RN Positions in Atlanta, GA: Where the Nursing Jobs Are and How to Get Hired

If you’re searching for RN positions in Atlanta, GA, you’re looking in one of the busiest healthcare markets in the Southeast. Atlanta has large hospital systems, specialty clinics, public health agencies, and schools all competing for registered nurses with a wide range of skills and experience.

This guide walks through where RNs work in Atlanta, what types of roles are common, typical schedules and expectations, how to search and apply locally, and what to know about licensing and pay basics—all focused on the Atlanta area.

The Atlanta RN Job Market at a Glance

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is dominated by several major hospital systems and a growing number of outpatient and community-based settings. For RNs, that usually translates into:

• A steady demand for bedside nurses in hospitals
• Growing demand in outpatient surgery, infusion, and specialty clinics
• Opportunities in public health, schools, correctional settings, and home health
• Both full-time and PRN/contract work available across the metro

Because Atlanta draws patients from across Georgia and neighboring states, many hospitals here operate like regional referral centers. That often means busy units, strong clinical exposure, and frequent openings for RNs who want that environment.

Major Employers of RNs in Atlanta

Below is a simple overview of common RN employers in the Atlanta area and the kind of work settings they offer.

This isn’t a complete list, but it reflects the main buckets of RN positions available in Atlanta.

Common Types of RN Positions in Atlanta

1. Hospital Bedside Nursing

Most RN positions in Atlanta are still hospital-based. Common units include:

• Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) – Good for newer nurses and those wanting broad experience
• Emergency Department (ED) – Fast-paced, high-acuity care, frequent hiring
• Intensive Care Units (ICU, CCU, NICU, PICU) – Typically require some prior experience or residency training
• Labor & Delivery / Mother-Baby – Women’s health-focused roles, often in big systems like Northside or Piedmont
• Operating Room (OR) & PACU – Perioperative nursing, often with specialty training or onboarding programs

Hospitals in central and metro Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, etc.) typically offer 12-hour shifts, rotating days/nights, and differential pay for nights, weekends, and holidays.

2. Outpatient & Clinic Nursing

Atlanta has a growing network of ambulatory surgery centers, specialty clinics, and physician offices. RNs in these settings often work:

• Day-shift, Monday–Friday or limited weekend schedules
• In roles like triage, infusion, pre-op/post-op, telehealth support, or care coordination
• With more predictable hours than acute-care hospital jobs

Specialties can include cardiology, oncology, GI, orthopedics, dermatology, and more, particularly in medical hubs like Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and near major hospitals.

3. Home Health and Hospice Positions

Home health agencies across Atlanta employ RNs for:

• Skilled nursing visits in patients’ homes
• Wound care, medication management, teaching, and monitoring
• Hospice and palliative care case management

These positions often involve driving throughout metro Atlanta, so comfort with traffic and navigation in areas like Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, and Clayton counties matters.

4. Public Health and Community RNs

If you’re interested in community-focused roles, Atlanta offers:

• County health department clinics (immunizations, family planning, STD clinics, TB, travel health)
• Community health centers and nonprofit clinics
• Case management and outreach positions serving specific neighborhoods or populations

These roles typically have standard business hours and may include community education, screenings, and coordination with local services.

5. School and University Nursing

School nursing in Atlanta can involve:

• Working with Atlanta Public Schools or nearby districts
• Providing daily student health services, care plans, and emergency response
• Following the school calendar, often with holidays and summers off or reduced hours

University or college health centers in Atlanta may hire RNs for outpatient services to students, staff, and sometimes the public.

6. Behavioral Health and Addiction Services

RNs in Atlanta also work in:

• Psychiatric hospitals and residential programs
• Detox and substance use treatment facilities
• Crisis stabilization units and community-based mental health programs

These roles may require comfort with de-escalation, medication management, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

RN Licensing and Requirements in Atlanta, GA

To work as an RN in Atlanta, you need to be licensed in Georgia or have multi-state licensure that covers Georgia (since Georgia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact).

Key points:

• Initial licensure is handled by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
• If you relocate to Atlanta from another state, you may need to apply for licensure by endorsement, unless your existing compact license already allows you to practice here.
• Many hospital systems in Atlanta prefer or require BLS (Basic Life Support) and, for certain areas, certifications like ACLS, PALS, or NRP.

For licensing questions, the Georgia Board of Nursing operates under the Secretary of State’s office in Atlanta. Main contact details are publicly available and can be confirmed through state channels; in-person visits are not usually necessary for most applicants, as many processes are handled online or by mail.

