Bryan College to open new school of nursing

Written by: Mathäus Schwarzen, staff writer

DAYTON, Tenn—Bryan College announced April 12 that it will be adding a school of nursing in the fall of 2021. The College plans to offer a Bachelors’ of Science in Nursing as an extension of its existing curriculum, and will partner with the local Rhea Medical Center to give students a hands-on experience in the workplace. 

The Clara and Clifton School of Nursing will be funded by a $1.2 million donation from the Ward Foundation, and will also provide a place for registered nurses to take classes and convert their degree to a bachelor’s. The College hopes to allow currently employed nurses to maintain their continuing education credits through labs in the school as well. 

Hospital officials are hopeful that graduates from the upcoming school will stay and work in the Dayton area. 

“Having well-trained professionals join our team is not only good for the hospital but also good for our local community’s economy. We’re excited about what the future holds,” officials said in a statement for the College. 

Bryan College previously provided a nursing degree to students through a dual-degree track in the health sciences department, where students would spend three years at Bryan and then one year at the Union University School of Nursing. 

The opening of a nursing school at Bryan College is another step in the College’s recent trend toward opening itself up to more STEM-oriented majors. 

The Vogel School of Engineering was opened in 2019, thanks to donations from General George Vogel and his wife, Doris Cornwell, where Bryan College President Stephen Livesay expressed that he wanted the College to embrace more sciences. 

The Clara and Clifton School of Nursing is expected to open in Fall 2021 with 20 to 25 new students, which will help combat the recent decline of enrollment at the College. Livesay is hopeful of the role Bryan would play in the changing medical field.

“We continue to meet the needs of an ever-changing world,” Livesay said. “Whether that’s through the nursing program that will launch in the fall, the recent addition of the engineering program or one of our time-tested degrees, Bryan students graduate prepared to serve.”

The opening of the new nursing school will be overseen by incoming college President Douglas Mann, as Livesay will be retiring on July 15.

Mathaus Schwarzen is a staff writer for the Bryan Triangle who specializes in campus news. He is a junior at Bryan College, majoring in creative writing. He spends his free time writing, drawing and listening to music.