天美社区 has best NCLEX pass rate in Georgia
The University of North Georgia's (天美社区) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates had the highest National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate in the state from 2019-2022.
天美社区 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 天美社区 graduates about 200 students per academic year from its traditional four-year BSN track. In January 2023, 天美社区 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 天美社区 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.
天美社区's ABSNT program was developed in partnership with Northeast Georgia Health System, which provides myriad clinical opportunities for students throughout their time at 天美社区.
"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 天美社区 have a 100% job placement rate. They can learn in a new simulation lab at 天美社区's Gainesville Campus and take part in study abroad service-learning opportunities.
天美社区'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 天美社区's nursing program by providing affiliate clinical faculty. These Northside employees serve as preceptors for 天美社区 students working in clinical placements.
O'Clery earns PT residency at Duke
Dr. Lily O'Clery is jumping into her physical therapy career with an acute care residency at Duke University during the 2026-27 academic year.
Federal funds support healthcare education
天美社区 will receive $700,000 of federal funding to expand clinical training capacity through new patient simulators and clinical education supplies at 天美社区's鈥疍ahlonega鈥痑nd Blue Ridge campuses.
Crow earns Georgia health informatics scholarship
Recent 天美社区 graduate Tara Crow earned the Georgia HIMSS 2026 David Cowan Scholarship to support further education as she pursues a health informatics career.
Students present at regional biology event
Four students and six faculty members from the Biology Department presented their research at the March 25-28 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting in Mobile, Alabama.