BMH will rely more on nurses with associate degrees because of UT cutbacks
By Joel Davisof The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: December 26. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: December 25. 2008 11:17PM
With the University of Tennessee cutting back its nursing education program, Blount Memorial Hospital will rely even further on regional associate degree programs to provide new nursing recruits.
According to the Associated Press, the University of Tennessee's College of Nursing may have to cut in half the students it admits next fall, down to 48 students from 96, because of growing state budget pressures.
Rhonda Sims, director of clinical education/nurse recruiter for BMH, however, said the hospital is already getting the bulk of its recruits from other programs.
"UT will affect all our organizations, but the bulk of our new graduates we get from associate degree programs," Sims said. "You've got Lincoln Memorial University, Roane State Community College and Walters State Community College, which are three huge programs."
There has been no indication that any of those programs will be downsized.
"I have not heard anything," Sims said. "I knew UT was going to be downsizing. ... I have pretty close relations with LMU. I serve on the advisory board for LMU. There are no cutbacks I'm aware of. WSCC just increased enrollment because they opened a site in Sevierville. They are expanding. Roane State, I haven't heard anything."
The number of nurses that BMH hires varies from years to year. In 2008, the hospital has hired 36 registered nurses. Sims said she doesn't know how many more nurses the hospital will hire.
"Our vacancies are down and our retention rate is up," Sims said. "We'll be looking at those numbers."
Recruiting nurses can be challenging. There is a lot of demand.
"Everybody is looking for nurses," Sims said. "You have got to make sure there is something at your facility that stands out. ... New grads are always looking at benefits and salaries. Our biggest selling point is our work environment, the things we've done to support nursing at the bedside."
Sims enjoys her job.
"You get to get out and meet people and hopefully interest them in what your facility can offer," she said.
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