Registered Nurse Jobs in Atlanta: Where to Find Opportunities and How to Stand Out

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, which makes it a strong city for registered nurse (RN) jobs at many different experience levels. Whether you’re a new grad just passing the NCLEX or an experienced RN relocating to Atlanta, you’ll find a wide mix of hospitals, clinics, and specialty centers hiring year-round.

Below is a clear, locally focused guide to RN job options in Atlanta, where to look, what employers expect, and how to navigate the local market.

Why Atlanta Is a Strong Market for Registered Nurses

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is broad and growing. A few reasons the city is attractive for RNs:

  • Multiple major hospital systems with Level I trauma centers and teaching hospitals
  • Nationally recognized specialty centers (cardiac, cancer, pediatrics, rehab)
  • Large metro population and many surrounding suburbs feeding into Atlanta facilities
  • Diverse practice settings from high-acuity urban hospitals to community clinics

For many nurses, this means steady demand, choices in specialty areas, and options for both full-time and per diem work.

Major Employers Hiring Registered Nurses in Atlanta

While job openings change frequently, some of the most common Atlanta-area RN employers include:

1. Large Hospital Systems

These systems regularly hire for bedside nursing, OR, ICU, ED, step-down, med-surg, and more.

Emory Healthcare (multiple locations)
A major teaching system connected with Emory University. Facilities in and around Atlanta include:

  • Emory University Hospital – 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
  • Emory University Hospital Midtown – 550 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital – 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342

RNs often find roles in cardiac, oncology, transplant, neuro, and ICU here.

Piedmont Healthcare (multiple locations)
Piedmont operates several hospitals in the metro area:

  • Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Nearby suburban sites include Piedmont Fayette, Piedmont Henry, and others.

Common RN roles include med-surg, surgical services, ED, and telemetry.

Grady Health System

  • Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Grady is known as a Level I trauma center and a major safety-net and teaching hospital. RNs here often work in high-acuity emergency, trauma, burn, and critical care settings.

Wellstar Health System
Although headquartered outside the city center, Wellstar serves much of the Atlanta metro:

  • Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center-South Campus (East Point area)
  • Several additional hospitals in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties

RNs can find roles in community hospital environments and specialty units across the system.

2. Children’s and Specialty Hospitals

If you’re interested in pediatrics or specialized care, Atlanta offers several options:

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)

  • Egleston Hospital – 1405 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
  • Hughes Spalding Hospital – 35 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Scottish Rite Hospital – 1001 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342

CHOA is a major pediatric system. RN roles range from general pediatrics to NICU, PICU, oncology, cardiac, and urgent care.

Shepherd Center

  • 2020 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

A specialized hospital for spinal cord injury, brain injury, and neuromuscular conditions, offering RN positions in rehabilitation, inpatient units, and outpatient clinics.

Cancer, cardiac, and rehab centers in and around Atlanta also frequently hire RNs for infusion, radiation oncology support, cardiac rehab, and post-acute care.

3. Outpatient Clinics, Offices, and Community Settings

Many RNs in Atlanta work outside of hospitals, including:

  • Primary care practices and multi-specialty clinics
  • Urgent care centers
  • Dialysis centers
  • Home health agencies
  • Public health clinics run by county health departments
  • School nursing in Atlanta Public Schools or neighboring districts
  • Occupational health for large Atlanta employers and universities

These roles often appeal to nurses who prefer more predictable schedules and less acute settings than large hospitals.

Common Types of RN Jobs in Atlanta

Nearly every major nursing specialty is represented somewhere in the Atlanta area. Some of the most common roles you’ll see posted:

Hospital-Based Roles

  • Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) – general inpatient care; common entry point for newer RNs
  • Telemetry – cardiac monitoring for step-down and intermediate care patients
  • Emergency Department (ED) – fast-paced, diverse patient population
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – high-acuity critical patients
  • Operating Room (OR) – perioperative nursing, including circulator and scrub roles
  • Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, NICU – women’s and newborn services
  • Psychiatric and Behavioral Health – inpatient psych or crisis stabilization units

Non-Hospital and Community Roles

  • Home Health RN – patient care in the home, often with independent work
  • Hospice RN – end-of-life care in homes, inpatient hospice units, or facilities
  • Clinic/Office RN – triage, patient education, injections, and coordination
  • School Nurse – managing chronic conditions and student health needs
  • Public Health Nurse – immunization clinics, health outreach, case management
  • Case Manager or Care Coordinator – discharge planning, insurance coordination

Education, Licensing, and Requirements in Georgia

To work as an RN in Atlanta, you must meet Georgia state requirements.

