IMMEDIATE APRIL 27, 2004

ADVANCED NURSE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE TO BE OFFERED AT ABAC

TIFTON—A new certificate program designed to help alleviate the nursing shortage will be offered at Abraham Baldwin College beginning with the fall semester.

. “This program was developed in response to area hospitals to help the nursing staff,” said Wanda Golden, Chair of the Division of Nursing and Health Services at ABAC. “The program gives basic training above and beyond what a nurse’s aide would do. It teaches skills such as dressing changes, infection control and drawing blood, as well as being able to recognize common patient problems. “

Students in the program will have classroom, skills lab and training in a healthcare environment through the certificate program. The certification can be used as a stand-alone certificate or as an advanced placement status for those participants who decide they want to enroll in the nursing program.

The certification training spans two semesters and requires some basic pre-requisites. First, students must be enrolled at ABAC. Second, students have to take the required classes before obtaining their certification. Participants will be able to apply for the HOPE Grant to help with the cost of classes for this program.

The first semester will consist of Introduction to Patient Care, Basic Skills and Technical Mathematics. The second semester’s classes will be English, Advanced Patient Care, Advanced Patient Care Skills and a clinical component, where the students will go into the hospital to work with patients under the supervision of nurses. Upon completion of their training, students will take a certification exam.

For more information on the program, please contact the Nursing Division at (229) 386-3262. Applications for the certification program can be obtained at the ABAC Admissions office at 800-733-3653.

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