Becoming an RN in Georgia

The demand for highly trained professional nurses remains high in the south. In order to be licensed as a registered nurse in Georgia, you must graduate from an Georgia Board of Nursing approved program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam within three years of graduation. Generally this means completing a degree program at either the associate’s or bachelor’s level. If you have already been licensed in another state, though, you may apply for licensure by endorsement in Georgia.

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There are many options for getting your degree. In an increasingly digital age, students sometimes attend nursing schools that are located far away. The Georgia Board of Nursing recently published standards for alternative education (programs which often cut across state borders). The programs must be a part of an institution that is approved in its own home state, and it must hold regional and specialty accreditation from recognized accrediting bodies (NLNAC or CCNE). Candidates must pass certification exams at the rate that has been established for traditional institutions.

If you are applying as a graduate of a nontraditional program, you will need to provide official transcripts that validate that you have had training in medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health.

RN Education & Career Pathways

People enter professional nursing programs from a variety of backgrounds. They may be new high school graduates, certified nursing assistants, or practical nurses. Some are second degree students seeking accelerated BSN programs. These ar all options in Georgia.

If you are already a vocational nurse, you have some additional options. You can take an LPN to RN bridge course. Often the main coursework is offered online. Paramedics and military corpsmen may also be eligible for alternative entry in the state. If you are a CNA, there are no Georgia bridging programs designed specifically to help you. Don’t discount your experience, however. Schools do value previous healthcare experience. It can even help you earn a scholarship.

Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Georgia

Short term economic conditions have some impact on health careers, as some workers choose to put off retirement or move from part-time to full-time status. However, the long term prospects are projected to be excellent for RNs in Georgia. Even in difficult economic times, they are faring better than those in many other professions. The AACN conducted a 2010 survey of nursing school deans. Their goal was to see how nurses who had entered the field at the BSN or MSN level during the previous two years were doing finding jobs. They found that 66% of Georgia’s graduates had job offers immediately after graduation, and 90% did four to six months later.

The Application Process

What does it take to get into nursing school? Minimum standards vary by institution. Schools may consider TEAS and SAT scores as well as overall GPA and GPA in prerequisites. There are some schools that can guarantee seats to those who complete pre-nursing coursework at the institution and who meet all standards; in the case of these universities, however, general admission is selective.

Healthcare experience may be considered at admission. Cultural and linguistic competency are also important. Health organizations across the nation are concerned that health practitioners don’t have backgrounds that are similar to the populations they serve. This can lead to substandard healthcare. Some schools have received grants to recruit students from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds and to give them support in making it through school.

What does this mean to a prospective student? Depending on your economic or ethnic background, there may be schools that are interested in meeting you where you are, giving you a mentor, introducing you to the healthcare field, and making sure you are ready for the rigorous nursing school curriculum. Clayton State University, for instance, received a grant to reach out to pre-nursing students and also students as young as secondary school. Do realize that grants are for a limited number of years, and that opportunities will change from year to year. Your guidance counselor is one resource; professional organizations are another.

Associate Degree Nursing Programs Approved by the Georgia State Board of Nursing

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ADN)
Division of Nursing & Health Services
2802 Moore Hwy.
Tifton, Georgia 31794-2601
Athens Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
800 U. S. Highway 29, North
Athens, Georgia 30601-1500
(706) 355-5037
Augusta State University (ADN)
Department of Nursing
2500 Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia 30904
(706) 737-1725
Bainbridge College (ADN)
Department of Nursing
2500 Shotwell Street
Bainbridge, Georgia 39818
(229) 243-5309
Coastal Georgia Community College ADN Nursing Program
3700 Altama Ave.
Brunswick, Georgia 31520
(912) 262-3340
Columbus Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing
928 Manchester Expressway
Columbus, GA 31904-6572
(706) 649-1112
Dalton State College
Nursing Division (ADN)
213 North College Drive
Dalton, Georgia 30720
(706) 272-2463
Darton College (ADN)
Division of Nursing
2400 Gillionville Road
Albany, Georgia 31707
(229) 317-6557
Georgia Highlands College (ADN)
Division of Nursing Education
P. O. Box 1864
Rome, Georgia 30162-1864
(706) 295-6321
Georgia Perimeter College
AD Nursing Department
555 North Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA 30021-2396
(678) 891-320
Gordon College
Division of Nursing & Health Sciences (ADN)
419 College Drive
Barnesville, Georgia 30204
(770) 358-5197
Macon State College
Division of Nursing (ADN)
100 College Station Drive
Macon, Georgia 31206-5144
(478) 471-2761
Middle Georgia College (ADN)
Department of Nursing
1100 Second Street, S.E.
Cochran, Georgia 31014
(478) 934-3057
North Georgia College & State University (ADN)
Department of Nursing
Highway 60 South
Dahlonega, Georgia 30597
Northwestern Technical College
AD Nursing Program
P.O. Box 569
265 Bicentennial Trail
Rock Spring, GA 30739
(706) 764-3854
South Georgia College (ADN)
Division of Nursing
100 W. College Park Drive
Douglas, Georgia 31533
(912) 389-4503
Southwest Georgia Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
15689 US Highway 19 North
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 227-2570
West Central Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
176 Murphy Campus Blvd.
Waco, GA 30182
(770) 537-6032