1. Nursing Education

Most Atlanta employers require one of:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Some hospital systems in the city center strongly prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, especially for specialty roles or leadership tracks. New ADN grads can often still find roles, especially in community hospitals, long-term care, and some outpatient settings, and may be encouraged to complete a BSN later.

Local options for nursing education around Atlanta include community colleges, technical colleges, and universities such as Georgia State University, Emory University, Clayton State University, and others.

2. RN Licensure in Georgia

To practice in Atlanta, you must be licensed by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Georgia Board of Nursing
2 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (844) 753-7825 (Georgia licensing call center)

Key steps generally include:

  1. Graduate from an approved nursing program
  2. Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
  3. Apply for licensure through the Georgia Board of Nursing
  4. Complete any required background checks and documentation

Georgia is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a multistate RN license from another compact state and move to Atlanta, you can usually practice temporarily but will need to switch to a Georgia primary state license after establishing residency.

Typical Qualifications Atlanta Employers Look For

Specific requirements vary by role, but many Atlanta RN job postings ask for:

  • Active, unencumbered Georgia RN license (or eligibility for it)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support) certification at minimum
  • ACLS, PALS, NRP, or other advanced certifications for specialty units
  • 1–2 years of recent experience in a similar setting for ICU, ED, or OR positions
  • New grad programs or nurse residencies for those with no experience

Many major hospital systems in Atlanta also look for:

  • Strong communication skills for diverse patient populations
  • Comfort with electronic health record (EHR) systems
  • Willingness to work nights, weekends, or holidays, especially early in your career

How to Find Registered Nurse Jobs in Atlanta

1. Hospital and Health System Career Pages

Most large Atlanta employers post openings on their own career sites. Common search terms:

  • “Registered Nurse – Atlanta”
  • “RN – Med Surg”
  • “RN – Emergency Department”
  • “RN – New Graduate” or “Nurse Residency”

Checking these sites regularly is often the fastest way to see new jobs as they go live.

2. General Job Boards and Professional Sites

Many Atlanta nurses search on broader job boards or professional networking sites. You can:

  • Filter for “Atlanta, GA” and “Registered Nurse”
  • Use filters for specialty, shift, experience level, and full-time vs PRN

These platforms can be useful for discovering home health, hospice, clinic, and case management openings that may not be as visible elsewhere.

3. Staffing and Travel Nursing Agencies in Atlanta

Travel and contract nursing are common in metro areas like Atlanta. Agencies may offer:

  • Travel nurse contracts at Atlanta hospitals
  • Local contracts (short-term positions even if you live in Atlanta)
  • Per diem shifts to supplement a full-time job

When working with agencies, review:

  • Pay structure and overtime rules
  • Housing or stipend policies (for travelers)
  • Cancellation and extension terms

4. Networking in the Local Nursing Community

Connections can help you hear about jobs before they’re widely posted. In Atlanta, this may include:

  • Colleagues and preceptors from previous roles or clinical rotations
  • Local professional organizations (e.g., Georgia Nurses Association meetings and events)
  • Nursing school classmates now working around the city
  • Unit managers or educators you meet during clinical placements

Attending job fairs hosted by Atlanta-area hospitals or nursing schools can also be a direct way to meet recruiters and discuss open roles.

New Grad RN Jobs in Atlanta

If you’re a new graduate, Atlanta’s larger hospital systems and some specialty centers often offer structured nurse residency programs or new grad cohorts.

