HARROGATE, Tennessee, April 16, 2026 – Amanda Holland, a 2025 graduate of the Lincoln Memorial University-Caylor School of Nursing, is now serving patients at Community Health of East Tennessee, LaFollette, Tennessee. As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Holland is putting into practice the education, compassion, and community‑focused values she developed during her time at LMU.
Holland’s journey to LMU began shortly after she moved to Tennessee in 2011. Encouraged by strong recommendations from students, faculty, and the surrounding community, she quickly realized that LMU-Caylor School of Nursing stood apart.
“I had never even heard of LMU before I moved here, but it was highly recommended—especially the Caylor School of Nursing,” Holland said. “I graduated in 2016 with my associate degree in nursing, and by that time, there was no other option on the table for me when it came to pursuing my master’s degree.”
From her earliest experiences as a nursing student, Holland knew she wanted to continue her education at LMU. She credits the faculty’s investment in students for helping her enter the nursing profession with confidence—and feel equally prepared stepping into the provider role.
“The team at LMU poured themselves into us,” she said. “I felt equipped as an RN, and that feeling never changed as I transitioned into becoming a nurse practitioner.”
Balancing graduate education while raising a family required flexibility, and the hybrid format of LMU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program proved critical to Holland’s success.
“Nursing school was a team effort—it took my whole family’s support and sacrifice,” Holland shared. “The LMU program offered flexible options that allowed me to balance school, work, and life at home with our three children.”
The ability to customize clinical schedules enabled Holland to meet academic requirements without sacrificing time with her family, demonstrating LMU’s commitment to supporting students at every stage of life.
While flexibility was essential, Holland emphasized the importance of weekly in‑person meetings with classmates and faculty.
“Meeting once a week gave us the opportunity to learn together, ensure we understood the content, and build relationships that will last throughout our careers,” she said. “We were walking through the same challenges, stresses, and victories together.”
She also highlighted the impact of LMU’s nursing faculty, describing them as deeply invested mentors who supported students academically and personally.
“They truly care about us and our education,” Holland said. “The faculty supported us, sacrificed for us, celebrated us, and helped us through the hardest days.”
Holland’s passion for patient‑centered care began at a young age, inspired by experiences with her grandfather during hospice care and later strengthened as a mother.
“I watched those nurses show compassion, kindness, and preserve my grandfather’s dignity,” she said. “That stayed with me.”
Today, as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Holland considers it a privilege to serve patients in her community.
“It is a blessing and an honor to be part of a patient’s journey—to support, educate, and help them live their lives to the fullest,” she added.
When asked what she would say to nurses considering LMU’s program, Holland’s response is unwavering.
“I would absolutely, without a doubt, encourage you to do it,” she said. “If I could go back and do it all again, there would still be no other choice than LMU.”
She also encourages those considering nursing as a career to take the leap, emphasizing the profession’s impact and rewards.
“Nursing is one of the most challenging but most rewarding experiences. It has shaped me as a person, and while I want to make a difference in patients’ lives, they often make an even greater impact on me.”
Reflecting on her time at Lincoln Memorial University, Holland credits the Caylor School of Nursing for shaping her professionally and personally.
“I have such a heart for LMU’s nursing program because of how dedicated the professors are to seeing students succeed,” she said. “That kind of investment makes all the difference.”
She added, “I wouldn’t be the nurse practitioner I am today without my experiences at LMU.”
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Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
