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LMU Caylor School of Nursing, 900 E. Oak Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN (2026)

10/19/2026

🌟 LMU NP Alumni: We Want to Feature You! 🌟

In celebration of National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 8-14), the Caylor School of Nursing is looking for LMU FNP and PMHNP graduates to spotlight on social media.

Share your story, your career journey, and the difference you're making in healthcare today.

🔗 Fill out the form linked below.
📢 Please share this post with fellow LMU Nurse Practitioner alumni!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSej4knrxCvXgnG2fAoTZ8ituwul-ZA23KOISngb8M8nPK66ww/viewform

10/18/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"I was drawn to the autonomy, critical thinking, pharmacology, and physiology involved in anesthesia, as well as the opportunity to care for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments." – Xavier Grizzelle, Class of 2026

Xavier Grizzelle chose nurse anesthesia because he wanted to challenge himself, expand his knowledge, and advance his nursing career to the highest level of clinical practice. The combination of science, critical thinking, and patient care made the profession a perfect fit.

Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, Xavier worked as a registered nurse at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas, where he gained experience in both operating room and critical care nursing. Those experiences provided a strong foundation for success in anesthesia training.

One of Xavier's favorite clinical rotations was at Lake Cumberland in Somerset, Kentucky, where he gained significant experience with regional anesthesia and developed greater autonomy in managing anesthesia care. He also enjoyed rotations in Sparta, Johnson City, Tennova North, and Barbourville, each of which offered unique learning opportunities and helped shape his growth as a future CRNA.

Following graduation, Xavier plans to return home to Houston to begin his career as a CRNA. After several years of balancing school and clinical rotations across multiple states, he is looking forward to being closer to family and putting his training into practice.

LMU's Nurse Anesthesia program is preparing future CRNAs like Xavier to provide high-quality anesthesia care while improving healthcare access throughout Appalachia and beyond.

10/18/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"The CRNA who cared for my wife when we had our first child was so knowledgeable and reassuring during a stressful time for us. That experience stuck with me and ultimately influenced my decision to pursue nurse anesthesia." – Mike Blankenbecler, Class of 2026

Mike Blankenbecler discovered the profession of nurse anesthesia 12 years ago during the birth of his first child. Although he wasn't yet working in healthcare at the time, the impact that CRNA had on his family stayed with him and later inspired a career change.

Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, Mike graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and spent more than five years working in the Medical ICU at UK HealthCare. The experience provided a strong critical care foundation that helped prepare him for the challenges of anesthesia school and his future career as a CRNA.

One of Mike's favorite clinical rotations was at Ephraim McDowell in Danville, Kentucky, where he had the opportunity to further develop his regional anesthesia skills and gain valuable experience with ultrasound-guided procedures.

Following graduation, Mike will begin his career with an anesthesia group in Lexington, Kentucky. He looks forward to continuing to grow as a provider, supporting his family, and giving back to the wife who has been his biggest supporter throughout his educational journey.

LMU's Nurse Anesthesia program is preparing future CRNAs like Mike to provide high-quality anesthesia care while improving healthcare access throughout Appalachia and beyond.

10/16/2026

🩺 Ready to take the next step in your nursing career?

The LMU Caylor School of Nursing is now accepting applications for Spring 2027 cohorts in our:

✅ Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
✅ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program

📍 Cedar Bluff Campus | Knoxville, TN
📅 Classes meet once per week
⏰ Apply by November 15

Don't miss your opportunity to advance your education and prepare for the next stage of your nursing career.

🔗 Apply now: https://www.lmunet.edu/caylor-school-of-nursing/master-of-science-in-nursing-msn/

10/12/2026

We are excited to announce the publication of new research led by Dr. Jennifer Stocks, FNP Concentration Director and Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, in collaboration with former LMU faculty member Dr. Kelly Nunn and researchers from DeRoyal Industries.

The article, titled "Evaluation of an Innovative Incisional Dressing With Closed Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System in Healthy Volunteers Through Evaluation of Dressing Survivability, Adverse Reactions, User Tolerability, and Comfort: A Self-controlled Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers," was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

The study evaluated an innovative incisional dressing used with a closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy system. Researchers examined dressing durability, user comfort and tolerability, as well as potential adverse reactions among healthy volunteers. The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting advancements in wound care technology and postoperative patient management.

Stocks and Nunn collaborated on the research with a team from DeRoyal Industries, including Casey Young Carter, MS, BS; Timothy Oetter, MS, BS; Ethan Valentine, BS; and Jonathan Matthew Cayce, PhD, MS.

"The publication of this research reflects the commitment of LMU faculty to advancing nursing science and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice," said Stocks. "Collaboration between academic and industry partners creates valuable opportunities to explore innovative solutions that can enhance patient care."

10/12/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"My motivation was a mix of wanting to challenge myself by achieving what I feel is the pinnacle of nursing while also providing a better life for my wife and two children." – Christian Baker, Class of 2026

Christian Baker's path to becoming a CRNA was driven by a desire to continually challenge himself while creating new opportunities for his family. Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, he built a strong critical care background at Pikeville Medical Center, working in medical-surgical nursing, the Medical ICU, and the CVICU.

