Georgia State University Nursing School Review

The Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions is one of eight schools/colleges at Georgia State University’s campus in Atlanta. Together, these colleges serve more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Of these 32,000 students, approximately 500 are in the nursing school.

Since its foundation in 1968, over 5000 students have passed through the nursing programs at Georgia State University (GSU), and these graduates, who have a 90-percent pass rate for licensing exams, prove that the nursing school prepares them well for the healthcare profession. Georgia State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing itself is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

To begin the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, a student must complete prerequisites in English, math, biology, chemistry and physics with a minimum GPA of 2.8. (Admission statistics show, however, that the average GPA of an accepted student for the traditional BSN program is about 3.75.) Not including prerequisites, the BSN program takes three years of full time study. Students who have already completed undergraduate coursework can apply to the ACE (Achieving the Curriculum Expeditiously) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This program, not counting already-completed undergraduate coursework, takes only 16 months to complete, but requires a very substantial time commitment (approximately 81 hours a week). The nursing school welcomes transfer nursing students too, and offers a Transfer Track to help them transition into either of the two BSN programs.

Master of Science in Nursing

Registered nurses (RN) who wish to pursue additional education can become either Clinical Nurse Specialists or Nurse Practitioners through the Master of Science program with a major in nursing. RNs with either a baccalaureate or a diploma/associate degree are invited to apply, although RNs without a baccalaureate degree will need to demonstrate professional excellence and take additional courses (through the RN to MS Bridge Program). Once accepted to the program, nurses can choose among six specialties, including adult medicine, children’s health, family medicine, perinatal/women’s health, psychiatric mental health, and nursing leadership in healthcare innovations (a nonclinical program) focusing on Nursing Informatics &
Nursing Administration. Graduates of this leadership masters program are eligible to sit for either the Nurse Informatics or Nurse Executive Credentialing exam.

RN to MS

An RN without a baccalaureate degree who has been working in the nursing field for at least one year is eligible to apply to the RN to MS Bridge Program. Through this program, the nurse takes all the prerequisite coursework in order to enter the Master of Science in Nursing program.

Post-Master’s Certification in Nursing

A nurse who already has his Master of Science in nursing in one area can also become certified at the master’s level in another area. Through the Post-Master’s Certification in Nursing program, he can take graduate-level coursework in his new area of study (adult medicine, children’s health, family medicine, perinatal/women’s health, or psychiatric mental health) and then sit for the certification test to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner in that particular area.

Doctor of Philosophy

An experienced nurse who wishes to turn to teaching and research can go through the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing Doctor of Philosophy program. As a prerequisite, the nurse must already have her master’s degree in nursing. This program is hybrid, consisting of both online and onsite classes. There is no clinical component. The program focuses on preparing nurses to lead in the nursing field, by educating others, promoting health awareness, and protecting at-risk populations. Students in this program must take 60 credit hours, 9 of which are dedicated to a doctoral dissertation.

Contact:
Georgia State University
30 Courtland Street Southeast
Atlanta, GA 30303

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