Â鶹ÊÓƵ Launches Fast-Track Nursing Degree for Career Changers
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Friday, September 5, 2025 12:00 AM
Categories:
Pressroom | Faculty/Staff | School of Health and Natural Sciences | Students
Macon, GA
Â鶹ÊÓƵ (MGA) is launching an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a fast-paced pathway into healthcare for people who already hold four-year degrees in other fields.
Set to begin in January 2026, the program can be completed in just four semesters - or 17 months - compared to the two years typically required to complete upper-division courses in a traditional nursing bachelor’s degree.
“This is a relatively quick path into a professional nursing career,” said Dr. Tara Underwood, dean of MGA’s School of Health & Natural Sciences. “It’s a great opportunity for people who are ready to change careers. People who choose nursing later in life bring a wealth of real-world experience, empathy, and determination into the profession.”
Georgia badly needs RNs. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a 21 percent shortage of registered nurses by 2035, one of the most severe deficits in the nation. In this region, registered nurses earn a median salary of $78,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Students in will experience a rigorous curriculum that combines classroom instruction with extensive, hands-on clinical training in real healthcare settings.
“When you combine that strong preparation with the diverse experiences students bring from their first careers, you’ll be getting nurses who are ready to lead from day one,” said Dr. Patrice Pierce, chair of MGA’s Department of Nursing. “And employers will know that.”
MGA already has a proven track record in nursing education. In 2024, graduates of the University’s traditional BSN program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The ABSN program builds on that tradition of excellence, offering motivated students the chance to enter the profession sooner.
Students will begin the first semester on the Warner Robins Campus and then move through the program on different MGA campuses as part of the curriculum sequence, ensuring access to a wide range of clinical placements and classroom experiences:
- Spring 2026 – Warner Robins Campus
- Summer 2026 – Macon Campus
- Fall 2026 – Each student chooses either the Macon or Dublin campuses
- Spring 2027 (final semester) – Each student chooses either the Macon or Dublin campuses
“This is an intensive program,” said Devony Whitehead, MGA’s nursing program admissions and certification officer, “but the rewards will be extraordinary for graduates who will be prepared to step into new and meaningful careers in nursing.”
Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are now open. More information is available at www.mga.edu/health-natural-sciences/nursing or by contacting Dr. Patrice Pierce at patrice.pierce@mga.edu.