In November, the Georgia Board of Nursing lifted its two-year moratorium on new registered nursing education programs in Georgia. The decision came after a review of a June 2006 report and recommendations from the Georgia Task Force on Health Care Professionals that addressed the shortage of nurses in the state.

The ban was enacted because of a shortage of nursing faculty at the existing nursing programs in Georgia.

With the ban lifted, the processing of applications for new nursing education programs that lead to registered nurse licensure began Jan. 1. New program applications will be reviewed, evaluated and considered for approval based on several criteria, including the availability of qualified faculty, the availability and quality of clinical sites, coordination with existing programs and compliance with Georgia laws and board rules.

Several Georgia technical colleges that already have associate degree nursing programs are expected to apply for RN programs.

EXTRAORDINARY NURSES: Grady Health System held its first Academy Awards for Nursing Excellence in November. All hospital employees, visitors and patients were invited to nominate outstanding nurses in a variety of categories. The field of 239 nominations was narrowed to 37 finalists, who were invited to a red-carpet ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.

The winners were Angelle Vuchetich, advance practice nursing; Graciela Rivas, ambulatory nursing; Pauline Zula, critical care nursing; Maureen Njoku, emergency nursing; Annette Russell, long-term care nursing; Katrina Woods, medical/surgical/oncology nursing; Joy Otway, perinatal nursing; Jemma Glasgow, perioperative nursing; and Mary Whitaker, psychiatric/mental health nursing.

Iektje Ina Steed received the Betty Blake Award for nursing excellence in surgical nursing. Faye Dames received the Community Award for nursing. Ella Whitehead won the Golden Globe Award for nursing excellence as a licensed practical nurse. Arica Carter won for nursing leadership, and KeQin Qian won for education and teaching.

The winners received $500, personalized trophies and bouquets of flowers.

"These are nurses we've admired and [who have] gone beyond the call of duty to better the lives of people in this community," said Rhonda Scott, Ph.D., Grady's chief nursing officer.

NEW ASSISTANT DEAN: Marla E. Salmon, Sc.D., RN, FAAN, dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, has appointed Susan Mitchell Grant, MS, RN, CNAA, BC, as the school's first assistant dean of clinical leadership.

In this new position, she will provide leadership and further develop the school's clinical programs. Grant plans to focus on building the partnership between the school and Emory Healthcare, where she serves as chief nursing officer.

"The backbone of every health care organization is its nursing staff, and it is more critical than ever to educate and develop talented nurses," Grant said. "The partnership between Emory Healthcare and Emory's nursing school is a prime example of how education, research and clinical services work in lock step with one another. I look forward to positioning Emory as a top destination for the recruitment of talented nursing students and for seasoned nursing professionals."

BEST OF THE BEST: Prebble Smith, RN, who recently retired from nursing at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, has been named Southeastern Wound/Ostomy/Continence Nurse of the Year.

Smith, who worked at DeKalb Medical for 35 years, has been a certified wound/ostomy/continence nurse since the inception of the program at DeKalb Medical Center.

"We all owe a lot to Prebble for the compassionate care she's given to our patients over the years," DeKalb Medical Center CEO Eric Norwood said. "Prebble epitomizes the quality care, service and compassion of our hospital."

- Do you have any news briefs for Pulse? If so, send an e-mail to pulseeditor@ajc.com.