healthliberal
Nurses Needed: University Tour Tackles Georgia Shortage
Athens, Georgia, USAWednesday, June 24, 2026
Augusta University’s Leader Takes a Road Trip Across Northern Georgia
Russell Keen, the university president, is hitting the road in northern Georgia to connect with former students, supporters, and prospective applicants.
The tour kicks off in Athens and will pass through towns such as Dalton and the “Classic City.”
Key Points
- Georgia as a Second Campus – Keen describes the state as a “second campus” due to Augusta’s nearly 200‑year history of serving Georgia.
- Athens Visit – Keen and his wife met alumni at a local clothing shop on Clayton Street, owned by Hannah and Rafy Bassali. The latter earned his master’s degree from Augusta.
- Nursing School Location – The university’s nursing program sits inside the Green Acres Shopping Center on Barnett Shoals Road, one of only a few places in Georgia offering nursing education.
- Unique Programs – Includes a public program for anesthesia and a special Clinical Nursing Leaders track that transforms graduates from other fields into nurse leaders in just 18 months.
- Partnerships – Keen highlighted collaborations with the University of Georgia in medicine and nursing, expanding health‑science education statewide.
- Largest Anesthesia Program – Beth NeSmith, dean of the nursing college, noted that Augusta hosts the country’s largest anesthesia training program.
- Addressing Shortage – Associate dean Seth Lee warned of a nursing shortage in the state and emphasized Augusta’s commitment to training new nurses to meet community needs.
Actions
flag content
