THA Grant Funds Innovative LPN-to-RN Project
February 13, 2025
Pilot Pathway Offers Evening Classes, Weekend Clinicals
A Tennessee Hospital Association grant received by Walters State Community College,
in conjunction with Covenant Health Morristown-Hamblen, will fund a one-year pilot
pathway making it more convenient for working licensed practical nurses to become
registered nurses.
“For many working nurses, traditional class schedules simply aren’t feasible.
This pathway will offer evening and weekend hours that will make it possible for students
to continue working while advancing their education,” said Dr. Sheila Williams, dean
of health programs at Walters State.
Students for the pilot pathway have not been chosen. The deadline to apply for
the LPN-to-RN Program has been extended until Feb. 28 for all applicants, including
those interested in the pilot pathway.
Chosen students will do the majority of their clinical rotations at Covenant
Health Morristown-Hamblen.
“Covenant Health Morristown-Hamblen has been strong clinical partner since the
beginning of the nursing program,” said Williams. “We are grateful for their assistance
in securing this grant. While this grant is only for a year, we hope that we can find
a way to implement this in the future if it is successful.”
She added that the new pathway, while more convenient, will still meet the rigorous
requirements and training standards set by the college’s nursing program over the
past 50 years.
“The same amount of study and clinical hours are still required. Those are just
available at different hours. These students will have the same learning opportunities
as other students,” Williams said.
Many LPN-to-RN students have their tuition paid by Tennessee Reconnect, a last
dollar grant offered for Tennessee residents without an associate or bachelor’s degree
who are 23 and older.
For more information, visit https://ws.edu/academics/programs/aas/nursing.aspx.