Nurse Jobs in Atlanta: How to Start and Grow Your Nursing Career in the City

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, which makes it an attractive place for anyone looking for a nurse job in Atlanta. From large hospital systems to neighborhood clinics and home health agencies, nurses here can find roles that fit many specialties, schedules, and career stages.

This guide walks through how nursing jobs work in Atlanta, where nurses commonly work, typical requirements, pay expectations, and practical steps to get hired locally.

Why Atlanta Is a Strong Market for Nursing Jobs

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is anchored by several major systems and a large metro population. For nurses, that usually means:

  • Steady demand across many specialties
  • Varied practice settings (hospitals, clinics, schools, public health, home health, telehealth)
  • Options for shift work (days, nights, weekends, PRN, part-time, full-time)
  • Room for advancement, especially in critical care, leadership, and advanced practice roles

Nurses in Atlanta often find opportunities not only in the city core, but also in nearby areas like Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Gwinnett County, which are all tightly connected to Atlanta’s healthcare ecosystem.

Common Types of Nursing Jobs in Atlanta

Most nursing roles in Atlanta fall into a few familiar categories. What you qualify for will depend on your license, experience, and education.

Registered Nurse (RN) Jobs

RNs make up a large portion of nursing roles in Atlanta. You’ll see RN positions in:

  • Acute care hospitals (med-surg, ICU, ER, OB, OR, pediatrics)
  • Outpatient clinics and physician practices
  • Surgical centers
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Home health and hospice
  • Public health departments
  • School systems and universities

Many Atlanta hospitals and clinics post frequent openings for:

  • Staff nurse (bedside)
  • Charge nurse
  • Clinical coordinator
  • Case manager / care manager
  • Nurse educator (often requires experience and advanced degree)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Jobs

LPNs in Atlanta often work in:

  • Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
  • Assisted living and memory care
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Some outpatient clinics and specialty practices
  • Home health agencies

Atlanta-area LPN roles may be more concentrated outside large inpatient hospital settings, but they remain in demand in long-term and community-based care.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / Patient Care Tech Jobs

CNAs and similar unlicensed assistive personnel roles are common in:

  • Hospitals (patient care tech, nurse tech, sitter roles)
  • Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Home health and personal care services

These positions can be good entry points if you’re exploring nursing or working toward an LPN or RN license.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Jobs

For nurses with graduate education and advanced practice certification, Atlanta offers opportunities such as:

  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in primary care, urgent care, specialties (cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, women’s health, psychiatry, etc.)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in specialty units
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in hospitals and surgical centers
  • Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) in hospital and birth center settings

Many advanced practice roles are centered in major health systems and large multi-specialty practices.

Major Places Where Nurses Work in Atlanta

Atlanta has several well-known healthcare systems and public organizations that regularly employ nurses. A few example employers and settings include:

Large Hospital Systems and Medical Centers

These systems operate multiple hospitals and clinics across the metro, creating a wide range of nurse jobs:

  • Emory Healthcare (various locations across Atlanta and DeKalb County)
  • Grady Health System – including Grady Memorial Hospital, a major Level I trauma center in downtown Atlanta
  • Piedmont Healthcare – including Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
  • Wellstar Health System – with facilities across the metro area
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) – pediatric hospitals and outpatient sites, including Egleston and Scottish Rite campuses

Each has its own online career portal where nurse openings are posted. These hospitals hire RNs, LPNs (in some settings), CNAs, and APRNs.

Public and Community Health Settings

Public health and community-based organizations also hire nurses:

  • Fulton County Board of Health – Atlanta-area public health clinics and programs
  • DeKalb County Board of Health – nearby but closely tied to the metro area
  • Atlanta VA Health Care System – serving veterans, with a main campus at
    • 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033
    • Main phone: 404-321-6111

These roles may involve immunization clinics, disease prevention programs, case management, and community outreach.

Schools, Universities, and Colleges

Many Atlanta-based educational institutions employ nurses as:

  • School nurses in Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts
  • College or university health center nurses at schools like Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and others in the metro area

These can appeal to nurses who prefer regular daytime schedules and academic calendars.

Long-Term Care, Rehab, and Home Health

Across Atlanta, nurses also work in:

  • Skilled nursing facilities and rehab centers
  • Assisted living communities
  • Home health and hospice agencies operating throughout the metro

These settings often hire RNs, LPNs, and CNAs for both facility-based and in-home roles.

