Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs in Atlanta, GA: Local Guide to LPN Careers

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) jobs in Atlanta, GA are in steady demand, thanks to the city’s large hospital systems, growing senior population, and many outpatient and long-term care facilities. Whether you’re newly licensed, moving to Atlanta, or looking to change specialties, you’ll find a wide range of options across the metro area.

This guide walks through where LPNs work in Atlanta, typical job requirements, pay and schedules, major employers, and how to actually land a job here.

Overview: What LPN Jobs Look Like in Atlanta

In Atlanta, LPNs are commonly hired in:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
• Assisted living and memory care communities
• Home health and private duty nursing
• Physician offices and clinics
• Correctional and government facilities
• Schools and community health programs

Most roles involve direct patient care, medication administration (within Georgia’s scope), basic treatments, and close collaboration with RNs and physicians.

Because Atlanta is a regional medical hub, LPNs can often find:

• Full-time, part-time, and PRN (as-needed) shifts
• Day, evening, and night schedules
• Urban, suburban, and some rural-feeling settings (especially in the outer metro counties)

Licensing and Requirements for LPNs in Atlanta

To work as an LPN in Atlanta, you must meet Georgia Board of Nursing requirements.

Georgia LPN Licensing Basics

Most Atlanta-area employers expect you to:

• Hold a current, active LPN license in Georgia
• Have completed an approved practical nursing program
• Have passed the NCLEX-PN exam
• Maintain continuing competence (CE or other requirements set by the Board)
• Pass background checks and drug screening (employer-specific)

Georgia Board of Nursing (administrative offices through the Secretary of State):
– 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217
– Main licensing line (Secretary of State Professional Licensing): (844) 753‑7825
(Always confirm current contact information before visiting or mailing.)

If you’re moving to Atlanta from another state, you may need to apply for licensure by endorsement with Georgia before most employers will hire you into a direct-care LPN role.

Major Settings for Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs in Atlanta

1. Hospital and Health System LPN Jobs

Some of the largest potential employers in the Atlanta area include:

• Emory Healthcare (hospitals and clinics across Atlanta and Decatur)
• Grady Health System (downtown safety-net and Level I trauma center)
• Piedmont Healthcare (multiple hospitals and outpatient centers)
• Northside Hospital (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and surrounding campuses)
• Wellstar Health System (facilities in Cobb, Douglas, and nearby counties)

In these systems, LPNs are often hired into:

• Med-surg units
• Rehabilitation and transitional care units
• Clinics and specialty practices
• Skilled nursing/long-term care units attached to hospitals

Typical requirements in Atlanta hospitals:

• Active GA LPN license
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• Often 1+ year of experience (though some facilities consider new grads for certain units)
• Flexibility with shifts (nights, weekends, rotating holidays)

Hospitals can be more competitive for LPN jobs, but they offer broader exposure and potential pathways to bridge to RN if you pursue more schooling.

2. Long-Term Care, Rehab, and Assisted Living

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care centers are among the most common employers of LPNs in Atlanta. They rely heavily on LPNs for:

• Medication passes
• Wound care and basic treatments
• Supervising CNAs
• Documentation and care coordination

You’ll find many such facilities in and around:

• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta
• Decatur and East Atlanta
• South Atlanta/College Park/East Point
• North Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Buckhead
• Stone Mountain, Tucker, and other eastern suburbs

Assisted living and memory care communities also hire LPNs to oversee residents’ health needs, manage medications, and coordinate with physicians.

This setting is often more open to:

• New graduates
• LPNs re-entering the workforce
• Those needing predictable shift patterns, especially evenings and nights

3. Home Health and Private Duty LPN Jobs

Atlanta has a large market for home health and private duty nursing, particularly for:

• Older adults wishing to remain at home
• People with chronic illnesses or disabilities
• Children with complex medical needs

In these roles, LPNs often:

• Visit multiple patients per day (home health), or
• Provide extended care for one patient (private duty), often in 8–12 hour shifts

Common job expectations:

• Reliable transportation to drive across the Atlanta metro area
• Comfort with autonomous work under remote RN/physician supervision
• Strong time management and documentation skills

These roles can offer:

• Flexible scheduling (days, evenings, nights, weekends)
• The option to pick up extra shifts
• A mix of urban driving and visits in neighborhoods from downtown Atlanta to suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Stockbridge, or Lawrenceville

4. Clinic and Physician Office LPN Roles

LPNs in Atlanta often work in:

• Primary care clinics
• Pediatric practices
• OB/GYN offices
• Specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, etc.)
• Urgent care centers

Their duties typically include:

• Rooming patients, taking vitals, and updating histories
• Administering injections and some treatments within scope
• Patient education and follow-up communication
• Supporting front-office workflow as needed

These jobs are attractive to many LPNs because they often feature:

• Daytime hours, Monday–Friday
• Limited or no major holidays
• A relatively predictable schedule compared to hospital or SNF work

However, clinic roles in Atlanta can be competitive and may prefer LPNs with prior outpatient or specialty experience.

