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| The Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing:success of the clinical nurse leader program at our Athens campus
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| Saturday
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The Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing at Athens graduated its inaugural class of clinical nurse leaders Friday, Dec. 12.
The master's-level, 16-month clinical nurse leader program is the first of its kind in Georgia and fourth in the Southeast. It aims to reduce the nursing shortage by offering advanced degrees to those with non-nursing backgrounds, so students with a baccalaureate or higher degree in a non-nursing field can obtain a master's degree in nursing at an accelerated pace.
"We are heartened by the success of the clinical nurse leader program at our Athens campus, and I am excited to be awarding our first master's degrees to these deserving students," said School of Nursing Dean Lucy Marion. Graduates participated in convocation at the Augusta campus.
"Athens' first seven graduates are enthusiastic, engaged and ready to bring a high level of patient care and a systems background to the bedside," said Robin Johns, campus coordinator of the School of Nursing at Athens.
Athens Regional Medical Center donated the time of a master's-prepared nurse to serve as a clinical faculty member during the program's first year, and an additional gift of $37,000 to support the program in its second year, said Mrs. Johns. This partnership was vital, she said, noting that the program requires about 30 percent more clinical hours than the bachelor of science in nursing.
The first class of students completed all of their clinical work at Athens Regional, and several of the graduates will begin their nursing careers there, said Mrs. Johns.
"The clinical nurse leader program provides well-rounded education to meet the challenging demands of today's health care environment," said Carrie Capps, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services at Athens Regional Medical Center. "These clinical leaders will have the advantage of combining the bedside aspect of care along with business savvy to create cost-effective, safe care for both the patient and the health care institution."
An additional gift from St. Mary's Health Care System of $75,000 helped the program expand its second class to 13 students this fall. The second class of clinical nurse leaders is completing clinical work at both Athens-area hospitals.
"MCG is a leader in transforming nursing education, and St. Mary's is proud to be a partner in supporting the institution's efforts," said Dr. Linda Bigelow, vice president and chief nursing officer of St. Mary's Health Care System. "The diversity of these students' backgrounds strengthens who we're bringing into the community of professional nursing."
Expansion of the program in Athens would not be possible without support from both Athens Regional and St. Mary's, Dr. Marion said.
"I commend [both hospitals'] leaders for being proactive in addressing their workforce needs by partnering with us to bring the CNL program to this area," Dr. Marion said. "Our collaboration will serve as a model for future expansion as we continue our efforts to address the nursing shortage across the state." source
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