RN Jobs in Atlanta: Where the Nursing Opportunities Are and How to Get Hired

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, which makes RN jobs in Atlanta both plentiful and diverse. Whether you’re a new grad, an experienced nurse relocating to the city, or a travel RN thinking about an Atlanta contract, you’ll find options in large academic hospitals, community facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health.

This guide walks through where RNs work in Atlanta, what employers look for, typical schedules and pay ranges, and how to actually land a job in the local market.

Why Atlanta Is a Strong Market for RN Jobs

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is shaped by:

• Large hospital systems with multiple campuses
• Teaching and research centers tied to major universities
• Rapid population growth in the metro area
• A mix of urban, suburban, and specialty facilities

For RNs, that translates into:

• High demand for bedside nurses in med-surg, ICU, ER, and OR
• Steady openings in outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgery centers
• Growing roles in home health, hospice, case management, and telehealth

Many nurses in Atlanta find that shifts are available around the clock, and it’s often possible to switch from nights to days, change specialties over time, or move into leadership and advanced practice with additional training.

Major Types of RN Jobs in Atlanta

1. Hospital and Acute Care RN Jobs

Hospitals are the largest employer of RNs in Atlanta. Common units that frequently hire include:

• Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
• Telemetry / Step-Down
• Intensive Care Units (ICU, CVICU, Neuro ICU)
• Emergency Department (ED)
• Labor & Delivery, Mother-Baby, NICU
• Operating Room (OR) and PACU
• Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant
• Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Units

Typical features of hospital RN positions:

• Schedules: 12‑hour shifts, often 3 shifts per week; days, nights, or rotating
• Status: Full-time, part-time, PRN (as needed), and float pool roles
• Requirements: Active Georgia RN license, BLS; ACLS/PALS/NRP for many specialties; previous experience preferred for high-acuity units

Key Atlanta hospital systems where RNs commonly work

Below are examples of major systems in the Atlanta area. These are large, established employers that routinely post RN openings.

• Emory Healthcare – Several hospitals across Atlanta, including Emory University Hospital (1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322) and Emory University Hospital Midtown (550 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308). Known for teaching, research, and specialty care.
• Grady Health System – Grady Memorial Hospital (80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303), a major Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital serving the city and surrounding counties.
• Wellstar Health System – Multiple hospitals in the metro area, including Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South in College Park and other campuses in nearby communities.
• Piedmont Healthcare – Piedmont Atlanta Hospital (1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309) and several community hospitals and outpatient sites across the metro area.
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) – Pediatric-focused care at locations such as Egleston, Scottish Rite, and Hughes Spalding.

Hiring needs in these systems can shift, but bedside nurses, ED/ICU nurses, and perioperative nurses are commonly in demand.

2. Outpatient, Ambulatory, and Clinic RN Jobs

Not every RN in Atlanta works at the bedside. Many nurses prefer daytime hours and no overnight shifts, which are often available in:

• Primary care and internal medicine clinics
• Specialty practices (cardiology, oncology, GI, orthopedics, women’s health, pediatrics)
• Ambulatory surgery centers
• University-affiliated outpatient centers
• Dialysis centers and infusion clinics

These roles often involve:

• Rooming patients and collecting histories
• Medication administration and injections
• IV starts, infusions, and basic procedures
• Patient education and care coordination
• Phone triage or secure messaging follow-up

Hours are typically Monday–Friday, business hours, sometimes with extended evening or Saturday clinics.

3. Home Health, Hospice, and Community RN Roles

Atlanta’s large metro area creates a steady need for home-based and community nursing. RNs in these roles may:

• Travel to patients’ homes to provide skilled nursing care
• Work with hospice teams to support patients at end of life
• Perform wound care, medication management, and patient teaching
• Coordinate with physicians, therapists, and social workers
• Complete documentation, often in mobile EHR systems

These jobs can be a good fit if you:

• Prefer one-on-one time with patients
• Like autonomy and field work
• Are comfortable driving across different Atlanta neighborhoods and suburbs

Schedules may include days with occasional on-call or weekend rotation.

