ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA: 1953 - 74 (TECHNICAL, NURSE).
Contributors: University of Georgia.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 107
Subjects: Education, Health.; Education, Adult and Continuing.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to make specific inquiry into the reasons for the development of Associate Degree Nursing Education in Georgia. The specific objectives were to explore the following items: (1) Reasons for the initial decision to develop two-year nursing programs within the state of Georgia, (2) Rationale for the development of two-year nursing programs at particular locations within the state of Georgia, (3) Major developments influencing the decision to develop two-year nursing programs at Georgia Southwestern College, Georgia State College (Georgia State University), Gordon Junior College, and Kennesaw Junior College (Kennesaw College).

Data collection consisted of three primary sources (personal interviews, personal correspondence, and review of original documents), while the secondary sources included history textbooks and encyclopedias. The directors of four representative associate degree nursing schools were interviewed utilizing an open-ended question and answer format. Additional people involved with the initial decision to promote associate degree nursing education programs in Georgia were interviewed utilizing a structured question and answer format. Historical documents at the State Archives Building and Board of Nursing in Atlanta were also reviewed. All the data were categorized according to the three objectives of this study.

The promotion of associate degree nursing education in Georgia was due to a combination of several intertwining developments. Georgians reflected the national change in attitude during the 1960's with the promotion of social approaches to health care and education. In response to federal legislation such as the Hill-Burton Act of 1946, and the Medicare/Medicaid Act of 1965, additional health care facilities were constructed to care for Georgia's expanding, aging, urbanizing, and more health-conscious population of the late Sixties. Because of the increase in health care demands, manpower studies documented a shortage of Registered Nurses throughout the state of Georgia. In response to this shortage, the University System of Georgia sponsored an amendment to the Nurse Practice Act; this 1966 amendment decreased the educational requirements for Registered Nurses to eighteen months. Capitalizing on federal funds provided by the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963, the University System of Georgia actively promoted associate degree nursing education, primarily within two-year institutions throughout the state.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-07, Section: A, page: 1841.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, 1985.

School code: 0077.