Fort Valley State University

Offering students relevant academic programs that keep pace with the demands of the workforce is one of Fort Valley State University’s missions. One career field where there is a critical shortage worldwide is nursing. To increase the number of healthcare providers, the development of a bachelor’s degree nursing program is in the works at FVSU. To support the initiative, the University System of Georgia recently awarded FVSU a Target Enhancement grant of $118,165. Proceeds from the grant will be used to hire a department head who will begin developing the curriculum and hiring faculty for the proposed department.

A letter of intent for the program was submitted to the Georgia Board of Regents for consideration at a June meeting. If the letter is approved, a full program proposal must also be submitted and approved. Next, the Georgia Board of Nursing will vote on the proposal at its July meeting after a letter of intent and feasibility study are considered.

Georgia’s Target Enhancement program is used to increase capacity at two- and four-year colleges. According to Dr. Joyce Jenkins, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, state funds cannot be expended until July 1, but FVSU will begin advertising for a chair to head the new nursing program. “The program itself will not actually begin until 2009-2010,” said Jenkins. “But there are many, many steps that must be taken before actually delivering instruction, including curriculum design and certification by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Some of those steps will happen concurrently.”

Jenkins says the proposed program will conform to the National League of Nursing regulations, a national accrediting board. A secretary, computer lab technician, administrative assistant and three nurse educators will also be hired before students can begin to take nursing courses.