News Summary
AdventHealth has partnered with Georgia Northwestern Technical College to tackle Georgia’s looming nursing shortage. The initiative aims to increase enrollment in the ASN program by investing $830,000 over five years. With a projected 21% shortage of nurses in the state, this collaboration seeks to enhance educational resources and strengthen the pipeline of qualified nursing professionals, ensuring Georgia can meet its healthcare demands effectively.
Rome, Georgia – AdventHealth Partners with Georgia Northwestern Technical College to Combat Nursing Shortage
On July 28, 2023, AdventHealth and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) entered into a strategic partnership aimed at addressing the pressing nursing shortage in Georgia. The agreement, signed during a ceremony at GNTC’s Floyd campus, seeks to boost enrollment in GNTC’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program and enhance the training of future healthcare professionals.
Georgia is set to experience one of the most significant nursing shortages in the nation, projected to be the second-most affected state by 2030, just behind Washington. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing estimates that Georgia will face a 21% nursing shortage within the next five years, translating to increased demand for registered nurses across the state. Nationally, more than 63,000 nursing positions will need to be filled throughout the United States by that same timeline.
To help alleviate this crisis, AdventHealth plans to invest approximately $830,000 into GNTC’s ASN program over the next five years. This funding will be allocated to expanding student capacity, hiring additional faculty, and enhancing technological resources essential for nursing education.
Goals of the Partnership
This collaboration’s primary goal is to increase the annual number of students entering the registered nurse program at GNTC, thereby fortifying a pipeline of qualified nurses. Dr. Heidi Popham, a key figure in the agreement, highlighted the significant impact this partnership will have on both nursing education and healthcare staffing needs. The initiative aims not only to enhance access to nursing education but also to ensure that the future workforce meets the demands of an evolving healthcare landscape.
According to Isaac Sendros, president and CEO of AdventHealth Georgia and AdventHealth Redmond, the partnership is vital for addressing the growing healthcare demands across the state and illustrates the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers.
Success of GNTC’s ASN Program
The ASN program at GNTC has shown remarkable success, boasting a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for three consecutive years. This achievement underscores the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for the challenges of nursing. In conjunction with the new partnership, an ASN orientation is scheduled to take place on August 15 at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring, welcoming new students who will benefit from these improved resources and educational support.
Enhanced Clinical Preparation
The partnership is not solely focused on enrollment numbers. It also aims to strengthen the relationship between academic preparation and clinical practice in nursing education. This approach ensures that students are not only well-informed but also well-equipped to meet the real-world demands of the healthcare environment they will soon be entering.
Conclusion
The collaboration between AdventHealth and Georgia Northwestern Technical College marks a significant step toward mitigating the anticipated nursing shortage in Georgia. Through increased investment and a commitment to excellence in nursing education, both organizations are taking proactive measures to ensure that the state produces a skilled and competent nursing workforce capable of delivering quality healthcare services in the years to come.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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