Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-2-.02 - Graduates of Nontraditional Nursing Education Programs (RN)

(1) The Board-recognized licensing examination is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), for which a passing result must be achieved.

(2) An applicant must pass the licensing examination within a three year period from the date of graduation.

(3) An applicant whose period of eligibility has expired must reestablish eligibility as a duly qualified applicant by enrolling in and graduating from an approved nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-3(1.2).

(4) Applicants for licensure by examination who have graduated from a nontraditional nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(e)must submit the following:

(a) A complete application containing data required by the board attesting that all information contained in, or referenced by, the application is complete and accurate and is not false or misleading;

(b) The required application processing fee which is not refundable;

(c) Completed registration as required by the Board to cause the submission of a criminal background check as required by O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(b)(4);

(d) Official transcripts documenting graduation from a nontraditional nursing education program;

(e) Secure and verifiable documentation of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States as required by Georgia law; and

(f) Any additional information requested by the board needed to establish eligibility.

(5) Applicants who do not meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I) must complete a Board approved, post graduate preceptorship as provided in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(b)(2)(B)(ii)(II) through (V).

(6) At the discretion of the Board, a temporary permit may be issued to an applicant for the purpose of practicing nursing as a part of a Board approved preceptorship as provided in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7. The temporary permit shall be effective for a period of six months from the date of issuance and may be renewed only one time for an additional six month period.

(7) Requirements for licensure must be complete within the timeframe indicated in the Joint Secretary rules and policies to avoid administrative withdrawal of the application. Any consideration of licensure after that date will require the applicant to submit a new application, new documents, and the appropriate fee. The testing requirement is exempt from this timeframe.

(8) An applicant who passes the licensing examination and is under investigation for possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act may not be issued a license until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. The license may be denied or sanctioned despite the applicant meeting all other criteria for licensure.

(9) For the purposes of this rule, the terms below are defined as follows:

(a) "Board" means the Georgia Board of Nursing.

(b) "Clinical experience" or "clinical practice" means the "hands on" clinical practice of nursing.

(c) "Health care facility" means an acute care inpatient facility, a long term acute care facility, an ambulatory surgical center or obstetrical facility as defined in Code Section 31-6-2, and a skilled nursing facility so long as such skilled nursing care facility has 100 beds or more and provides health care to patients with similar health care needs as those patients in a long term care acute care facility.

(d) "Preceptorship" means a program of clinical experience or clinical practice approved by the Board and arranged by the applicant in which the applicant gains a stated number of hours of clinical experience or clinical practice in a health care facility as required by Georgia law. Preceptorships shall be under the close supervision of a registered professional nurse where such applicant is transitioned into the role of a registered professional nurse and the applicant performs duties typically performed by registered professional nurses. Except as otherwise provided in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(b)(2)(B)(ii)(II), a preceptorship shall be in an acute care inpatient facility or a long-term acute care facility; provided, however, that the board may authorize a preceptorship in other facilities to obtain specialized experience in certain areas. The preceptorship shall have prior approval of the board, and successful completion of the preceptorship shall be documented in writing by the preceptor stating that, in his or her opinion, the applicant has exhibited the critical thinking abilities, clinical skills, and leadership abilities necessary to practice as a beginning registered professional nurse.

(e) "Preceptor" means a registered nurse licensed by the Georgia Board of Nursing who:

1. Has a minimum of eighteen months experience in an acute care practice setting; and

2. Has no history of disciplinary action with any licensing board.

(f) "Nontraditional Nursing Education Program" means a nursing education program that has been approved by the Board and meets all the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(e).

(g) "Year" means a minimum of 1800 hours. For example, one year of clinical experience or clinical practice means a minimum of 1800 hours of clinical experience or clinical practice.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-2-.02

O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-25, 43-26-2, 43-26-3, 43-26-5, 43-26-7, 43-26-8.

Original Rule was filed and effective on June 30, 1965. Amended: Filed November 15, 1966; effective December 4, 1966. Amended: Filed November 2, 1973; effective November 22, 1973. Amended: Original Rule entitled "Nursing Defined" repealed and a new Rule entitled "Duties of Officers" adopted. Filed March 18, 1976; effective April 7, 1976. Amended: Rule repealed. Filed December 18, 1986; effective January 7, 1987. Adopted: New rule entitled "Graduates of Nontraditional Nursing Education Programs (RN)." F. Aug. 24, 2015; eff. Sept. 13, 2015. Amended: F. July 27, 2023; eff. Aug. 16, 2023.