Common features:

  • A classroom and precepted clinical component
  • Rotations through various units or onboarding into a specific specialty
  • Required commitments, often 12–24 months

Tips for new grads targeting Atlanta:

  • Watch for postings labeled “New Graduate RN”, “Nurse Resident,” or “RN Residency Program.”
  • Apply well before graduation; many cohorts have specific application windows.
  • Be open to night shift and med-surg or telemetry as entry points, then transition later to ICU, ED, or specialty areas.

Work Schedules and Shifts in Atlanta RN Positions

In Atlanta, RN schedules vary by employer and department, but common patterns include:

  • 12-hour shifts (e.g., 7 a.m.–7 p.m. or 7 p.m.–7 a.m.) in hospitals
  • 8- or 10-hour shifts in clinics and outpatient settings
  • Weekend-only or nights-only positions with differential pay
  • PRN (as-needed) roles in many facilities and agencies

When comparing offers, consider:

  • Shift preferences (day vs night)
  • Weekend and holiday rotation requirements
  • On-call expectations, especially for OR and procedural areas
  • Opportunities for self-scheduling vs fixed schedules

Pay Considerations and Differentials

Specific pay rates can change, but RNs in Atlanta often see:

  • Base hourly rates that vary by experience, specialty, and setting
  • Night and weekend differentials for hospital-based roles
  • Potential charge nurse or preceptor differentials
  • Overtime pay when applicable

Travel and agency contracts in Atlanta may offer higher hourly rates but less stability and fewer long-term benefits. Hospital-employed RNs may trade slightly lower hourly pay for:

  • Health insurance
  • Retirement plans
  • PTO and sick leave
  • Tuition assistance for BSN, MSN, or certifications

Career Growth and Specialization Options in Atlanta

One advantage of a large city like Atlanta is the ability to grow and pivot within your nursing career without moving.

Common pathways include:

  • Moving from med-surg to ICU, ED, or OR after gaining experience
  • Specializing in pediatrics, oncology, cardiac, or women’s health
  • Transitioning into case management, quality improvement, informatics, or education
  • Pursuing advanced practice roles (NP, CRNA, CNS) through local graduate programs

Many Atlanta hospitals support continuing education, offer clinical ladder programs, and provide in-house training for RNs transitioning into new specialties.

Practical Tips for Applying to RN Jobs in Atlanta

Use these steps to streamline your search and improve your chances of landing a role:

1. Prepare a Local-Focused Resume

  • Highlight Georgia RN license status and expiration date.
  • Emphasize recent clinical experience, skills, and specialties.
  • For new grads, list Atlanta-area clinical rotations and any preceptorships in local hospitals.

2. Collect Key Documents

Keep these ready to upload or provide:

  • RN license number
  • BLS and other certifications
  • Vaccine/immunization records if required by employers
  • References from Atlanta-area preceptors, instructors, or former supervisors

3. Tailor Applications by Role

  • For ICU or ED positions, highlight critical thinking, rapid assessment, and high-acuity experience.
  • For clinic or office roles, emphasize patient education, communication, and scheduling/triage skills.
  • For home health or hospice, stress independent practice, time management, and home-based care experience.

4. Prepare for Local Interviews

Atlanta hiring managers commonly ask about:

  • Your comfort level with diverse populations and urban health issues
  • Experience with common EHR systems used in Georgia
  • Flexibility with shifts and units
  • How you handle stress, teamwork, and conflict in busy environments

If you’re relocating, be ready to explain why you’re choosing Atlanta and your timeline for moving and obtaining Georgia licensure.

Where to Turn for Licensing and Professional Support

In addition to employers, a few official and widely established resources can help you stay on track:

Georgia Board of Nursing (Licensing and Regulation)
2 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (844) 753-7825

Handles licensure, renewals, and scope of practice questions.

Georgia Nurses Association (Professional Organization)
Based in Georgia, this association offers networking, continuing education, and advocacy opportunities for RNs across the state, including those in Atlanta.

By focusing your search on Atlanta’s major hospitals, specialty centers, community clinics, and reputable agencies, and by keeping your Georgia RN license and certifications current, you can tap into a wide range of registered nurse job opportunities across the city and surrounding metro area.