News Summary

AdventHealth has pledged $830,000 to Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) over five years to expand its nursing program, addressing a projected nursing shortage in Georgia by 2035. This donation will enhance GNTC’s capacity to train more healthcare professionals, increasing enrollment from 50 to 85 students. The funds will be used for faculty recruitment and resources, helping to prepare students for the nursing workforce. The collaboration aims to alleviate workforce shortages amid increasing demand for healthcare services in the region.

Rome, Georgia – AdventHealth has announced an $830,000 donation aimed at expanding the nursing program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) as Georgia braces for a significant nursing shortage projected for 2035. This financial support will be provided over five years, allowing GNTC to increase its Associate Degree Nursing Program to meet the growing demand for healthcare services in the region.

The support from AdventHealth is set to facilitate the recruitment of additional faculty members and enhance resources within the nursing program. This includes the provision of extra computers and other necessary tools to better prepare students for their careers in nursing. Currently, GNTC’s nursing program enrolls 50 students, but plans are in place to expand that number to 85 students in response to an increasing need for trained nursing professionals.

Challenges surrounding enrollment growth are prevalent, as noted by Heidi Popham, President of GNTC. Limited capacity has hindered the college from accommodating more students, despite the evident demand for nursing education, as evidenced by waiting lists in various healthcare programs. The collaboration with AdventHealth aims to alleviate this bottleneck, ensuring more individuals have access to nursing training.

The impending nursing shortage in Georgia is alarming, with projections showing the state could face one of the highest deficits in nursing staff in the United States by 2035. Contributing factors to this shortage include an aging population, which requires more healthcare services, and a significant number of nurses exiting the profession due to increasing levels of stress and burnout. Reports from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing identify these issues as primary reasons for the attrition in the nursing workforce.

AdventHealth Redmond’s President and CEO, Isaac Sendros, emphasized the rising demand for patient care amid a backdrop of dwindling nursing staff. The partnership with GNTC is crucial in addressing this urgent situation by training more nurses who are likely to remain in the local community after graduation, thus providing a sustainable solution to the anticipated healthcare crisis.

The expansion of GNTC’s nursing program is projected to welcome new students by the upcoming fall. This initiative not only represents a significant investment in local education but also aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce in Georgia. By bolstering the program’s capacity and resources, AdventHealth and GNTC are aligned in their mission to ensure that the region is equipped with skilled nursing professionals to meet future healthcare demands.

The growing collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers is vital in overcoming the challenges posed by workforce shortages. As the need for qualified healthcare workers escalates, programs such as those offered at GNTC play a key role in preparing individuals to serve their communities effectively. The partnership with AdventHealth is a proactive step toward building a resilient nursing workforce in Georgia.