Nursing Programs in Atlanta: How to Choose the Right Path in the City

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, with large hospital systems, public health agencies, and universities all clustered in and around the city. If you want to become a nurse—or advance a nursing career—Atlanta offers many different nursing programs, from entry-level training to graduate and specialized degrees.

This guide walks through the main types of nursing programs in Atlanta, where they’re offered, how they differ, and what to consider if you live in or near the city and are trying to decide on your next step.

Major Types of Nursing Programs in Atlanta

When people search for nursing programs in Atlanta, they’re usually looking for one of these pathways:

• CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant
• LPN/LVN – Licensed Practical Nurse
• RN (ADN or BSN) – Registered Nurse via associate or bachelor’s degree
• Accelerated BSN – For people who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
• RN-to-BSN – For working RNs who want a bachelor’s
• MSN / APRN – Advanced practice and graduate-level programs
• Doctoral programs – DNP (practice-focused) or PhD (research-focused)
• Continuing education & specialty certificates

Each level has different time commitments, prerequisites, and career outcomes, which can affect whether an in-town school, a suburban campus, or an online + local clinical hybrid format makes sense for you.

Entry-Level Nursing Paths in Atlanta

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Programs

CNA programs prepare you for basic patient care roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health settings. They are often the quickest and least expensive entry into healthcare in Atlanta.

Typical features:

• Length: A few weeks to a few months
• Requirements: Usually a high school diploma or GED, background check, immunizations
• Outcome: Eligibility to sit for the Georgia CNA competency exam

You may find CNA training through:

• Local community colleges and technical colleges in the Atlanta metro
• Private vocational schools
• Some long-term care facilities that partner with training providers

CNA work is common in Atlanta’s nursing homes, assisted living communities, and hospital support roles, and some people use it as a stepping-stone while working toward LPN or RN credentials.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Programs

LPN programs are a step up from CNA training and prepare you to provide more hands-on clinical care under the supervision of RNs and physicians.

Typical features:

• Length: About 12–18 months full-time
• Outcome: Eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN exam for LPN licensure
• Settings: Technical colleges, career schools, and some community colleges

Around Atlanta, LPNs often work in:

• Long-term care facilities and rehabilitation centers
• Physicians’ offices and clinics
• Some hospital settings, depending on the employer

Many people in metro Atlanta use LPN-to-RN bridge programs later on to continue their education while keeping a steady income.

Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in Atlanta

Becoming a Registered Nurse is the most common goal for people searching for nursing programs in the city. In Atlanta, there are several ways to get there.

ADN vs. BSN: Which Makes Sense in Atlanta?

To become an RN, you can complete either:

• ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) – Usually 2–3 years at a community or technical college
• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) – Typically 4 years at a college or university

Both paths qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, but employers in large hospital systems around Atlanta frequently prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, especially in:

• Major hospitals in the Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, Grady, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta systems
• Specialized units such as critical care, pediatrics, and oncology
• Leadership-track positions or residency programs for new graduates

If you want to work in big Atlanta hospitals or keep doors open for future leadership, a BSN is often more competitive. However, ADN programs can be more affordable and shorter, and some students earn an ADN, start working, and later complete an RN-to-BSN program.

BSN Programs in and Around Atlanta

Traditional BSN programs are common at four-year institutions in and near the city. Typical features:

• Length: About 4 years (including general education courses)
• Includes: Classroom instruction, skills labs, and clinical rotations at local hospitals and clinics
• Ideal for: Students starting college or transferring into nursing early in their education

Clinical rotations in Atlanta commonly take place at:

• Grady Memorial Hospital (Downtown)
• Emory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
• Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South and other Wellstar locations
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta facilities (e.g., Egleston, Scottish Rite, Hughes Spalding)

These partnerships give students exposure to diverse patient populations and specialties that are common in a large urban medical center.

Accelerated BSN Programs in Atlanta

If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program in Atlanta can help you transition into nursing more quickly.

Common features of ABSN programs:

• Length: Often 12–18 months of intensive, full-time study
• Pace: Very fast, with compressed courses and back-to-back clinicals
• Ideal for: Career changers living in or relocating to Atlanta

Because of the workload, many students avoid full-time employment while enrolled, so cost of living in Atlanta, commuting time, and available support systems become practical considerations.

RN-to-BSN Programs for Working Nurses

For RNs who already hold an ADN and want to earn a BSN without leaving the Atlanta area, RN-to-BSN programs are widely available.

Typical characteristics:

• Often online or hybrid, with occasional in-person commitments
• Designed for working nurses, with flexible scheduling
• Focus on leadership, community health, research literacy, and advanced clinical concepts rather than basic bedside skills

Atlanta-area RNs might choose RN-to-BSN programs that allow:

• Flexible clinical projects tied to their current employer (for example, a quality improvement project at an Atlanta hospital)
• Completion in as little as 12–18 months, depending on transfer credits and course load

Graduate and Advanced Practice Nursing Programs in Atlanta

If you already have a BSN and want to specialize or advance your career, Atlanta offers multiple graduate-level nursing options.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and APRN Programs

MSN programs in the Atlanta area may lead to roles such as:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP) – e.g., Family NP, Adult-Gerontology, Pediatric, or Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator/Manager

