College of Nursing celebrates first student to complete ReCAP program

Keturah Burns was recognized as the first student to complete the 150-hour Rebalancing the Curricula and Advancing Primary Care Nursing (ReCAP) program during a small, socially distanced ceremony last week. She is a May 2020 graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Augusta University’s College of Nursing.

The ReCAP program aims to achieve a sustainable primary care nursing workforce to address pressing national public health issues, even the distribution of the nursing workforce, improve access to care, and improve population health outcomes.

Burns is currently employed by Augusta University Medical Center on 4 South Surgery, but she recently accepted a position at Jefferson Hospital in Louisville, Georgia. She also serves as an Army reservist, which she transitioned to once beginning the BSN program.

Burns grew up in Hardeeville, South Carolina, and had to travel to Charleston for access to most health care, so rural health has always been on her mind. The ReCAP program helped Burns find her true calling in rural area primary care. Her first ReCAP assignment was at the Swainsboro Health Department and she fell in love with the work. Burns said she knew she was in the right place for her future as a nurse.

ReCAP students participate in an independent study course that provides immersion in primary care nursing. The goal is to prepare practice-ready nurses to serve in community-based primary care settings.

Burns said the program “can really help a student find what setting they want to go into after graduation” and encourages current nursing students to participate.

The ReCAP program is offered on both the Augusta and Athens campuses. To learn more, email ReCAP@augusta.edu or call 706-721-9847.