Mercer University’s College of Nursing received a $500,000 grant from the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce (GBHCW) to increase the number of nurse graduates entering Georgia’s workforce. The grant will support Mercer’s Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree program, which has been offered on the University’s Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus in Atlanta and will be offered on the Macon campus beginning this fall.

“With the majority of our students coming from Georgia, and nearly all of our graduates entering the state’s nursing workforce, this investment directly strengthens the pipeline of skilled nurses and supports the health of communities across Georgia,” said College of Nursing Dean Dr. Tammy Barbé. 

Dr. Barbé notes that 96% of Mercer’s recent nursing graduates are employed as registered nurses in Georgia, and 85% of the University’s incoming freshman class was recruited from Georgia. She said that recruiting, educating and graduating students in Central Georgia will lead to more nurses seeking employment in this region.

The grant will allow the College to invest in educational equipment and supplies for its nursing skills and simulation labs, allowing students to engage in realistic patient care scenarios.

“We are deeply grateful to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce for this vital funding to support our nursing students on the Macon campus,” said Dr. Penny Elkins, executive vice president and interim provost.