CGTC offering new registered nursing program

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Central Georgia Technical College is offering a registered nursing program to its students.

Tiffany Trussell, a freshman at the technical college, is on a mission to become a registered nurse.

“I’m going to start with my LPN, but if I don’t make it into the LPN program, I’m going to go ahead and start my core classes for the RN program,” she said while studying for a voluntary exam.

She and her study partners, along with dozens of others, are anxious for a new nursing program at CGTC.

RN Program Director Jessica Willcox says news of the new degree program spread quickly and for good reason.

“Within a 24-hour time span about 40 calls,” she said.

Jessica Willcox talking about a state-of-the-art dummy at CGTC.

Willcox estimates there’s been a shortage of nurses across the country — especially in Middle Georgia. The college began working on the program as Middle Georgia healthcare providers went to the school asking for a closer workforce.

“It marks a significant gain for our college and not only just for our college, but our community,” she said.

The Georgia Board of Nursing approved the associate degree. Students will get hands on experience from qualified nurses, even practicing on state-of-the-art dummies in the brand new Sonny Watson Health Sciences building in Warner Robins.

“He has the ability to sweat, to cry, his mouth turns blue, he breathes, urinates,” Willcox said while describing one of the dummies being used in the program.

Willcox says while there is a need — initially, accepted applicant numbers will remain low and highly competitive.

“We’re probably looking at about 20 to 30 applicants or selections; students that would start in January of 2017,” she said.

A chance Tiffany isn’t missing out on, and is looking to get started as quickly as she can.

“That’s what got me excited, so I am going to do my RN even if I do get my LPN,” Tiffany said.

CGTC is accepting applications right now. Willcox recommends taking the necessary core classes required for the RN program before the October 11th deadline.

Program graduates will be eligible to take the boards, or the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

Classes start in January of next year.

CGTC currently offers practical nursing, or LPN, programs at three campuses in Macon, Warner Robins, and Milledgeville.

For more information on the required classes, click here.

For more information on the RN program, click here.