Uncover Top Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in GA
To meet the rising demand for higher standards of patient care, Georgia colleges and universities have developed more accessible programs for RNs pursuing BSN degrees. This guide tells you everything you need to know about RN to BSN programs in Georgia, including the best online or hybrid bridge programs in the state. Keep reading until the end to learn more about how a BSN can boost your earnings, career opportunities, and satisfaction at work.
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Comparing Georgia’s Online RN to BSN Programs
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing moves your resume to the front of the line in an in-demand field and offers job security. Whether you want to take more leadership responsibility as a nurse manager or become a clinical research nurse, a BSN can help you achieve your goals. Plus, if you’re already a licensed nurse, you can complete your BSN faster with a bridge program.
That said, not all RN to BSN bridge programs are the same. The three below stand out in terms of flexibility, the percentage of the program that can be completed online, and academics. They also offer affordable tuition rates and access to online student support resources.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN Completion Track — Clayton State University
Clayton State University offers an RN to BSN completion track designed for registered nurses with an associate degree or nursing diploma. The program is entirely online, providing flexibility and the opportunity to balance coursework with a full-time nursing role. Plus, online courses are offered asynchronously, meaning you can watch pre-recorded class lectures and complete assignments at times that work for you, not on set class schedules. It can be completed in as little as three semesters and prepares nurses for advanced roles in healthcare through courses in professional practice, research application, health assessment, community health, leadership, and management.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $174 per credit in-state | $647 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Unrestricted, active nursing license
- College GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Previous completion of at least 45 hours of nursing coursework
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology for RNs (3 credits)
- Professional Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Health Assessment (3 credits)
- Nursing Research Application (3 credits)
- Community Health Nursing (3 credits)
- Healthcare Communication (3 credits)
- Nursing Leadership and Management (3 credits)
- Nursing Practicum (3 credits)
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN — University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia offers an online RN to BSN program through the Tanner Health System School of Nursing. This program is designed for licensed RNs and can be completed in four consecutive semesters. It focuses on enhancing nursing practice, leadership, and professional development. The program emphasizes holistic care, critical thinking, and inter-professional collaboration, making it a great option for students who want to transition to a managerial nursing role. All coursework is delivered online in an asynchronous format, making it easy to fit the program within a busy work schedule.
Duration: 4 semesters
Mode: Online
Cost: $187 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- A minimum 2.5 GPA
- An associate degree in nursing
- An active RN license
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Scholarly Writing for Nurses (1 credit)
- Professional Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Pathophysiology for Nurses (3 credits)
- Nursing Issues (3 credits)
- Nursing Research Methods (3 credits)
- Nursing Informatics (3 credits)
- Health Assessment (3 credits)
- Community Health Nursing (3 credits)
- Leadership and Management Practicum (8 credits)
RN to BSN Program — Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers a fully online RN to BSN program designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their education and career. The program can be completed in as few as two semesters, with flexibility to extend up to five years if needed. The curriculum covers key areas such as health assessment, community health, leadership, and professional nursing practice. Students also receive 29 hours of proficiency credit upon successful completion of 6 credit hours of RN-BSN nursing courses, recognizing their prior learning and experience as registered nurses. All coursework can be completed online and is designed to fit around a full-time nursing work schedule.
Duration: One to five years
Mode: Online
Cost: $5,610 per year
Admissions Requirements:
Curriculum:
- 42 credit hours of general education
- Foundations of Microbiology (4 Credit Hours)
- Lifespan Development (3 Credit Hours)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 Credit Hours)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 Credit Hours)
- Nutrition and Health (3 Credit Hours)
- Professional Nursing Practice (3 Credit Hours)
- Nursing Research Application (3 Credit Hours)
- Health Assessment (3 Credit Hours)
- Complementary Therapeutic Modalities (3 Credit Hours)
- Complex Nursing Concepts (3 Credit Hours)
- Critical Analysis of Nursing Concepts (3 Credit Hours)
- Community Health Nursing (5 Credit Hours)
- Leadership & Management (5 Credit Hours)
Student Support: Frequently Asked Questions for Students in Georgia
While the school spotlights above are a great starting off point, you most likely still have questions about if a RN to BSN bridge program is right for you. To help you understand the financial obligations associated with these programs, what you can do with a BSN, and more, continue reading.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Georgia prepare me for more opportunities?
