North Georgia College & State University Nursing School Review

Although North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) is designated as the Military College of Georgia and a State Leadership Institution, it is not just for military students. The four-year institution is open to all students, although there is a strong presence and support for ROTC students. The Department of Nursing in the School of Science & Health Professions shares the commitment to supporting the military.

As a designated Partner in Nursing Education with the U.S. Army, the department trains many cadets for work as military nurses. The School of Science & Health Professions offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in nursing, all of which are approved by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Georgia Board of Nursing. Here is a review of the available programs:

Associate of Science in Nursing

North Georgia College & State University offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree at its main campus in Dahlonega, as well as on the campus of Gainesville State College and the Forsyth County campus of Lanier Technical College. The program requires two years, and consists of core general education requirements as well as nursing classes and clinical rotations. It begins each fall. The college offers a special ASN track for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), called the LPN to RN Bridge/Career Mobility Program. Based upon their previous education and their work experience, they can skip several of the foundational nursing courses in the ASN program. They begin in the summer semester and join the rest of the second-year ASN students for the remaining two semesters. At the end of the ASN program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN) and begin working as Registered Nurses (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Students who have already earned an ASN or diploma in nursing are eligible to enter North Georgia College & State University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This program requires fifty-seven credit hours on top of the ASN credit hours, although ROTC students should note that the military may have additional requirements beyond the college requirements. Courses are offered in both an online and a traditional format, and begin each fall.

Master of Science in Nursing

North Georgia College & State University offers two different Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. One is for nurses who wish to teach nursing, to allow them to become certified Nurse Educators. The program consists of thirty-five credit hours, and students learn skills such as teaching skills and curriculum development. The program is geared toward nurses who already have a BSN, but there is a transitional track for nurses who earned a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing.

There is also a shorter, fifteen-credit, Post-master’s certification track for nurses who have already earned an MSN. North Georgia College & State University’s other MSN track is for nurses who wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). The program specializes in preparing nurses to be primary care givers in underserved, rural areas. During their 780 clinical hours, program participants become involved with the Appalachian Nurse Practitioner Clinic, which serves uninsured patients from the surrounding areas. In addition to the clinical hours, students in this program take forty-six credit hours.

Contact:
North Georgia College & State University
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597

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