Albany State Partnership Offers Working Adults $10,000 in Support to Pursue Nursing Careers

Evening nursing track pairs flexible scheduling with professional mentoring and a pathway to employment in Southwest Georgia.

ALBANY, Ga. — Working adults interested in becoming registered nurses will have additional support through a partnership between Albany State University and Phoebe Putney Health System beginning in January 2027.

The ASU/Phoebe Associate of Science in Nursing Evening Track will provide participating students with $10,000 in financial assistance, professional mentoring and clinical learning opportunities. Students must agree to work for Phoebe for two years after graduation, with employment following graduation and licensure.

The partnership builds on Albany State’s existing evening nursing track, which has served students for more than a decade. Its evening schedule helps adults pursue a nursing degree while balancing work and other daytime responsibilities. The program can be completed in as little as five semesters.

Up to 30 students will join the January 2027 cohort.

ASU President Dr. Robert Scott said the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to making healthcare education more accessible. He emphasized that combining academic preparation with financial and professional support can help working adults succeed while strengthening Southwest Georgia’s nursing workforce.

Students will receive support from both organizations throughout their education. Phoebe will provide mentoring from nursing professionals, while Albany State will offer additional tutoring and success coaching.

Participants will also have opportunities to work as nurse externs at Phoebe, practice clinical skills using simulation resources at both institutions and learn alongside Phoebe’s clinical education teams.

To support instruction, Phoebe will fund one full-time faculty position, one part-time faculty position and two clinical instructor positions at ASU.

Phoebe President and CEO Scott Steiner described the partnership as an investment in local residents and the patients they will eventually serve. He said the collaboration will expand nursing education opportunities while helping the health system develop its future workforce.

The initiative adds to Albany State’s longstanding role in preparing healthcare professionals. According to the university, ASU was the first HBCU in Georgia to establish a nursing program. It now offers nursing pathways at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, including options for working healthcare professionals seeking to advance their education.

Priority consideration for the evening cohort will go to legal residents of designated Southwest Georgia counties. Applicants from other Southwest Georgia and North Florida counties may be considered if spaces remain.

Tracy Suber, Phoebe’s vice president for education and talent acquisition, said the program’s local focus is particularly valuable. Supporting students who already live and work in the region can help prepare nurses who will continue serving nearby communities.

The announced application deadline for the January 2027 cohort was November 1, 2026. Applicants were required to gain admission to Albany State before completing the program application. Those interested in future opportunities should contact the university for updated admissions information.

For adults considering a career change, the partnership connects an evening education option with financial assistance, hands-on experience and a pathway into the region’s healthcare workforce.

Source: Albany State University news release, October 19, 2026.