DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
Faculty and Staff
Lydia Watkins, DNP, CPNP, RN
Distinguished Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences 
HS 217
912-279-5909
lwatkins@ccga.edu
Education:
Doctor of Nursing Practice ● University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
Master of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track ● University of Alabama
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Associate of Science in Nursing ● Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Awards/Honors: Golden Key International Honor Society, Nominated for Professor of the Year (multiple years)
- 2015 College of Coastal Georgia Excellence in Service-Learning Outstanding Faculty Award
- 2015-2016 College of Coastal Georgia Service-Learning Faculty Fellow
- 2016-2017 College of Coastal Georgia Service-Learning Faculty Fellow
Professional Affiliations: Member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), and Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)
Clinical Expertise: Previous to joining the Coastal Georgia faculty, Dr. Watkins worked as an RN in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama for 5 years, then as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Hematology/Oncology at Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan for 10 years. Currently teaches in the BSN Pediatric, Leadership, and Practicum courses.
Kashawn Littlejohn
Nursing Program Specialist
HS 216-A 912-279-5870
klittlejohn@ccga.edu
Education:
Associate of Arts ● South Georgia State College
Certifications: Georgia Healthcare Financial Management Association- Certified Patient Account Representative
Nichol James
Department Coordinator
HS 216
912-279-5860
njames@ccga.edu
Education:
Associate of Arts ● University of Phoenix
Ashley Barnes, MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 218-B
912-279-5954
abarnes@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southwestern State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southern University
Associate of Science in Nursing ● College of Coastal Georgia
Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator
Area of Clinical Expertise: Previous to joining the Coastal Georgia faculty, Mrs. Barnes worked for three years in CCU.
Lauren O. Bibin, MSN, APRN, CNM
Lab Coordinator/Simulation Specialist/Instructor of Nursing
HS 209
912-279-4581
lbibin@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA.
Associates of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology ● Valdosta Technical College
Honors/Awards: Golden Key International Honour Society; Sigma Theta Tau- Epsilon Pi Chapter, Valdosta State University; Kappa Gamma Chapter, State University of New York at Stony Brook; National Technical Honor Society; Doretta Dick Award for Excellence in Scholarly Writing at the Graduate Level
Professional Affiliations: American College of Nurse Midwives; American College of Nurse Midwives- Political Action Committee; Georgia Midwifery Association
Certifications: Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Clinical Expertise: Obstetrics/gynecology, mother-baby
Amy Bowles, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 201-A, 912-279-5866
abowles@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing Education ● Walden University
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing ● Reynolds Community College
Certificate in Women's and International Studies ● Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Honors/Certifications: NCSBN NCLEX item writer/reviewer
Academic Honor Society: Sigma Theta Tau
Professional Affiliations: ANA, AANE, AADE
Brandy Chambers, MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor of Nursing .HS 205-A
912-279-4513
bchambers@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southwestern State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Armstrong Atlantic State University
Associate of Science in Nursing ● College of Coastal Georgia
Honors and Awards: Selected for the Scholarship Intern Program; Awarded a Service-Learning mini grant for the Health Assessment and Promotion course; Nominated for Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty; Nominated for Professor of the year in 2015 and 2014; Received Coastal Georgia's SAIL Award for successful accreditation with ACEN and for 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN Exam
Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator
Clinical Expertise: Medical-surgical nursing
Dawana Gibbs, MSN, RN, CNE
ASN Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Nursing 
HS 200-C
912-279-5907
dgibbs@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southern University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Armstrong State College
Associate of Science in Nursing ● Brunswick Junior College
Awards: Albert Crews Service Award, Advisor of the Year, Outstanding Faculty Member in Service Learning
Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator
Clinical Expertise: Adult psychiatric mental health nursing both in acute care and in the community. Her primary areas of teaching are fundamentals and mental health.
Laura Grantham, MSN, RN
BSN Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 200-A
912-279-5903
lgrantham@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing (Adult Nurse Practitioner) ● Armstrong Atlantic State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Armstrong Atlantic State University
Associate of Science in Nursing ● Coastal Georgia Community College
Honors/Certifications: Former test writer for NCLEX, certified Yoga Instructor
Academic Honor Society: Sigma Theta Tau Armstrong Atlantic State University
Professional Affiliations: ANA, GNA
Nevada LeCounte, MSN, RN, CMSRN, PCCN, CNE
Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 218-C
912-279-5901
nlecounte@ccga.edu
Education:
(In Progress) Doctor of Philosophy ● University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Master of Science in Nursing ● University of Central Missouri
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Georgia College and State University
Certifications: Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse, Progressive Care Certified Nurse, Certified Nurse Educator
Clinical Expertise: Ms. LeCounte has several years of experience working on the intermediate and critical care units at Memorial University Medical Center. She began her career on a medical-surgical floor with a population spanning pediatrics to geriatrics, and has additional experience caring for step-down, emergency, and postpartum patients.
Nicole Masano, DNP, MSN, RN, CNM, CNE
Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Nursing HS
216-B
912-279-5863
nmasano@ccga.edu
Education:
Doctor of Nursing Practice ● Mercer University, Macon, GA
Post Master's Certification in Health Informatics ● University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Science in Nursing ● University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● University of Illinois at Chicago
Certifications: Certified Nurse Midwife and Certified Nurse Educator
Clinical Expertise: Mrs. Masano has 24 years of experience as an RN working primarily in obstetrics with additional experience in Community Health. She has been teaching for 15 years.
Tara Mosher, MSN, RN
Lecturer of Nursing
HS 238-A
912-279-5899
tmosher@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Associate of Science in Nursing ● Clayton State College, Morrow, GA
Clinical Expertise: Surgical ICU/ Trauma
Candice Overholser, MSN, RN
RN-BSN Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 210
912-279-5865
coverholser@ccga.edu
Education:
(In progress) Doctor of Education ● University of West Georgia
Master of Science in Nursing ● Georgia Southwestern University of West Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● College of Coastal Georgia
Associate of Science in Nursing ● College of Coastal Georgia
Academic Honor Society: Sigma Theta Tau Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, Georgia ● Phi Kappa Phi, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia
Clinical Expertise: Mrs. Overholser has 19 years of experience working in a variety of specialty areas of nursing, such as ICU, Nursing Homes/Rehabilitation, Postpartum, Nursery/NICU (LII),a nd Leadership and Management team.as an RN working in critical care, community health, postpartum, and level II nursery. She teaches in the nursing labs and in simulation.
Professional Affiliations: ANA, GANE, NLN
Beverly Rowe, MSN, RN, CNE
Associate Professor of Nursing
HS 200-B
912-279-5902
browe@ccga.edu
Education:
Master of Science in Nursing ● University of South Alabama
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● Medical College of Georgia
Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator, Vision Screener, BLS Instructor
Awards: Platinum Award for Service Learning, Kay Hampton Nurse Educator Award
Maryanne Sandberg, EdD, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
HS 205-B
912-279-5859
msandberg@ccga.edu
Education:
Doctor of Education- Nurse Educator ● University of West Georgia
Master of Science in Nursing ● Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing ● University of Phoenix
Associate of Science in Nursing ● Burlington County College, Pemberton, NJ
Professional Organizations: AACN, NLN, Sigma Theta Tau International