ATLANTA — Emory University announced a five-year partnership with Oglethorpe University to combat the national nursing shortage.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Oglethorpe,” said Linda McCauley, the dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. “The profession needs nurses – now more than ever. Collaboration with other institutions to prepare more nurses to enter the workforce will help us address the nationwide nursing shortage.”
A study done by the U.S Chamber of Commerce shows there will be an average of 193,100 projected job openings for registered nurses per year until 2032. This shortage of nurses "is causing a ripple effect of rising health care costs and lower quality of life across the country."
However, the collaboration between the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University and Oglethorpe University will create a pipeline for students with bachelor's degrees in other disciplines to complete an "entry-to-practice pre-licensure degree program."
Students graduating from Oglethorpe University with a bachelor's degree will be able to enroll in Emory's School of Nursing's Master of Nursing (MN) program.
“Biology is Oglethorpe’s number one undergraduate major, and a significant number are pursuing careers in health care,” said Dr. Kendra King Momon, the interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Oglethorpe. “Working with Emory to establish this new pipeline is in line with Oglethorpe’s commitment to supporting Georgia’s workforce needs and our students’ professional aspirations.”
Completing the 15-month program makes students eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and practice as a registered nurse.
This is Emory's third collaboration to aid in preparing the next generation of nurses. The university partnered with Spelman College back in 2014 as well as Agnes Scott College in 2004 on similar programs.
