WELLSTAR SCHOOL OF NURSING AT KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
With funding from the University System of Georgia's Intellectual Capital Partnership Program, Kennesaw started an accelerated program in 2002. Individuals with bachelor's degrees in other disciplines can become nurses in 16 months (four straight semesters), instead of the traditional 30.
"Employers like these students because they are highly motivated and their retention rate is strong," said Marie Bremner, DSN, APRN-BC, coordinator of the accelerated program.
Kennesaw States's nursing program now runs year-round - admitting students three times a year to make full use of its facilities and faculty - to increase enrollment by 50. It has also extended its BSN program to students in Rome, through a partnership with Georgia Highlands College. Some courses are offered online, rather than on campus, to save students and faculty time.
Undergraduate students who take classes straight through can graduate in 18 months.
"In five years, we've gone from 200 to 400 undergraduates. I'd take more, but I wouldn't have desks to put them in," said Christina Horne, Ph.D., RN, director of undergraduate nursing.
The new health science building in the Board of Regents' 2008 facilities budget will allow Kennesaw State to add students and programs. "If they fast-track construction, they might complete it in two to three years," Horne said.
An innovative pilot program is helping doctors from other countries (who can't get licensed in the United States without repeating their internships and residencies) to become RNs and family nurse practitioners in two and a half years.
GEORGIA BAPTIST COLLEGE OF NURSING OF MERCER UNIVERSITY
In 2005, Mercer University and Piedmont Healthcare formed a partnership to create joint initiatives in nursing, pharmacy research and other medical and allied health education programs under the umbrella of the Center for Health and Learning. As a result, Mercer enrolled 50 additional nursing students as Piedmont Nursing Scholars last year. Piedmont funded the scholarships in exchange for their agreement to work for Piedmont after graduation.
This fall, the school enrolled a second class of Piedmont Nursing Scholars and opened an expansion of its Piedmont Healthcare Learning Resource Center.
"Thanks to Piedmont's generous support, we have eight more beds, more classroom space and new lab equipment and simulation mannequins at the Learning Resource Center," said JoEllen Dattilo, RN, Ph.D., associate dean for the undergraduate program.
The school was able to increase enrollment of first-year students from 142 to 172.
"Having better facilities enhances our students' clinical training, which means they will take less time to become expert clinicians later. This will help the nursing shortage," said Susan Gunby, RN, Ph.D., dean of Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University.
The school also splits its senior class, allowing half to graduate in December instead of May by taking an accelerated summer semester.
With dues support from both institutions, Georgia Baptist is the first nursing school to require juniors to join the National Student Nurses Association. "Getting them active early builds pride in the profession and leadership skills," Gunby said.
Georgia Baptist is feeding more instructors into the system through its educator MSN track (started in 2002) and its education certificate program for master's prepared nurses who want to teach.
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA/EMORY UNIVERSITY NURSING PARTNERSHIP
Robert W. Woodruff grants to the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing ($995,000) and Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing ($500,000) are supporting MCG's new doctorate of nursing practice program. Emory faculty will be able to enroll through distance learning in the program, and MCG faculty will attend Emory's postgraduate program for clinical educators.
"This partnership provides an example of how the public and private sector can work together to address the severe shortage of qualified nursing faculty and clinicians in Georgia," said Marla Salmon, dean of Emory's nursing school.
This spring, the University System of Georgia provided funds for MCG to offer the doctorate of nursing practice degree to seven other Georgia colleges and universities. MCG also launched an accelerated (16-month) master's-level nursing program to attract professionals from other fields.
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY'S BYRDINE F. LEWIS SCHOOL OF NURSING
In 2001, Georgia State University's nursing school admitted its first class of accelerated nursing students. Students take a heavy courseload in four semesters to graduate in 18 months, instead of the traditional three years.
"Starting in 2003, we've been able to graduate about 60 more students a year," said Krista Meinersmann, Ph.D., APRN-BC, assistant director of undergraduate programs. "In the future we're planning to accept 60 percent of our students into the accelerated program."
"The Board of Regents committed funds for us to expand our 20-year-old doctoral program in order to increase nursing faculty in the state," said Barbara Woodring, Ed.D., RN, CPN director.
Through distance learning, Georgia State is partnering with Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southwestern State University and Valdosta State University to establish a statewide doctoral program. The first cohort of 15 students started this year.
"We're also exploring new options at the master's level. We're very committed to the idea of more nurse educators in Georgia," Woodring said.