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The University of North Georgia's (¾«¶«Ó°Òµ) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates had the highest National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate in the state from 2019-2022.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ BSN graduates posted an average pass rate of 94.87% over the four-year span in the list compiled by .

The Department of Nursing at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ graduates about 200 students per academic year from its traditional four-year BSN track. In January 2023, ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ launched the first cohort of its accelerated BSN track (ABSNT) and is currently accepting students for the second cohort, which will begin in January 2024. Students in the ABSN track, who enter ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ with a bachelor's or master's degree in other subjects, can graduate in 15 months.

"We have a well-established BSN program. We have some of the top faculty across the state as educators in this program," Dr. Heather Harris, interim department head of nursing, said. "We have a good mixture of experienced faculty and younger faculty with new ideas."

The application deadline for the ABSNT is Aug. 15. Application deadlines for the traditional BSN are Aug. 15 for the spring 2024 semester and Jan. 15 for the fall 2024 semester.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's ABSNT program was developed in partnership with Northeast Georgia Health System, which provides myriad clinical opportunities for students throughout their time at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ.

"You have a decreased supply of nurses and an increased need for health care," Harris said. "The ABSNT allows us to produce quality nurses at a faster rate."

BSN students at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ have a 100% job placement rate. They can learn in a new simulation lab at ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's Gainesville Campus and take part in study abroad service-learning opportunities.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's Department of Nursing gives students the opportunity to draw upon some of the most creative, qualified and professional faculty in nursing. The resources available to students both on campus and at affiliated health care agencies support their clinical practice, research, intellectual inquiry, and creative learning.

Northside Hospital has also assisted ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ's nursing program by providing affiliate clinical faculty. These Northside employees serve as preceptors for ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ students working in clinical placements.