Georgia Nursing Schools and Programs

Georgia is known for its friendly people, Southern hospitality, and low cost of living. It also offers great opportunities for nurses. Projections Central projects a 18.1% increase in demand for registered nurses (RNs) by 2030, which is much higher than the national average.

This guide can help you decide if pursuing nursing education and a career in the Peach State is right for you. Explore how to get a state license, earning potential, and details about the top nursing schools in Georgia, including those that can prepare you for a career as a nurse practitioner (NP).

Keep reading to learn more about the top nursing schools and programs in Georgia.

Georgia is home to an array of nursing education options, such as large state universities, local community colleges, and private colleges of all sizes. To help you identify the ideal program for your needs and goals, we’ve compiled the following list of the best nursing schools in the state.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Georgia, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

There are dozens of nursing schools in Georgia, including some of the top-ranked programs in the country. However, you should consider several factors when choosing where to apply.

Look at program curriculum and length, the availability of both in-person and online nursing school requirements, and clinical details, such as available clinical placement assistance. Tuition and financial aid options are also important considerations.

Nursing students may qualify for federal student aid. Georgia’s HOPE Programs offer scholarship and grant assistance to qualified students, but learners should look at nursing financial aid options specific to the program as well.

To become a licensed nurse in Georgia, you must complete a program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Accreditation for nursing programs is important because it ensures that all nurses in the state have been trained to the same standards and that nursing programs adequately prepare graduates for safe, effective practice.

If you choose a program not board approved, you will not qualify for a nursing license in Georgia.

Becoming a nurse in Georgia offers many advantages. In addition to plenty of job opportunities and competitive salaries, Georgia has some policies that might make it attractive to nurses.

For example, nurses do not have to join a nurses’ union to gain employment, as Georgia is a right-to-work state. Georgia also upholds the Family Care Act, also known as the Kin Care Law. This allows employees to use paid sick leave to care for immediate family members, not just themselves.

Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, meaning licensed nurses here are authorized to work in 30 other compact states. Nurses who wish to work in Georgia, but have licenses from noncompact states, can get a Georgia license by endorsement.

Nurses in Georgia earn an average salary of $71,510, slightly less than the national median earnings of $75,330, according to the BLS. Nurse practitioners also earn less than the national average in the Peach State, with an average salary of $106,620, compared to the national median of $111,670.

Although RN pay ranks 29th in the nation, and NP pay comes in 40th, the cost of living here is also one of the lowest in the United States. Georgia ranks 48th on the cost-of-living index, and housing is among the most affordable in the nation.

Demand for RNs between 2018 and 2028 is projected to increase by 22.5%, much higher than the national average of 9%. Demand for nurse practitioners should increase slower than the national average. However, at 41.4% projected growth, demand for NPs is still very high. The BLS projects a continued nursing shortage through 2030.

It’s no surprise that Georgia’s largest metropolitan area, Atlanta, is also its highest-paying city. Atlanta is home to five of the state’s highest-ranked hospitals, including two Magnet hospitals. However, Georgia nurses can also earn competitive salaries in smaller cities and rural regions.

The table below details the top five highest-paying metro areas.

The Georgia Board of Nursing oversees all nurse credentialing. The board also sets nursing regulations and education requirements. The following is an overview of the general processes for licensure as an RN or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

Depending on the degree type (ADN or BSN), it takes 2-4 years to become a nurse in Georgia. Both degrees qualify you to take the NCLEX. However, some employers, including Magnet hospitals, require RNs to hold a BSN.

Overall, Georgia consistently ranks among the top states for nurses. The Department of Health and Human Services identifies Georgia as a state that will have a significant nursing shortage by 2030, so nurses can find many job options.

Although salaries are moderate compared to other states, they are offset by the low cost of living. The pleasant climate, safe neighborhoods, and overall quality of life also make this an attractive place to live.

To become a nurse in Georgia, earn an ADN or a BSN degree and pass the NCLEX to qualify for a license issued by the Georgia Board of Nursing. If you already hold a license from a Nursing Compact state, you can apply for a license by endorsement.

Georgia requires nurses to renew their licenses every two years. All licenses expire on January 31. For example, a license issued or renewed in 2021 will expire on January 31, 2023. Nurses must complete one of five continuing education/competency options for nurses to qualify for renewal.