Verification of School accreditation for GA License by endoresement?

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Hello,

I am currently licensed in NC, and trying to get licensed by endorsement in GA.

In the application, they require information of school's accreditation status, which I have no clue

where to get from. I just graduated from Duke in May, by the way.

I spoke to a person from GA board of nursing and they had no clue, either.

Is sealed official transcript sufficient?

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O.C.G.A. 43-26-7 requires that applicants for licensure have graduated from an approved nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. 43-26-3(1.2). Accreditation must be granted by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. A list of regional accrediting bodies may be found by visiting the United States Department of Education's website.

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I am having the same problem. Im seeking my LIC through endorsment. I graduated from Concorde Career College in California. The school is accredited by ACCSC. The GA board called me today saying they are seeking regional accreditation. Does this mean if the school is not regionally accredited the lic cannot be endorsed? What is the solution? I graduated in May 2011 as well. Appreciate any help.

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O.C.G.A. 43-26-7 requires that applicants for licensure have graduated from an approved nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. 43-26-3(1.2). Accreditation must be granted by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. A list of regional accrediting bodies may be found by visiting the United States Department of Education's website.

Individuals who graduated from nursing education programs that do not meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. 43-26-3(1.2) are not currently eligible for licensure in the State of Georgia. The Board is in the process of developing language to amend this statutory requirement. This information will be presented to the General Assembly during the next session which begins in January 2012.

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Hi, thanks for your initial response. I am so saddened by this news. I just talked to a GA board rep. She explains that this requirment of regional accreditation is for GA only. I am a new graduate and moved to Augusta as my husband is working in Ft Gordon. After waiting for seven weeks and paying the endorsment fees to GA board and CA board I find out about this news today. There has to be a better way to do this. I have a question about the S Carolina nursing board. Do they require the same regional accreditation? Since Im close to the border maybe I have a shot of working there. I am at such a loss. Any suggestions on this chaotic situation. appreciate any feed back.

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Hi James,

I was expecting a response from you. I have read all your posts and you seem to be very informed about the GA boards policies. Reading your posts have helped answer so many questions that I did not know who to turn to for answer. Thank you.

On your earlier post regarding the regional accrediting of schools you mentioned

" Individuals who graduated from nursing education programs that do not meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. 43-26-3(1.2) are not currently eligible for licensure in the State of Georgia. The Board is in the process of developing language to amend this statutory requirement. This information will be presented to the General Assembly during the next session which begins in January 2012."

Does this mean those of us unable to get a lic due to the regional accreditation issue may have a shot at getting licensed? Is that what the statutory amendment is seeking? How long after the submission if a change is to come? Can the applicants (like myself) do something to help the process? My school was also shocked to find this. GA adopted regional accreditation of schools some two years ago? That's what the board stated when my school called to inquire. There are good credible schools nationally accredited that are being left out due to this requirement. Appreciate any help you may provide and if writing to the board regarding this or if the school writing to the board can get any help please let me know I will do all.

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I'm glad that you have found the information to be helpful. I believe that the Georgia Board of Nursing is aware that the current definition of an approved nursing education program is preventing very qualified nurses from being eligible for licensure in Georgia. It is my understanding that this statute was put into place in 2009 to prevent "fly by night" nursing schools from popping up at every kitchen table in the state. Once the Board determines how they want to proceed they will submit the proposed language to the legislative body. At this point I am not aware of anything that an individual can do in order to assist in this process. Once the Board makes a decision and sends the proposal to the Legislature then it certainly could not hurt for constitutents to contact their local legislator and encourage them to support the bill. If the Legislature chooses to amend the statute then they could vote to have the law change be effective the day the Governor signs the bill or they could set a future date such as July 1, 2012.

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Thank you, I do understand the boards concern, but its unfair to students from nationally accredited schools that have good reputation and have been around for years. This restriction is not even mentioned on the endorsement application. It should be. I don't know how the change in the law will work for me as my endorsement case will be good till July 1, 2012 as that the date of my application submission. I will submit my end of the experience and will contact the school to see if they can do something about this as this was news to them. I was assured that the license I obtained will be good in all 50 states for endorsement.

I learned from reading older posts on this site that when working with the VA one is not required to be licensed by the GA state? Is this information correct? Its a ray of hope.

Thanks again for all the information. I am new to town and facing such a road block has really put a damper onto things.

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Hi,

I just moved to Atlanta, GA from MI to be closer to family. I have been a nurse in both CT and MI for 5 years. I completed a diploma program in CT, which was not regionally accredited. I am having the same problem and am absolutely beside myself. I sent in my application in the beginning of June and was not notified that there was any issue until I happened to call to check the status of my license. I was to start applying for jobs that week and wanted to be able to tell prospective employers where I was in the process. I still haven't officially been refused my license because this process is taking so incredibly long. So, I am just waiting in limbo, unable to apply for jobs, unable to figure out what my next step is.

According to the website it seemed like we would be able to gain licensure through a 500 hour preceptorship with board approved GA nurse. Is this not the case? I was also thinking of getting an attorney to help me petition the board, there is a form located at the bottom of the website. I don't know if that would be worth it. So, I guess my question is... if the license is refused, is the preceptorship not an option? Am I really not able to be a nurse in the state of GA?

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Kate,

I am thinking the board will not let one know what the status is. The application will remain active for a year and it will be dropped after that. I had to call to get an update and also the status online is not updated either regarding school accredit issue etc. The lady I spoke to said there is absolutely nothing I can do, they are following the law. She suggested I may want to file a complaint about the situation? I too am beside myself. I dont know about the Preceptor ship. I hope someone comes with some info. on this topic. Maybe Mr. JAMESC?

You can work at the VA with your current lic- chances are much better if your an RN. Also getting endorsed in SC is another option. I am looking into that and have some questions there.

Best of luck.

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Unfortunately, the way the law currently reads, the Board has no ability to license applicants who graduated from nursing education programs that do not meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. 43-26-3. You may request information from the Board regarding any proposed updates or amendments to the law.

I am not aware of any statutory provision that would allow an applicant to substitute a preceptorship in lieu of graduating from an approved nursing education program. Preceptorships are required by law for certain applicants who have graduated from nontraditional education programs as defined in O.C.G.A. 43-26-7(e).

Seeking employment at a federal facility is certainly an option. Federal facilities do not require that you be licensed in the state in which the facility is located.

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Zarali,

Thank you for your response:) I was just on the GA Board of Nursing website and it looks like the board recently posted some new instructions under the license application download area of the website with more information regarding non-traditional nursing schools, preceptorships etc. I just tried to copy/paste the info but it wouldn't allow it. It looks like there may be hope for us! Check it out. Thank you for your help, I didn't realize that the status of my application wouldn't change online, I have been calling regularly but the representatives I have spoken with don't really seem to know much about the new law changes. Good luck to you too!

Kate

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