Prospective nurses who are interested in practicing in the Atlanta region will find a variety of degree programs and dozens of hospital choices to work in. Atlanta is home to three Magnet Hospitals—which means they have been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for meeting high practice standards—Emory University Hospital, VA Medical Center Atlanta, and Emory Saint Joseph Hospital. These prestigious centers allow nurses to hone their skills by working with top-notch professionals who deliver quality patient care. This page outlines the nursing school and career highlights for the Atlanta region.
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Find Nursing Schools in Atlanta
Students at all stages of their nursing careers have educational opportunities available to them in Atlanta, from undergraduate programs to enter the field, to graduate-level studies that open up their job options. The following school listings will help users find nursing programs in the city based on their needs.
Nursing in Atlanta: By the Numbers
How many nurses currently work in Atlanta?
What percentage of all healthcare workers are nurses?
What are the primary working environments for nurses?
How is the job outlook for nurses in Atlanta?
There are many sectors that nurses can pursue in the field, but some are more popular than others. The following graph outlines the amount of nursing jobs in Atlanta that are currently filled in four key areas.
| Task | Hours per Day |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 75.00% |
| Registered Nurses | 21.00% |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 1.00% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 3.00% |
Source: Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)
Nurses in Atlanta: Average Salary
The salaries that nurses earn depend on where they decide to practice. Nurses in Georgia, on average, tend to earn less than the national average. However, those who pursue Atlanta nursing jobs can expect to make more than the state's median income for several nursing categories.
Annual Median Salary for Nurses
[graph-block]
| Year | Atlanta | Georgia | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $66,120 | $62,520 | $69,790 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $119,790 | $136,840 | $158,900 |
| Nurse Midwives | $92,190 | $91,650 | $97,700 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $88,060 | $89,920 | $97,990 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $39,990 | $37,620 | $43,420 |
| All Occupations | $35,810 | $32,840 | $47,230 |
| $NaN | $NaN | $NaN |
Source: Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014)
Atlanta Nursing Schools Spotlight
Students who enroll in Atlanta nursing schools can expect to find undergraduate and graduate degree programs. On the undergraduate level, the most common programs are Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, as well as RN-to-BSN degrees. Graduate students can find Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Ph.D. in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs. In addition, students can find specialized programs in areas such as forensic nursing and gerontology. There are public and private colleges and universities in Atlanta with quality nursing programs.
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University has received high marks from US News and World Report and has been ranked #10 for nursing graduate schools in the country, #9 for its Nurse-Midwifery specialty program, and #11 for its Family Nurse Practitioner specialty program. In addition, it is #10 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, which the school has used for research designed to impact the healthcare field on a global scale. Also, 24 of Emory's faculty members have received fellowships from the American Academy of Nursing.
Programs offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated BSN
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Accelerated BSN + MSN
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Ph.D. in Nursing
Georgia State University's Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions has been ranked #152 for the best nursing graduate schools around the country. The school's dedication to quality education can clearly be seen in its results: In May 2015, the graduating class earned a 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate. In addition, students at the school have been recognized at the Georgia Association of Nursing Students Annual Convention.
Programs offered
- RN-to-BSN
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN -to-MSN
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Ph.D. in Nursing
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University began as the Tabernacle Infirmary and Training School for Christian Nurses in 1901. Operated in a five-room cottage, the school had the mission of delivering a quality education based on Christian principles and strong nursing ethics. Though the school has evolved over the years, those core values have resulted in accomplishments from faculty and students alike. In 2015, a student was named the president of the National Student Nurses Association and nursing professors have been appointed to the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators and the Georgia Ebola Response Team by the governor.
Programs offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN-to-BSN
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Ph.D. in Nursing
Licensing Requirements & Nursing Associations in Georgia
In order to obtain nursing jobs in Atlanta, graduates must be licensed. The requirements for licensing do vary from state to state. Students who graduate from Atlanta nursing schools follow the Georgia licensing guidelines and do not need to complete any additional requirements.
In order to be successful in the nursing field, professionals must continue their education long after they have graduated from nursing school. Some of this learning can be done by joining a nursing association. These organizations often provide continuing education classes, as well as conferences and professional journals designed to keep members abreast of the latest nursing research. Atlanta-based nurses can find location chapters of national organizations like the National Black Nurses Association, as well as chapters of state groups like the Georgia Nurses Association.
For more information about nursing associations & licensing in Georgia, visit our page on nursing schools and programs in Georgia.