MOULTRIE — Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Colquitt County School District, and Southern Regional Technical College recently announced the establishment of a unique dual enrollment practical nursing program. This collaboration will offer a pathway for students enrolled at Colquitt County High School to graduate with their practical nursing diploma from Southern Regional Technical College in addition to their high school diploma.

“During the challenging times of COVID-19, it became clear that we needed a sustainable solution to address nursing shortages,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “Recognizing this need, we approached the Colquitt County School District and Southern Regional Technical College to partner together to cultivate our own pipeline of nurses right here in Moultrie. Collaboratively, we are proud to launch this program aimed at fostering local talent and equipping them with the skills to serve our community with compassion and excellence.”

Students are selected as candidates during their sophomore year, working with their high school advisors and meeting specific criteria for consideration, the hospital said in a press release. They complete rigorous coursework in their junior year at CCHS. During their senior year, they complete comprehensive nursing coursework at Southern Regional and clinical rotations at Colquitt Regional.

Upon graduation, they will be eligible to take the professional licensing boards exam through the Georgia Board of Nursing, ultimately becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs play a crucial role in healthcare delivery by providing nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. They work to deliver care based on a personalized plan determined by an interdisciplinary healthcare team, ensuring high quality and compassionate patient care, the hospital said.

All three institutions gathered at the Ameris Bank Medical Education Center at Colquitt Regional Medical Center on Thursday, June 27, to celebrate the inaugural class with a signing ceremony. At the ceremony, students pledged to practice nursing with the utmost compassion and the highest regard for dignity, conduct their interactions with integrity and honesty in all things, and remain lifelong learners, always seeking to improve their knowledge and skills to exceed the needs of the patients they serve.

“This program embodies our commitment to providing innovative educational pathways that bridge the gap between secondary education and a fulfilling career in healthcare,” said Southern Regional Technical College President Jim Glass. “Our continued partnerships with Colquitt County High School and Colquitt Regional Medical Center are vital to meeting the needs of our workforce and ensuring that our students receive the best possible training and support. These students are setting a remarkable precedent for future cohorts, and I am confident that they will excel in their studies and make significant contributions to our community’s health and well-being.”

Following the pandemic, most of the healthcare industry continues to be impacted by nursing shortages, Colquitt Regional said. Creating a pipeline for nursing that taps into the talent and energy of students in Colquitt County protects healthcare access and provides students an opportunity to graduate from high school prepared to be an LPN or ready to continue their education.

“The Colquitt County School District is thrilled about the LPN program and our partnership with Colquitt Regional Medical Center and Southern Regional Technical College,” said Colquitt County School District Superintendent Dan Chappuis. “This initiative offers students a valuable opportunity to fast-track their careers in healthcare, addressing a critical need in our community. This program will significantly benefit Colquitt County residents and the students of our district for years to come.”

For more information on the new LPN program, please contact the Colquitt Regional marketing department at 229-890-3552, Southern Regional Technical College at 229-891-7000, or Colquitt County High School at 229-890-6141.