Georgia Registered Nursing Schools and Training Programs (RN Schools)

Registered nurses have a lot of responsibility. In addition to patient care duties, such as administering medication and monitoring health and wellness, RNs also play an integral role in case management, treatment planning, and patient and family education. Though many RNs work in a hospital setting, they are also needed in organizations such as schools and government offices.

There are over 65,000 RNs employed in Georgia, and that number is expected to increase in coming years. Usually the most popular areas for RNs to find employment are in metropolitan areas, such as Atlanta.

Georgia Registered Nurse Schools

There are a few different paths to becoming a registered nurse, but all of them involve some type of postsecondary education. You may take the bachelor's degree route, the associate degree route, or you can earn a diploma from an accredited nursing school. Georgia schools offer many educational programs for prospective RNs throughout the state, including:

• Columbus Technical College: Two-year school where Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can work toward their RN certification. Graduates of the program can go on to earn their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from Columbus State University.
  
  
• Georgia Highlands College: Also offers an LPN-to-RN bridge program. To attend GHC's Associate's of Science in Nursing program, students must hold a nursing assistant certification.
  
  
• Georgia Perimeter College: Offers an accelerated program including summer courses for students on the fast track to RN certification.
  
  
• Gordon College: Provides students with one-on-one tutoring and mentoring assistance on their way to becoming an RN.
  
  
• Northwestern Technical College: Offers both generic and LPN-to-RN coursework, as well as personal advisement from mentors.

What to Expect from Georgia Registered Nursing Programs

Georgia's RN programs are intensive, and train students to be proficient in:

• Medical and surgical treatment: Knowing best practices when treating various diseases, illnesses, and injuries.
• Pharmacology: Understanding effects of specific drugs as well as contraindications.
• Health promotion and maintenance: Educating patients on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
• Mental health and well being: Understanding the emotional aspects of patient care.
• Maternity assistance: Helping expectant and new mothers navigate childbirth and childcare.
• Administrative management: Assisting doctors and other personnel as needed with clerical and administrative duties.

In addition to classwork, prospective students will also engage in clinical practice under advisement from experienced nurses.

Georgia RN Certification and License

Besides the coursework mentioned above, there are two other requirements for becoming a registered nurse in Georgia.

First, you must be able to pass a criminal background check, as well as a random drug test. Both of these processes are generally completed prior to clinical coursework, but will need to be updated over time.

Students will also need to pass the NCLEX-RN examination, which assesses their technical knowledge in the nursing field.

Resources for Registered Nurses in Georgia

• Cogent - Complete the necessary background check to begin your certification process
• Pearson Vue - Discover more information on the NCLEX-RN.
• Georgia Secretary of State website - Get more information regarding the RN certification process.