Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Evaluating Statewide Capacity for Advanced Nursing Programs
The Challenge
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) sought to assess the state’s readiness to expand Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs as part of its mission to advance higher education access, success, and workforce alignment. With Tennessee facing both a growing need for advanced practice nurses and a competitive higher education landscape, THEC needed a data-informed evaluation to determine whether new DNP programs were viable—or whether the state’s efforts would be better directed toward strengthening existing programs.
How We Helped
Tripp Umbach partnered with THEC to conduct a comprehensive market assessment and feasibility analysis of potential new DNP programs. The study examined statewide and national demand, labor market conditions, program sustainability, and graduate earning potential. It also included staffing and organizational structure plans, financial modeling, and facility considerations to ensure a complete picture of market capacity. All recommendations were grounded in qualitative and quantitative data, guided by THEC’s Public Agenda for Tennessee Higher Education.
The Impact
Tripp Umbach’s findings determined that Tennessee’s higher education landscape did not have sufficient market capacity to support new DNP programs at the time. Instead, the study recommended that THEC focus on optimizing and expanding the quality of existing programs. Additional recommendations included forming a statewide advisory board to address faculty shortages, clinical placement coordination, student retention, and diversity within DNP programs. The results provided THEC with a strategic roadmap to strengthen the state’s advanced nursing education system while maintaining program excellence and sustainability.