Nursing Schools & Licensure in Georgia (GA)
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Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states and has some of the best nursing schools in the country. The capital city of Atlanta is growing steadily at 1.53 percent and is home to 5.6 million people, making it the ninth most populous metropolitan area. Moreover, Emory University in Atlanta is ranked #2 best nursing school in the U.S. News & World Report.
The Georgia Board of Nursing approves more than 60 accredited nursing programs in Georgia, including associate’s of science in nursing (ASN), bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), master’s of science in nursing (MSN), post-master’s certificates, and doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) degrees.
Nursing has multiple points of entry for every level of education. Starting with a high school diploma or GED, aspiring nurses can become licensed practical nurses (LVNs) with a year of training or enter a two-year or four-year nursing program. Those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can apply to one- to two-year BSN programs to earn a registered nurse (RN) license. As for graduate-level education, applicants with BSN degrees and nursing experience are eligible for MSN, post-master’s certificates, and DNP programs to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which can lead to nurse leadership and research positions.
Nationally, nursing is growing faster than the national average at all levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2021 to 2031, licensed practical and vocational nurses (LVNs) and registered nurses (RNs) are expected to grow by 6 percent (the national average is 5 percent). This growth will create 41,300 new LVN and 195,400 new RN positions. By comparison, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners will grow 40 percent in the same decade, adding 118,600 new jobs. Moreover, the BLS reports that the Atlanta metropolitan is among the top 10 employers for LVNs and nurse practitioners (NPs).
With so many great options, it’s no wonder nursing is a popular career choice in the Peach State. Read on to learn more about accredited nursing schools in Georgia, including on-campus, hybrid, and online programs, nursing salaries, and how to earn a nursing license in Georgia.
Featured Online Nursing Programs
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Georgia
Emory University (on-campus & hybrid)
Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers an array of BSN programs for students of all backgrounds and experience levels. The school is ranked fourth on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best undergraduate nursing programs and offers traditional BSN transfer and pre-licensure BSN options. These BSN programs lead to registration as a nurse in the United States (RN).
In addition to the BSN pre-licensure program, the school provides distance-based BSN programs with entry-to-practice master’s in nursing and doctoral degree options. For example, the Distance-Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (DABSN) program enables distant learners holding a bachelor’s degree to attain their BSN credentials within 12 months (three semesters). Finally, those pursuing higher education beyond the BSN level can utilize the university’s available MSN, DNP, or PhD programs.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $28,560 per semester
Georgia Southern University (on-campus & online)
Georgia Southern University offers BSN programs ranging from pre-licensure, accelerated, and advanced placement tracks for LVN-to-BSN to an online RN-to-BSN program for applicants with associate degrees. In addition, students can choose their desired timeline, whether 12 months or up to four years.
Through the School of Nursing and Waters College of Health Professions, students can also find MSN programs and post-master’s certificate programs to specialize in adult-gerontology, family health, and nursing education, and an MSN-to-DNP program is available. With multiple BSN programs uniquely designed for each individual’s needs, Georgia Southern University is an excellent location on campus and online to start an educational journey in nursing.
- Location: Savannah, GA
- Duration: One to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: 182.13 per credit (residents); 642.73 per credit (non-residents)
Augusta University (on-campus)
Augusta University BSN program offers students an intensive traditional BSN program, which students can complete within four years. The curriculum prepares competent practice-oriented professionals to succeed in the healthcare field. The program blends didactic knowledge and clinical experiences with opportunities for hands-on learning through local healthcare facilities. Comprehensive labs and simulations allow students to develop their skills as professional nurses.
Graduates of this BSN program are eligible to take the NCLEX exam to become eligible for RN licensure in U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. BSN will also provide a robust foundation for those who plan to further their education at the graduate level.
- Location: Campuses in Augusta and Athens, GA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $229.73 per credit (residents); $742.33 per credit (non-residents)
Mercer University (on-campus & hybrid)
Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing BSN program offers students multiple tracks to achieve their BSN degree. All three available tracks reach this goal, differentiating based on an applicant’s prior academic background and educational experience. The traditional pre-license track is designed for those who have just completed high school and are beginning their nursing education.
