Southern’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program Ranks 4th in Tennessee
News
For nurses who are pursuing advanced degrees in adult-gerontology, the School of Nursing at Southern Adventist University offers a nurse practitioner (NP) program currently cited among the best in Tennessee by RegisteredNursing.org.
“Rankings reflect a detailed evaluation of accredited programs, and Southern’s NP in this specialty stood out because of its breadth and depth,” says Sally Worthington, outreach coordinator for the online resources platform. “Students can pursue both primary care and acute care emphases within an adult-gerontology track at the master’s as well as doctoral levels, blending Christian-centered education with robust clinical experience.”
Annual scores highlight top institutions that equip students through personalized support and academic training from exceptional, dedicated faculty. Southern’s nursing program earned the No. 4 spot based on its emphasis on leadership, evidence-based practice, and hands-on patient care.
Holly Gadd, dean of the School of Nursing, notes, “Southern’s graduate NP programs have long been recognized as outstanding. Each one—acute care, family, and psychiatric/mental health—is as deserving as the adult-gerontology program of this accolade. We are very proud to have the quality of our education acknowledged.”
This prominence in rankings reflects the readiness of Southern’s students to step into advanced care roles. Michelle Murray, a graduate student pursuing her degree as an acute care adult-gerontology NP, chose to enroll at Southern both for its spiritual environment and for the strength of its academics. “The program is preparing me for my field by providing relevant and up-to-date information regarding advanced nursing practice,” she says, joining other students who also appreciate the university’s teaching philosophy of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Students who have chosen the acute care adult-gerontology NP track have demonstrated a 100% pass rate on certification examinations in recent years.
Additionally, each Southern student completing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2025 passed the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses on the first try, confirming Southern’s long-standing reputation as a leader in nursing education.
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