Hear From Our MSN Alumni

Discover the journeys of South College MSN graduates and their remarkable achievements in the field of nursing.

For Kenneth Brown, earning an MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner degree at South College helped propel him to new heights in nursing and healthcare leadership.

“An MSN with a Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner is a well-rounded degree,” he says. “I needed a dynamic degree that not only shaped me as an independent provider but also exposed me to the business and legal components of healthcare.”

Kenneth initially started an MSN program at another university. However, he struggled with the lack of assistance, feedback, and direction in the program. After one semester, he transferred to South College based on the recommendation of a friend.

“The structure at South College was more aligned with my learning needs, leading to my success within the program,” he says. “With South College, you not only get the academic experience but also a holistic experience. From admissions to my professors, each team member was responsive, encouraging, and motivating.”

Today, Kenneth is a Health Center Group Manager and Nurse Practitioner at Progressive Health in Tennessee. There, he manages patient cases with a focus on cost and quality of care. He also coordinates communication across sites, works with vendors and consultants, and helps create standard operating procedures along with various project plans, timelines, and budgets.

Kenneth is also part of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Association of Occupational Health Nurses, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Kenneth is a committed believer in lifelong learning. Beyond his MSN from South College, he holds ASN, RN-BSN, and MBA degrees. He’s also working on a Six Sigma Green Belt. In the future, he plans to take the Certified Case Manager and the Certified Associate in Project Management exams as well.

It seems like this South College graduate is not slowing down anytime soon—and that his impact on the healthcare field and his patients is bound to keep growing!

Today, Sylina Troupe is a family nurse practitioner and primary care provider in a skilled nursing facility. However, this is far from her first job in healthcare. Sylina joined the field right out of high school making beds in a long-term care facility. Eventually, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and then an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

After working for years as an EMT, Sylina enrolled in a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. A few years later, she returned to school again and completed an LPN to RN program in 2019. From there, she decided to keep the momentum going and enrolled in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at South College on the RN-MSN track.

“I was very nervous in the beginning,” she admits. “After the first two terms, I was excited to continue my journey. The whole experience was fantastic. The program was great, and the professors were top-notch.”

Sylina worked full-time throughout her MSN program but managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude with a 3.96 GPA. She also had to balance her classes and clinicals with spending time with her husband and their five children. “It was no easy task, but, given the right tools, it was completely achievable,” she says. “The immersion weekend held in Knoxville, which gave me access to more hands-on skills, was most definitely beneficial.”

Along the way, her professors provided encouragement, support, and mentorship. “My professors bent over backward to make sure I had the tools necessary to not only pass with flying colors but to be prepared for my boards,” she shares.

Sylina had such a positive experience at South College that she has returned to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice. She’s optimistic about where the experience will lead, saying, “I am excited and look forward to what the future holds.”

When Kaci Lomax began her career as a nurse, she had no idea what her future would hold. From caring for patients in correctional facilities to honing her skills at South College so that she can help people with mental health needs, she’s accomplished a lot. Today, Kaci works as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and provides care for adults experiencing acute mental health crises.

Kaci actually uncovered her passion for mental health by accident. Her first nursing job was at a hospital, but she wasn’t happy there and struggled with night shifts. When the opportunity arose to join a company that served vulnerable patients in challenging settings, Kaci jumped. The job? Working as an RN in a jail.

“I never in a million years thought I would enjoy it, but I absolutely loved it,” she says. When Kaci moved to a new town, she landed a role in another correctional facility. Before long, Kaci worked her way up to director of nursing—a title she’s since had at multiple organizations.

Working with the incarcerated population shone a spotlight on mental health issues and inspired Kaci to become a PMHNP. South College’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) PMHNP program gave her the flexibility to achieve this goal while working. Staff and instructors also provided assistance and support at every step, starting from her earliest interactions. “The admissions staff were great,” she says. “They answered all of my crazy questions.”

As Kaci approached graduation, Career Services helped prepare her for the job search, and her program director gave mentorship and advice. “These people really make me a priority, and I am so grateful,” says Kaci.

Today, Kaci is excited to be back in a direct provider role delivering advanced support and mental health care, thanks to skills she learned at South College. “I feel I have the personality to be able to really help these people,” she says. “I am proud of what I have accomplished and the skills I have mastered.”