Date Posted: October 13, 2024
Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $3,952,010 through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Workforce Expansion Program. SCTC is one of only five institutions nationwide selected for this competitive grant, which will be distributed over a four-year period to support nursing education in rural and underserved communities. In the first year, SCTC will receive $960,575 to launch this important initiative.
The grant will also support efforts to petition the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) for approval to expand the program to Butts and Jasper County, creating new opportunities for individuals in rural communities to pursue careers in nursing serving areas that face critical shortages in nursing professionals.
The nursing shortage is particularly acute in rural Georgia, where access to healthcare services is often limited. By expanding the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge Program, SCTC will help fill these gaps by training more highly skilled registered nurses (RNs) who are equipped to serve their local communities.
The proposed program will offer working LPNs and paramedics a streamlined path to becoming RNs, providing them with the advanced skills needed to improve healthcare outcomes in underserved areas. “We are thrilled to receive this HRSA NEPQR Workforce Expansion grant, which is a game-changer for healthcare in rural Georgia,” said Dr. Irvin Clark, President of Southern Crescent Technical College. “This funding will allow us to meet the growing demand for registered nurses in areas that need it most, while also providing local residents with new educational and career advancement opportunities.”
“This grant is part of our broader commitment to prepare healthcare professionals who will make a real difference in their communities,” said Kimberly Register, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southern Crescent Technical College. “By expanding access to our Bridge Program in rural counties, we’re not only helping individuals achieve their professional goals but also improving healthcare delivery in areas that need it the most.”
The expansion of the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge Program aligns with SCTC’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that meets the workforce needs of the region. The program will not only enhance the skill sets of nursing professionals but also increase the number of qualified healthcare workers in communities that are currently underserved. By focusing on rural counties like Butts and Jasper, SCTC is addressing a significant healthcare challenge by ensuring that residents in these areas have access to skilled nurses who can deliver critical services close to home.
In response to the award, Butts County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jacqueline McKoon said, “We are incredibly grateful to SCTC for seeking a solution to fill this critical need within our local and state healthcare systems. This grant will provide an opportunity for our local students to gain exactly what they need in order to pursue a successful career path as a Registered Nurse. We look forward to working with Dr. Clark and our local partners to ensure this program is a success.”
Bob White, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Butts County added, “With the critical shortage of nursing professionals in rural areas like Butts County, the added training enabled by this grant will substantially improve access to quality healthcare and will provide exciting career opportunities for our residents. We’re especially pleased that Southern Crescent will begin training in this high-demand career at Southern Crescent Technical College’s Butts County Center in Jackson.