Explore Georgia’s Top BSN Nursing Degree Programs for 2024

It may sound a bit corny, but it’s true: Nursing is more than a career, it’s a calling — or as one study puts it, “a deep desire to devote oneself to serving people according to the high values of the task or profession.” We’ve compiled this guide for anyone interested in pursuing this calling by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. That’s whether:

• You’re just about to graduate high school and seeking the degree you need to start your career.
• You’re someone with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree ready to change careers.
• You’re a licensed practical nurse making the move up the career ladder to become an RN.
• You’re a current RN without a BSN looking to boost your career opportunities or prepare for graduate nursing studies.

Below, you’ll be introduced to the many high-quality, accredited BSN programs in Georgia today. You’ll also discover the full range of BSN program types available to find the right one for you and explore the high-paying, highly in-demand jobs waiting upon graduation.

It’s time to pursue your call to nursing by earning your BSN through one of the top programs in Georgia for 2024 — keep reading to take the next step toward your future.

School Spotlights: Popular BSN Programs in Georgia

We’ve surveyed the entire field of BSN programs — including online BSN programs in Georgia — and selected three of the very best, which we’ve spotlighted below. These are programs that offer a combination of important student-focused features, including affordability, proper accreditation, academic quality, useful student support services, and more. Additionally, each school offers at least one BSN program option that features online study. Take a look at who’s leading the way in BSN programs in Georgia for 2024.

Main Benefits of BSN Programs in Georgia

There are other ways to qualify for RN licensure besides a BSN degree (like earning an associate degree in nursing). But BSN programs in Georgia offer access to a number of valuable benefits only available to students. Here are four of the most valuable.

Access to Strong Professional Network

Never underestimate the value of networking. Your connections with professional leaders and peers in the nursing community can play a key role in landing a high-quality job upon graduation, as well as in advancing in your career as it progresses. Students in BSN programs, including online BSN programs in Georgia, have access to a wide range of networking opportunities with instructors, alumni, academic and career mentors, major employers, and more.

Broad Range of Clinical Opportunities

Clinical rotation experiences are substantial and play a critical part in the development of practical nursing skills for all pre-licensure BSN students. A major benefit of earning your BSN degree in Georgia is that the state is home to an exceptional number of highly respected hospitals, medical centers and clinics, and other healthcare facilities at which BSN students can complete clinical requirements.

Wide Array of Prestigious Nursing Schools

Georgia is also home to a number of well-established, highly respected nursing schools and departments, most often housed on major public and private college and university campuses. BSN programs offered by these schools bring with them valuable academic benefits (such as better facilities and resources, highly respected faculties, and access to research opportunities), as well as enhanced academic and career options upon graduation.

Program Checklist: Features to Look for in an Georgia BSN Program

As you research on-ground and online BSN programs in Georgia, you’ll notice plenty of similarities and a few distinctions in such things as admissions and academic requirements, curriculum content and structure, course delivery methods, completion times, and more. Regardless, all BSN programs you consider should include a number of foundational features. Below are three of the most important:

Accreditation

Accreditation is the formal process through which schools and programs are vetted for academic quality. It’s your way of knowing that the BSN program you choose is legitimately worth your time, effort, and money, and it’s an important way that employers know you have received a quality nursing education. Before enrolling in any Georgia BSN program, research institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation — typically through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Format That Fits Your Needs

You’ve likely noticed by now that BSN programs in Georgia are offered in a variety of course formats (on-campus, hybrid, fully online), delivery methods (in-person classes, online synchronous, and asynchronous), and study pace options (full-time, part-time, self-paced). It’s key that you gain a clear understanding of your unique program structure needs and study preferences to determine which combination of formats and delivery methods will best support your academic success.

Student Support Resources

Often overlooked in BSN program searches is the availability of quality student support services. These may include academic and career counseling, physical and emotional well-being support, tutor services, faculty mentors, and job search services. Most top BSN programs in Georgia offer many of these services, and sometimes more. One example is Columbus State University’s RN to BSN program, which provides students with free online tutoring, embedded success coaches, and a dedicated RN student faculty advisor.

