Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of nurses in America has become more acute.  Dr. Jeffrey Ross, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, says ABAC is ready to come to the rescue.

“During the 2020 fall semester, there were more students enrolled in nursing classes at ABAC than at any other time in our history,” Ross said. “Currently, we have more students in the RN-BSN program than we have had since the program began.”

Dr. Amy Willis, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, said 326 students were enrolled in associate degree nursing classes at ABAC Tifton and ABAC Bainbridge during the fall term.  That figure tops the 304 students who were enrolled in classes at the two locations in 2019. 

A total of 895 ABAC students pursued nursing degrees in the fall semester, many of those taking core curriculum classes to prepare them to enter the nursing program.  Fifty-nine students in that total enrolled in ABAC’s bachelor’s degree program in nursing.

“The reputation of the ABAC nursing program has never been higher,” ABAC President David Bridges said.  “ABAC turns out quality graduates who are much sought after in an industry that looks for more nurses every day.”

Ross said the biggest challenge facing the ABAC nursing program during the height of the pandemic was finding clinical placement opportunities for students.  Many hospitals and nursing homes would not allow students to enter their facilities because of the virus.

“Fortunately, our faculty immediately began implementing the use of case studies, patient reviews, and virtual simulations in their courses to meet the required hours,” Ross said. “While it could be frustrating at times for both faculty and students, they joined together and have been successful in getting the students the clinical hours they needed.”

ABAC’s spring semester is now in full swing, and many clinical agencies have allowed students to return. ABAC prides itself on its hands-on learning experiences for students, and although the pandemic has forced some changes, students and faculty have adjusted.

Emily Cox, a junior nursing major from Sylvester, said that ABAC has worked diligently to provide students with the clinical experience they need.

“Being a nursing student in a pandemic definitely has its challenges, but it also has many rewards,” Cox said. “We are learning more than ever before about how this virus affects our patients and what we can do to treat them.”

Cox said because of the pandemic, she has had the opportunity to care for more critical patients than in a normal semester.

ABAC offers both Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) programs for future nurses. Once students graduate the ASN program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they qualify as Registered Nurses.  They can then choose to enter the workforce or continue their education and receive their bachelor’s degree.  Since most courses leading to the RN-BSN are available online, many nurses juggle the responsibilities of a career and the classwork.       

Ross expects the ABAC nursing program to continue its growth pattern because registered nurses are in high demand.

“Nursing is a career where the job prospects are quite bright,” Ross said.  “We are always looking for well-qualified students who want a future in the healthcare profession.”

For more information about ABAC’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, interested persons can contact Ross at [email protected].