Lipscomb University launches rural nursing initiative with $220,000 state grant to help fill workforce need
Program will remove financial barriers for students from rural counties in northern Middle Tennessee to enter the nursing profession in those areas
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb University’s School of Nursing has secured a nearly $220,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Rural Healthcare Initiatives Program to launch the Tennessee Rural Workforce Initiative for Nursing (TN R-WIN). This innovative pilot program is designed to address the critical nursing shortage in Tennessee’s rural communities by recruiting and supporting students from underserved areas to complete Lipscomb’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.
Through TN R-WIN, Lipscomb will recruit a cohort of six students from rural northern Middle Tennessee counties, with a focus on clinical rotations at TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center in Robertson County, a rural area with a significant need for skilled nurses. In partnership with the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Board and TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center, TN R-WIN will provide comprehensive financial support for participants for the first two semesters of the four-semester ABSN program, including full tuition, fees, supplies, travel expenses and overnight accommodations when necessary.
“This initiative is a game-changer for healthcare workforce development in Tennessee’s rural communities,” said Chelsia Harris, executive director of Lipscomb’s School of Nursing. “By recruiting students from rural areas and providing them with a direct pathway to nursing careers in their communities, we aim to create a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals dedicated to serving where they are needed most.”
Lipscomb’s ABSN program offers a hybrid learning model, combining online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, making it accessible for students in rural areas. The program is structured to fast-track individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field into the nursing profession in just 16 months. Lipscomb is one of only three universities in Tennessee selected for this grant and has a demonstrated excellence in nursing education as evidenced by consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates exceeding state and national averages.
Tennessee is facing a significant nursing workforce shortage, particularly in rural communities. According to the Tennessee Hospital Association’s 2022 workforce report, the state had a deficit of 15,700 registered nurses, with the demand expected to grow as the population ages. Governor Bill Lee’s Rural Healthcare Task Force has identified workforce development as a top priority to improve healthcare access across the state.
“This grant allows us to remove financial barriers and provide meaningful workforce solutions for rural healthcare,” said Lynette Austin, dean of Lipscomb’s College of Health Sciences. “By embedding students in rural clinical settings early in their training, we are not only equipping them with valuable hands-on experience but also fostering long-term retention of nurses in these underserved communities.”
TN R-WIN is a collaborative effort between Lipscomb University and TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center, with support from the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Board. The Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Board will assist in recruiting students who reside in rural counties and are interested in pursuing nursing careers close to home. Upon graduation, program participants will receive priority in interviews and job placements at NorthCrest Medical Center, strengthening the local healthcare workforce.
“I applaud Lipscomb’s efforts to bring awareness and provide solutions to the challenges associated with rural healthcare,” said Marla Rye, executive director of the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Board and president of Workforce Essentials, Inc. “Through a partnership with NorthCrest Medical Center, Lipscomb will provide fast-track training to degree-holding individuals and jumpstart their healthcare careers. This innovative solution will assist in meeting the shortage of healthcare workers in our rural communities.”
As part of its long-term sustainability plan, Lipscomb’s School of Nursing will work with healthcare partners to expand the TN R-WIN model beyond the pilot phase. Future cohorts may receive tuition support from partner healthcare facilities in exchange for post-graduation work commitments, further ensuring that rural Tennessee has a steady influx of well-trained nursing professionals.
“The Rural Healthcare Initiatives Program is a critical step toward building a sustainable healthcare workforce in Tennessee’s rural areas,” said Deniece Thomas, Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. “This critical initiative provides financial resources to support training, certifications and apprenticeships. Our goal is to remove barriers and create opportunities for individuals to enter and excel in healthcare careers in Tennessee’s rural communities. We know that a healthy Tennessee is a vibrant Tennessee, and nowhere is that more important than in our rural communities.”
Lipscomb University’s College of Health Sciences is a leader in healthcare education, preparing professionals through interprofessional learning and a commitment to excellence in clinical practice. Lipscomb’s emphasis on faith-informed, compassionate care sets it apart as an institution dedicated to serving both local and global healthcare needs.
The inaugural cohort of TN R-WIN students will begin coursework in Fall 2025. Although recruitment efforts will focus on students from rural counties in northern Middle Tennessee, applicants from all rural counties across the state are welcome ensuring that those most likely to remain in and serve rural communities receive priority consideration.
For more information about TN R-WIN and Lipscomb’s School of Nursing, visit www.lipscomb.edu/nursing.