As the nationwide nursing shortage continues to strain hospitals and health systems, universities are stepping up with innovative partnerships to expand educational access and train the next generation of nurses.
Recent collaborations between Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), as well as between the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Navajo Technical University (NTU), illustrate how institutions are joining forces to build sustainable pipelines that reflect the needs of their local communities.
Expanding the Pipeline in Georgia
In metro Atlanta, Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and Georgia Tech have launched a partnership designed to address Georgia’s growing nursing workforce needs.
The agreement creates a direct pathway for Georgia Tech graduates to enroll in Emory’s Master of Nursing program, an accelerated entry-to-practice degree for students with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines.
The 15-month program prepares students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination and begin practicing as registered nurses.
For Emory, the partnership extends a series of collaborations aimed at cultivating nursing professionals who are both academically prepared and community-minded.
“Partnering with Georgia Tech represents another exciting step forward for nursing education,” said Linda McCauley, dean of the School of Nursing. “Together, we’re expanding opportunities for future nurses and ensuring that our communities and health systems have the skilled professionals they need to thrive.”
The five-year partnership marks Emory’s fourth collaboration with a local college, following similar pathways with Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, and Oglethorpe University.
Collectively, these programs seek to broaden the pool of nursing students by reaching undergraduates from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Georgia Tech’s vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success, Steven Girardot, described the initiative as a reflection of both institutions’ shared values.
“We are excited to participate in a program that will develop future leaders in nursing,” Girardot said. “This direct pathway opens doors for our graduates to launch meaningful careers in nursing, living out our motto of ‘Progress and Service’ in the most impactful way.”
With Georgia’s health care systems facing rising demand for qualified nurses in urban and rural regions alike, partnerships like this one represent a long-term investment in workforce sustainability.
Building Cultural and Educational Bridges in New Mexico
More than 1,300 miles west, another partnership is taking shape with a deep local focus.
The UNM College of Nursing has joined with Navajo Technical University to strengthen nursing education in rural and tribal communities across the state.
Under a new agreement, UNM will work with NTU over the next year to support the development of its nursing program by sharing faculty expertise, curriculum design, and educational technology.
The initiative also emphasizes reciprocal learning grounded in Diné cultural philosophy and respect for Indigenous knowledge.
“This collaboration reflects our shared respect for community and culture,” said Rosario Medina, PhD, dean of the UNM College of Nursing. “It’s about listening and building a foundation for nursing education that honors both.”
NTU, located in Crownpoint, New Mexico, was the first university established on the Navajo Nation and integrates the principles of Nitsáhákees (thinking), Nahátá (planning), Īína (implementing), and Siihasin (reflection) into its educational model.
Through the partnership, UNM faculty and staff will have opportunities to take Diné language and cultural courses, ensuring that both institutions benefit from the exchange.
“We’ve been working with UNM on our RN program,” said Michelle Kahn John, PhD, NTU’s nursing program advisor. “Their experienced faculty will help guide and support us. This collaboration is grounded in the Diné philosophy, and NTU will also offer cross-cultural training. UNM faculty and staff will be able to take Diné language classes, helping both schools learn from each other.”
The partnership emerged from meetings at NTU’s Crownpoint campus, where leaders discussed shared goals and the challenges facing rural nursing education, including limited clinical opportunities and geographic barriers to program growth.
UNM’s support is expected to help NTU strengthen its registered nursing curriculum, train new faculty, and expand access to advanced degree pathways for students who want to remain close to their communities.
Long-term, the two universities envision a more seamless academic progression from NTU’s associate degree program to bachelor’s, master’s, and eventually doctoral programs at UNM.
“Together, the UNM College of Nursing and NTU are working toward a shared vision: a more connected pathway for nursing students to advance their education while staying close to home and community,” the institutions said in a joint statement.
A Broader National Imperative
Both partnerships reflect a growing trend in higher education: collaborative, locally responsive solutions to health care workforce shortages.
Rather than relying solely on recruitment from outside their region, universities are investing in models that elevate community talent and foster a sense of service and belonging.
In Georgia, that means opening new doors for technically trained students to enter nursing with a foundation in innovation and applied science.
In New Mexico, it means weaving cultural competency and community engagement into every layer of nursing education.
As the health care landscape continues to evolve, these efforts demonstrate how universities can work across institutional and cultural boundaries to meet urgent public needs—preparing nurses who not only fill critical roles but also understand the communities they serve.
