DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Faculty and Staff

Lydia Watkins, DNP, CPNP, RN
Distinguished Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences
HS 217
912-279-5860
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 and Health Science 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
912-279-5860/912-279-5861
njames@ccga.edu

Education:
Associate of Arts ● University of Phoenix

Ashley Barnes, MSN, RN, CNE
RN-BSN Program Coordinator and 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.

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, DNP, 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

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