Students looking to expand upon prior nursing licenses can take the second-degree accelerated track, or registered nurses can choose the RN-to-BSN completion track. No matter the background, Mercer provides a BSN program that fits the student’s goals of graduate nurse education.
- Location: Multiple campuses in Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus, GA
- Duration: One to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $361 per credit (RN-to-BSN); $1,065 per credit (traditional); $59,694 total (ABSN)
Albany State University (on-campus & hybrid)
Albany State University offers a unique BSN program available both on-campus and hybrid. With this baccalaureate degree, students can benefit from the flexibility of studying at their convenience while obtaining a comprehensive nursing education. Through this program, students can learn about several aspects of the nursing profession, including women’s health, pediatrics, adult medical-surgical, and more.
Upon completing the BSN degree requirements, graduates are prepared to take the state licensing exam and become registered nurses. This program is designed for high school, transfer, and change-of-major students who want to pursue a BSN degree affordably.
- Location: Albany, GA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $169 to $199 per credit
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Georgia
Brenau University (hybrid)
Brenau University’s DNP program, offered through the Ivester College of Health Sciences, is designed to prepare professional nurses for clinical practice and advanced roles. With an emphasis on inquiry, leadership, and scholarship, graduates of the DNP program will have invaluable expertise in all aspects of nursing. Through two different DNP pods, advanced practice nurse and leadership and management, applicants are open to various study options depending on their career goals.
To be eligible for these DNP programs, applicants must have an MSN degree, possess a valid nursing license, and exhibit at least one year of experience as an advanced practice nurse or in a nursing management role. In addition, those interested in applying should gather transcripts from prior schooling institutions, a current resume, and two professional references before applying. In some cases, candidates may also be requested to do an interview.
- Location: North Atlanta, GA
- Duration: Three to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $1,248 per credit
Georgia College & State University (hybrid)
Georgia College and State University School of Nursing offer an MSN program taught in an engaging hybrid format. With minimal on-campus requirements, this MSN degree allows nurses to further their career prospects nationwide.
This MSN degree provides concentrations in critical areas such as family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) and nurse educator (NE), and nurse-midwifery. Furthermore, post-master certificates specializing in these concentrations are also available to MSN-prepared applicants.
- Location: Milledgeville, GA
- Duration: Two to seven years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $473 per credit
University of North Georgia (hybrid)
The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers a comprehensive MSN program with a concentration in nursing education that allows students to learn through both asynchronous online classes and optional synchronous sessions for specific courses. Students can join new cohorts that begin every June.
Admission requires a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and other qualifications such as a grade point average of 3.0 and relevant clinical experience. The MSN program at UNG also provides foundational support should the student wish to pursue further doctoral education or even earn extra post-master’s certificates or a doctorate in nursing practices.
- Location: Multiple campuses in Georgia
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $303 per credit
Georgia State University (on-campus & hybrid)
Georgia State University’s Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions offers DNP students an array of programs and areas to study, ranging from entry-level associate or bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees or doctor of nursing practice or PhD degrees.
In addition, DNP students in their programs benefit from working full-time while preparing for various career pathways, including healthcare administration, professional nursing organizations, higher education, and many practice settings throughout Georgia.
Additionally, the DNP program offers a hybrid program combining online (web-facilitated) classes with a limited number of on-campus sessions each year. DNP students will attend one day at the beginning of each fall semester for on-campus sessions and then participate in real-time and on-demand courses that support the 1,000 clinical hours required for DNP completion. New cohorts begin every fall semester.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Duration: Three to seven years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $11,680 per year (residents); $32,344 per year (non-residents)
Middle Georgia State University (online)
The MSN program at Middle Georgia State University is offered entirely online, with two full-day intensive/immersion sessions held each semester. MSN students gain 630 clinical practice hours via Navicent Healthcare or a healthcare facility of their choice in Georgia, subject to approval from the MSN program coordinator.
Upon completing this five-semester-long program, graduates are eligible to sit for the AGACNP certification exam.
