Gov. Kemp Appoints Dr. Lydia Watkins to Georgia Board of Nursing

Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Dr. Lydia Watkins, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the College of Coastal Georgia, to serve on the Georgia Board of Nursing. Watkins was officially sworn in by Gov. Kemp on March 5. She was accompanied by her daughter Alyvia Watkins for the special occasion.

The Georgia Board of Nursing, part of the Georgia Secretary of State, regulates and oversees nursing practice in Georgia, ensuring public safety and promoting safe, competent nursing practice through licensing, education standards, and disciplinary actions. Watkins views her appointment to the board as an opportunity to contribute to the future of nursing in Georgia in a meaningful way.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to Gov. Kemp for appointing me to the Georgia Board of Nursing. I’m looking forward to working with board members to address the challenges facing the nursing profession and support the growth of our nursing workforce,” Watkins said. “My journey in nursing has been shaped by the compassion and resilience of both my colleagues and students. It’s a testament to what the collective efforts of our nursing community can do. Together we will ensure a safe, competent nursing practice where nurses can thrive and feel supported.”

In addition to being the dean of the School of Nursing, Watkins is also a professor of nursing at the College. She has worked as a registered nurse since 1997, and was an adjunct instructor with the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. Since joining the College, Watkins has served in various roles such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing program coordinator, interim program director of radiologic sciences, and chair of nursing and health sciences, prior to becoming the dean.

Watkins will serve on the Georgia Board of Nursing until 2028.