severe consequences, affecting both mothers and their infants. “A lot of my family and friends really struggled with postpartum depression,” shard Breslin Gillis, Psychiatric… Read more: Nursing Student Leads Collaborative Effort to Address Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Grace Gardner’s path to becoming a nurse has been shaped by one thing in particular, resilience. Gardner recalls the first time she surrounded by nurses. She was seven years old, in the hospital, waiting on her baby brother to be born. “After witnessing the nurses in that setting, and again when my grandmother got sick… Read more: Finding Strength and Purpose After Loss

Camp Koinonia is an outdoor education program that serves up to 150 campers a year between the ages of seven and 21, each with disabilities. Campers engage in activities like horseback riding, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports, and music. The heart of these experiences is made possible by the support of approximately 200 University of… Read more: Nursing Students Help Create Caring Community at Camp Koinonia 

Assistant Dean of Simulation Susan Hébert’s career spans nearly four decades. It began after she graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BSN.  “My first nursing position was in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Level III regional perinatal center in Springfield, Illinois,” said Hébert. “I worked at this facility for the first 10… Read more: A World Shaped by the Hands of Nurses

Pleased that their daughter had a challenging and successful experience in the College of Nursing, Allan and Sonja Burk created an endowed scholarship fund to help other students have the same experience. The Burks’ daughter, Amanda, completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2019. She is now a cardiology nurse at Duke University Hospital in… Read more: Grateful for Daughter’s Experience, Burks Establish Nursing Scholarship