Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia (GA)
Georgia has made it easier for nurses to enroll in RN to BSN programs. Keep reading to learn about RN to BSN options and how to choose the program that’s right for you.
While you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to be a registered nurse in Georgia, getting one significantly improves your qualifications and lifetime earnings. RNs with a BSN degree in Georgia earned more than $20,000 more per year than those without, according to ZipRecruiter. 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.
To meet the rising demand for higher standards of patient care, Georgia colleges and universities have developed more accessible programs specifically for RNs pursuing BSN degrees. This guide tells you everything you need to know as you consider RN to BSN programs in Georgia. Take a look at our selection of leading programs for this school year.
Clayton State University
Morrow, Georgia
Public
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Public
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
Public
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
Public
FAQs: RN to BSN Programs in Georgia
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Georgia prepare me for more opportunities?
RN to BSN online degrees in Georgia 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?
Because RN to BSN online degrees in Georgia are aimed at currently practicing registered nurses, completion timelines are often flexible. 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?
When pursuing a BSN degree, the price of tuition is a prominent factor in choosing which program to attend. The cost per credit hour of RN to BSN degrees online in Georgia varies widely by school. Researching tuition costs and a BSN degree’s potential return on investment is vital to the decision-making process. To help you get started on comparing the costs of an RN to BSN on campus or online in Georgia, we’ve compiled three schools’ costs per credit.
Is there financial aid available to Georgia RN to BSN students?
A BSN is a regular undergraduate course of study at most Georgia colleges and universities, making it eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Some schools, like Georgia Southern University, offer school-based scholarships exclusively for students in the RN to BSN program. 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 requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Georgia?
Georgia has recognized a need for more nurses with BSN degrees and adopted an RN-BSN Articulation Model to make it more accessible for RNs to obtain a BSN. Because of this initiative, active registered nurses are likely to already qualify for most RN to BSN programs. The requirements for RN to BSN programs in Georgia are set by each school and vary by institution. If you want a good idea of what to expect, Georgia State University’s program offers an excellent example of typical admission requirements:
- Graduation from an accredited nursing associate degree or diploma program
- Registered to practice as a professional nurse in Georgia or prepared to take the NCLEX test
- Current resume and transcript from an accredited nursing school
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Georgia?
With so many degree 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.
Inside Look at Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in Georgia
The most significant obstacle for most RN to BSN students is balancing an active RN career and your personal commitments with your studies. Georgia colleges and universities have developed several online and hybrid RN to BSN programs to make this process easier. By offering partial or entirely asynchronous online coursework, these programs support students in earning BSN degrees on convenient schedules. Though some schools require an on-campus orientation or clinical rotations, the in-person portion of RN to BSN online programs in Georgia is usually minimal. As part of a collaborative education agreement between state institutions, the University System of Georgia has made five core RN-BSN courses available online through the eCampus program, which students can take from any participating institution. To know more about what to expect from RN to BSN online programs in Georgia, check out EduMed’s complete guide to online RN to BSN programs.
In Georgia, How Do I Become an RN with a BSN?
The path from RN to BSN in Georgia begins with meeting the initial requirements of registered nurse licensure before proceeding to 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
RN to BSN Career Outlook for Georgia
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. You’ll also be a preferred candidate in an in-demand job market, leading to higher earning potential and better employment security.
How much do Georgia RN to BSN graduates earn?
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.
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
What is the job market like for registered nurses with a BSN in Georgia?
RNs are in very high demand in Georgia. Currently, 78,290 registered nurses are working in the state, but Georgia is experiencing a shortage of nurses and ranks 45th in the country in the number of active nurses per capita. 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.
