Excellence and Innovation at the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing

The East Tennessee State University College of Nursing is committed to improving the health of our region through excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, service, and practice. As one of the largest colleges of nursing in the southeast, ETSU is playing a critical role in addressing the healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities in Tennessee and beyond.

Top-Ranked Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

East Tennessee State University’s online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is ranked third in the nation by NursePractitionerOnline.com. The ranking, which was published Nov. 30, highlights the ETSU program’s focus on rural health care delivery and the simulations offered within its online courses. Nearly 80 students are currently enrolled in ETSU’s PMHNP program, which has graduated 121 students since 2018.

ETSU’s PMHNP graduate certificate concentration offers a certificate for nurses who have completed a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Its customized special studies program provides education and clinical training in the PMHNP role. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for the national certification examination.

"Mental health providers are in short supply across the nation and particularly short in underserved areas," said Dr. Lisa Haddad, interim associate dean for graduate programs. "In some states, over 80% of the population lives in an area that has a mental health professional shortage."

Nursing Program Performance and Rankings

The College of Nursing provides students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success upon graduation, with exceptional pass rates year after year. The following table highlights the recent achievements and performance data of the college:

Hands-On Learning and Clinical Experience

At ETSU, nursing students get more than a degree — they gain real-world skills through various hands-on experiences. Bishop Hall, a cutting-edge simulation space with state-of-the-art simulation equipment and environments, allows students to receive high-quality training that will carry over into their careers. Through hands-on experience in ETSU’s nurse-managed clinics, nursing students impact their communities by providing care to underserved populations across the region.

Students also have unique clinical opportunities: 100% of ETSU nursing students participate in interprofessional education programs offered at the Center for Interprofessional Collaboration. Furthermore, through Operation SILVER, ETSU nursing students have the opportunity to receive all of their clinical training at the Mountain Home VA Hospital.

Academic Excellence and Accreditation

The College of Nursing is part of ETSU’s Academic Health Sciences Center, also called ETSU Health. Dr. Dena Evans, Dean of the ETSU College of Nursing, stated, "The College of Nursing is dedicated to training the next generation of nurses. We aim to further enhance our programs, expand our reach, and ensure that our graduates are well-equipped to meet the evolving health care demands of our communities."

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at East Tennessee State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Available Nursing Programs

• Undergraduate: Traditional BSN, LPN to BSN, Dual Degree, and RN to BSN.
• Graduate: Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.
• Certificates: Post-Graduate APRN Certificates (Adult-Gerontology, Family NP, Psychiatric Mental Health), Health Care Genetics and Genomics, and Nursing Administration.