Gordon State College Celebrates 50 Years of its Nursing Programs
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Gordon State College will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its nursing programs with a golden jubilee reunion on Sept. 21, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Nursing and Health Science Building on the Barnesville campus. The event is open to all nursing faculty, staff, and alumni.
“As a Gordon State College alumna from the Class of 1994, the quality and success of our nursing programs are very important to me,” said Dr. Samantha H. Bishop, director of Nursing and Health Sciences. “I am committed to ensuring that both faculty and students have the resources they need to succeed and make a positive impact on the healthcare workforce.”
The Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) program first began in 1973 after Gordon was accepted into the University System of Georgia (USG) as Gordon Junior College.
“Our nursing programs have been a vital community resource since graduating our first class in 1974. Our graduates excel in healthcare and lead local agencies, shaping policy and improving health outcomes,” said Wendy Martin, associate professor of nursing. “I’m excited to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to our future contributions to healthcare in Barnesville and beyond.”
GSC’s ASN program has had full approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing since its inception. The program was first accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in 1979 and has maintained its accreditation ever since.
The LPN-RN Bridge program, established in 2007, created a pathway for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to become registered nurses (RNs). In the summer of 2010, GSC expanded its offerings by introducing the RN to BSN Completion program, which provides an accelerated pathway for working RNs to complete their baccalaureate degrees and advance their careers.
Recently, the LPN Bridge program was revised to include paramedics. This update is designed to enhance the clinical knowledge of both LPNs and paramedics, preparing them for careers as associate nurses.
In 2015, the USG Board of Regents approved GSC’s pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The Georgia Board of Nursing granted initial approval in 2016, and the first cohort was admitted in Fall 2017. The program has seen significant growth, expanding from a cohort of 29 students in Fall 2017 to 52 students in Fall 2023.
Each semester, GSC’s nursing programs enroll around 200 students, graduating approximately 100 annually. In October 2022, the programs received a $103,200 grant for fiscal year 2023, with continued funding planned for the next four years. This grant aims to increase pre-licensure student capacity by up to 20 students per year while maintaining or improving retention and NCLEX-RN pass rates. The funding also allowed for the hiring of one full-time faculty member.
So far, an additional 34 students have been admitted: 14 in Spring 2023, 10 in Fall 2023, and 10 more expected in Spring 2024. The initiative is ongoing.
For more information and to register for the 50-Year Nursing Golden Jubilee Reunion, visit the registration link below or visit www.gordonstate.edu.
GSC Nursing Golden Jubilee Reunion