Typical features:

• Length: About 2–3 years part-time, shorter full-time
• Format: On-campus, online, or hybrid
• Clinical sites: Often spread across metro Atlanta in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers

Because Atlanta has a large network of healthcare providers, graduate students often find local preceptors and clinical sites in:

• Primary care clinics
• Specialty practices
• Public health departments
• School-based health programs
• Community clinics serving diverse neighborhoods

Doctoral Nursing Programs (DNP and PhD)

If you are interested in the highest levels of practice, leadership, or research, doctoral nursing programs in Atlanta may include:

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice): Focused on advanced clinical practice and leadership
• PhD in Nursing: Focused on research, academia, and policy work

These programs frequently involve:

• Collaborations with Atlanta hospitals and public health agencies
• Opportunities to engage with urban health, health equity, and population health issues specific to large cities like Atlanta

Where Clinicals and Training Usually Happen in Atlanta

One of Atlanta’s advantages is the density and variety of clinical training sites. Depending on your program level, you might train at:

• Major hospital systems

  • Grady Health System (Downtown)
  • Emory Healthcare hospitals
  • Piedmont Healthcare hospitals
  • Wellstar locations across metro Atlanta
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals

• Community and public health settings

  • Fulton County Board of Health
  • DeKalb County Board of Health
  • Atlanta-based community health centers and free clinics

• Specialty centers

  • Behavioral health centers
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Oncology centers
  • Cardiac and stroke centers

These placements expose students to urban health challenges, trauma care, chronic disease management, and diverse populations that are characteristic of Atlanta.

Comparing Common Nursing Pathways in Atlanta

Below is a simplified comparison of common nursing education routes if you’re based in the Atlanta area:

Key Things to Consider When Choosing an Atlanta Nursing Program

1. Accreditation and Licensure Readiness

To be eligible for licensure in Georgia:

• Look for programs accredited by recognized nursing accreditors (for example, commonly recognized national nursing accreditation bodies).
• Ensure the program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

You can verify program approval and licensure information through the:

• Georgia Board of Nursing
  237 Coliseum Drive
  Macon, GA 31217
  Phone: (844) 753-7825

This is especially important if you’re considering online or out-of-state programs but plan to live or work in Atlanta.

2. Location, Commute, and Transportation

Atlanta’s traffic and public transit options can significantly affect your day-to-day experience.

Consider:

• Campus location relative to your home (e.g., Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, etc.)
• Access via MARTA rail or bus vs. needing a car
• Parking availability and cost
• Safety and comfort traveling early mornings or late nights for clinicals

Many students prefer programs with clinical sites close to their home or workplace to cut down on commuting time across the city.

3. Schedule Flexibility

If you are already working in Atlanta:

• Look for evening, weekend, or hybrid formats for LPN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN programs.
• Ask how far in advance you’ll know clinical schedules, which can affect shift work.
• Consider whether you can manage full-time study or need a part-time option.

4. Cost of Living and Program Expenses

When planning for tuition and fees, also factor in:

• Housing costs in your part of Atlanta (in-town vs. suburbs)
• Parking, gas, or MARTA costs
• Uniforms, textbooks, lab fees, background checks, immunizations, and exam fees
• Reduced work hours if you’re entering an intensive or accelerated program

Financial aid offices at Atlanta-area schools can usually walk you through options such as federal aid, scholarships, and payment plans.

5. Local Job Market and Career Goals

In Atlanta, nurses work in many settings:

• Large academic medical centers
• Community hospitals
• Clinics, urgent care centers, and physician practices
• Schools and universities
• Public health departments
• Home health and hospice agencies

If your goal is to:

• Work in high-acuity hospital units, a BSN or higher may be preferred.
• Focus on community or public health, consider programs that emphasize population health and offer clinicals in Atlanta neighborhoods.
• Move into education or leadership, graduate degrees (MSN, DNP) based in or connected to Atlanta’s major institutions will be helpful.

💡 Tip: When researching schools, ask where recent graduates have been hired in the Atlanta area and whether the program offers local networking events, job fairs, or residency connections with Atlanta hospitals.

How to Get Started If You Live in Atlanta

To move forward:

1. Clarify your goal
   Decide whether you’re starting at the CNA, LPN, ADN, or BSN level, or advancing to RN-to-BSN or graduate study.

2. Make a shortlist of programs
   Focus on programs that are commutable from your part of Atlanta, properly accredited, and aligned with your timeframe and budget.

3. Contact admissions offices
   Ask about:

   • Prerequisites (science courses, GPA, test scores)
   • Application deadlines and competitive criteria
   • Clinical placement locations in metro Atlanta

4. Verify approval and licensure pathways
   Double-check with the Georgia Board of Nursing that your chosen program leads to eligibility for the exam and license you need.

5. Plan your work, family, and commute
   Nursing education is demanding, and Atlanta’s logistics can be challenging. Map out likely clinical sites and class times against your daily life before committing.

Nursing programs in Atlanta range from short CNA training to advanced doctoral degrees, all supported by a large, diverse healthcare ecosystem. By understanding the main pathways, local clinical opportunities, and practical realities of studying and working in the city, you can choose a program that fits both your career goals and your day-to-day life in Atlanta.