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All coursework is online, but to be eligible LeDoux expects to have more autonomy as a
for certification each student must accumulate at Nurse Practitioner.
least 630 clinical practice hours while mentored
by NPs or physicians. The Accreditation “As RNs, we have developed care
Commission for Education in Nursing recently plans for our patients for years,” she
granted initial accreditation to MGA’s master’s said. “As Nurse Practitioners, we will
degree. have a broader scope of practice to
Terri LeDoux, another member of the charter treat our patients and still collaborate
graduating class, works in ICU at Southern with physicians when needed.”
Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, just south
of Atlanta. She said the ability to do the course- Having more autonomy on the job is also
work online drew her to MGA’s master’s program, important to another charter class member, Casey
as did the reasonable costs. Clark, an RN for seven years who works at
“The tuition is very affordable at Middle Coliseum Medical Center in Macon.
Georgia State,” she said. “I saved up for a couple “Nurse Practitioners and other mid-level
of years prior to avoid getting loans. Middle providers are becoming staples for medical
Georgia State is very doable without having to practice,” he said. “It still hasn’t completely sunk
obtain loans.” in that I have a master’s degree in Nursing but
I’m looking forward to all the doors I think it will
open for me and my family.”
The first graduates of MGA’s master’s degree in Nursing are MSN Degree’s First Graduating Class – JoAnn Blythe,
shown, along with some faculty members, at their late summer Casey Clark, Russell Dunn, Macey Elks, Tori Etheridge,
pinning ceremony. A pinning ceremony is a time-honored Sonia Evans, Terri LeDoux, Darquita Loyd, Kasey
tradition where health sciences graduates are symbolically Robbins, Jenna Watkins, Stephanie Williams
ushered into their profession. SHERON SMITH
MGA TODAY 19
Fall 2017
