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GHSU’s program prepares professional nurses as generalists in clinical practice. Graduates are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Our professional program builds on a foundation of knowledge in science, humanities and related professional disciplines. Students transfer to GHSU after completing prenursing core courses at another college. Students apply for admission to the main campus in Augusta or our satellite campus in Athens, Georgia.
The program consists of 66 credit hours over five semesters. Students transfer in during the Summer session before the Junior year. The program is full time with classes Monday-Friday. Clinicals are scheduled during day, evening, and possibly weekend hours.
Themes include:
- Promotion of health and well-being of diverse individuals, families and communities
- The science of health and illness of persons across the lifespan
- Patient- and family-centered care
- Clinical judgment and decision-making in the provision of empathetic, therapeutic care
- Interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and management of care
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Health policy and responsible use of healthcare resources.
Clinicals occur in a wide variety of hospital and community settings, serving diverse populations where role development, critical thinking and leadership are emphasized. Our curriculum is innovative and technologically sophisticated. Faculty are experienced and committed to quality.
Nursing is one of the oldest and most trusted health professions. Nurses provide care to persons at various levels of wellness and illness across the lifespan. Nurses organize and supervise care, provide education and support for patients and their families, and improve care through research and evidence-based practices.
GHSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to function effectively in all areas of nursing practice. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of clinical settings and provides the foundation for masters’ and doctoral degrees in nursing. Due to the national shortage of registered nurses, career opportunities exist in a variety of public and private settings. Advancement and leadership opportunities are greater for the registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree.
Skills and Interests Suited for a Career in Nursing
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Nurses are compassionate, honest and caring. Nursing have the ability to make rational decisions, use good judgment, organize, plan and evaluate. Nurses must work well with people and establish and maintain effective professional relationships. Physical and mental stamina is essential. Nurses practice in a variety of specialty areas in hospitals, communities and other healthcare settings.
Starting salaries range from $41,000-$55,000. Salaries for experienced staff nurses can exceed $60,000, while directors of nursing can earn in excess of $100,000 nationally. Many employers pay a salary differential for R.N.s with a B.S.N. degree.
The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE/reports/accprog.asp), and the GHSU College of Nursing is fully approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
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Application Deadline: December 1. Early application by October 15 is encouraged. Only the most highly-qualified applicants will be offered early admission. If not selected for early admission, your application will remain active during the admission cycle. Applications and supporting documentation received after the published deadline will not be considered.
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Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement: A minimum GPA of 2.80 is required for consideration. Overall GPA is calculated on all attempted academic courses and on completion of the required core curriculum.
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Official Transcripts: Request an official, sealed copy of the transcript from each college or university attended. All transcripts must be sent to the applicant in a sealed envelope. Unopened transcripts and references are to be mailed in one packet to GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions.
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Credential Evaluation for Foreign Students: An official, professional course-by-course evaluation is required for all foreign educational transcripts by one of the following: Josef Silney & Associates, World Education Services, or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
- References: Two Admission Reference Forms for Undergraduate Programs must be submitted. The references should be completed by individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic strengths and abilities. Signed and sealed references and unopened transcripts are to be mailed in one packet to GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions.
Admission Recommendations
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.80 is required. This does not guarantee admission, but ensures that the applicant’s file will be reviewed, provided all other admission criteria are met. The mean GPA of recent classes has been 3.50. *Please note that Georgia Health Sciences University does not use a plus/minus grading system. For the admissions process, applicants’ GPAs are re-calculated to match the grading system at GHSU.
- Personal Essay: The personal essay should reflect why the applicant has chosen to pursue a career in nursing. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that all questions are answered, and that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Applicants should emphasize their strengths, as well as address any academic challenges they have incurred while taking their pre-requisite courses.
- Prior experience: It is recommended that some type of healthcare experience be obtained. This may reflect volunteer or paid positions, and include the length of time in each.
- Job Shadowing: It is recommended that the applicant spend time shadowing a Registered Nurse. Investigate opportunities at local hospitals and outpatient clinics.
- References: The references should be completed by individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic strengths and abilities. Utilizing references that are non-academic may have a negative impact on the decision-making process. While non-academic references are accepted, utilizing academic references is preferred for the decision-making process.
- Supporting Documents: Request SAT/ACT scores be sent directly from the testing company and make sure that enough time is allowed for the information to be sent by the published deadline. Collect all official transcripts and recommendation forms and submit in one packet to GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions. Apply electronically, then forward the supporting document packet. Applications and supporting documentation received after the published deadline will not be considered.
Apply online at www.georgiahealth.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Health Sciences University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@georgiahealth.edu
For further information about GHSU’s nursing programs, visit www.georgiahealth.edu/son
Estimated Tuition and Fees
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For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
The courses in our curriculum build on a strong foundation in the sciences and humanities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to practice nursing. All prerequisite core courses must be completed before beginning our nursing program during the summer session. These pre-requisite courses must be approved for transfer by the Office of Academic Admissions.
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A. Essential Skills
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9 semester hours
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English Composition I
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3 hours
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English Composition II (literature-based)
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3 hours
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College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus
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3 hours
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B. Institutional Options*
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4-5 semester hours
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Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F
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C. Humanities and Fine Arts*
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6 semester hours
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Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion
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D. Science, Mathematics and Technology
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10-11 semester hours
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One eight-hour laboratory course sequence in biology, chemistry or physics and an additional course in science, mathematics or technology.
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E. Social Science*
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12 semester hours
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U.S. History
U.S. Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology
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F. Courses Appropriate to the Major
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18 semester hours
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Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/labs
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8 hours
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Microbiology
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4 hours
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Statistics
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3 hours
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Human Growth and Development
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3 hours
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* If a student planning to transfer to GHSU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken at that institution or at another institution from which GHSU accepts transfer credit, GHSU will accept the area as satisfied. A student planning to transfer from a school not in the University System of Georgia should choose from the list of courses.
CPR certification for the healthcare provider from the American Heart Association is required.
