How a rural Georgia hospital and local technical college are bridging the gap on nursing shortages

AMERICUS, Ga. (WRBL) — South Georgia Technical College student, Jayden Yarbrough, is set to graduate from the school’s licensed practical nursing program this summer. She is graduating at a time when the nursing field is facing an increasing amount of staffing challenges.

“I’m a little worried about the stress and the burnout because that is definitely a thing,” Yarbrough says.

Those in the nursing field say that although COVID-19 exacerbated the nursing shortage that is currently plaguing the healthcare industry, it is certainly not the only thing.

“While we have seen some improvements, staffing challenges, stress and burnout, and workforce safety are issues that have permeated the nursing industry before, during and after the pandemic and are still challenges. We can no longer use COVID-19 as an excuse as to why nurses are leaving the workforce. We can infer that while hospitals continue to prioritize investments in mental health and other support services for nurses since the pandemic, structural issues that predated the pandemic remain.”
Phil Dickison, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing

South Georgia Technical College plans to address these issues by offering a one-year LPN (licensed practical nurse) to RN (registered nurse) bridge program. The program is intended for LPNs who have been working for six months or longer in order to get a head start on their RN associate degrees.

“It is something that we’ve gained a lot of support for from the community,” said President of SGTC, Dr. John Watford. “Our medical professionals are excited about this opportunity because they need the nurses.”

The program, set to begin in August 2025, already has an initial class of 40 licensed practical nurses.

Those at community partner, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, believe the program that is taking shape will build a consistent pipeline of nurses.

“Here at Phoebe, we are huge advocates for building our community academic partnerships,” said Kelsey Reed, Chief Nursing Officer for Phoebe Sumter. “Not only from the standpoint of building our nursing pipeline so that we can fill the gaps that we have, but it’s also important because it is the right thing to do for the community.”

Dr. Watford explained the urgent need for the new program is not only because it will advance the career’s of those enrolled at South Georgia Tech, but also because the future of their rural community depends on it.

“Of the things we found in a survey several years ago, 80% of our students will die within 30 miles of where they were born.” Dr. Watford said. “People in South Georgia love this community. There’s family roots. People don’t tend to move very much down here and so they need to work in their community.”

LPN student, Brittany Wills, is an example of this. Currently serving as a paramedic, Brittany says healthcare has always been her passion. South Georgia Tech’s program will allow her to further her medical ambitions in the place she calls home.

“The shortages affect patient care and puts stress on the healthcare provider,” said Wills. “It puts patients at risk and if me and my classmates can help that, me personally, that’s something I’d like to do.”

By offering things like tuition reimbursement, the Phoebe Sumter team hopes to expose their employees to the resources and education opportunities available already in their area.

Kelsey Reed explained that many of the students completing the bridge program are their own employees.

“It’s important to us that we’re partnering with South Georgia Tech, but it’s important that we’re supporting our own and advancing their education,” said CNO Kelsey Reed.

While nursing jobs are in high demand, Reed points out that other ancillary jobs will need to be filled.

“We have a great need for our support partners. That would be our certified nurses assistants, our patient care techs, radiology assistants, phlebotomists, and lab personnel. So we value the partnerships we have with our technical colleges because they help build that pipeline of staff as well.”

To register for the required core classes prior to acceptance into the program, those interested can contact SGTC Admissions Director, Candie Walters, at cwalters@southgatech.edu or visit the SGTC website and click Apply to get started.