Education and Licensing Requirements for Nursing Jobs in Atlanta

Because Atlanta is in Georgia, all nursing roles follow Georgia licensing requirements.

Registered Nurse (RN) Requirements

To work as an RN in Atlanta, you generally need:

  1. Education
    • An associate degree in nursing (ADN) or
    • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  2. Licensure
    • Passing the NCLEX-RN exam
    • Holding an active Georgia RN license or a multistate license (if Georgia is part of your compact status and you meet eligibility)

Licensing is managed by the Georgia Board of Nursing, which is part of the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards:

  • Georgia Board of Nursing
    • 237 Coliseum Drive
    • Macon, GA 31217
    • Main line (Professional Licensing Boards): 478-207-2440

Most Atlanta employers specify whether they prefer or require a BSN. Many hospital systems in the city strongly encourage or require BSN-prepared RNs, especially for specialty units and leadership tracks.

LPN and CNA Requirements

For LPNs in Atlanta:

  • Completion of an approved practical nursing program
  • Passing the NCLEX-PN exam
  • Active Georgia LPN license

For CNAs:

  • Completion of an approved nurse aide training program
  • Inclusion on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry (maintained by the Georgia Department of Community Health)

Advanced Practice and Specialty Requirements

APRNs in Atlanta (NPs, CNSs, CRNAs, CNMs) typically need:

  • An advanced nursing degree (often MSN or DNP)
  • National certification in their specialty
  • Georgia APRN authorization in addition to an RN license

Many employers will also require certain certifications such as ACLS, PALS, or specialty certifications depending on the unit (e.g., critical care, oncology).

Typical Work Schedules and Settings in Atlanta

Nursing schedules in Atlanta vary by setting. Understanding this can help you target the right type of job for your lifestyle.

Hospital and Acute Care Roles

RNs in Atlanta hospitals often work:

  • 12-hour shifts (days or nights)
  • Rotating weekends and some holidays
  • Full-time, part-time, or PRN (as-needed) status

Many inpatient units run similar schedules in major hospital systems across the city.

Outpatient and Clinic Roles

Clinic and ambulatory settings may offer:

  • Daytime hours, typically Monday–Friday
  • Occasional evening or Saturday clinics depending on the practice
  • A more predictable schedule than inpatient roles

These jobs can be competitive because of their regular hours.

Home Health, Hospice, and Community Roles

In Atlanta, home health and community-based jobs may involve:

  • Travel across metro neighborhoods for patient visits
  • Flexible scheduling or set visit quotas
  • On-call rotations in some agencies

These can suit nurses who prefer independent work and one-on-one patient interactions.

School and University Health Roles

School-based nursing roles usually follow:

  • School-day hours
  • Academic calendars with breaks and holidays aligned to the school schedule

These are often attractive for nurses looking for daytime work and family-friendly hours.

Salary Expectations for Nurse Jobs in Atlanta

Nursing pay in Atlanta varies based on:

  • Role (CNA vs LPN vs RN vs APRN)
  • Experience level
  • Specialty (ICU, ER, OR, pediatrics, home health, etc.)
  • Shift (nights, weekends, holiday differentials)
  • Employer type (large system, government, private practice)

In general:

  • RNs in Atlanta tend to earn competitive wages relative to other large cities in the Southeast.
  • New graduate RNs usually start at lower base rates but may receive shift differentials for nights and weekends.
  • ICU, ER, OR, and specialty nurses can often earn more due to additional skills and responsibility.
  • LPN and CNA roles typically pay less than RN roles, but they can still provide stable income and benefits, especially in long-term care or high-need facilities.
  • APRNs (such as nurse practitioners and CRNAs) are typically among the highest-paid nursing professionals in the city.

For the most accurate view, candidates often compare salary ranges across multiple local job postings and factor in differentials and benefits (health insurance, retirement, tuition assistance).

How to Find Nurse Jobs in Atlanta

You can search for nurse jobs in Atlanta through several practical channels:

1. Hospital and Health System Career Pages

Most major Atlanta health systems maintain online job boards where you can:

  • Filter by role (RN, LPN, CNA, NP, etc.)
  • Sort by specialty, location, and schedule
  • Create profiles and job alerts

This is often the fastest way to find openings in specific units or facilities.