Typical Schedules and Shifts for RNs in Atlanta

RN schedules vary by setting:

• Hospitals – Often 12-hour shifts (7a–7p, 7p–7a), with weekend and holiday rotations
• Clinics and physician offices – Usually day shifts, Monday–Friday, occasional weekends depending on specialty
• Home health/hospice – Daytime schedules plus on-call or rotating weekends
• Schools – Generally follow school hours and calendar
• Community/public health – Standard business hours with occasional events or extended hours

Atlanta traffic can significantly affect your day, so many nurses try to live closer to their facility or choose schedules that allow them to avoid peak rush hours on I-285, I-75/85, and GA-400.

RN Pay Considerations in Atlanta

While exact pay rates change over time and by employer, Atlanta is typically considered a competitive pay market within Georgia due to:

• The concentration of large health systems
• The city’s cost of living compared with other regions in the state
• Demand for experienced RNs, especially in critical care and specialty areas

RNs often see differentials for:

• Night shift work
• Weekend shifts
• Float pool or high-need units

Travel nurse assignments in Atlanta can sometimes offer higher hourly rates but come with different expectations and contract terms.

How to Find RN Positions in Atlanta

1. Search Major Health System Career Pages

Most large Atlanta-area employers list their RN positions on their own career portals. Common search tips:

• Use terms like “Registered Nurse,” “RN,” “Staff Nurse,” “Clinical Nurse,” or “New Grad RN Residency”
• Filter by location (e.g., Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs)
• Filter by specialty (med-surg, ICU, ED, L&D, etc.)

Many new grads in Atlanta start by applying to structured nurse residency programs, which are often offered by larger hospitals and health systems.

2. Use General Job Boards and Local Filters

When using job boards:

• Include “Atlanta, GA” or specific zip codes to narrow the search
• Use filters for full-time, part-time, PRN, or contract based on your needs
• Check if the position is located in the city proper vs. outlying suburbs (e.g., Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Stockbridge), especially if commuting is a concern

3. Connect With Local Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

Atlanta has multiple healthcare staffing agencies that place RNs in:

• Hospitals (for per diem or contract work)
• Long-term care or rehab facilities
• Home health and hospice roles

This can be helpful if you want flexible shifts or want to explore different facilities before committing.

4. Network Through Local Nursing Communities

Consider:

• Local professional nursing associations with Atlanta meetings or events
• Hospital open houses or career fairs hosted by Atlanta health systems
• Online groups or forums focused on Georgia or Atlanta nursing

Networking can help you hear about unit culture, managers, and openings that might not be widely advertised.

RN Positions for New Graduates in Atlanta

If you’re a new grad RN looking in Atlanta, focus on:

• Nurse residency programs – Usually offered at larger hospitals and teaching facilities
• Med-surg, step-down, or general inpatient units that frequently train and support new graduates
• Criteria like graduation date, GPA (if required), and NCLEX status

New grads in Atlanta often start in inpatient roles to build experience, then move later into ICU, ED, L&D, or specialty clinics once they have a strong base.

RN Positions for Experienced Nurses

If you have experience, Atlanta employers may be especially interested in:

• Critical care (ICU, CCU, NICU, PICU)
• Emergency nursing
• Operating room and perioperative services
• Oncology, cardiology, neurology, and other specialty areas
• Charge nurse or leadership experience

Experienced Atlanta RNs can sometimes negotiate for:

• Preferred shifts or unit placement
• Sign-on or relocation incentives (when offered by the employer)
• Opportunities for clinical ladder advancement or preceptor roles

Practical Tips for Applying to RN Jobs in Atlanta

Here are some locally relevant pointers as you apply:

• 📝 Tailor your resume to highlight experience relevant to Atlanta’s big hospital systems, fast-paced environments, or community-focused roles, depending on the job.
• 🚗 Factor in commute and parking. Atlanta traffic can turn a 10-mile trip into a long commute, especially at shift change times.
• 🏙️ Decide whether you prefer in-town locations (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur) versus suburban campuses (Marietta, Duluth, Stockbridge, etc.).
• 📅 If you’re aiming for a residency program, note the application windows, which often align with spring or fall graduation dates.
• 📧 Keep your RN license and certifications current and ready to upload; many Atlanta employers screen applications automatically for required credentials.

When to Consider Alternatives Within the Atlanta Area

If you’re open to slightly outside-the-city options, you can widen your search to:

• North Fulton and Gwinnett (e.g., Johns Creek, Lawrenceville)
• Cobb and Cherokee (e.g., Marietta, Kennesaw, Canton)
• South metro areas (e.g., Fayetteville, Newnan, Stockbridge)

These regions still feel connected to Atlanta but sometimes offer:

• Different patient populations
• Slightly shorter commutes depending on where you live
• Additional community hospitals and outpatient centers hiring RNs

For anyone searching “RN positions Atlanta GA,” the key is to clarify what kind of nursing you want to do, what schedule fits your life, and how far you’re willing to commute. From busy trauma centers Downtown to quieter community clinics around the metro, Atlanta offers a wide spectrum of RN roles for both new graduates and seasoned nurses.