If you’re an LPN in Georgia, your job is already in demand. But what if you could earn more and widen your job prospects? Earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree opens up even more doors for your career. Finding the right LPN to BSN program is worthwhile and gratifying, but it takes time and patience. This guide covers three top LPN to BSN bridge programs in Georgia, including admissions requirements, curriculum, costs, and more. Jump To SectionOnline LPN to BSN Programs in Georgia: Compare Top Schools
Online LPN to BSN Programs in Georgia: A Comparison
For Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to advance their careers in Georgia, the path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offers exciting opportunities for professional growth and increased earning potential. Georgia’s LPN to BSN programs—aka bridge programs—combine flexibility with academic rigor, allowing working nurses to pursue higher education while maintaining their current positions. With options available at prestigious institutions like Georgia State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, and South College, these programs typically take two to three years to complete and offer hybrid learning formats that blend online and in-person instruction. Students benefit from comprehensive curricula covering advanced nursing concepts, from mental health and pediatric care to leadership and research methods.
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Georgia State University
The LPN to BSN program at Georgia State began in 2021. Despite its youth, the program has already gained a reputation as a high-quality, flexible program. The degree is designed for working nurses, meaning course times can flex around a full-time work schedule. Plus, some courses are offered entirely online, while those with lab requirements are offered on campus. Students also complete clinical rotations in acute care and community-based agencies near campus. This allows them to gain real-world experience and to apply what they learn in the classroom to multiple healthcare settings. The program also has online resources to help students prepare for the NCLEX exam and the application for nursing licensure.
Duration: 6 semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $43,264 in-state, $113,360 out-of-state (104 credits)
Admissions Requirements:
- Graduation from a Georgia Board of Nursing-approved LPN program
- Current Georgia LPN license
- Professional letter of reference from employer
- Minimum 2.8 GPA for general education courses
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in science courses
- Only one outstanding prerequisite course
- Minimum C grade in all prerequisites
- Minimum score of 63 overall and 68 reading/math on ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam
Core Curriculum:
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Leadership/policy
- Psychiatric nursing
- Caring for families and communities
- Health assessment
- Caring for adult populations
- Caring for childbearing families
- Caring for children and adolescents
- Research methods
- Complex healthcare problems
- Practicum
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Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University offers a hybrid LPN to BSN program that’s designed to be completed in two years after all general education courses. Though all nursing courses, labs, and clinical experiences must be in person, many of the general education courses can be completed online through the eCore program, adding some flexibility to students’ schedules. Once admitted into the nursing program, students split their time between nursing courses and clinical hours. All students take the same 62 credit hours of nursing courses, though they can choose a specific nursing setting for their clinical hours in. By the time they graduate, most students will have work experience in hospitals, long-term care facilities, treatment centers, and outpatient and community clinics.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $25,200 in-state, $81,960 out-of-state (122 credits)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completion of all general education/core curriculum prior to nursing application
- Grade C or better in certain pre-requisite courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.8
- Minimum score of 75 on HESI A2
- Active, unencumbered LPN license
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of nursing
- Pathophysiology
- Adult nursing
- Informatics
- Mental health nursing
- Care of childbearing family
- Pediatric nursing care
- Health assessment
- Pharmacology
- Gerontological nursing
- Community health nursing
- Evidence-based practice in nursing
South College
The LPN to BSN program at South College is specifically designed for Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to advance their education to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Offered at the Atlanta and Marietta locations, curriculum provides comprehensive nursing education covering various specialties including mental health, pediatric care, adult health, maternal infant care, and community health nursing. Students also study nursing management and nursing research. To be considered for admission, candidates must meet South College’s general admission requirements and specific program prerequisites. Following completion of the program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Duration: 2.5 years (9 quarters)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $49,500 (9 quarters)
Admissions Requirements:
- Unencumbered LPN license
- South College and nursing program applications
- Minimum ATI TEAS score
- Prerequisite courses
- Minimum of C grade on general ed/core courses
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on prerequisite courses
- Drug test, background check, immunizations
- Health history and exam
- Valid BLC for Healthcare Providers certification
- Health insurance
- Nursing orientation session
Core Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Physical assessment
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Fundamentals of nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Adult health nursing
- Maternal infant nursing
- Research
- Pediatric nursing
- Policies and politics in nursing
- Community nursing
- Management and leadership
- Practicum
- Transition to professional practice
Get Answers: LPN to BSN Student FAQs
We’ve gathered the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about LPN to BSN nursing programs. Answers will help you understand more about the requirements for admission, program length, and expected costs/financial aid opportunities.