One of Christian's favorite clinical experiences was at Hazard ARH, his first rotation and one of the closest sites to home. The experience provided a strong foundation for his anesthesia training and helped him build professional relationships that will continue throughout his career.

Following graduation, Christian plans to begin his career at Whitesburg ARH, spend more time traveling with his family, and enjoy spoiling his wife and two children.

LMU's Nurse Anesthesia program is preparing future CRNAs like Christian to provide high-quality anesthesia care while improving healthcare access throughout Appalachia and beyond.

10/12/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"That all changed the first day I shadowed a CRNA. From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue becoming a Nurse Anesthetist." – T.J. Webb, Class of 2026

T.J. Webb always knew he wanted to advance his education and career, but it wasn't until he shadowed a CRNA that he found the perfect fit. The experience confirmed his passion for nurse anesthesia and set him on the path to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, T.J. spent three years working in a combined Medical/Surgical ICU, building the critical care skills that would prepare him for anesthesia school.

One of his favorite clinical rotations was in Cookeville, Tennessee, where the level of autonomy helped him grow as a student and refine his clinical skills, including regional anesthesia techniques. The opportunity to spend time with family during the rotation was an added bonus.

Following graduation, T.J. and his wife will return to Cookeville with their newborn son, Theo, where he will begin his career as a CRNA at his hometown hospital.

LMU's Nurse Anesthesia program is preparing future CRNAs like T.J. to provide high-quality anesthesia care while improving healthcare access throughout Appalachia and beyond.

10/04/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"I love the combination of critical thinking, procedures, physiology, pharmacology, and caring for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments." – Kyle Muir, Class of 2026

Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, Kyle Muir built a diverse career in healthcare and military service. A registered nurse since 2016, he has worked in long-term care, emergency medicine, and critical care, spending more than eight years in the ICU. Kyle also served as a military medic, including a deployment to Iraq, and has nearly 17 years of service in the National Guard and Army Reserve.

An Army physician helped Kyle recognize that the hands-on interventions, critical thinking, and patient advocacy he enjoyed most in critical care were the same qualities that drew him to nurse anesthesia. That realization led him to pursue his goal of becoming a CRNA.

One of Kyle's favorite clinical rotations was at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia, where he gained experience across a wide variety of specialties and developed a strong foundation in anesthesia practice.

Following graduation, Kyle plans to serve as a CRNA in the Army Reserve while practicing with NAPA Anesthesia in the Knoxville area. He is also looking forward to spending more time with his family and cheering on his children from the sidelines at their sporting events.

10/04/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"Nurse anesthesia stood out because it offered the autonomy, flexibility, and lifestyle I was looking for while still allowing me to have a career that keeps me interested and constantly learning." – Cassidy Lowe, Class of 2026

Cassidy Lowe knew from high school that she wanted a career in healthcare that would challenge her while also providing a strong work-life balance. Those goals led her to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia.

Before beginning LMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, Cassidy worked in the CVICU at the University of Kentucky Hospital, where she developed a strong critical care foundation that prepared her for the rigors of anesthesia school.

Among her favorite clinical experiences were rotations at Pikeville Medical Center and Saint Joseph East. The supportive CRNAs at both sites encouraged her growth while giving her the independence needed to build confidence as a future anesthesia provider.

Following graduation, Cassidy is looking forward to settling down after years of travel for clinical rotations, beginning her career as a CRNA, and celebrating a major personal milestone when she gets married next May.

09/27/2026

Senior Sunday Spotlight - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia

"I realized the parts of nursing that I enjoyed most were the procedures. The autonomy given to Nurse Anesthetists meshed well with my mindset." – Sarah Sams, Class of 2026

The path to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is often filled with determination, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. For Sarah Sams, that journey began long before anesthesia school. Before entering nursing, Sarah worked in a variety of roles, including cake decorating and research. After earning her ADN in 2011, she began building a strong foundation in critical care, spending five years in the MICU before moving into bedside charge nursing and later joining a critical care float pool.

Sarah's passion for nurse anesthesia grew after years of caring for critically ill patients. While working in the MICU, she discovered that the procedural aspects of nursing were what she enjoyed most. The autonomy and advanced clinical decision-making of the CRNA role aligned perfectly with her professional goals. In 2019, she completed her MSN in Adult Acute Care from King University and worked as an APRN caring for ICU patients before taking the next step toward a career in nurse anesthesia.

Throughout her clinical education, Sarah has gained experience in a variety of practice settings. Among her favorite rotations were Bristol, where she gained extensive obstetric anesthesia experience, and Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph East, and Middlesboro ARH. Each rotation provided unique challenges and opportunities that strengthened her skills and confidence as a future CRNA.

Following graduation, Sarah plans to begin her career providing anesthesia care in both Lexington and eastern Kentucky. Before returning to practice, however, she is looking forward to some well-earned vacation time and making lasting memories with her family.

LMU Caylor School of Nursing

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