UT MARTIN NURSING PROGRAM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF NURSING EDUCATION
UT MARTIN NURSING PROGRAM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF NURSING EDUCATION
MARTIN, Tenn. – More clinical experience is one reason why UT Martin nursing graduates
excel in the health-care world. The university’s nursing program is celebrating its 50th anniversary in
2022, and the program’s tradition of experiential learning continues.
The program began in 1972 by providing an associate degree in nursing, and in 1992, the
curriculum fully transitioned into a four-year baccalaureate degree program. The Bachelor of Science in
Nursing program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
and includes three years of clinical rotations offered at local and regional sites,
including hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, community organizations and
schools. Students receive hands-on instruction through lab experiences and high-fidelity
simulations at the main Martin campus and the UT Martin Parsons Center.
In 1999, the Department of Nursing began offering a program intended to help registered
nurses receive a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Applicants can transfer select credits
from past associate-degree courses, hospital diplomas and existing licenses to streamline
the process. Additional courses are offered to supplement the individual nurse’s existing experience in
areas such as evidence-based practice, leadership and population health. All RN-BSN completion courses
are offered online so that practicing nurses can take classes from anywhere and accommodate hectic
schedules.
The most recent expansion of the program came in 2014 when UT Martin began offering
the BSN program at the university’s Parsons Center. The nursing courses offered at the regional
center are taught by on-site instructors, which allows students to receive one-on-one guidance
and build face-to-face connections with faculty members. Students in Decatur County and the
surrounding area can pursue a nursing degree while staying close to home.
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The UT Martin Department of Nursing prepares its students for success in licensure
exams and professional placements. Students take a series of courses centered around
leadership and professionalism in nursing, and faculty members advise students on resume
writing and interview preparation. As of 2022, the program’s current job placement rate is 100%
for students pursuing jobs immediately following graduation.
Dr. Mary Radford, nursing department chair, attributes the program’s successes to the faculty.
“We have a small faculty-to-student ratio compared to many of our peers in both the classroom and
clinical setting,” she said, “Our faculty also remain active in clinical practice, community and
professional organizations so they can use current, evidence-based practice to guide instruction.”
Learn more about the UT Martin Department of Nursing by calling 731-881-7131 or on
the Web at www.utm.edu/departments/nursing/.