What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an LPN to BSN program in Georgia?
An LPN to BSN program builds off the foundational knowledge you already possess from your LPN degree and work experience. It’s designed to help you hone your expertise and become a licensed RN. After you complete your BSN obtain your RN licensure, there are more career advancement opportunities available since RNs with a BSN have more advanced skills. Some programs, such as the one at Georgia Southern University, let students take electives in areas of interest to them, like gerontology and home health nursing. Other programs, like the one from Georgia Southwestern, offer a foundational degree without specialties.
How long does it take to complete an LPN to BSN program in Georgia?
On average, it takes two to three years to complete an LPN to BSN program in the state of Georgia. The exact time frame depends on how many classes you take each semester and each program’s curriculum. Additionally, it could take you longer if you complete your degree on a part-time basis while working full-time. While a part-time degree extends your time in class, it allows time to work to help fund your tuition.
How much do LPN to BSN programs in Georgia cost?
Tuition costs vary dramatically depending on the type of school, length of program, course format, residency, and more. However, how much you pay isn’t just about the tuition price. You also have to take into account student fees, transportation, and any financial aid that you may receive from your program, school, state, or federal government. Scholarships, whether public or private, are always a welcome boon and can significantly affect the bottom-line price of your education.
What are the admission requirements for LPN to BSN programs in Georgia?
While each program’s requirements are unique, the following admission requirements are common across most programs:
- Graduation from a state-approved LPN program
- Current, unencumbered LPN license in the state of Georgia
- A minimum GPA, which can differ from school to school but is usually around 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
- Completed prerequisites to enter the program
Before you apply for admission, ensure the program holds the appropriate state accreditations so that your education will meet all state licensing requirements.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN to BSN program in Georgia?
Since Georgia is facing a critical nursing crisis and recognizes the need for well-prepared and educated nurses in the state, it provides state-specific aid to many LPN to BSN candidates. If you have an LPN license, you may be eligible to apply for the Georgia College Completion Grant. The state also provides REACH scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need. Independent organizations in the state, such as the Georgia Nurses Association and Georgia Health Care Association, also have scholarships available to nurses.
Earnings and Careers: LPN vs. BSN in Georgia
The transition from LPN to RN represents a transformative career opportunity in Georgia’s evolving healthcare landscape. First, the growth of RN roles is expected to exceed growth of LPN careers. That is, LPN roles are expected to grow by 3%, however, RNs enjoy double that rate at 6%.
Similarly, RN salaries outpace those of LPNs. The median salary for RNs is $86,070, compared to $59,730 for LPNs. When it comes to the top performers in their respective roles, RNs outpace LPNs by more than $54,000 annually. While top-level RNs earn $132,680, similarly ranked LPNs only take home $77,870.
The expanded scope of practice for RNs in Georgia allows for greater autonomy and more comprehensive patient care responsibilities. With BSN credentials and RN licensure, nurses can pursue additional certifications, advance to management positions, or continue their education toward advanced practice roles. For career-minded healthcare professionals in Georgia, the LPN to BSN pathway offers a strategic route to enhanced professional opportunities and greater impact in patient care.
If you live in Georgia and choose to pursue your registered nursing license, you can look forward to exceptional job growth and a good salary. Licensed practical nurses can expect job growth of 12% through 2032, while registered nurses see higher growth at 15.3%. To put that in perspective, the nationwide outlook for LPNs and RNs is 5.3% and 5.6%, respectively. This means that both LPNs and RNs will have an easier time finding a job, with RNs in the greatest demand.
Salaries will vary depending on where a nurse works. The median annual wage for an LPN in Florida is $54,770, while the wage for an RN is $83,620. Expect the rate of pay to be higher for those who work in the most in-demand counties and metro areas in the state. For instance, those who work in the Brunswick area are more likely to see a lower rate of pay than those who work in the Atlanta metro area. To learn more, check out the charts below.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Georgia | $41,350 | $54,770 | $69,220 |
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | $63,450 | $83,620 | $124,330 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | 81,800 | 94,310 | 12,510 | 15.30% | 5,990 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Georgia | 23,160 | 25,940 | 2,780 | 12.00% | 2,130 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
