Innovative Academic-Clinical Partnership Supports Community Health Care
By Cynde Gamache, CNO, Southeast Georgia Health System
Contemporary nursing workforce challenges have arisen from diverse factors influencing the demand for nursing talent. For example, the growing demographic of individuals aged 65 or older shapes the need for nurses in many communities. Generally, this senior population consumes more healthcare resources over time. As a result, there is a need for nursing expertise in a variety of healthcare settings to meet patient care requirements.
The supply side of the equation is punctuated by the continued retirement of baby boomer nurses. Additionally, discontent in nursing – particularly after the pandemic – has led some nurses to seek alternate practice settings, reduce work hours, and other career changes that further stress the availability of nursing talent. Lastly, as the demand for nurses continues, the need for a sufficient number of academic nursing faculty deserves emphasis, as these roles are imperative for preparing new nurses for successful entry into practice. As with clinically facing nurses, the availability of academic nursing instructors experiences similar challenges, with many approaching retirement age.
Couple the growing demand for nursing skill sets, with supply-side challenges and a compelling driver emerges for creative approaches to ensure our communities have a sufficient supply of nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the population. These challenges contributed to the impetus for long-standing community partners to align forces even further for the betterment of the public.
SGHS and CCGA have successfully collaborated on various innovative initiatives to enhance interest in the nursing profession and support the pursuit of academic nursing degrees.
Southeast Georgia Health System (SGHS) is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, multiple specialty care centers, and 40 employed physician practices with offices throughout southeast Georgia, offering 20 different specialties. The health system enjoys a vibrant and collaborative partnership with the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA), an undergraduate college within the University System of Georgia. CCGA offers challenging academic programs including studies within the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which aim to provide education incorporating holistic care, patient advocacy and collaborative practice.
SGHS and CCGA have successfully collaborated on various innovative initiatives to enhance interest in the nursing profession and support the pursuit of academic nursing degrees. Two important programs developed through this partnership include the Summer Nurse Camp Program and a unique program referred to as Project New Start.
The Summer Nurse Camp program launched in 2022 with 15 high school participants. By 2024, participation grew to over 40 students. Designed for rising 11th and 12th graders, this five-day interactive camp introduces students to the field of nursing in various specialty areas. This unique experience allows students to shadow clinical staff and receive exposure to clinical care in simulated settings (at CCGA) as well as real-life environments (at SGHS). The program also offers optional overnight campus residential housing for a fee, allowing participants the convenience of remaining on campus for the five-day session. To participate in this engaging program, students must complete a registration application and essay. The Nurse Camp program has been beneficial in stimulating interest in the nursing profession and all of the unique opportunities it has to offer. We look forward to another robust Nurse Camp week this summer.
The second progressive approach was Project New Start (PNS), envisioned in early 2021 as a strategic response to ensuring a future pipeline of nurses equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the community. The program represents a collaborative agreement between both organizations, uniting academic and clinical institutions with a shared commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce.
Leadership from both CCGA and SGHS agreed to specific PNS program objectives and success metrics: to increase the number of nursing faculty, to create service-cancelable loans for students, to develop a Student Success Counselor role and to enhance student enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The approach involved expanding the CCGA Nursing Program to enable student graduation in both fall and spring semesters, along with developing an accelerated nursing curriculum to allow for earlier graduation. The health system committed to a five-year grant to the CCGA Foundation to support the expansion of nursing education and related programs. Annual disbursements began in 2022.
Lydia Watkins, DNP, RN, CPNP, CNE, Professor of Nursing and Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences at CCGA, shared Georgia Nursing Workforce Dashboard data with leadership at the health system and CCGA. The data, originating from a Georgia Nursing Workforce Summit hosted by the Georgia Center for Nursing Excellence, highlighted projected challenges to sustaining a diverse, qualified nursing workforce in Georgia. This important data supported the business case for advancing the next steps in Project New Start (e.g., planning, expansion of nursing instruction space, simulation labs, etc.).
With PNS underway, the college hired additional faculty to support increased enrollment and the capability for a year-round program. The expanded faculty capacity is projected to add 80 qualified nursing students per year by the end of the agreement. The newly established Student Success Counselor position provides tutoring, coaching and supplemental instruction to students throughout the nursing program, with a focused commitment to assisting students in achieving graduation and licensure. Through shared goals and a united commitment to meeting the care needs of our community, both now and in the future, the academic and clinical partnership of CCGA and the health system has successfully taken decisive action to ensure a robust nursing talent pipeline for years to come.
