Department of Nursing
Chair: Dr. Donna Ingram
Mission Statement
The mission of the Middle Georgia State University Nursing Program is to provide quality evidence-based nursing education to a diverse student population. The purpose of the nursing programs is to prepare culturally sensitive graduates who are committed to provide safe and effective nursing care through health promotion and disease prevention and are able to use clinical reasoning skills in the provision of care.
General Information
Middle Georgia State University has three nursing programs: Associate of Science in Nursing,
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (two options -- Pre-Licensure BSN and RN-BSN Completion Program), and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program.
The curriculum leading to the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degrees combine nursing and general education courses. The AS program can be completed in two years following completion of required core classes. The AG-ACNP program can be completed in five consecutive semesters following completion of a BSN degree.
The most current Academic Policies and Program information are available online at http://www.mga.edu/health-sciences/nursing/default.aspx
Accreditation and Approval
The Nursing Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Pre-licensure graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). The address for ACEN is 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The ACEN URL is http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Approval to admit applicants to the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) or to grant a license rests with the Georgia Board of Nursing. Applicants who have ever been arrested, convicted, sentenced, plead guilty, or plead nolo contendere or been given first offender status for any felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a crime violating federal law involving controlled substances or dangerous drugs or a DUI or DWI, or who have been issued a professional license which has been encumbered (denied, revoked, suspended, surrendered, restricted, or placed on probation) by any state board may take the RN licensing examination only at the discretion of the Georgia Board of Nursing. Furthermore, the license may not be issued until the matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Board.
Student Expectations
Middle Georgia State University students are responsible for fulfilling their academic responsibilities in an honest and forthright manner and for conducting themselves with civility in interpersonal interactions. The Middle Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct contains a full description of student rights and responsibilities and the disciplinary procedures which will guide the action of the faculty and administration should a student allegedly violate the code. Nursing is a profession governed by a code of ethics and standards of practice. Students who are charged with a violation of the Middle Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary procedures by the School of Health and Natural Sciences and Middle Georgia State University. Any violation of the Middle Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct, whether the violation is related to a lack of integrity or civility, may result in dismissal from the Nursing Program without consideration for re-entry.
Students must act as a reasonably prudent nursing student (i.e., as a nursing student with the same educational experience would behave in a given situation) in the clinical laboratory experience. A student who is dismissed for unsafe nursing practice according to the Policy Regarding Safe Nursing Practice will not ordinarily be readmitted to the Nursing Program.
Academic Standards
In addition to the other academic regulations of the University, the following requirements apply to the nursing program:
- All clinical nursing courses require a satisfactory level of performance in theory and in clinical, including campus labs. All nursing courses require a minimum grade of at least a "C" (75%). Nursing Grading Scale: A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-75, D=74-65, F=64 and below.
- There will be no rounding of nursing grades.
- Grades for the clinical component of nursing courses are determined on a competency basis and designated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A satisfactory level of clinical competence is required in order to earn a passing grade ("C" or higher) in nursing courses. An unsatisfactory level of competence results in failure in that course. A course grade of "F" will be assigned if a student fails clinically.
- Nursing course credits are valid for 42 months. All nursing courses must be completed within 42 months of the date of entry into the first nursing course.
- Safety in the calculation of medication dosages is an expected behavior. Students must satisfy clinical calculations examination requirements as specified in course syllabi.
- Nursing Student Policies in effect at the time of admission to a nursing cohort apply throughout the program unless due notification of change is provided to the student.
- Students enrolled in nursing courses must obtain their assigned nursing faculty advisor’s signature on the Middle Georgia State University Withdrawal form before withdrawing from a course.
Clinical Requirements
Accepted students must meet the clinical requirements of all affiliating clinical sites by established deadlines, to include, but not limited to:
- Completed health history and physical form;
- Immunization form;
- TB screening;
- Criminal Background Check;
- Urine Drug Screen; and
- Mandatory Health Professional CPR certification through the American Heart Association.
Note: Students must maintain ability to meet requirements of Nursing Practice Performance Standards/Essential Abilities with or without reasonable accommodations. Students experiencing a change in health status may be required to resubmit health forms.
Note: Students who enter the program must have a Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen performed by a company approved by the Nursing Program. Clinical agencies will review Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen results. The student must be approved by the affiliating clinical agencies in order to participate in clinical experiences and progress in the program. Students denied acceptance by any clinical affiliates will not be able to attend clinical experiences and therefore will not be enrolled in the Nursing Program.
Random Criminal Background Checks or Urine Drug Screen may be required while in the Nursing Program. This testing, if required, will be at the student's expense.
Additional Fees and Cost of Attendance
- Nursing-enrolled students must enroll in the student professional malpractice liability insurance offered by the University.
- Students enrolled in nursing courses are required to have health insurance that meets minimum standards as mandated by the University System of Georgia. Individual or Association Policies will not be considered for a waiver.
- A total learning management system cost of approximately $2,750 will be incurred by ASN and PL-BSN students. This cost is non-refundable.
- Applicants to the ASN and BSN nursing programs (not RN-BSN) are required to take a nursing entrance test and will incur expenses for this test. The testing fee is non-refundable.
- Nursing Uniforms and Instruments: Nursing students are required to purchase uniforms and instruments at a cost of approximately $300 per year.