Process for Approval of Developing Nursing Education Programs
For the development and implementation of a new pre-licensure nursing education program in the state of Georgia, developing programs are required to submit documentation according to the nursing education program rules and regulations. Rule 410-8-.12 outlines the requirements for the development and implementation of a new registered nursing (RN) education program. Rule 410-9-.02 outlines the requirements for the development and implementation of a new practical nursing (PN) education program.
All parent institutions or sponsoring agencies of nursing education programs must be institutionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Additional information related to the development process is included for each program type below.
RN Developing Programs Application Checklist and Approval Information
For the development of a new RN education program, a completed application must be submitted by email to [email protected]. A copy of the submitted application and the associated application fee of $1000 plus a $10 processing fee in the form of a check or a money order must be mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing. The address is included on the application form. Additional information is required as outlined in Rule 410-8-.12 to be granted Developmental Approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. All documentation for Developmental Approval must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant. A copy of the application mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing must be included in the Developmental Approval documentation.
The intent documentation requirements are included in the Board Notification of Intent section of the RN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant. A copy of the application mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing must be included in the intent documentation. Submission of the application, application fee, and notification of intent documentation does not meet the criteria for Developmental Approval. Additional documentation is required as noted in the Additional Developmental Approval Documentation Requirements in the RN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document.
Additional information is required as outlined in Rule 410-8-.02 and Rule 410-8-.12 to be granted Developmental Approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Under Rule 410-8-.02 (1)(a), the Board may grant Developmental Approval to a proposed nursing education program when compliance with Rules 410-8-.12 paragraphs (1) through (3) has been documented. All documentation for Developmental Approval must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant. The developmental approval documentation requirements are included in the Additional Developmental Approval Documentation Requirements section of the RN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. A copy of the application mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing must be included in the Developmental Approval documentation.
According to Rule 410-8-.02 (1)(b), the Board may grant Initial Approval to a nursing education program with Developmental Approval when compliance with Rule 410-8-.12 (4) has been documented. Initial Approval is required prior to the enrollment of at least twenty (20) students in the first nursing courses. A site visit will be conducted after a program has been granted Developmental Approval and before being reviewed by the Georgia Board of Nursing for Initial Approval.
Site Visit Requirements: A site visit is conducted to ensure the new nursing education program's compliance with all rules and regulations before admitting the first nursing cohort. Official correspondence will be sent to the nurse administrator regarding the site visit date in advance to ensure preparation time for the site visit. The site visit correspondence will be sent via email after the proposed nursing education program is granted Developmental Approval. The timeline for the site visit will be determined based on the proposed nursing education program’s timeline for program admission. Additional information including a draft agenda, a site visit guide, and additional requirements for the site visit will be sent at the time of official correspondence.
Continuation of Initial Approval: According to Rule 410-8-.02 (1)(c), the Board may continue Initial Approval prior to the graduation of the first class when review of materials specified in Rule 410-8-.12 (3)(c), the most recent annual report, and most recent site visit report, and program responses to it document compliance with the rules.
According to Rule 410-8-.02 (1)(d), the Board may grant Full Approval to a nursing education program with Initial Approval when review of the most recent annual report, the most recent site visit report, and program responses to it document compliance with the rules. The nursing program's first-time writers of the licensing examination must have a passage rate that is equivalent to the program's accrediting body requirements.
According to Rule 410-8-.02 (1)(e), if the program is not eligible for Full Approval after graduation of the first class, Conditional Approval may be imposed according to Rule 410-8-.02 (3).
Development and Implementation of a Nursing Education Program Application
Nursing Faculty Qualification Record Form
A copy of the submitted application and the associated application fee of $1000 plus a $10 processing fee in the form of a check or a money order must be mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing. The address is included on the application form.
LPN Developing Programs Application Checklist and Approval Information
For the development of a new PN education program, a completed application must be submitted by email to [email protected]. A copy of the submitted application and the associated application fee of $1000 plus a $10 processing fee in the form of a check or a money order must be mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing. The address is included on the application form. Additional information is required as outlined in Rule 410-9-.02 to be granted Developmental Approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing. All documentation for Developmental Approval must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant. A copy of the application mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing must be included in the Developmental Approval documentation.
