The Georgia Board of Nursing has granted full approval of the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing baccalaureate program through 2008.

The board conducted a site visit in fall 2002 to assess the school's compliance with its rules and regulations for educational programs.

"These rules address such things as faculty qualifications, quality of clinical sites, pass rates for students, documentation of course content, outcome evaluation and student data," said Katherine Nugent, interim dean of the School of Nursing.

The evaluators met with faculty, administrators and students and studied extensive documentation to reach their conclusions.

The school received nine commendations based on the evaluation, including praise for:

• The RN-to-BSN program enabling registered nurses to earn a bachelor's degree with minimal disruption to their careers and family lives;
• Teaching strategies that stress critical thinking and decision-making;
• Teaching strategies that facilitate the transition to professional practice;
• Faculty members' excellent qualifications and laudable spirit of cooperation; and
• The school's newly developed comprehensive Preceptor Information Packet.

The board's next site visit will be held during the 2006-07 academic year.

- Medical College of Georgia