Piedmont Macon Partnership Paying Off for MGA Nursing Students
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 12:00 AM
Categories:
Pressroom | Students | School of Health and Natural Sciences | Faculty/Staff
Macon, GA
Troya Thomas (in blue scrubs), an RN at Piedmont Macon, is the clinical instructor for MGA nursing students rotating through clinical settings at the hospital. Piedmont funds her position through a special partnership with the University. She is shown with some of the MGA nursing students she has instructed.
Kayla Haugabrook calls her clinical training at Piedmont Macon Medical Center the best experience she’s had as a Â鶹ÊÓƵ nursing student.
“It’s given me so much hands-on experience and helped me gain confidence,” said the 23-year-old from Gray, who is following in her mother’s career footsteps. “What really made it stand out was my instructor. She made sure we not only knew how to do something but also why we were doing it. She even checked in on us outside of clinicals and was willing to explain classroom topics if we needed extra support. She constantly motivated us when we felt like giving up. Having that kind of guidance made the experience feel both professional and personal.”
That instructor is Troya Thomas, an RN with 14 years of experience, who teaches and supervises Middle Georgia State (MGA) nursing students through a special partnership between Piedmont Macon and the University.
“I’ve worked with a variety of students,” Thomas said. “The Middle Georgia State students are very respectful and receptive. That means a lot. They take note of my feedback, and I see improvement when they come back for their next rotation.”
Last December, MGA announced that was making a major investment in the future of healthcare by funding a new clinical instructor position for the University’s nursing program. Thomas stepped into that role, guiding students as they rotate through various clinical settings at the east Macon hospital as part of their degree requirements. goog
“We’ve been delighted with the experience our students are gaining through this partnership,” said Dr. Patrice Pierce, chair of MGA’s Department of Nursing. “Piedmont Macon is helping us prepare students to become outstanding RNs.”
Haugabrook is not the only nursing major grateful for the opportunity.
Ben Rice, 21, of Cherokee County, was inspired by his mother, an ER nurse, to pursue the profession. He described his clinical rotations at Piedmont Macon as “nothing short of amazing,” adding that Thomas “has helped all of us learn so much in a short amount of time.”
For Tamya Rogers, 20, of Warner Robins, her grandmother’s longtime work as a CNA inspired her to become a nurse. Rogers said her experience at Piedmont Macon pushed her outside her comfort zone and strengthened areas of knowledge where she had been less confident.
“I’m still learning, but I’m discovering a multitude of things that have shaped my experiences,” she said. “Professor Thomas has helped me grow tremendously.”
Zy’Keria Fuller, 25, of Abbeville, said she chose nursing because she is passionate about helping others. The real-time feedback and supervision she receives during clinical rotations, she said, have been instrumental in building her confidence.
“Every new task I take on helps me feel more prepared for the responsibilities of an RN,” she said. “It’s a chance to see theory put into practice and be a part of a fast-paced, real-world healthcare environment.”
Another student, Conor McElewee, 25, of Jones County, earned his first MGA degree in healthcare administration in 2021. After working a desk job in Pennsylvania, he realized he wanted more direct patient interaction and decided to return home to pursue nursing.
“Having Ms. Thomas as a clinical instructor has been amazing,” he said. “She’s hard on you, but in the best way possible. She’s like a mama.”
Thomas also serves on the nursing staff at Piedmont Henry in Stockbridge, where she works with residency coordinators supporting newly licensed RNs. That experience, she said, strengthens her ability to mentor MGA students at Piedmont Macon.
“With the new grads, we might see some things where they need more experience, so that helps me when I come to Piedmont Macon for clinicals with students,” she said. “I want to make sure they’re prepared so that when they become new nursing grads, they won’t feel overwhelmed or start to question whether they should even be a nurse.”
Thomas said her role is to help MGA nursing students learn to “fly by themselves,” and the partnership with Piedmont Macon is giving them the skills and confidence to do just that.
“They’re my babies,” she said. “I’m super proud of all of them.”