LCON and Baptist Partner to Advance Nursing Education and Retention

UofM nursing faculty receive grant strengthen preceptor training through innovative simulation partnership

In response to the Tennessee Hospital Association’s call for innovative solutions to strengthen the nursing workforce, Drs. Brad Harrell and Debra Lynch Kelly of the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) have secured a $50,000 grant to launch ADEPT—Allied Development of Enhanced Preceptor Training—in partnership with Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis’s Emergency Department.

The ADEPT program will integrate virtual reality, live simulation, and small-group training to enhance the skills of University of Memphis nursing students, new graduate nurses, and Baptist nurse preceptors. This innovative model addresses long-standing challenges in academia and practice, including limited clinical placement opportunities and the need for preceptors to effectively coach students in high-stress environments like the emergency department. 

With increasing demand for healthcare services, staff turnover, and growing complexity in patient care, the need for practice-ready graduates and experienced preceptors is more urgent than ever. ADEPT not only improves training but also supports recruitment and retention efforts by enhancing the quality of mentorship and clinical education.

LCON and Baptist identified key focus areas for preceptor development—self-awareness, openness, ethical standards, and decision-making—and designed ADEPT to foster these competencies through evidence-based, immersive learning experiences. Together, the two institutions are building a scalable model that advances workforce readiness while meeting the shared needs of academia and clinical practice. 

For more information, contact Harrell at bharrell@memphis.edu, or Kelly at dlkelly4@memphis.edu.