Ascension Saint Thomas West, Marian University and Trevecca Nazarene University to Open Learning Center to Educate Future Nurses

Ascension Saint Thomas West Hospital along with Marian University's Leighton School of Nursing and Trevecca Nazarene University will open the doors of a new education center, the Advanced Clinical Learning Center, equipped with high-tech tools to prepare the next generation of nurses in the Nashville metro area.

The "Grand Opening" event and press conference will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 26, at Ascension Saint Thomas West. The event will include a ribbon cutting and blessing, a tour of the facility and statements from representatives from the hospital and the two universities.

State-of-the-Art Nursing Education Center located on-site

The Advanced Clinical Learning Center will feature innovative educational patient manikins, additional classrooms and surgery simulation labs with viewing windows and adjacent debrief rooms. The multi-million dollar investment in the facility is part of the commitment by all to address the need for a highly educated and talented nursing workforce. The universities will share the space with Ascension Saint Thomas' Clinical Education Department.

Nurses are in demand nationally and locally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for nurses will grow by 6% through 2032 - faster than the average for all occupations. Tennessee hospitals are facing a similar crisis with an expected shortfall of more than 15,000 in-demand positions by 2035, based on data from the Tennessee Hospital Association (tha.com).

"We know that healthcare organizations across the nation are experiencing nursing shortages each year," said Amir Hamad, vice-president of Nursing for Ascension Saint Thomas. "Nashville is not immune from that staggering statistic. Ascension Saint Thomas wants to be part of the answer for growing our nursing base, by partnering with Marian University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and other nursing colleges we are working to find our future nurses by giving people an opportunity to grow through education."

"We believe Marian University is uniquely positioned to provide a much-needed answer to the growing nursing shortage in Nashville," said Kyle Hattenburg, assistant vice-president of Health Professions Enrollment Management at Marian University. "Shortly after the 'Grand Opening' we're hosting a 'Come Explore Nursing' event from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. where individuals can learn about our nursing programs, including the Accelerated BSN and the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program. This is a great opportunity to explore the various nursing career options available in a quickly growing field."

"Trevecca Nazarene University is at its best when we innovate and create out of the needs of our community, and we are excited to be part of the solution to the national nursing shortage through our growing BSN program," said Dr. Tom Middendorf, provost and chief of staff at Trevecca. "We are grateful for this investment by Ascension Saint Thomas-the education center will provide an innovative active-learning space to better prepare the next generation of nurses by having them immersed in the hospital setting."

GRAND OPENING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

WHAT/WHO: Advanced Clinical Learning Center "Grand Opening" at Ascension Saint Thomas West.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Nursing Education Center Grand Opening

WHERE: Ascension Saint Thomas West Hospital
4220 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205

Located in the Advanced Clinical Learning Center, located on the ground floor.

About Ascension Saint Thomas

Ascension Saint Thomas is a leading health care system with a 125-year history of providing care to the community, and is the only faith-based, non profit health system in Middle Tennessee. Today, the health system offers a highly comprehensive system of care, with more than 250 sites of care that cover a 45-county area in Tennessee consisting of 16 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas and its partner organizations employ more than 13,000 dedicated associates who care for millions of patients each year. Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation's largest faith-based healthcare organizations committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

About Marian University

Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana, serving more than 5,100 students, including 4,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students, earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university's high-impact, experiential curriculum provides hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities. Marian University has earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a national doctoral/professional university. In 2013, Marian University established its Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first new school of medicine in Indiana in more than 100 years, and in 2023, opened the new E. S. Witchger School of Engineering as part of the university's continuing efforts to graduate students that help meet the Midwest's growing STEM workforce needs. The university also provides undergraduate nursing education at Marian University's Ancilla College in Plymouth, Indiana. Marian's national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, various track and field events, and nearly 50 USA Cycling national championships. Follow Marian University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and Twitter.

About Trevecca Nazarene University is a Christian university in the heart of Nashville focused on preparing students for lives of leadership and service. Founded in 1901, Trevecca is committed to holistic education that encourages students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. In addition to its historic main campus near downtown Nashville, Trevecca offers two other locations across Tennessee, and online classes worldwide. Trevecca has been recognized as a national university by the U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Colleges; as a doctoral university by the Carnegie Foundation; and as the nation's #3 school for an online doctorate in leadership by Fortune.

With students from 47 states and 40 countries, Trevecca offers 17 associate degrees, 79 undergraduate majors, 22 master's programs and 4 doctoral programs as well as specialist and certificate programs.

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