Georgia’s options for online RN to BSN education build on your existing skills to broaden and deepen your understanding of nursing science and leadership. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to deliver a higher standard of patient care and are qualified for management and leadership positions at healthcare institutions. Typical RN to BSN coursework expands students’ knowledge of healthcare policy, organizational systems, and the application of clinical judgment. For example, courses at Mercer University include classes in leadership in nursing, methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice, and population and global health.
How long is an RN to BSN program in Georgia?
Completion timelines are often flexible because RN to BSN online courses in Georgia are aimed at currently practicing registered nurses. Some programs can be completed in as little as one year, but most take three to four semesters. The Columbus State University one-year RN to BSN program is ideal for those who want to complete a BSN in a short amount of time. If you choose the program at GSW, you can adjust the pace to fit your needs. While most students earn their BSN degree in one to two years, you can divide coursework over three years. Under exceptional circumstances, you could have up to five years to complete the required courses.
In Georgia, how much do RN to BSN programs cost?
The cost per credit hour of online RN to BSN courses in Georgia varies widely by school. When pursuing a BSN program, the price of tuition is a prominent factor in choosing which program to attend. Researching tuition costs and a BSN degree’s potential return on investment is vital to the decision-making process.
Another important step is to look at available financial aid options. Some schools, like Georgia Southern University, offer school-based scholarships like the Cathryn Barnett Shriver Presidential Scholarship for students in undergraduate nursing programs. The Georgia Nurses Foundation awards the Annie Lou Overton Scholarship annually to a student enrolled in an RN to BSN program. Get started funding your BSN with our financial aid guide, or learn more about scholarship opportunities in our nursing scholarship guide.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Georgia?
With so many educational options for RN to BSN programs online and on-campus in Georgia, it can be hard to choose the right one for you. When considering options, evaluate how much flexibility and time you may need to achieve a BSN, primarily if you’re currently working as an RN. High NCLEX-RN pass rates are a good indicator that the program prepares BSN students well for future careers in nursing. Before applying, ensure that a program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the CCNE and approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
How Do I Become an RN with a BSN in Georgia?
The path from RN to BSN in Georgia begins with meeting the initial requirements of registered nurse licensure, as defined by the state’s nursing board. Most programs require an active nursing license before starting an accredited RN to BSN program online or in person. A typical career path from RN to BSN progresses in this order:
- Graduate from a state-approved nursing education program
- Apply for, take, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse
- Apply to an accredited RN to BSN program in Georgia
- Complete required coursework and clinical rotations to obtain your BSN degree
Ranking Georgia’s Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs
The EduMed team regularly ranks different programs in Georgia, including the best RN to BSN bridge programs. To be included in these rankings, programs must be accredited, have at least one online component, and offer academic counseling and career placement services. Specific rankings were determined based on how a school performed in terms of academics, affordability, and the percentage of the program available online. To learn more about our ranking methodology, click the “About Our Rankings” pop-up below.
Clayton State University
Morrow, Georgia
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.86%
- % Receiving Award31%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.71%
- % Receiving Award45%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.64%
- % Receiving Award49%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio8/1
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.68%
- % Receiving Award36%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
RN vs. BSN Careers: Georgia Salary Insights
Once you’ve graduated from an RN to BSN online program in Georgia, you’ll be well-qualified to provide superior patient care and manage healthcare nursing teams. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the demand for registered nurses will continue to outpace the supply by several thousand until at least 2030. With a BSN, you’ll be a preferred candidate in that in-demand job market, leading to higher earning potential and better employment security.
In general, nurses with a BSN earn more than $20,000 more per year than the average RN salary in Georgia. ZipRecruiter reports that as of September 2022, a registered nurse in Georgia makes an average salary of $54,173 per year. In contrast, nurses with a BSN degree command an average annual salary of $75,288.
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Georgia’s registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $75,040. Overall, that’s a bit lower than the national average of $77,600. The lowest percentile earners make an average of $58,400 annually, while the highest percentile earners average $98,410. As a general trend, nurses working in metropolitan areas of the state earn the highest wages, while rural nurses are paid on the lower end of the average.