For an RN education program, the letter of intent must include the following according to Board Rule 410 – 8 - .12 

• A completed application signed by the chief administrative officer of the parent institution; 
• Documentation from the highest governing body of the parent institution granting permission to proceed with development of a nursing education program; 
• A board-approved feasibility study, completed within one year of the date of the letter, which includes, but is not limited to: rationales for the establishment of the proposed nursing education program documenting an educational need which cannot be met by existing nursing education programs; financial resources; educational facilities and resources; faculty members; resources for electronic and simulated learning; and practice settings; 
• Evidence of accreditation of the parent institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (also referred to as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) or other regional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education; 
• A written plan for the recruitment and appointment of a qualified nurse administrator and faculty members to teach courses across the curriculum; and 
• The non-refundable, required fee which does not guarantee any approval status; 
• Documentation of the appointment of a registered nurse, currently licensed in Georgia, with the graduate nursing education and expertise necessary to develop and implement the proposed nursing education program and assess its outcomes; 
• Documentation of projected revenue sources (federal, state, private, grants, gifts) and expenditures for five (5) fiscal years to support the development and implementation of the proposed nursing education program. The information must include, but is not limited to: appointment of sufficient qualified nursing faculty members (consistent with Rule 410-8-.05); appointment of administrative personnel and support services; and provision of print and non-print learning resources, academic support courses, and educational resources in compliance with Board rules; 
• A written description for each practice setting proposed for learning activities with a letter of commitment from practice setting personnel to include the possible impact on existing, affiliating nursing programs; and 
• A five-year timeline for the development and implementation of the nursing education program which includes cohorts of students and faculty members; and 
• A proposed timeline for initiating and expanding the program. 

Twelve months before the proposed start date:

The nurse administrator and at least two (2) (full-time or part-time) faculty members with the graduate nursing education and expertise necessary to develop and implement the nursing education program and assess its outcomes, must be appointed by the parent institution to submit the following materials for Board review at least twelve (12) months prior to the enrolment of students in the first nursing course(s): 

• Faculty qualification records for the nurse administrator and faculty members; 
• Program purpose or mission statement; 
• Program philosophy/assumptions; 
• Goals/outcomes of the curriculum; 
• Written plan for the organization and development of the curriculum; 
• Curriculum plan, consistent with Rule 410-8-.04, showing the placement, sequence, and credit distribution of all nursing and non-nursing courses; 
• Syllabus for each nursing course to include the title, credit distribution, prerequisites and corequisite courses, goals/outcomes, and course outline; 
• Plan for continuous quality assessment and improvement consistent with Rule 410-8-.03(8); 
• Information specific to the nursing education program, including but not limited to, admissions, options for advanced placement, acceleration, part-time study, articulation, progression, graduation, health requirements, the potential for criminal background checks and expanded medical profiles, and appeals; 
• A current financial report including expenditures to date consistent with Rule 410-8-.12(1)(h); 
• A plan for the recruitment of students; and 
• Current catalogue and student handbook for the parent institution. 
• Any substantive changes since the review of previous reports; 
• Detailed information for each nursing course in the curriculum consistent with Rule 410-8-.04; 
• Faculty qualification records for any new faculty members; 
• A description of any additional practice setting(s) with a written commitment from practice setting representatives to include the possible impact on existing affiliating nursing programs; and 
• An update on projected enrolment; 
• Board representatives will conduct site visits to a developing nursing education program as necessary. 

Nursing education programs with Initial Approval are required to comply with all Board rules.

For an LPN education program, the letter of intent must include the following according to Board Rule 410 – 9 - .02 - (2)

At least twelve (12) months prior to the initial enrolment of students, the administrator of a sponsoring agency considering establishment of a nursing education program must submit a letter to the Board indicating intent to develop a program. The letter of intent shall include the following information:

• "Survey of Need", which demonstrates that current needs cannot be met by existing nursing education programs within a fifty (50) mile radius of the proposed establishment site;
• Evidence that adequate clinical facilities are available for student experience;
• Each potential affiliating clinical facility should submit a letter:
  • Expressing willingness to contract with the proposed new nursing education program for student experience; and
  • Describing the specifics about nursing programs already utilizing the facility; and
  • Describing how the new program's clinical experience needs shall be met without overloading the agency.
• At least three (3) licensed hospital or nursing home beds must be available for every one (1) student practical nurse at any given time;
• At least 40% of the total required clinical experience hours must be obtained in the hospital setting.
• The availability of classroom and campus laboratory facilities and a library for the program;
• Evidence of financial resources for the planning, implementation, and continuation of the program; and
• The estimated number of qualified applicants for initial and future classes.

Please refer to Board Rule 410–9-.02 for additional reporting requirements necessary before launching an LPN education program.

Required Form for Initial Application

• Development and Implementation of Nursing Education Program

Other Required Forms

• Clinical Information Sheet
• Nursing Faculty Qualification
• Clinical Facility Self-Study Report

Submit a non-refundable application fee of $1000.