Nursing Schools in Georgia
University of Phoenix* (Atlanta, Columbus) - Health Care Services, MBA / Health Care Management, Nursing (BS and MS)

There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2002, 678 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 700 RN programs in 2002 were at the ADN level. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only a small and declining number of programs offer diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. We have a list of nursing schools with programs available to you in Georgia below. Also please use the Nursing Career Guide as a resource if you are looking for additional information on nursing careers, training, job outlook etc.

University of Phoenix Campus - Campuses Nationwide
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in over 140 locations, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. Programs Browse all Programs. Campus Locations: Find a campus near you.

Online Nursing Colleges

Jacksonville University
RNs with an accredited AA degree may be well on their way towards their BSN degree. Jacksonville University will award up to 32 credit hours for students with an RN license and a maximum of 64 transfer credits from other regionally accredited universities and institutions of higher learning. JU also accepts up to 32 hours through CLEP exams. Programs: RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Location: Online.

University of Phoenix Campus - Campuses Nationwide
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in over 140 locations, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. Programs Browse all Programs. Campus Locations: Find a campus near you.

Liberty University
Programs: - Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) - Business - Business (MBA) - Counseling - Divinity (M.Div.) - Doctor of Education - Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) - Ed.D – Doctor of Education - Ed.S – Education Specialist - Education (M.Ed.) - General Studies - Nursing Degree Completion Program - Ph.D. Counseling - Psychology (BS) - Religion - Theology Degree (T h.M.)
Locations: New York NY.

Kaplan University (Online)
Kaplan University helps students looking to either change or advance their careers by offering online flexibility, reduced costs, financial aid assistance, and a fast path to a degree. The instructors at Kaplan have the academic background and professional experience that allows them to pass on real-world knowledge to their students. The degree programs have a curriculum that is focused on career goals, and they feature various areas of emphasis. Programs: Accounting - Alternative Dispute Resolution - Branding and Visual Communications - Business - Business Administration/Accounting - Business Administration/Management - Business and Communications Entrepreneur - Computer Information Systems - Corrections - Criminal Justice - Database - E-Business - Elementary - Finance - Health Care Management - Information Technology - Law Enforcement - Management - Management of Information Systems - Management/Health Care Management - Multimedia and Animation - Networking - Paralegal Studies - Private Security - Programming - Sales and Marketing - Secondary - Teaching and Learning - Teaching Literacy and Language - Teaching Students With Special Needs - Teaching With Technology - Web Development - Web Optimization and Integration.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT:NURSE PRACTITIONER

Background:

As more health care moves beyond the hospital to other sites in the community, policymakers are looking especially to one type of advanced registered nurse -- the nurse practitioner (NP) -- to help meet the escalating need for high-quality and accessible health care.

With an eye toward balancing quality and cost, health planners are
relying increasingly on nurse practitioners as the providers of choice for a range of front-line health services, such as primary and preventive care, managing chronic health conditions, and teaching older patients how to avoid injury and the expense of hospitalization and nursing home care. Mounting studies show that the quality of NP care is equal to, and at times better than, comparable care by physicians, and often lower cost.

The number of nurse practitioners has climbed quickly to meet growing demand. Approximately 60,000 nurse practitioners were practicing in the U.S. in early 1999, up from an estimated 48,000 in 1992. Nationwide, more than 300 universities and colleges offer master’s-degree or post-master’s NP programs.

Roles:

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty. Recognized as expert health care providers, nurse practitioners deliver basic health care for infants, children, adults, and families in a wide range of outpatient and inpatient settings. Nurse practitioners provide information people need to make informed decisions about their health care and lifestyle choices.

NPs focus particularly on health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, and diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses. Nurse practitioner care is individualized, focusing not only on health problems, but also on the effects health problems have on people and their families.

Among their varied roles, nurse practitioners take patient histories; perform physical exams; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic health problems; order and interpret lab tests; prescribe medication and nonpharmacological therapies; provide prenatal care and family planning services; and counsel patients on healthy lifestyles and health care options. Many nurse practitioners also work as educators and research scientists at schools of nursing, and are actively involved in legislative activities and health care policy to promote quality health care delivery for the nation.

NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they work. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medication in every state and in the District of Columbia. In 21 states plus the District, NPs can practice independently without physician collaboration or supervision.

Many NPs have their own practices and can be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, or other third parties.

Specialties:

Most nurse practitioners work in a clinical specialty, such as pediatrics, family practice, adult health, neonatal care, ob/gyn/women’s health, psychiatric/mental health, oncology, occupational health, school health, gerontological care, and emergency and acute care. Most NPs are certified by a national board or organization in their specialty area.

Practice Settings:

Nurse practitioners work in a wide array of urban and rural settings, such as:

Primary Care Clinics
Community Health Centers
Emergency Rooms, Critical-Care Units, Clinics, and Other
Hospital Departments
School and College Health Clinics
Nurse Practitioner Offices
Public Health Departments
Business and Industry Employee Health Settings
Health Maintenance Organizations
Physician Offices
Nursing Homes and Hospices
Home Health Care Agencies
Schools of Nursing
The Armed Forces and Veterans’ Administration Facilities
Qualifications:

Nurse practitioners must have strong critical thinking, decision making, communication, and patient teaching skills. In addition, NPs must have the ability to accurately evaluate the health and illness experiences of individuals, families, and communities, and to analyze and apply research findings in their clinical work. Nurse practitioners also must be skilled in developing patient education strategies, applying ethical and legal principles to complex health care situations, and developing effective care plans that consider patients’ life circumstances and cultural, ethnic, and developmental differences.

Education:

Most nurse practitioners are prepared in master’s-degree programs in a wide range of clinical specialties. A smaller number have received training in certificate programs that require up to two years of additional clinical training beyond the master’s degree in nursing.

Salary Range:

In 1999, nurse practitioners nationally earned salaries ranging between $50,000 and $70,000 across a range of specialties, with an average of $60,000.

Associations:

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
P.O. Box 12846
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 442-4262
FAX: (512) 442-6469
e-mail: admin@aanp.org
Web site: www.aanp.org

American College of Nurse Practitioners
503 Capital Court, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4825
FAX: (202) 546-4797
e-mail: acnp@nurse.org
Web site: www.nurse.org/acnp

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal
Nurses
2000 L St., NW, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 261-2413
FAX: (202) 728-0575
e-mail: gailk@awhonn.org
Web site: www.awhonn.org

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners
1101 Kings Highway, North, Suite 206
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-1912
(856) 667-1773
FAX: (856) 667-7187
e-mail: napap1@aol.com
Web site: www.napnap.org

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
1522 K St., NW, Suite 702
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 289-8044
FAX: (202) 289-8046
e-mail: nonpf@nonpf.org
Web site: www.nonpf.com

Publications:

Advance for Nurse Practitioners (www.advancefornp.com)

The Nurse Practitioner (www.springnet.com/jrdescr/nursepractoc.htm)