- Location: Warner Robins, GA
- Duration: 2.5 years
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $255 per credit hour
Nursing School Accreditation
Nursing accreditation evaluates nursing schools to ensure they provide quality nursing care in compliance with standards set by nursing-educational organizations.
Accreditation comes in two forms: programmatic and institutional. Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific nursing degree programs. The following organizations award accreditation to nursing schools:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Graduating from an accredited nursing program is required to be eligible to take the NCLEX licensure exam and become a registered nurse. The process for obtaining nursing accreditation involves an extensive review that may include an analysis of educational missions, operational plans, nursing curricula, faculty qualifications, resources, and other criteria related to nursing education.
By comparison, institutional accreditation is at an organizational level and evaluates entire colleges or universities by region. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes the following accrediting bodies:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Accreditation enables nursing schools and other educational institutions to validate their commitment to excellence and high standards of education.
Lastly, when considering an online or hybrid program, students must also research their eligibility for state authorization. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) oversees regulations concerning student residency and professional program eligibility. Not double-checking a school’s NC-SARA status can leave students without access to the necessary credentials and state licensing tests – making it all the more essential for prospective students to consider NC-SARA’s guidelines as part of their due diligence.
How Much Do Nurses in Georgia Make?
Georgia nurses can earn salaries significantly higher than the national average for all occupations.
The tables below show the granular salary figures and the number of employed licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in the United States and Georgia. All data is sourced from May 2022 figures from the BLS’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics—the latest data available as of June 2023.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 632,030 | 22,900 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $55,860 | $50,830 |
| 10th percentile | $40,490 | $36,680 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,620 | $50,050 |
| 90th percentile | $72,650 | $61,030 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,072,700 | 82,970 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $89,010 | $85,180 |
| 10th percentile | $61,250 | $60,400 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,220 | $79,440 |
| 90th percentile | $129,400 | $118,270 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 46,540 | 1,230 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $205,770 | $190,800 |
| 10th percentile | $143,870 | $161,080 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $203,090 | $178,950 |
| 90th percentile | >$208,000 per year | $226,170 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 7,950 | 340 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $122,450 | $122,990 |
| 10th percentile | $77,510 | $100,460 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $120,880 | $121,370 |
| 90th percentile | $171,230 | $158,250 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 258,230 | 8,110 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $124,680 | $115,440 |
| 10th percentile | $87,340 | $82,590 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $121,610 | $112,090 |
| 90th percentile | $165,240 | $148,710 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
LPN license applicants in Georgia must:
|
Renewals for LPN licenses in Georgia are due by March 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, candidates must:
|
Registered Nurse (RN) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Board of Nursing |
Georgian RN license applicants must:
| Georgia RN licenses must be renewed by January 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:
Renewals cost $65. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP) applicants in Georgia, are required to submit the following:
If the applicant is not licensed as an RN in the state of Georgia, they must also submit verification of Multi-State License and a Declaration of Primary State of Residency. |
Once issued, CNP licenses must be renewed every two years by the 31st of January on the year it expires. Renewal can be completed online through the Georgia Online Licensing site and requires payment of $65. |
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Georgia, CNM license applicants are required to submit the following:
If the applicant is not licensed as an RN in the state of Georgia, they must also submit verification of Multi-State License and a Declaration of Primary State of Residency. |
CNM licenses renew on the 31st of January in the year it expires. Renewal can be completed online through the Georgia licensing site and requires payment of $65. |
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Georgia, CRNA applicants are required to submit the following:
If the applicant is not licensed as an RN in the state of Georgia, they must also submit verification of multi-state license and a declaration of primary state of residency. |
CRNA licenses in Georgia must be renewed on the 31st of January on the year it expires. Renewal can be completed online through the Georgia licensing site and requires payment of $65. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licenses in Georgia
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Georgia, CNS applicants are required to submit the following:
If the applicant is not licensed as an RN in the state of Georgia, they must also submit verification of multi-state license and a declaration of primary state of residency. |
CNS licenses in Georgia must be renewed on the 31st of January on the year they expire. Renewal can be completed online through the Georgia online licensing site and requires payment of $65. |
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.