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GA Nursing Workforce Center
Nursing Leadership Spotlight
GNLC News
Announcements & Reminders
Legislative Corner
Share Your Story
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GEORGIA NURSING WORKFORCE CENTER NEWS
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Emory School of Nursing’s Chelsea Hagopian, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, was recently featured in a WSB-TV news story addressing Georgia’s ranking as third in the nation for its nursing shortage.
Dr. Hagopian emphasized an important distinction: “The number of active licensed nurses doesn’t necessarily equate to the number of employed nurses in direct care roles,” shedding light on the gap between licensure and frontline availability.
Her insights contribute to the ongoing dialogue around workforce sustainability, care delivery, and the future of nursing in Georgia.
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We’re excited to share the 2024 Annual Impact Report from the Georgia Nursing Workforce Center. This comprehensive report highlights key achievements, workforce data, and ongoing efforts to strengthen Georgia’s nursing pipeline and support a thriving, diverse nursing workforce. Dive into insights, trends, and the initiatives shaping the future of nursing across our state.
Let’s continue building a healthier Georgia—together.
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The Georgia Nursing Workforce Center (GNWC) is excited to launch the Nursing Workforce Research Interest Group (NWRIG), a new collaborative space for Georgia nursing faculty, students, and practicing nurses interested in health services and policy research, transforming models of care, and studying nursing care delivery's impact on patient outcomes.
The NWRIG will meet virtually on the first Friday of each month from 10:00 – 11:15 AM EST. This initiative aims to streamline research efforts, foster community, and serve as a launch point for securing funding and generating impactful evidence on health outcomes and nursing care.
If you are collecting or interested in Georgia nursing workforce data, this is an excellent opportunity to engage with experts in the field.
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NURSING LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
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Augusta University College of Nursing Graduates Largest Cohort of Mental Health Professionals
In May 2025, Augusta University's College of Nursing celebrated a significant milestone by graduating its largest cohort of mental health professionals to date. Fifteen students completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, addressing the critical need for mental health providers in Georgia, where approximately 72% of counties are designated as mental health professional shortage areas. Since 2020, the program has maintained a 100% certification exam pass rate, with graduates trained to serve patients across the lifespan.
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In celebration of Nurses Week 2025, we proudly recognize Joy L. King, DNP, MBA, FNP-C, FAIHM, recipient of the Ruth Hartley Moseley Pioneer of Community Advancement Award. Dr. King was invited to author a featured article for the Georgia Nurses Association, honoring the legacy of Ruth Hartley Moseley—a visionary nurse, educator, and advocate whose work transformed lives across Georgia and beyond.
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Dr. Imelda Reyes, Dean of the University of West Georgia’s Tanner Health System School of Nursing, was recently featured on AACN’s News Watch, where she shares critical insights in the video segment “Why Title VIII Matters to Students.”
In the video, Dr. Reyes highlights the vital role Title VIII funding plays in supporting nursing education, workforce development, and the future of health care access across communities.
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Congratulations to Dr. Bill Hamilton, Assistant Dean at Augusta University College of Nursing, on being unanimously elected to the Executive Board of the Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE) as Consumer Director.
Dr. Hamilton joins fellow Augusta faculty member Dr. Colleen Walters, who currently serves as President of GANE, further strengthening Augusta University's leadership presence in advancing nursing education across Georgia.
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Congratulations to Beth Ann Swan PhD, RN, CHSE, FAAN, ANEF, Associate Dean for Education and the Charles F. and Peggy Evans Endowed Distinguished Professor for Simulation and Innovation at Emory School of Nursing, as she has been named the inaugural inductee into the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) Hall of Fame. A former AAACN president and nationally recognized leader, Dr. Swan has made lasting contributions to care coordination, simulation-based education, and interprofessional training—advancing both nursing practice and education across the country.
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SAVE THE DATE: 2026 GNLC DOCTORAL SYMPOSIUM
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Date: February 7, 2026
Location: Georgia College & State University
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition (GNLC) Doctoral Symposium. This exciting event will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
The symposium will feature a full day of poster and podium presentations, with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available for all-day attendees. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with nursing leaders and scholars from across the state.
