Transforming Nursing Education in Georgia to Meet Critical Health Care Needs
A group of Vian nurses who received training thanks to support from the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program
Nurses play a vital role in patient care. However, health care companies across Georgia are facing a significant shortage of qualified nursing staff, particularly in rural areas. This challenge is compounded by a lack of accredited courses for nurse managers. To address this gap and empower Georgians with the skills they need to access these high-value employment opportunities, the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program partnered with Vian, Georgia’s largest private hospital network. Vian operates 17 referral hospitals across six regions and employs 3,000 nurses, yet only 250 hold managerial positions.
In response to upcoming regulations for the nursing profession and growing employer needs, Vian created three new post-diploma educational programs. With support from the USAID program, they renovated six training centers, developed learning materials in both Georgian and Armenian to ensure inclusivity for ethnic minority populations, and created 150 educational videos paired with assessments aligned with learning objectives. The programs offer both theoretical and hands-on training in general nursing as well as specialized areas such as trauma nursing, ICU nursing, and medical-surgical nursing. This dual approach equips nurses with foundational knowledge and the ability to apply it in real-world situations.
Under the partnership, 400 nurses will access new professional development opportunities, helping them gain skills to advance their careers. “Every nurse must be educated to deliver patient-centered care as a member of an interprofessional team, emphasizing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, the use of informatics, and a commitment to safety,” notes Vian CEO Giorgi Mindiashvili. To further enhance career pathways, the partnership introduced a new employment promotion scheme, allowing nurses to advance into leadership roles more effectively.
In 2023, the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program expanded its efforts by collaborating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Together, they established a public-private dialogue platform to develop strategies for enhancing the skills and competencies of nursing professionals. This initiative supports the country’s EU Association agenda and Nursing Development Strategy.
These partnerships represent a significant step forward in addressing Georgia’s nursing shortage. By investing in the education and professional development of nurses, the USAID program and its partners are not only strengthening the health care system, but also creating opportunities for nurses to grow their careers
This article is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of IESC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