The intent documentation requirements are included in the Board Notification of Intent section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant at least twelve (12) months prior to the initial enrollment of students. A copy of the application mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing must be included in the approval documentation.
The new nursing program documentation requirements are included in the New Nursing Program Information section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant at least ten (10) months prior to the initial enrollment of students.
After the Board has reviewed the intent and new program information documentation, a site visit shall be conducted to the proposed nursing education program and all affiliated clinical facilities. If compliance with Board Laws and Rules has been demonstrated, the Board will grant Developmental Approval. If Developmental Approval is not granted, a written explanation shall be provided to the proposed nursing education program.
Site Visit Requirements: A site visit is conducted to ensure the new nursing education program's compliance with all rules and regulations before the Board grants Developmental Approval. Official correspondence will be sent to the nurse administrator regarding the site visit date in advance to ensure preparation time for the site visit. The site visit correspondence will be sent via email after the proposed nursing education program. The timeline for the site visit will be determined based on the proposed nursing education program’s timeline for program admission. Additional information including a draft agenda, a site visit guide, and additional requirements for the site visit will be sent at the time of official correspondence.
Reporting Requirements:
Report I documentation requirements are included in the Report I section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant at least eight (8) months prior to the initial enrollment of students.
Report II documentation requirements are included in the Report II section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant at least four (4) months prior to the initial enrollment of students.
Report III documentation requirements are included in the Report III section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant at least one (1) month prior to the initial enrollment of students.
Provisional Approval shall be considered after the Board reviews Reports I, II, and III and must be granted prior to the enrollment of students. If Provisional Approval is not granted, an explanation shall be included in the report to the school. A new program granted Provisional Approval will remain on Provisional Approval for two years or until its first graduating class has taken its initial licensing examination, whichever is earlier, and the examination results are reviewed by the Board.
Reporting Requirements:
Report IV documentation requirements are included in the Report IV section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant no later than one (1) month after the initial enrollment of students.
Report V documentation requirements are included in the Report V section of the PN New Program Development Checklist and Approval Information document. All documentation must be submitted via email as one (1) searchable PDF document to the Nursing Education Consultant no later than six (6) months after the initial enrollment of students.
According to Rule 410-9-.02 (10), the program shall be eligible for Full Approval if it has demonstrated compliance with all Board Laws and Rules, and if 80% of its initial graduating class have passed their initial licensing examination after graduation during the period of Provisional Approval.
According to Rule 410-9-.02 (11), the program shall be placed on Conditional Approval if it has demonstrated noncompliance with any of the Board Laws or Rules, or if less than 80% of its initial graduating class have passed their initial licensing examination during the period of Provisional Approval. While on conditional approval, the program must demonstrate compliance with all Board Laws and Rules and the program must achieve a 80% pass rate of its graduates who have taken their initial licensing examination. Failure to achieve Full Approval within a three (3) year period shall result in Withdrawn Approval pursuant to Rule 410-9-.03.
A copy of the submitted application and the associated application fee of $1000 plus a $10 processing fee in the form of a check or a money order must be mailed to the Georgia Board of Nursing. The address is included on the application form.
After you Apply – What to Expect
Applications and additional required documentation will be reviewed by the Georgia Board of Nursing’s Nursing Education Consultant. Applications and supporting documentation for Developmental Approval must be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the Board meeting to be added to the Education Report. Education Reports are included every other month during the two-day Georgia Board of Nursing meetings. A complete list of meetings can be found on the Board Events website. All developing program contact information must remain accurate and current to ensure effective correspondence. Contact information may be updated by submitting the updated information to the Nursing Education Consultant. The developing program’s contact person will be notified if any additional information or clarification is needed. Once the Education Report is reviewed and the Board makes a final determination, official correspondence will be sent to the developing program’s contact person via email.
Contact
Related Resources
- Online Resource NCSBN- National Council for States Board of Nursing
- Online Resource Georgia Composite Medical Board
- Online Resource Check Application Status