5. Government, Correctional, and School LPN Jobs

In the Atlanta area, LPNs may also work in:

• County jails and state correctional facilities (e.g., in Fulton or DeKalb Counties)
• Public health clinics and community health programs
• Schools or educational programs as part of student health services

These positions may be posted through:

• Fulton County Government
• DeKalb County Government
• City of Atlanta job portals
• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and surrounding school districts
• State of Georgia employment listings

These roles may offer:

• More structured schedules (especially in schools and some government clinics)
• Public-sector benefit packages
• Opportunities to work with underserved or special populations

Typical LPN Salary and Shifts in Atlanta

Pay can vary based on employer, setting, experience, and shift type, but many LPNs in Atlanta report:

• Higher pay in night shifts, weekends, and PRN roles
• Competitive rates in home health, SNFs, and some hospitals
• Slightly lower but stable pay in clinics and schools, often offset by daytime schedules and benefits

Common schedule types in Atlanta:

• 12-hour shifts (especially hospitals, SNFs, private duty)
• 8-hour shifts (clinics, some long-term care, government roles)
• Regular weekday hours (school nursing, many clinics)
• Rotating weekends and holidays (hospitals, SNFs, some home health)

Because pay and schedules change frequently, it’s usually best to:

• Compare offers from multiple facilities
• Ask about shift differentials, bonus opportunities, and benefits
• Consider commuting time, especially with Atlanta traffic

Key Atlanta Employers and Where to Look for LPN Postings

Below is a simple overview of common employer categories in the Atlanta area and how they typically post jobs.

How to Search for LPN Jobs in Atlanta Effectively

1. Use Local and Regional Job Boards

Search specifically for “LPN” or “Licensed Practical Nurse” in Atlanta, GA and also try nearby cities to widen your options:

• Decatur
• Sandy Springs
• Marietta
• East Point
• Alpharetta
• Stone Mountain
• College Park

The Atlanta metro market is spread out; many employers are technically outside city limits but still within a reasonable commute.

2. Check Individual Health System and Facility Sites

Many Atlanta-area systems post jobs only or first on their own career pages. Look for “Careers” or “Jobs” sections for organizations like:

• Emory Healthcare
• Piedmont Healthcare
• Grady Health System
• Northside Hospital
• Wellstar Health System

Skilled nursing, rehab, and assisted living communities also maintain their own job pages.

3. Work with Healthcare Staffing and Home Health Agencies

Atlanta has numerous staffing agencies and nurse registries that place LPNs in:

• SNFs and rehab centers
• Home health and private duty cases
• Some hospital and clinic assignments

These can be a fast way to:

• Get experience in different facilities
• Pick up short-term or PRN work
• Test out a setting before committing to a staff role

When registering, you’ll usually need:

• GA LPN license
• Immunization and TB/health clearance
• CPR/BLS certification
• Work history and references

Strengthening Your LPN Job Application in Atlanta

Update Your Resume for Atlanta Employers

Atlanta employers often skim for:

• Clear LPN license status and state
• Clinical skills relevant to their setting (wound care, IV therapy, geriatric care, pediatrics, etc.)
• Electronic medical record (EMR) experience
• Previous Atlanta-area or Georgia health care experience (if you have it)

Highlight any experience in:

• High-acuity or fast-paced environments
• Geriatrics, rehab, or specialty care
• Leadership tasks like supervising CNAs or training new staff

Prepare for Common Interview Topics

Hiring managers in Atlanta commonly ask about:

• How you handle heavy workloads and changing priorities
• Experiences with difficult patients or families
• Teamwork and communication with RNs, CNAs, and providers
• Reliability with attendance and timeliness, especially in busy facilities

Be ready with specific examples from past work or clinical rotations.

Have Your Documents Ready

Common items Atlanta employers may request:

• Government-issued ID and Social Security information
• GA LPN license number
• BLS certification
• Immunization records and TB test
• References or recommendation letters

New LPNs in Atlanta: Where to Start

If you’re a new graduate LPN in Atlanta, consider:

• Skilled nursing/long-term care facilities – often more open to new grads and provide strong basic experience
• Home health agencies that offer training and supervised starts
• Hospital units that explicitly state they accept new LPN graduates

Ways to gain an edge:

• Complete externships or clinical rotations in Atlanta facilities if you’re still in school
• Ask clinical instructors or preceptors for references
• Look for employers advertising “LPN residency” or “new grad friendly” positions

Networking and Local Resources for Atlanta LPNs

Local Professional Connections

Even in a big city like Atlanta, networking can help:

• Talk with nurses and managers during clinicals or previous jobs
• Join local or state nursing organizations that welcome LPNs
• Attend job fairs hosted by hospitals or community colleges in the Atlanta metro area

Community Colleges and LPN-to-RN Pathways

If you plan to advance later, Atlanta and nearby communities have:

• LPN-to-RN bridge programs
• Continuing education opportunities
• Workshops and career services for alumni

These schools often maintain relationships with local employers, which can help with job placement.

Practical Tips for Working as an LPN in Atlanta

A few everyday points that matter in this city:

• Plan for traffic: Commutes can be long during rush hour; many LPNs choose jobs closer to home or work off-peak shifts.
• Check parking: Some downtown and Midtown facilities charge for parking or have limited staff parking options.
• Consider public transit: MARTA rail and bus access may be useful if you work near downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport area.
• Think about safety and hours: If working night shifts, consider neighborhood, transportation, and security arrangements.

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Atlanta, GA span hospitals, long-term care, home health, clinics, and public-sector roles. By understanding local licensing requirements, targeting the right settings, and using Atlanta-specific job search strategies, you can find a position that fits your skills, schedule, and career goals within the metro area.