By Lauren Steinbrook
Staff Writer
Trevecca will launch a new Bachelor of Science in nursing this fall pending final approval from the university’s accrediting body.
The program was approved Feb. 9 by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, but it is still pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Until next fall, students at Trevecca who wanted to get a nursing degree had to take their nursing classes at the neighboring college Belmont University.
With the hope of recruiting 275 applicants, university officials are planning to remodel Wakefield to become a nursing skills lab. The equipment will be provided by Ascension Saint Thomas, a local healthcare company. Students will complete their clinical rotations at Ascension Saint Thomas facilities as part of the degree program.
The renovation of Wakefield is on track to start after graduation in May of 2023 in order to be ready for the fall semester.
According to a news release from the university, the proposed bachelor’s degree program would help fill a crucial vocational need with a worldwide impact and is a natural fit with Trevecca’s mission and background.
“We have partnered with a healthcare organization that we know is going to support our students, in not only their faith, but their values,” said Tom Middendorf, university provost.
Trevecca partnered with Belmont for more than 16 years. Students who are currently enrolled in the nursing program have been given the option to either transfer to Belmont or another school of their choice or switch to join the new program at Trevecca.
Middendorf said that Belmont has been a tremendous partner for the past several years. Trevecca decided it was time to start their own program because it would help them expand their mission.
“You can see the impact that nurses can have in ministry,” said Middendorf. “That idea of mission is really important to who Trevecca is.”
Trevecca nursing students will also have the opportunity to complete pediatric clinical rotations through Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
In the fall of 2022, Ruth Corey was hired by Trevecca as the director of nursing. Middendorf said more faculty and professionals from Ascension Saint Thomas will come on board in the fall as well.
