Clarkesville, GA — North Georgia Technical College has been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing to offer a new program bridge pathway from Practical Nursing (PN) to Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ASN).
The new ASN Bridge Option program will provide an accelerated, direct academic pathway to Registered Nursing (RN) for current PNs by using prior learning and previous work experience to reduce the number of courses required to complete the program. The new program would further prepare ASN graduates from the college to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Registered Nursing is projected to have the second highest growth rate in occupations in Georgia and the most annual career openings in metro Atlanta and North Georgia. North Georgia Technical College is implementing the bridge program as a direct result of growing student demand for allied health training, job availability and projected job growth.
“We are very pleased to offer this new fast track to Registered Nursing to our community beginning in 2024,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “Our college faculty and staff have been very diligent in their efforts to make this a possibility for so many nurses who have requested this option at North Georgia Technical College to advance their careers.”
“The College has received overwhelming support from key healthcare providers and major influential community leaders within our college service area,” said NGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Mindy Glander. “Community and workforce partners have indicated support of the PN to ASN program by signed letters of support and clinical agreements for the program’s students to complete clinical requirements at our partner’s facilities. Individuals representing these groups understand the beneficial impact that the additional nursing program at NGTC could have on our community workforce. We are thrilled that we are now able to offer this new program at North Georgia Technical College!”
“Our current nursing faculty have been instrumental in the development of the bridge program by bringing their wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience to the table,” said NGTC Dean for Academic Affairs Christy Bivins. “Stacie Perry, ASN Program Director, has worked tirelessly to ensure this program meets the needs of the nursing profession and our students. The contributions from both Ms. Perry and our faculty have been critical to the developmental approval of the bridge program, and their commitment to excellence in nursing education is a testament to their dedication to advancing the profession.”
The college plans to offer its first cohort of nursing students in the new ASN Bridge Option program beginning January 2024, and interested students may now register for prerequisite classes offered summer and fall semesters. Deadline for summer semester registration is April 27, and classes begin May 22.
For more information regarding the new ASN Bridge Option program, contact Tiffany Scroggs at 706-754-7752 or tiffany.scroggs@northgatech.edu. For more information or to apply to North Georgia Technical College nursing programs, visit northgatech.edu.
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