LPN Programs in Atlanta, GA: Your Guide to Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you’re in a strong location. The metro area has multiple LPN programs, large hospital systems, and clear state requirements through the Georgia Board of Nursing. This guide walks you through how LPN programs work in Atlanta, where to look, what to expect, and how to move from student to working nurse.

How LPN Programs Work in Atlanta

In Georgia, LPNs are officially called Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and are regulated by the Georgia Board of Nursing, part of the Georgia Professional Licensing Boards Division.

To work as an LPN in Atlanta, you’ll need to:

1. Complete an approved practical nursing program
2. Pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam
3. Apply for your LPN license in Georgia
4. Maintain your license with continuing competency as required by the Board

Most LPN programs in Atlanta are offered through technical colleges, community colleges, and private career schools. Programs are usually full time, often taking about 12–18 months to finish, depending on the school and schedule.

Types of LPN Programs You’ll Find in Atlanta

In and around Atlanta, LPN education is usually called:

• Practical Nursing diploma
• Practical Nursing certificate
• Licensed Practical Nursing program

They may be offered through:

• Public technical colleges (part of the Technical College System of Georgia)
• Community colleges
• Private vocational or career schools
• Hospital-affiliated training programs (less common but may exist through clinical partnerships)

Typical Program Structure

Most Atlanta-area LPN programs include:

• Classroom instruction
  Topics like:

  • Basic nursing skills
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Pharmacology (medications)
  • Adult health nursing
  • Maternal and child health
  • Geriatric nursing
  • Mental health nursing

• Skills lab
  Practice on mannequins and simulation equipment before seeing real patients.

• Clinical rotations
  Supervised training in:

  • Hospitals
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Clinics or physician offices

Many Atlanta programs partner with local healthcare providers such as Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory Healthcare facilities, Piedmont Healthcare, and local nursing homes and rehab centers for clinical experience.

Key LPN Program Options in the Atlanta Area

Program offerings can change, so always verify directly with the school. The list below is for orientation and planning, not endorsement.

Public Technical & Community Colleges (Atlanta Area)

These schools are part of Georgia’s public system and commonly offer Practical Nursing diplomas:

• Atlanta Technical College
  1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW
  Atlanta, GA 30310
  Phone: (404) 225-4400

• Georgia Piedmont Technical College (serves metro east side)
  495 N Indian Creek Dr
  Clarkston, GA 30021
  Phone: (404) 297-9522

• Chattahoochee Technical College (multiple campuses serving northwest metro)
  Main office: 980 South Cobb Dr SE
  Marietta, GA 30060
  Phone: (770) 528-4545

Other nearby technical colleges outside the immediate city but within driving distance of Atlanta may also offer practical nursing programs.

Private Career Schools and Training Centers

Atlanta also has private nursing and healthcare career schools that offer practical nursing programs or similar LPN tracks. These can have:

• Smaller class sizes
• More frequent start dates
• Higher tuition than public technical colleges in many cases

Because private school offerings can change more quickly, it’s best to contact each school directly and confirm:

• That the program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing
• Program length and schedule
• Total cost and financial aid options

At-a-Glance: LPN Program Basics in Atlanta

Admission Requirements for Atlanta LPN Programs

Each school sets its own criteria, but you’ll commonly see:

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum age (often 17 or 18)
• Entrance test (such as TEAS or another standardized exam)
• Minimum GPA or completion of prerequisites such as:
  • Basic math
  • English
  • Biology or anatomy/physiology
• Background check and often drug screening
• Proof of immunizations (especially for clinical placements)
• Possibly a CPR certification (Healthcare Provider level)

Some practical tips:

• 📝 Apply early: Nursing programs often have limited seats and set application deadlines.
• 🧪 Prepare for the entrance exam: Many Atlanta students take a prep course or use study guides.
• 💼 Plan for full-time commitment: Even if you work, clinical rotations can be demanding on your schedule.

What You’ll Learn in an Atlanta LPN Program

Expect a mix of theory, lab, and clinical practice tailored to what LPNs actually do in Georgia healthcare settings.

Common course topics include:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  Basic nursing skills, patient safety, infection control.

• Anatomy and Physiology
  How the body works and how diseases affect it.

• Pharmacology
  Medication classes, dosage calculations, safe administration.

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
  Care of adults with common conditions (cardiac, respiratory, diabetes, etc.).

• Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing
  Care of pregnant patients, newborns, children, and families.

