HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Brenau University has signed a systemwide agreement with the Technical College System of Georgia to create an Associate of Science in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing transfer pathway.
Officials said the arrangement allows graduates earning an associate degree in nursing from any Georgia technical college to seamlessly transfer credits into Brenau’s bachelor’s degree program.
The agreement aims to expand educational access for registered nurses while directly addressing Georgia’s nursing shortage.
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Georgia is projected to face a 21% deficit in its registered nurse workforce over the next decade, the second-largest shortage forecasted in the nation, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
Within Brenau University’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing, the Associate of Science in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway is designed for licensed registered nurses seeking to build leadership skills and strengthen clinical judgment across health care systems.
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Brenau University President David L. Barnett said that while the institution previously established regional agreements, the systemwide expansion offers broader opportunities.
“The agreement is yet another way that Brenau is working to support students and the communities in which we live, work and learn,” Barnett said, adding that it opens up new opportunities for students and professionals.
Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier highlighted the educational continuity provided by the newly announced partnership.
“Creating seamless pathways for our graduates to continue their education is an important part of building a skilled workforce for Georgia,” Dozier said, saying the partnership will help graduates develop their careers and skills. “Most importantly, it helps strengthen Georgia’s nursing pipeline at a time when communities and health care providers across our state need these highly skilled professionals.”
Demographic shifts are increasing demand across the health care sector. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the number of Americans ages 65 and older will exceed 82 million by 2050, accounting for nearly a quarter of the population.
While registered nurses do not need a bachelor’s degree for basic licensure, health care organizations increasingly seek nurses with advanced training for leadership roles.
A 2021 study published in Nursing Outlook found that surgical mortality rates dropped in hospitals that employed higher proportions of BSN-prepared nurses.
To accommodate working professionals, the program offers full-time and part-time options. Coursework is delivered online, with in-person attendance required only for clinical experiences.
“As more nurses retire from the profession, hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices and other providers seek nurses who have the additional expertise and leadership ability provided through a bachelor’s degree program,” James C. Eck, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. “I would like to commend [Laura] Hart, Ed.D., MSN, RN, who is our undergraduate chair of nursing at Brenau. She worked very hard on the details to ensure that this program provides the best possible outcomes for students who will benefit from this partnership and their thousands of future patients.”
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