Inman College of Nursing (ICON) Assistant Professor Dr. Andrea Poynter has been selected as the inaugural executive director of Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) Nashville, a new innovative charter high school focused on developing the next generation of nurses.
NursesMC immerses students in a nursing-focused STEM curriculum, with most graduates going on to pursue college degrees and careers in high-demand nursing fields. With 32% of new nursing grads leaving the profession in their first year, it's more crucial than ever to open the door to nursing careers from an earlier age, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to the profession before they even enter college.
"NursesMC Nashville will grow a local pool of college and career-ready graduates to meet the area's critical healthcare workforce needs," Poynter explained. "And as the healthcare capital of the world, Nashville is great location for this kind of school."
Poynter's journey to her role as executive director began with a pivotal trip to Rhode Island where she observed the success of the Nurses Middle College flagship location firsthand. She was immediately impressed by its innovative approach and the impact it had on students from a young age — an initiative Poynter was already incredibly passionate about.
In 2022, Poynter secured a $50,000 grant from AARP and the Office of Healthcare Diversity to fund a high school mentorship program aimed at preparing students for healthcare careers. The program offered tutoring, ACT prep and internship opportunities, exposing students to various healthcare roles and providing hands-on experience.
"The shortage of nurses is very real, and COVID only accelerated the timeline,” Poynter shared. “But there's also a huge population that may not even consider healthcare as an option. We have to expose these brilliant minds earlier to get them on track."
When NursesMC began exploring an expansion into Nashville, Dean of Nursing Dr. Julie Honey immediately thought of Poynter as the ideal candidate to lead the charge. Recognizing that the role perfectly aligned with Poynter's passion and the work she was already deeply involved in, Honey encouraged her to apply. For Poynter, stepping into the role was a no-brainer to continue her mission of empowering students to explore and succeed in nursing careers.
Since its founding in 2011, NursesMC has achieved an impressive 100% college acceptance rate with over 70% of graduates pursuing nursing degrees. The school's interdisciplinary model integrates real-world nursing skills across all subjects, making theoretical lessons applicable in practical settings.
"It's incredible — they don't just tell kids they'll 'use this someday.' Everything they’re learning is applicable," Poynter noted. "In English, they analyze medical case studies. In math, they do dosage calculations. Even history examines how diseases impacted cultures over time. They're applying nursing skills across the board from day one."
This immersive approach, coupled with clinical rotations at renowned healthcare partners, lets students truly envision their future before graduating. It's instrumental for cultivating nurses equipped to address escalating workforce demands like the 40% projected employment growth in advanced nursing roles this decade.
While Poynter will no longer teach Belmont students directly, she will remain affiliated with ICON to support their strategic priority of growing and building the future nursing workforce. The partnership between Belmont and Nurses Middle College is set to flourish, with plans for a summer camp hosted at Belmont for seventh and eighth graders. This initiative aims to spark early interest in healthcare careers, providing students with hands-on experiences and mentorship from nursing faculty and students.
Additionally, collaborations with Tennessee State University and Lipscomb University are in the works, creating clear pathways for students to continue their education in nursing.
Outside the classroom, students will engage with the local community through health programs and clinical rotations. Inspired by the model in Rhode Island, Poynter envisions students leading health education initiatives in their communities, supported by healthcare professionals. This hands-on approach not only benefits the students but also addresses health concerns within their communities.
Through NursesMC, local students will be steeped in this empathetic care philosophy from the start. Coupled with rigorous academics and clear pathways to Belmont and other partner universities, Nashville can cultivate a pipeline producing skilled, socially conscious nurses equipped to transform lives.
NursesMC Nashville is set to open in the Fall of 2025. "This is going to be amazing,” Poynter affirms. “It's going to be hard, but it's going to be amazing."