Giving Nursing Students the Best Possible Start: David Tanner, Director of Nursing Programs at Guilford Technical Community College

On today’s episode, we kick-off a series of conversations with winners of the 2026 Raise the Line Faculty Awards from Elsevier Health, who were selected from more than 1,000 nominations submitted by students and colleagues at over 300 institutions worldwide.

First up is Professor David Tanner, Director of Nursing Programs at Guildford Technical Community College in North Carolina, winner of the Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner category. “I don't have your traditional university students that are 19 or 20 years old. I have older students who are working jobs, have families, and are more serious in their studies.” As someone who started his own nursing career at 35, Professor Tanner can relate to the challenges they face, which spurs him to make sure they are getting the best possible learning experience from the precious time they are spending in the program.

In his conversation with Raise the Line from Elsevier host Lindsey Smith, Professor Tanner also reflects on the mentors who shaped him and makes the case for why more nurses should consider teaching, even though they may have to take a pay cut to do so. “I find it just as rewarding as when I worked on the floor.”

In this on-the-ground look at nursing education, you’ll also hear about:

• The looming nursing shortage in North Carolina, and the unexpected upside it's creating for new graduates;
• A low-risk way to test the waters of teaching;
• Why he believes pediatrics is where the fight against adult chronic disease should start.

Mentioned in this episode:
Guilford Technical Community College Nursing Programs
2026 Raise the Line Faculty Awards

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