4. Case Management, Utilization Review, and Non-Bedside RN Jobs

Experienced RNs in Atlanta sometimes transition into roles that use their clinical knowledge without traditional bedside care, such as:

• Case managers / care coordinators in hospitals, clinics, or insurance settings
• Utilization review and authorization nurses
• Quality improvement and patient safety roles
• Nurse educators for staff, patients, or community programs
• Informatics nurses supporting electronic health records and workflows
• Occupational health nurses for large employers or public agencies

These positions may require:

• Several years of clinical experience
• Familiarity with discharge planning, insurance, or quality metrics
• Strong communication and documentation skills

Hours are typically business-day schedules, often with salaried pay.

5. Travel Nursing and Per Diem RN Jobs in Atlanta

Because Atlanta has large systems and high patient volumes at times, it is a regular destination for travel nurses and local PRN (per diem) nurses.

Features of these roles:

• Travel contracts: Usually 8–13 weeks, often full-time hours; usually managed through agencies
• Local per diem: Higher hourly rates with no guarantee of hours; used to cover staffing gaps
• Float pool / system resource pool: Internal hospital roles that move between units or facilities

These options can be attractive if you:

• Want higher hourly pay and flexibility
• Are comfortable adjusting quickly to new units and workflows
• Can manage variable schedules and income

Typical RN Requirements in Atlanta

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

Georgia RN License

• A current, active Georgia RN license (or a multistate license if Georgia is part of your compact state credentials and you meet current rules).
• Applicants moving from out of state typically go through endorsement with the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Georgia Board of Nursing – Primary Office (Licensing + Inquiries)
2 Peachtree Street NW
6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone (via Professional Licensing Boards Division): (404) 424‑9966

It’s important to follow the latest application process, background check requirements, and fees when applying for or renewing your license.

Education and Certifications

Most Atlanta employers look for:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Many major hospital systems prefer or strongly encourage BSN, especially for specialty units and leadership tracks
• BLS (Basic Life Support) from a nationally recognized provider
• ACLS, PALS, NRP, or specialty-specific certifications for ICU, ED, L&D, pediatrics, and more

Some RNs in Atlanta go on to MSN, DNP, or post-graduate certificates to move into APRN roles such as nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or CRNA, often through programs based in or near the city.

What RN Pay and Schedules Look Like in Atlanta

Exact numbers vary by facility and experience, but local patterns commonly include:

• Hospital bedside RNs: Frequently paid hourly, with shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays
• New grads: Typically start lower on the pay scale and may increase with years of service
• Specialty RNs (ICU, ED, OR, specialty procedures) often receive higher rates
• Travel and per diem nurses: Often earn higher base hourly rates, but without some of the long-term benefits

Common schedule structures:

• 12‑hour shifts (e.g., 7a–7p, 7p–7a), 3 days per week
• Occasional 8‑ or 10‑hour shifts in outpatient and procedural areas
• Mandatory weekend or holiday rotations for many hospital roles
• On-call requirements for OR, cath lab, and some procedural units

If you’re comparing offers in Atlanta, pay attention not just to hourly rate, but also:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plans (such as 401(k) or 403(b))
• Paid time off, sick time, and shift differentials
• Tuition reimbursement and certification bonuses
• Parking or public transit reimbursement, which can matter in city traffic

Common RN Specialties in High Demand Around Atlanta

While needs change over time, many Atlanta facilities frequently recruit for:

• Medical-Surgical and Telemetry RNs
• ICU and Step-Down RNs
• Emergency Department RNs
• Operating Room and PACU RNs
• Labor & Delivery, Mother-Baby, and NICU RNs
• Pediatric RNs (especially at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
• Behavioral health / psych RNs in hospital and community settings
• Home health and hospice RNs

New graduates often start in med-surg, telemetry, or step-down and then apply internally for ICU, ED, or specialty positions after gaining experience.