2. Public Sector and Government Job Portals

Public health and government-related roles often appear on:

  • County or city employment websites (for school nurse, public health, correctional health roles)
  • Federal job boards for positions at the Atlanta VA Health Care System and other federal facilities in the area

These roles might have different application procedures and benefits compared to private employers.

3. Staffing Agencies and Travel Nursing Firms

Atlanta hosts multiple staffing and travel nursing agencies that place RNs, LPNs, and CNAs in:

  • Local hospitals and clinics
  • Long-term care and rehab centers
  • Short-term contracts and per-diem shifts

These options can offer flexibility and sometimes higher hourly rates, though benefits and stability can vary.

4. Professional Networking and Local Associations

Networking can make a real difference in Atlanta’s nursing market. Consider:

  • Joining local chapters of professional groups (such as general nursing associations, specialty nursing groups, or advanced practice organizations)
  • Attending job fairs and hiring events frequently hosted by major hospital systems
  • Connecting with nurse recruiters at Atlanta-area facilities via career fairs or informational interviews

Local Nursing Education and Career Advancement in Atlanta

If you’re not yet a nurse or you’re looking to advance, Atlanta offers a variety of nursing education and continuing education options.

Nursing Schools and Programs in the Atlanta Area

Atlanta and its nearby suburbs have:

  • ADN and BSN programs at community colleges and universities
  • Accelerated BSN programs for non-nursing graduates
  • LPN programs for practical nursing
  • Graduate nursing programs (MSN, DNP) for advanced practice, education, and leadership

When evaluating programs, prospective students in Atlanta usually consider:

  • Accreditation status
  • NCLEX pass rates
  • Clinical placement sites (many students train in local hospitals and clinics)
  • Schedule flexibility (evening/weekend classes, part-time options)

Continuing Education and Certification

To maintain licenses and stay competitive for nurse jobs in Atlanta, many nurses:

  • Complete required continuing education hours for Georgia licensure
  • Earn specialty certifications (for example, critical care, emergency nursing, oncology, pediatrics)
  • Attend hospital-based education programs, residency programs for new grads, or local workshops

Large Atlanta health systems frequently offer in-house training, preceptorships, and support for certifications and advanced degrees.

Key Steps to Land a Nursing Job in Atlanta

If you’re ready to find a nurse job in Atlanta, a focused approach helps:

1. Confirm your Georgia license status.
Make sure your RN, LPN, CNA, or APRN license is active and properly registered for practice in Georgia.

2. Update your resume for Atlanta roles.
Highlight:

  • Clinical skills and specialties
  • Types of units or settings you’ve worked in
  • Certifications and licenses
  • Experience with diverse patient populations

3. Decide what kind of setting you want.
Think about:

  • Inpatient vs outpatient
  • Schedule (days, nights, weekends, PRN)
  • Patient population (adult, pediatric, geriatric, behavioral health, etc.)

4. Target key employers.
Use Atlanta health system career pages, public sector job boards, and reputable staffing agencies. Set alerts for roles like “RN Atlanta,” “LPN Atlanta,” “CNA Atlanta,” and specific specialties.

5. Prepare for local interviews.
Employers in Atlanta commonly ask about:

  • Experience with high-acuity or high-volume environments
  • Comfort working with diverse communities
  • Ability to collaborate in large, interdisciplinary teams
  • Flexibility with shifts and floating

6. Consider long-term growth.
Look for organizations that offer:

  • Tuition assistance or scholarships
  • Clinical ladder programs
  • Opportunities to move into specialties or leadership over time

Useful Atlanta-Area Contacts for Nursing Careers

While job searches are mostly online, some official contacts can help:

Georgia Board of Nursing (Licensing & Regulation)

  • 237 Coliseum Drive
  • Macon, GA 31217
  • Phone (Professional Licensing Boards): 478-207-2440

Atlanta VA Health Care System (Federal Nursing Opportunities)

  • Main campus: 1670 Clairmont Road
  • Decatur, GA 30033
  • Main phone: 404-321-6111

Local hospitals, public health departments, and schools will list HR or recruitment contacts on their official websites, where you can often find direct email addresses and phone numbers for nurse recruiters.

For anyone searching “nurse job Atlanta,” the city offers a wide range of options—whether you are starting as a CNA, working as an experienced RN, or advancing as an APRN. By understanding how the local market works, aligning your qualifications, and targeting the right settings, you can find nursing roles in Atlanta that match both your skills and your preferred way of working.