Fitzgerald, GA— Abby McDonald graduated from Irwin County High School in 2020. While in high school she took full advantage of the Dual Enrollment classes offered by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and is now attending the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus and will graduate this summer with her diploma in Practical Nursing.

Abby decided early on that she wanted to be a nurse. “I used to go with my mom and work the entire 12-hour shift with her at the nursing home when I was 11 years old. The nursing home let me be the “assistant activity director” and I thought I ran the place,” joked Abby. While in high school she enrolled in dual enrollment classes as soon as they were available to her. “I would undoubtedly encourage anyone that is planning on attending college, to use the dual enrollment route,” shared Abby. She continued to share that the Dual Enrollment program not only prepared her for the environment of college but also helped her knock out many of the core classes that are required in college and the classes are free. While in high school she took nurse aide classes through the college and is employed at Coffee Regional Medical Center as a Patient Care Technician/CNA.

Abby may be graduating in July, but she is not stopping there. She is working now to bridge over to the college’s Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) and her ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. The Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) program starts Fall Semester on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus. Those interested can apply now through May 1, 2024, when you visit Wiregrass.edu/course-catalog/current/programs/nursing-degree. The program will accept up to 30 students to begin Fall 2024. During March the college is also waiving the application fees when you apply for Summer or Fall Semesters. For more information visit Wiregrass.edu.