Georgia Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program Program Guide

Georgia Nursing, Nov 2003-Jan 2004

In 2003, Georgia will implement the Georgia Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program. The program was developed by the Health Care Workforce Policy Advisory Committee and is funded by the Georgia Department of Labor and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) will manage this unique graduate education service cancelable loan program designed to encourage Georgians to enter-and remain in-the nursing education profession.

Students may borrow money from GSFA in order to enroll in a graduate-level educational program at a public or private Georgia university, which will prepare the student to serve on the faculty of a Georgia public or private school of nursing (LPN, ADN and/or BSN). After completion of the graduate-level education program, the student has two options: (1) serve as a faculty member in Georgia in a board-approved LPN, ADN and/or BSN nursing program for a designated number of years to "cancel" the loan debt; or (2) repay the loan plus interest, just as one would repay any other student loan. Recipients must teach for 1 year for every $2,500 they received through this program, with a maximum of five years to repay the loan. More detailed information is available from GSFA.

The Georgia Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program offers financing in three core nursing education tracks. To be eligible for consideration in any track, an applicant must:

* Be a legal resident of Georgia;

* Be a registered nurse in good standing with the Georgia Board of Nursing; and

* Be admitted for regular admission into a graduate school of nursing or doctoral educational program in Georgia, as detailed below, which will lead to the student securing the necessary qualification to serve as a nursing faculty member at a Georgia school providing education for LPNs, ADNs and/or BSNs.

Baccalaureate to Master's

This scholarship track focuses on registered nurses with clinical practice experience who have a bachelor's degree and are seeking a graduate degree to pursue teaching in the nursing field. Eligible students will receive up to $10,000 to cover the cost of education and daily living expenses.

Eligible institutions

Any private or public university in Georgia with a graduate level nursing program that is accredited and whose master's prepared graduates have the educational credentials necessary for credentialing at an advance practice level. As of January 2003, the following institutions have the required educational programming:

Albany State University

Armstrong Atlantic State University

Brenau University

Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, Mercer University

Georgia College and State University

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Kennesaw State University

Medical College of Georgia

North Georgia College and State University

State University of West Georgia

Valdosta State University

Considerations

In selecting an institution and educational programming, students should consider future goals and objectives. A Master's degree in nursing is the basic requirement for employment as a nursing instructor or faculty member in most Georgia nursing programs, and this graduate degree will afford the successful recipient with a range of teaching options. However, students should consult with faculty leadership in those schools or institutions in which they may subsequently seek employment. Some institutions may require additional experience in educational competencies and tenure track positions may only be available to individuals with a doctoral degree.

Master's to Doctorate

This scholarship track focuses on Master's-prepared nurses, who are presently in clinical practice or an educational setting, who are seeking a doctoral degree in the nursing field or the education field (PhD or EdD), to better prepare the individual to pursue or remain in teaching in the nursing field. Eligible students will receive up to $10,000 to cover the cost of education and daily living expenses.

Eligible Institutions

Any private or public university in Georgia with a doctoral-level nursing program that is accredited or doctoral level education program (PhD or EdD) that is accredited. As of May 2003, the following institutions have the required educational programming:

Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Georgia State University, School of Nursing

Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing

Georgia State University, College of Education

University of Georgia, College of Education Georgia Southern University, College of Education

State University of West Georgia, College of Education

Valdosta State University, College of Education

Considerations

Students are eligible for a maximum total award of $10,000 under the Georgia Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program. As such, a student who has received previous funding through this program may not be eligible to receive additional financing for pursuit of a doctoral degree. Current Master's-prepared nursing instructors or faculty would be eligible for the award if no previous award through this program had been provided.