As population growth accelerates across Middle Tennessee, healthcare leaders are warning of a significant nursing shortage in the years ahead, underscoring a broader national need for skilled, compassionate caregivers.
Through a partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas, Marian University Leighton School of Nursing is helping respond to that need by expanding access to nursing education and career pathways in the region.
The collaboration connects prospective students directly with healthcare professionals, hands-on training experiences, and accelerated pathways into the field, creating opportunities for individuals to enter the profession and begin making an impact more quickly.
“Nurses are at the center of patient care, serving as both caregivers and critical connectors between patients and physicians,” said Amanda Pingston, assistant chief nursing officer at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, in a recent television interview. “They’re there 24/7, delivering not just care, but humanity.”
The partnership reflects Marian University’s broader commitment to addressing workforce shortages through mission-driven education. By aligning academic programs with real-world healthcare needs, the University is preparing graduates to lead with both clinical excellence and compassion.
Experiential learning remains a cornerstone of that preparation. Through simulation-based training and clinical experiences, Marian nursing students develop the skills and confidence required to respond in high-pressure environments, while remaining grounded in the dignity of every patient they serve.
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