GNTC's Health Occupations Programs Achieve Success
ADN program boasts 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX-RN Licensing Exam
Date:
December 8, 2009
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has become a giant in the world of health occupations education. With 40 programs of study dedicated to health, GNTC is one of the largest health occupations education providers in the state of Georgia . Spanning over all four GNTC campuses, health programs of study range from Cardiovascular Technology to Surgical Technology. The health programs are split over three divisions, including Health Technologies, Nursing and Allied Health Technologies, and Business Technologies. Programs include:
Health TechnologiesAssociate of Applied Science Degree Programs
Diploma Programs
Certificate Programs
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Nursing and Allied Health TechnologiesAssociate Degree Nursing Programs
Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs
Surgical TechnologyDiploma Programs
Certificate Programs
Business TechnologiesCertificate Programs
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While the quantity of programs is impressive, it’s the quality of the education being taught at GNTC that stands out. One example of this is the recent achievement made by GNTC’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. The governing body over the accreditation of the ADN program requires a minimum of 80 percent of first-time state board test takers to pass their exams. However, The ADN program at GNTC not only met this requirement, but accomplished an amazing 100 percent pass rate. Twenty-six GNTC ADN students took the test and 26 passed. The national passing rate for this board exam, the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, is 82.65 percent.
“This feat of a 100 percent pass rate speaks to the quality of the instructors in our ADN program, as well as the caliber of students that attend GNTC,” stated GNTC President Craig McDaniel.
Diane Peters, director of the Associate Degree Nursing program added, “Passing at this rate, regardless of just how tough the testing situation gets, truly shows the impact and potential of our students and this program.”
Another example of the level of quality being taught in the health programs at GNTC can be seen in the number of students that graduate from the programs and find successful employment in their fields.
In Fiscal Year 2009, GNTC graduated 547 students from health occupations programs and placed 95.1 percent of all health graduates in jobs. Eight of GNTC’s health programs can boast a 100 percent placement rate including Dental Assisting, Health, Health Care Assistant, Nursing (A.D.N), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Paramedic Technology, Neuromuscular Technology, and Radiation Therapy.
One of those successful graduates is Brittanie Creamer. Creamer is a 2009 Medical Assisting graduate from Georgia Northwestern. After initially looking into enrolling in GNTC’s Ultrasound program, Creamer chose to pursue a career in medical assisting. Currently working in the Spine and Pain Center at Harbin Clinic, Creamer says that she originally chose GNTC for the close proximity to her home and the ability to complete her education in a reasonable amount of time. However, when she got to GNTC, she realized that not only was it convenient, but that she would graduate with an education that would help her land a great job. “The Medical Assisting program at GNTC really prepared me for my job at the Harbin Clinic,” said Creamer.
Creamer also feels that the quality of the instructors at GNTC is one of the college’s best assets. “My instructors were the best!” added Creamer. “They were very involved and wanted to make sure that we understood the material. They helped us see beyond the classroom, and to see how the material would apply once we were on the job.” Creamer feels so strongly about the quality of education at GNTC that she is currently continuing her education in the college’s Medical Office Management program.
Another GNTC health graduate is Teresa Smith. One year ago, Smith headed back to college for a better life. After enrolling at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, she is now a graduate of the college’s Practical Nursing program. Prior to attending GNTC, Smith previously held an operator job at Shaw Industries. The mother of four now spends her days as a third-shift LPN Corrections Nurse at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County, Georgia.
“I am responsible for helping treat more than 1,700 inmates,” said Smith. “We do everything from handling prescriptions to treating emergency situations where a life can hang in the balance.” Smith said she knew she didn’t want to have the run of the mill nursing job. “The situations are very different from what your average nurse encounters,” said Smith.
Smith graduated this past March and passed her State Licensure Exams in April. “The college really helped prepare me for the skills I would need on this job,” added Smith. “The college was convenient, the teachers were amazing, and the WIA office (Workforce Investment Act) was irreplaceable.”
The new nurse has reached out to her alma mater by helping bring on yet another Georgia Northwestern grad. “We have one more from the college who will be coming on shortly. She graduated this past September,” stated Smith.
Smith like Creamer has decided to continue her education at GNTC. “I’m one of the candidates for a spot in Georgia Northwestern’s Registered Nursing program,” said Smith.
GNTC focuses on raising the bar with their health education programs and sets high standards for themselves. This can be seen in the many individual program accreditations that have been awarded to the programs. GNTC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Occupational Education, and the college’s health occupations programs are accredited by the following agencies:
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST)
- American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): CAAHEP - Diagnostic Medical Sonography; CAAHEP - Echocardiography; CAAHEP - Medical Assisting; CAAHEP - Surgical Technology; CAAHEP - Vascular Technology
- Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC)
- Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nursing - Georgia Office of Secretary of State
- Georgia Board of Nursing
- Georgia Department of Human Resource - Emergency Medical Services Division
- Georgia Health Partnership
- Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
- Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRC-NMT)
- Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) - Radiation Therapy; Radiologic Technology
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has positioned itself to be Georgia’s premier college for workforce development. With all the achievements made in the college’s Health Occupations Division, GNTC has become Georgia’s “go to” college for health education.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College serves Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Polk, and Walker counties in Georgia with campuses located in Floyd, Gordon, Polk, and Walker counties. Approximately 16,000 people benefit from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs, making it the largest college in Northwest Georgia and the fifth largest technical college in Georgia.