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The May 2025 Edition of Augusta College of Nursing’s Nursing Notes Monthly Newsletter Is Now Available. Stay up to date with the latest news, achievements, and important updates from our College of Nursing community.
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We are proud to highlight Rose Hayes, PhD student at Emory School of Nursing and one of our most passionate advocates, for her recent op-ed titled “Opinion: America doesn’t trust the media, we do trust nurses. What can one learn from the other?”
In this compelling piece, Rose explores why nurses consistently rank among the most trusted professionals in America—and what lessons the media might draw from the nursing profession’s commitment to empathy, truth-telling, and human connection.
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Congratulations to Kelly Dyar, EdD, RN, CNN, CNE, Director of Inquiry and Scholarship and Associate Professor at the University of West Georgia Tanner Health System School of Nursing, on receiving a prestigious research grant from the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA). Dr. Dyar’s work continues to advance the field of nephrology nursing through evidence-based inquiry and scholarship. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the impact of her research!
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Congratulations to Dr. Roseline Jean Louis, a May 2025 PhD graduate of Emory School of Nursing, as she has been awarded the Marion Luther Brittain Award, the highest honor for an Emory University student.
Dr. Jean Louis' dedication to maternal health and her advocacy for underrepresented populations have made a significant impact both at Emory and beyond.
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Mercer University College of Nursing alumnus James DiAngelo transformed his career path from makeup artistry to nursing leadership. After enrolling at Mercer, DiAngelo embraced leadership roles on campus, which paved the way for his current position as Executive Director of Nursing Practice and Governance at Piedmont Healthcare. There, he oversees initiatives supporting over 13,000 nurses across 22 locations, including the Piedmont Scholars Program and the Transition to Practice Program, both aimed at nurturing nursing careers from education through retirement.
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In the May/June 2025 issue of the Journal of Professional Nursing, Assistant Professor of Emory School of Nursing, Miranda Hawks PhD, RN, CNL shares insightful perspectives in her guest editorial, Balancing Academic Scholarship and Educational Technology Resources in Nursing Education. Dr. Hawks challenges nursing faculty to innovate with educational technology, such as AI and adaptive learning platforms, while upholding the scholarly traditions that ground our profession. Her editorial thoughtfully explores the evolution of faculty scholarship, accessibility and student success, and the importance of fostering strong faculty partnerships around educational technology. Dr. Hawks’ work is a vital contribution to shaping the future of nursing education.
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Congratulations to Augusta University College of Nursing Assistant Professor Dr. Louisa Dasher Martin on her acceptance into the Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia (MTSA) Nurse Anesthesia Educator Program (NAEP). This prestigious year-long fellowship is designed to develop future leaders in nurse anesthesia education by providing advanced knowledge, hands-on experience, and expert mentorship. Upon completion of the program, Dr. Martin will be eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam.
We celebrate this exciting milestone and look forward to the impact Dr. Martin will continue to make in advancing nurse anesthesia education.
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GNLC ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & CLIMATE PROTECTION CONFERENCE
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The Environmental Justice & Climate Protection Conference 2025 will be held in Valdosta, GA on June 12-13, 2025. This conference brings together community leaders, concerned citizens, elected officials, academics, and industry experts to break information silos through information sharing focused on identifying solutions to heal and improve the health and environment of all Georgians.
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CALLING APRNS: HELP STRENGTHEN CLINICAL PREPAREDNESS & PATIENT CARE
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Faculty researchers from Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing are inviting Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) to participate in a 20-minute online survey focused on assessing clinical preparedness in managing complex patient care scenarios.
The study explores several factors, including training experience, confidence, practice environments, and use of clinical performance tools, to better understand how APRNs engage in patient management and decision-making.
APRNs age 18+ are eligible. Participants will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card as a thank-you for their time.
