Date Posted: January 26, 2024
Members of the Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority recently attended the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge Program Launch on the Griffin Campus where they presented SCTC President Dr. Irvin Clark with a $100,000 check from the Authority to support Nursing instruction at the College.
According to Oxford, “The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority’s mission is to support health improvements in Spalding County. We use interest generated from the money from the sale of the local hospital to make grants to qualified organizations. The Nursing bridge program at Southern Crescent Technical College certainly falls within our mandate for the improvement of the health and wellbeing of our county. We believe this program, with WellStar Spalding as a partner, will help fill a severe shortage of Registered Nurses in Spalding County.”
Held on January 18, 2024, the Launch event for the highly anticipated LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge program received overwhelming support from key stakeholders, donors, community leaders, elected local and state officials, industry partners, and education affiliates.
Student nurses enrolled in the RN Bridge program were on hand at the event to express their gratitude for the support of the program. Southern Crescent Technical College President Dr. Irvin Clark commented, “I am so excited for what we have collectively been able to accomplish with the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge program. From identifying the need to the program’s launch, we have received incredible support at every turn as we work to foster the growth and advancement of nursing professionals in our community.”
Those in attendance from the Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority were Bonnie Pfrogner, Yvonne Langford, Cal Oxford, and Clay Davis.
During the event, industry representative Lisa Johnson, Chief Nursing Officer at Wellstar Spalding reinforced the great need for nurses to contribute to the betterment of healthcare in Georgia. Attendees also heard from RN Bridge Program student Lauren Epperson who said, “I am so excited to finally be able to pursue my dreams. This program allows me to be present physically and financially for my family while advancing my career. I cannot wait to see all the opportunities that becoming an RN will bring to my family.”
SCTC’s new RN Bridge program began Spring Semester with the selection of fifty medical professionals participating in the inaugural cohort. This program offers a streamlined path for dedicated LPN and Paramedic healthcare practitioners to elevate their careers by becoming registered nurses. Program participants are divided into two cohorts on the Griffin Campus and at the Fayette County Center and required to attend one day of class each week for the duration of the program, enabling participants to complete their RN education in just one year.