Nursing Schools in Atlanta
Whether you are just beginning a career in nursing, or whether you are an experienced nurse looking to expand your education, there are many nursing schools in Atlanta, Georgia that can meet your needs. As you investigate all of the nursing programs in Atlanta, you will find a wide array of programs, from LPN to Doctoral programs. Find the Atlanta nursing schools that offer the program you are interested in, then request information in order to learn more about enrollment, tuition and curriculum. You can follow the links at the left, or at the bottom of the page to find schools, or you can read our overview of programs and career options on this page.
Nursing Education in Atlanta
Georgia State University is a culturally diverse university with 500 enrolled nursing students. They have social events, academic workshops and FYRE mentors to serve as role models. Georgia State University has a large variety of nursing programs, outlined below.
Undergraduate programs:
- Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- RN to BSN online Bridge Program
Graduate Nursing Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Post-Masters certificates
- RN to MS Bridge Program
- BSN to PhD Degree Track
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Nursing School Locations
Other nursing colleges in Atlanta include Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Georgia Perimeter College and United Medical and Business Institute AFG Career Institute.
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a large range of Master’s degree programs which include: Adult–gerontology Acute and Primary Care; Emergency; Family; Nurse-Midwifery; Health Systems Leadership; Pediatric–Acute and Primary Care; Women’s Health; Public Health and Nursing with Bioethics. This wide range of clinical and non-clinical Master’s in Nursing programs in Atlanta make it a great way to expand your scope of practice and nursing knowledge base close to home.
Emory’s Nell Hodgson School of Nursing’s has recently begun its new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program where nurses have a rigorous advanced practice curriculum along with leadership development. You will complete residency hours and a nursing capstone project in your focused area of inquiry. Courses are primarily taught online with on-site programs occurring over three weekends each semester.
If you are looking for entry level nursing programs in Atlanta, you can earn an LPN diploma at Atlantic Technical College. There are many choices for accredited nursing schools in Atlanta Georgia, so take the time to request information from schools so you can make the best decision about where you want to attend.
Curriculum, Costs and Financial Aid for Nursing in Atlanta
The first two years of most entry level (ADN or BSN) nursing programs require general prerequisite programs, with a focus on science. Typical nursing course requirements include:
- Pharmacology
- Caring for Childbearing Families
- Caring for Children and Adolescents
- Research Methods
- Caring for Families and Communities
- Human Services Policy, Planning and Trends
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
- Complex Health Care Problems across the Lifespan
- Senior Practicum
In most colleges there are SimCare Centers, which are clinical simulation labs that allow hands-on learning using the latest technology. You may receive your initial training in these centers, then continue your clinical experiences at various hospitals or clinical settings in the Atlanta area.
Most financial aid offices at Atlanta nursing schools recommend filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students that need financial support to determine what federal, state and institutional need-based aid might be available. Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and other types of grants may be available.
There are also a number of scholarships that may help you fund your nursing program in Atlanta: Goizueta Foundation Scholarship Opportunities for students of Hispanic/Latino origin. Cola-Cola First Generation Scholarship is for first generation students that have never had a parent or sibling attend college. Atlanta Hawks Scholarship is for first year students that have been involved in community service. Berner Scholarship is for freshmen from rural Georgia that have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Hope Scholarship recipients also must have a 3.0 GPA and be a Georgia resident. Zell Miller Scholarship is funded through the Georgia Lottery and is a merit based scholarship.
Select the program you are interested in from those listed below, or find more school options for nursing degrees in Georgia. Follow the links to the schools that offer what you are interested in, and request information from them all. The more information you have about your options, the better prepared you will be to find the nursing school that is right for you.
Life and Career Options for Nurses in Metro Atlanta
Atlanta is a city with many options for both education and employment. The Metropolitan Atlantic Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has rail lines that begin in the center of Atlanta and branch out in each direction, facilitating your commute to and from school and work. There are also numerous bus routes if a rail line is not in your area. As you look at schools and career options, you may want to keep this in mind.
Becoming a nurse by attending one of the nursing schools in Atlanta, GA is a great first step in securing a standard of living that should be able to support you. Salaries for Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses in Atlanta averages $43,140 annually, and Atlanta is one of the top ten employers of LPNs in the nation. The average income for an RN in Atlanta, GA is $67,870 per year with higher salaries for nurses with extended experience and education commonplace. If you plan to attend one of the Master’s or Doctoral nursing programs in Atlanta to get an advanced degree, you can reasonable expect to increase your earning potential even more.
The role of nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists is expanding in hospitals, physician offices and in surgical centers, making these options enticing for nurses looking to expand practice opportunities. Jobs for RNs may be available in home healthcare, physician’s offices, and cancer treatment centers, Hospice, nursing and residential care facilities government agencies and hospitals.
The Magnet Hospitals, those who are recognized for being excellent environments for nurses to work in, in Atlanta include:
- Emory Saint Joseph Hospital
- Emory University Hospital
- VA Medical Center Atlanta
