College receives initial approval for Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) from Georgia Board of Nursing

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) granted initial approval for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Savannah Technical College today. The first cohort of 24 students will begin in January 2025.
“We are thrilled to receive initial approval for our Associate of Science in Nursing program from the Georgia Board of Nursing,” said STC President Dr. Ryan Foley. “With this program, Savannah Tech will expand access to high-quality nursing education in Coastal Georgia, preparing students to step into critical roles in healthcare.”
The College will host this program at its Effingham Campus in a new Nursing/Science lab addition. The ASN program will have a competitive selection process, which will include requirements of specific core courses, entrance exam, and other criteria. Priority selection will be given to in-state students as well as those with a Georgia military affiliation. The competitive selection application is now open and will close at 11:59 p.m. on December 15, 2024, at www.savannahtech.edu/competitive.
“Savannah Technical College has been a key partner in developing our healthcare workforce, and we’re excited to support this growth through the addition of the ASN degree,” said Effingham Health System President and CEO Dr. Fran Witt, who is also a member of STC’s Board of Trustees. “Effingham Health System is currently a clinical site for CNA and LPN students, so expanding the program to include ASN offers a strategic response to both local and national nursing shortages. This program will help meet our staffing needs and benefit healthcare systems across our region.”
Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Savannah metro area had a skills gap of 3,173 for registered nurses in 2023.
STC’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program will prepare graduates to provide quality patient care through academic and occupational knowledge attained throughout their program of study. To learn more about ASN and other nursing programs at the College, visit: www.savannahtech.edu/nursing. Vickie Nylander, MSN, RN-BC, PCCN, is the Associate of Science in Nursing Program Director.
Visit this link for FAQ about competitive selection and details about ASN approval.
The ASN program’s development is partially funded by the College’s Title III Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) grant, a five-year US Department of Education grant initially awarded in 2021. The College seeks to address both the shortage of registered nurses in the local workforce and the low participation of minority students in higher-level health science programs with funding from the PBI formula grant.
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A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.