• Geriatric and Long-Term Care Nursing
  A major focus in many Atlanta clinical sites.

• Mental Health Nursing
  Communication, therapeutic environment, patient support.

During clinical rotations, Atlanta students might gain hands-on experience in:

• Metro-area hospitals
• Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Outpatient clinics or physician practices

Licensing: From Atlanta Student to Georgia LPN

Once you complete an approved LPN program, your next steps are:

1. Apply for Licensure with the Georgia Board of Nursing

Contact information for licensure questions:

Georgia Board of Nursing
Division of Professional Licensing Boards
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Phone: (844) 753-7825 (Professional Licensing Boards call center)

You’ll typically:

• Submit an application for licensure by exam
• Pay the designated fees
• Undergo a criminal background check
• Have your school send official documentation of program completion

2. Register and Take the NCLEX-PN

The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing exam for practical nurses. Atlanta test-takers usually schedule this at a secure testing center in or near the city.

Common preparation steps:

• Use NCLEX-style question banks
• Review core nursing content from your program
• Join study groups with classmates
• Follow any review plans recommended by your instructors

3. Receive Your Georgia LPN License

If you pass the NCLEX-PN and meet all Board requirements, you’ll receive your LPN license to practice in Georgia. You can then apply for LPN jobs throughout the Atlanta metro area in:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care and assisted living facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Home health agencies
• Clinics and physicians’ offices
• Public health or community health settings (depending on employer requirements)

Costs, Financial Aid, and Planning in Atlanta

Tuition and fees for LPN programs in Atlanta vary widely:

• Public technical colleges generally have lower in-state tuition, with additional fees for labs, uniforms, immunizations, background checks, and textbooks.
• Private schools may have higher tuition, but sometimes offer flexible schedules or accelerated timelines.

Funding options Atlanta students commonly explore:

• Federal financial aid (FAFSA-based, if the school participates)
• HOPE Grant or HOPE Career Grant (for eligible Georgia residents at participating technical colleges)
• Payment plans through the school
• Employer sponsorships or tuition assistance (especially if you already work in healthcare)
• Scholarships from hospitals, community organizations, or foundations

✅ Tip: Speak with each school’s financial aid office early. Atlanta programs often have well-developed financial aid processes and can clarify eligibility for Georgia-specific grants.

How to Compare LPN Programs in Atlanta

When choosing between LPN programs in or near Atlanta, consider:

• Georgia Board of Nursing approval
  Make sure the program is state-approved, so you’ll be eligible for licensure.

• NCLEX-PN pass rates
  Many schools share their graduates’ exam pass rates; this can show how well they prepare students.

• Clinical partnerships
  Ask which Atlanta-area hospitals or facilities they use for clinical rotations.

• Schedule and location
  Look at:

  • Campus location (MARTA access, parking, commute time)
  • Day vs. evening/weekend options
  • Start dates and length of program

• Total cost of attendance
  Include tuition, fees, books, uniforms, testing, and commuting costs.

• Student support
  Tutoring, NCLEX review resources, career services, and academic advising can make a big difference.

Working as an LPN in Atlanta

Once licensed, LPNs in Atlanta typically work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and/or physicians, performing tasks such as:

• Taking vital signs and monitoring patients
• Administering certain medications
• Wound care and basic procedures
• Documenting care
• Assisting with daily living activities in long-term care
• Communicating with patients and families

In the Atlanta healthcare market, LPN positions are common in:

• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Assisted living communities
• Home health agencies
• Some hospital and clinic roles, depending on the facility’s staffing model

Many Atlanta LPNs later choose to continue their education through LPN-to-RN bridge programs, often available at community and technical colleges in the region.

Helpful Contacts and Next Steps in Atlanta

If you’re ready to move forward:

1. Contact a few Atlanta-area schools (such as Atlanta Technical College or Georgia Piedmont Technical College) and request:

   • Program details
   • Admission requirements and deadlines
   • Estimated costs and financial aid options

2. Confirm state approval with the Georgia Board of Nursing if you’re considering a less familiar school or private program.

3. Plan your timeline:

   • Application and testing
   • Program start and end dates
   • NCLEX-PN exam scheduling
   • Job search after licensure

By understanding how LPN programs in Atlanta, GA are structured and what the state requires, you can chart a realistic path from interest in nursing to a practical nursing career in the city and surrounding metro area.