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ALSN PILOT GRANT OPPORTUNITY
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Application Deadline: June 15, 2025
The Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN) is offering a $10,000 pilot grant to support research aligned with their priority areas, including nurse well-being, workforce development, and leadership competencies. This opportunity is open to ALSN members in good standing—whether you’re an experienced researcher or a PhD student new to nursing leadership science (with mentorship from a seasoned investigator).
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Application Deadline: June 18, 2025
The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOB) has announced an exciting new board opportunity with Hippocratic AI, a cutting-edge company focused on advancing responsible, safe, and equitable use of artificial intelligence in health care. This opportunity is ideal for those with expertise in health care innovation, digital ethics, or AI-driven care delivery. Faculty and professionals passionate about shaping the future of AI in health care are encouraged to apply.
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Application Deadline: June 18, 2025
The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOB) has announced an exciting new board opportunity with Yeah! YOGA, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting healing and empowerment through trauma-informed yoga and wellness programming. If you're passionate about holistic health, trauma-informed care, and community impact, we encourage you to explore this role.
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NOBC'S LATEST EDUCATION OFFERING
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Are you a nurse looking to serve on a board but unsure how to navigate the boardroom environment? Or are you already on a board and want to make an even greater impact? The Communication and Language in the Boardroom: Linguistic Strategies for Making Your Board Seat Count micro-credential program is designed to help you confidently engage, communicate, and lead in board settings.
This FREE program, offered by the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) in collaboration with Memra Language Services and the National League for Nursing (NLN), provides essential strategies to help nurses overcome fears about board participation and enhance their contributions.
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2025 GNA CONFERENCE & MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY
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Date: August 22-24, 2025
Location: Columbus Marriott, Columbus GA
Time: 9:00am
The Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), the state’s largest professional association for registered nurses and affiliate of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is excited to host its 2025 Conference and Membership Assembly on August 22nd through the 24th at the Columbus Marriott in Columbus, GA. Take advantage of this unique convention of Georgia's top registered nurses.
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Date: September 19-21, 2025
Location: Hilton Peachtree City Atlanta Hotel & Conference Center
2443 Hwy 54 W, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Join UAPRN for an engaging and dynamic conference designed to empower and educate Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), students, and healthcare professionals. This premier event
will provide attendees with cutting-edge clinical education, networking opportunities, and professional development tailored to the evolving landscape of advanced practice nursing.
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ALSN 2025 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
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Conference Date: September 25-27, 2025
The Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN) invites you to submit an abstract for the 2025 International Conference, taking place September 25-27, 2025, at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Decatur, Georgia. This conference is a premier gathering for nursing educators, executives, administrators, and researchers to discuss current healthcare and system challenges on a global scale.
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GEORGIANS FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE
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Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) is your go-to resource for the latest developments in Georgia's health policy landscape. Their blog offers timely legislative updates, insights for advocacy. Recent posts cover topics such as the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session and guidance on enrolling in health coverage during Special Enrollment Periods. Stay engaged and informed by exploring their recent articles.
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2025 Georgia Legislative Session Update: Key Wins and Nursing-Focused Progress
The 2025 legislative session wrapped with several healthcare-related initiatives advancing through both chambers. Some highlights include:
1. Expansion of scope of practice for APRNs and PAs, including ordering home healthcare services and participating in guardianship evaluations.
2. Passage of the Preceptor Tax Credit increase to $750 and extension through 2030.
3. Support for the HOPE for Georgia Patients Act, expanding access to investigational treatments.
4. Budget wins for nursing and health science infrastructure across Georgia universities, and continued advocacy for APRN and Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Programs.
The legislative session also emphasized efforts to improve healthcare workforce data, continuing education tracking, and support for impaired healthcare professionals.
A special thank you to Sharrell Canty, UGA Intern, for her exceptional contributions this session, and to our dedicated legislative team: Julianna McConnell, Robin Pingeton, Dr. Michelle Nelson, Michele Dunn, Wesley Dunn, and Sharrell Canty for their tireless advocacy on behalf of nursing.
For questions or clarifications, please contact Julianna McConnell at julimcconnell@bellsouth.net.
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