Types of BSN Programs in Georgia

Through your research, you’ll find a surprising number of BSN program types out there, each tailored to meet the specific academic and career needs and preferences of different students. To help you sort through the confusion, we’ve described below the most common types of BSN programs available, including specific examples of Georgia BSN programs — both online and traditional.

FAQs About BSN Programs in Georgia

With the context above, you now have a pretty good idea of what BSN programs in Georgia are all about. Nevertheless, there are bound to be a few questions that remain unanswered. Below are answers to four of the most frequently asked questions prospective students have about on-ground and online BSN programs in Georgia.

Are there online or part-time options available for BSN programs in Georgia?

Yes, but it depends on the specific program and program type. For example, virtually all pre-licensure BSN programs (traditional BSN, ABSN, LPN to BSN) are campus-based but may include some coursework that can be completed online. Conversely, practically all Georgia RN to BSN programs are online, with many featuring asynchronous classes. Georgia RN to BSN programs also typically offer part-time options (examples include those at Columbus State University and Clayton State University). However, Georgia pre-licensure students will likely not be able to find a part-time option.

Can I transfer credits from another institution?

Again, this depends on your particular school and program. It’s rare that a pre-licensure program will accept previously earned nursing course credits, because each BSN program has its own unique curriculum. On the other hand, BSN programs in Georgia are much more likely to accept transfer credits that satisfy general education or prerequisite courses. The BSN Transfer Option at Emory University offers a good example of a typical transfer policy for Georgia BSN programs. Check the specific policies for each of the programs you’re considering.

Do online BSN programs in Georgia require clinical experience?

This answer depends on your specific type of online BSN program in Georgia. Pre-licensure BSN programs (that is, programs leading to RN licensure) include completion of a substantial number of clinical practice hours as part of their requirements. The specific number of clinical hours varies somewhat from program to program. However, the Georgia Board of Nursing requires applicants to have completed between 480 and 640 hours of preceptorship (clinical experience) hours to be eligible for state RN licensure.

What are my career prospects after finishing my BSN in Georgia?

In general terms, earning your BSN degree prepares you for two fundamental career paths. First, it prepares graduates to work as registered nurses in a variety of nursing settings like hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, schools, assisted living facilities, or physician’s offices. It’s also important to mention here the continuing trend among nursing clinicians and employers toward preference for nurses with a BSN degree. Secondly, your BSN provides you with the academic foundation needed to pursue a graduate nursing degree (MSN, or even a PhD or DNP) and advance into top-tier clinical and leadership positions in the profession.

Job and Salary Outlook for Georgia BSN Nurses

At this point, you might be wondering how earning a BSN in Georgia translates to real job opportunities. The answer is: with higher pay, increased job opportunities, and more flexible work conditions throughout the state. Here’s a more detailed look at the job outlook for Georgia BSN Nurses today — in terms of earnings and job growth potential.

How Much You Can Make as a BSN in Georgia

Overall, salaries for graduates of Georgia BSN programs working as RNs in the state are healthy, as reflected in the chart below; this data shows what RNs in Georgia are earning in communities throughout the state. It’s important to keep in mind that what you actually earn as a Georgia RN will depend on a number of factors, including your particular employer and job title, your specific duties (clinical and administrative), number of years of professional nursing experience, which shifts you work, and whether you’re working in a specialized field of nursing practice.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021

Employment Opportunities After Graduation

As you might expect given the ongoing shortage of registered nurses both in Georgia and throughout the U.S., the job outlook for Georgia RNs is excellent. In fact, the Georgia Department of Labor’s Workforce Trends Report reveals that registered nurses, the largest healthcare occupation in the state, leads the list in new jobs through 2028 over all other Georgia healthcare jobs. The data below from the U.S. Department of Labor reinforces this data, showing a projected job growth rate of 18.1% for RNs — compared to a national average of 9%.

Source: Projections Central