  

BSN Programs Approved by the Georgia State Board of Nursing

Albany State University (BSN)
College of Science and Health Professions
504 College Drive
Albany, Georgia 31705
(229) 430-4724
Armstrong Atlantic State University (BSN)
Dept. of Nursing
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia 31419
(912) 927-5302
Brenau University (BSN)
Department of Nursing
500 Washington Street, West
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
(770) 534-6260
Clayton State University
School of Nursing (BSN)
2000 Clayton State Blvd.
Morrow, Georgia 30260-0285
(678) 466-4959
Columbus State University
Department of Nursing (BSN)
4225 Columbus Ave.
Columbus, Georgia 31907
(706) 565-3649
Emory University
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (BSN)
1520 Clifton Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
(404) 727-7976
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer
University (BSN)
3001 Mercer University Dr.
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
(678) 547-6801
Georgia College & State University (BSN)
School of Health Sciences
231 W. Hancock St. CPO 064
Milledgeville, Georgia 31061
(478) 445-4092
Georgia Southern University
School of Nursing (BSN)
P.O. Box 8158
Statesboro, Georgia 30460
(912) 681-5479
Georgia Southwestern State University (BSN)
School of Nursing
800 Wheatley St.
Americus, Georgia 31709
(229) 931-2275
Georgia State University
Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing (BSN)
P.O. Box 4019
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4019
(404) 651-3040
Kennesaw State University (BSN)
Wellstar School of Nursing
1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
(770) 499-3080
LaGrange College (BSN)
Department of Nursing
601 Broad Street
LaGrange, Georgia 30240
(706) 880-8220
Medical College of Georgia
School of Nursing (BSN))
987 St. Sebastian Way
Augusta, Georgia 30912
(706) 721-2787
Piedmont College (BSN)
R. H. Daniel School of Nursing
P.O. Box 10
Demorest, GA 30535
(706) 776-0116
University of West Georgia (BSN)
Department of Nursing
1601Maple Street
Carrollton, Georgia 30118
(678) 839-6552
Valdosta State University
College of Nursing (BSN)
1300 N. Patterson Street
Valdosta, Georgia 31698
(229) 333-5959
   

Masters in Nursing Degree Programs Approved by the Georgia State Board of Nursing

Albany State University
College of Science and Health Professions (MSN)
504 College Drive
Albany, Georgia 31705
(229) 430-4724
Armstrong Atlantic State University (MSN)
Dept. of Nursing
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia 31419
(912) 927-5302
Brenau University (MSN)
Department of Nursing
500 Washington Street, West
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
(770) 534-6260
Emory University
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (MSN)
1520 Clifton Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
(404) 727-7976
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer
University (MSN)
3001 Mercer University Dr.
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
(678) 547-6801
Georgia College & State University (MSN)
School of Health Sciences
231 W. Hancock St. CPO 064
Milledgeville, Georgia 31061
(478) 445-4092
Georgia Southern University
School of Nursing (MSN)
P.O. Box 8158
Statesboro, Georgia 30460
(912) 681-5479
Georgia State University
Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing (MSN)
P.O. Box 4019
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4019
(404) 651-3040
Kennesaw State University (MSN)
Wellstar School of Nursing
1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591
(770) 499-3080
North Georgia College & State University (MSN)
Department of Nursing
Highway 60 South
Dahlonega, Georgia 30597
(706) 864-1935
University of West Georgia (MSN)
Department of Nursing
1601Maple Street
Carrollton, Georgia 30118
(678) 839-6552
Valdosta State University (MSN)
College of Nursing
1300 N. Patterson Street
Valdosta, Georgia 31698
(229) 333-5959