Key Atlanta Employers and Settings for RNs (Quick View)

Below is a simple overview of common RN workplaces in Atlanta and what to expect.

How to Find RN Jobs in Atlanta

1. Use Local Hospital and System Career Pages

Most major Atlanta healthcare systems post RN positions on their own career sites. Search by:

• Job title (e.g., “Registered Nurse,” “RN ICU,” “RN Emergency”)
• Location (Atlanta, Midtown, Decatur, Sandy Springs, etc.)
• Shift (day, night, PRN, weekend option)

If you’re targeting a specific system, setting up job alerts for “RN – Atlanta” can help you catch new openings quickly.

2. Check State and Local Government Job Boards

Public health and government positions often appear on:

• State of Georgia job listings (for state-run facilities or agencies)
• Fulton County and DeKalb County human resources job boards, which may include public health nursing roles or positions in county clinics

These roles may have more predictable hours and strong public-sector benefits, though hiring processes can be more formal and time-consuming.

3. Work with Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

For:

• Travel RN contracts in Atlanta
• Per diem or contract roles at local hospitals or clinics

You may work with nurse staffing agencies or recruiters familiar with the Atlanta market. You can:

• Ask specifically about Atlanta-area assignments
• Clarify pay, housing stipends (for travel), and schedule expectations
• Confirm whether you need recent experience in a specific specialty

4. Network Locally

In Atlanta, many RNs land jobs through:

• Clinical rotations (for students training at local hospitals)
• Professional associations, such as local chapters of nursing organizations
• Word of mouth from colleagues, preceptors, and professors
• Hospital open houses and hiring events

If you’re new to the city, attending local professional gatherings and introducing yourself to nurse managers or educators can be especially helpful.

Standing Out as an RN Candidate in Atlanta

With many nurses applying to larger systems, taking a few extra steps can improve your chances:

• Tailor your resume to the job: Emphasize unit-specific skills (e.g., telemetry interpretation, ventilator management, OR circulator experience).
• Highlight certifications relevant to your desired specialty (ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CNOR, etc.).
• Show local commitment if you’re new to Atlanta—mention your move to the area and long-term plans.
• Prepare examples of handling emergencies, teamwork, and challenging patient situations for interviews.
• If you’re a new grad, look specifically for residency or transition-to-practice programs at Atlanta hospitals, and clearly indicate your graduation date, clinical rotations, and any student nurse or tech experience.

Local Education and Career Development for Atlanta RNs

If you want to start or advance your nursing career in Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Nursing schools and universities offering ADN, BSN, and advanced degrees in or near the city
• RN-to-BSN bridge programs that can be completed while working
• Continuing education opportunities, conferences, and specialty courses hosted in local hospitals and academic centers

Many Atlanta hospitals offer:

• Tuition reimbursement for ongoing education
• Clinical ladder programs that reward professional development
• Leadership and preceptor training for experienced staff nurses

Practical Tips for RNs Considering Atlanta

• Traffic and commuting: When applying, consider where you’ll live versus where you’ll work. Commutes across Atlanta at rush hour can be long, so some nurses choose employers close to home or near MARTA rail/bus lines.
• Parking: Some facilities charge for parking; others provide staff parking decks or lots. This can affect your net take-home pay and daily routine.
• Shift timing: Start times like 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. may help you avoid the worst of rush hour, but check how your commute overlaps with peak traffic.
• Neighborhoods: RNs work throughout the city and suburbs, including Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, and beyond. It can be easier to find positions if you’re open to a wider geographic area in the metro region.

RN jobs in Atlanta span almost every specialty and schedule type—from high-acuity hospital units to quiet clinic days and independent home visits. If you align your skills and preferences with the right setting, keep your Georgia license and certifications current, and actively apply through local systems and agencies, you can usually find a nursing role in Atlanta that fits your career stage and lifestyle.