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.

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

BSN Programs Approved by the Georgia State Board of Nursing

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