Protecting Access to Nursing Education in Georgia
What You Need to Know
I heard Nightingale is being sued in Georgia. Is that true?
Actually, it’s the opposite—Nightingale is the one taking action. Nightingale, along with two of our learners, filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Board of Nursing, not the other way around. We’re standing up for learners’ right to get quality clinical training in their own state.
Why did Nightingale file a lawsuit in Georgia?
Despite having a process to approve out-of-state schools, Georgia does not follow it. Therefore, students in out-of-state or online nursing programs—like Nightingale—cannot complete a required part of their education at Georgia clinical facilities. That means Georgia-based Nightingale students must leave the state, at their own expense, while students in Georgia’s in-state programs face no such restriction.
Does this mean something is wrong with my program?
Not at all. This has nothing to do with the quality of your education. Nightingale’s programs meet the same national accreditation standards as in-state schools, and learners are held to the same clinical supervision requirements. This is about location-based rules, not program quality.
Why is Pacific Legal Foundation involved?
Pacific Legal Foundation is a respected nonprofit legal organization that represents individuals and institutions facing unfair government regulations. They’re representing Nightingale and one of our learners, free of charge, because they believe—as we do—that this policy unfairly restricts students’ access to nursing education.
What is Nightingale trying to accomplish?
We want every qualified nursing student to have equal access to hands-on clinical training in their own community, regardless of where their program is based. A win in this case would open the door for Georgia students to train close to home and help address Georgia’s nursing shortage.
Will this affect my enrollment, clinicals, or graduation timeline?
No. This lawsuit doesn’t change your program, your coursework, or your path to graduation. It’s focused on removing a state-level barrier so students have more—not fewer—options for where they complete clinical training.
Should I be worried about enrolling because of this?
No. If anything, this shows Nightingale is actively working to protect and expand opportunities for our current and future learners. We take action like this because we’re committed to making sure a quality nursing education stays accessible, wherever you live.