Gordon College will soon offer a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing following approval today by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
"Approval of this degree program will allow Gordon College to help meet the needs of local students who can't pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing without facing a daunting commute or having to live near or on a campus that offers such a program," said Gordon College President Lawrence Weill. "It is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be more than 32,000 unfilled nursing jobs in the state. Adding this program will help us, and will help our students, fill that need and therefore serve our community."
Gordon College has offered an associate's degree in nursing since 1972 and has graduated more than 1,600 students. While graduates with an associate's degree are considered registered nurses, the curriculum required to earn a BSN requires an additional two years of courses involving research, community health nursing and management and leadership.
"We are just thrilled that we will now be able to take our program to the next level," said Joan Cranford, chair of the division of nursing and health sciences. "Many of our students who desired a higher degree would have preferred to continue their education here, but had to move on to other schools. Nursing students will soon be able to fulfill all of their academic requirements here at Gordon College."
The first class in the BSN program is expected to begin in the fall of 2010.
The BSN is the second bachelor's degree offered by the State College. A bachelor's degree in education with a major in Early Childhood Education was approved by the Regents in May, 2006. The first group of students in that program is expected to graduate in May 2009.