Wednesday, February 19, 2025
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Nursing Apprenticeships Coming To UC

The state taking steps to address nursing shortages as the Tennessee Board of Nursing has approved LPN and RN apprenticeship programs.

The Board of Regents Center for Workforce Development will work with TCAT schools, community colleges, and healthcare partners to implement the programs. TCAT McMinnville Nursing Director Kim Matheson said the apprenticeship programs are a big win for aspiring nurses.

“So many of our students struggle with trying to pay fees while enrolled in nursing school,” Matheson said. “This will give them the opportunity to make money and help fulfill their dream of becoming nurses.”

Matheson said details on the apprenticeship programs should be released in March. Matheson said she receives consistent calls and emails about open nursing positions in the Upper Cumberland. Matheson said the nursing shortage has been an ongoing issue for several years.

“That has consistently come my way in the six years that I’ve been the director,” Matheson said. ” I taught eight and a half years in the classroom prior to this position and I always got open positions, please post and we displaced flyers about the openings to our students. It seems to be that there are more open positions for nurses than we have students graduating and placing in those positions.”

Matheson said the apprenticeship programs will be a great tool to attract more nursing students to TCAT schools.

“I think it would be a good recruiting tool to mention at our career fairs,” Matheson said. “We have an open house scheduled for February and that’s something that we will communicate that this is an opportunity.”

Matheson said apprenticeships will provide real-world experience and help nursing students gain confidence. Matheson said the confidence will have students thinking like a nurse before they actually become a nurse.

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