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Navigating the Nursing Profession in Georgia

Updated: Sep 1, 2022



Let us help you land on your dream job here in Georgia! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in Georgia, and more!

 

Through this article, you will be able to know the following:

  • Fees for the licensing

  • Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)

  • Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

  • Licensing and certification

  • Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Georgia

  • Popular hospitals in Georgia

  • Nursing associations in Georgia

  • Contact details



 

Fees for the Licensing

The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. For more details, visit the Georgia licensing page.


As a nursing compact state, Georgia lets nurses hold multi-state licenses.


*Fees may change without any notice.

**A background check is required in most states, but prices are not usually indicated.


 

Licensing Renewal Process

  1. Check when your license expires by visiting the Georgia Board of Nursing website. Georgia has a Verification page for you to verify your license.

  2. Complete all your continuing education requirements BEFORE your license expires.

  3. Apply for your renewal process by going to the Georgia Board of Nursing. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information. Since Georgia is a compact state, you will not be allowed to apply for a licensure if your Primary State of Residency is in another compact state. You must declare that Georgia is your Primary State of Residency.


 

Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in Georgia.

  • For RN/APRN, you must complete of one of the following options biennially:

    • Complete 30 continuing education hours by a Board-approved provider

    • Maintain a certification or recertification by a national certifying body recognized by the Board

    • Complete an accredited academic program of study in nursing or a related field as recognized by the Board

    • Verify a competency by a health care facility or entity licensed under O.C.G.A. §31-7 or by a physician’s office that is part of a health system and at a minimum of 500 hours practiced as evidenced by employer certification on a form approved by the Board

    • Complete a Board-approved reentry program or graduation from a nursing education program

    • For LPN, you must Complete of one of the following options biennially:

    • Complete 20 continuing education hours by a Board-approved provider

    • Complete an accredited academic program of study in registered professional nursing, as recognized by the Board

The Georgia Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

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Licensing and Certification


Step 1: Education

To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. These programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete. If you have an ADN but you wanna pursue your bachelor’s, there are certain programs that let you earn your BSN in 12 to 18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. Said programs let you save on time and money as you work towards advancing your career.


Step 2: Licensing

Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.

The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.


Step 3: Experience

This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.

Step 4: Certification

Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.

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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Georgia

Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. The average annual salary is currently $75,380.


Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if Georgia is the right place for you.



 

Popular Hospitals in Georgia

Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in Georgia or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in Georgia. Here are some of them:

  • Emory University Hospital – (Atlanta, GA):

    • Regionally ranked #1 in Georgia and in Atlanta

    • Nationally ranked in 5 adult specialties specialties

    • Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 15 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®.

    • Specialties include, Colon & lung cancer, Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Pulmonology

  • Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital – (Atlanta, GA):

    • Regionally ranked #2 in Georgia and in Atlanta

    • Rated high performing in 8 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include, Colon & lung cancer, Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, Orthopedics, and Neurology & neurosurgery

  • Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – (Atlanta, GA):

    • Regionally ranked #3 in Georgia and in Atlanta

    • Rated high performing in 4 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include, Colon & lung cancer, Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, and Neurology & neurosurgery

  • Northside Hospital – (Atlanta, GA):

    • Regionally ranked #4 in Georgia and in Atlanta

    • Nationally ranked in 1 adult specialty

    • Rated high performing in 14 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include, Cancer, Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonary & Lung Surgery

  • Northeast Georgia Medical Center – (Gainesville, GA):

    • Regionally ranked #6 in Georgia

    • Rated high performing in 13 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include, Cancer, Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonary & Lung Surgery

*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.



 

Nursing Associations in Georgia

Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in Georgia.

Atlanta Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia “One of the goals of this organization is to pay attention to issues concerning advanced practice registered nurses in Atlanta, Georgia.”

South Georgia Association of Nurse Practitioners – Valdosta “This group of nurses work together to improve the Nurse Practitioners in Georgia by giving legislative support, regulatory process, education and outreach.”

Georgia Nurses Association “This association is committed to be a famous organization in Georgia in terms of Health changes by improving the nursing practice and profession.”

For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.


 

Contact Details

Georgia Board of Nursing

Phone: (404) 424-9966 or (844) 753-7825

Choose “Option One”

Fax: (877) 371-5712

Email: nursing@sos.ga.gov

237 Coliseum Drive

Macon, GA 31217


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