Georgia Nursing Schools
Nursing Schools in Georgia can lead to a number of exciting careers in the high-growth field of nursing. Employment for Registered Nurses is expected to grow by 7% in the years from 2019 to 2029, a percentage much higher than the national average for all occupations. Increasing aging population and the high amount of pressure on existing healthcare resources is likely to drive the demand for nursing staff in the next decade. Therefore, if you are planning to join this field, now would be a great time to invest in nursing education.
Find out all you need to know about nursing schools in Georgia, in this quick and comprehensive guide.
Nursing Degrees in Georgia
Once you have completed your high school diploma, there are two paths you can take immediately – an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN degree would lead to entry-level occupations in healthcare facilities, while a BSN would open up more advanced and higher paying jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for those nurses who have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) are expected to be better than those who do not have a 4-year educational credential.
Aspiring nurses who want to go for advanced healthcare positions can opt for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. These degrees can lead to jobs such as Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners, among other high-paying careers.
Licensure and Registration Requirements for Nurses in Georgia
Once students have completed their ADN or BSN program, they will have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to receive their Registered Nurse licensure. The nursing profession in Georgia is regulated by the Georgia Board of Nursing, which provides licensure applicant approval services. The Board also provides forms for RNs, information regarding NCLEX and license status updates. Georgia RNs are eligible to practice in other NLC states, including Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama and South Carolina.
Salary and Career Outlook for Nurses in Georgia
After completing a nursing school in Georgia and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, registered nurses can find employment in a number of settings. Most of the registered nurses end up working in general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of physicians, home health care services, outpatient care centers or nursing care facilities. Some registered nurses also find work in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing or psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals.
According to O*Net Online, the expected job growth for Registered Nurses in Georgia was a high 23%, which is significantly more than the national average of 7%. This high growth will increase the number of jobs for nurses from 77,460 in 2018 to 94,880 in 2028, adding a total of 6,340 new openings.
In addition to high growth, Registered Nurses in Georgia also enjoyed a high mean salary. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses in Georgia made an annual mean income of $71,510 in 2020.
In order to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), students will be required to meet certain education and licensure requirements. The first step of the process is to complete a high school diploma or a GED. This is followed by completing a state-approved CNA training program which is typically available in hospitals or community colleges. Students will then have to complete in-person clinical training requirements and subsequently pass the certification exam to be eligible to practice in your state. Please note that the educational requirements for becoming a CNA would vary by state, therefore, students are advised to check with their local nursing boards before enrolling in a program.
National Estimates for Registered Nurses in Georgia
Employment 1 | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage 2 | Employment per 1,000 jobs | Location quotient 9 |
---|---|---|---|---|
73230 | $34.38 | $71,510 | 17 | 0.79 |
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.