Georgia RN to BSN Programs

Current registered nurses (RNs) who want to earn a higher salary and assume more leadership and responsibility in their nursing roles are trending toward pursuing their baccalaureate degree via an RN to BSN bridge program. Georgia, in particular, is a great state in which to earn this degree, which caters to RNs who have completed an Associate's Degree in Nursing. If you are a working RN in Georgia looking to advance your career, there's an RN to BSN program in the state waiting for you.

Admissions Requirements for Georgia RN to BSN Programs

As long as you are a current registered nurse, you shouldn't have a hard time meeting the qualifications for admission into a good RN to BSN program. Some programs, however, are competitive, so it's wise to exceed the minimum requirements. Below are typical entrance requirements for RN to BSN programs in Georgia:

• Unrestricted current nursing license in the U.S. or eligibility for licensure
• Minimum college GPA of 2.0
• Eligible for clearance on criminal background check and drug screening

RN to BSN Classes & Courses

Many RN to BSN programs require that you complete some core courses before you move on to the advanced nursing courses. Clayton State University in Georgia offers the following nursing courses as part of their program:

• NURS 3110: Interactive Communication
• NURS 4200: Research for Evidence-Based Practice
• NURS 4300: Nursing Leadership and Management for RNs
• NURS 4400: Community and Population-Focused Nursing Practice for RNs

Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia

Schools have seen a jump in interest for online RN to BSN programs, which fit into the schedules of busy working RNs. These online programs offer the same rigorous academics of their in-person counterparts, but with the flexibility and comfort of being completed from a student's home. When researching RN to BSN programs in Georgia, don't forget to see if your school of choice offers an online option.

Featured Online School

Based out of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University offers an affordable, flexible, and individualized online RN to BSN program. Both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on your own time) formats are used in this program, which is CCNE-accredited. While most of the coursework is asynchronous, some components (such as course orientations, faculty office hours, and topic discussions) are scheduled in live sessions. Students can expect to develop collaborative partnerships to promote and maintain health, learn how to apply leadership principles, and demonstrate competence incorporating healthcare information and technology into their nursing practice.

Admissions and Program Length

Since RN to BSN programs are designed for employed RNs, they tend to offer some flexibility in length. Students who opt for full-time study will undoubtedly finish sooner than those who attend part-time. Generally speaking, it takes about 1.5 to 2 years to complete to program (or about 3-4 semesters), and roughly 28 credit hours are needed. Students usually begin the RN to BSN at the start of the Fall or Spring semesters, although some schools offer more frequent program start times.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Columbus State University, based out of Columbus, GA, estimates their RN to BSN program tuition at approximately $8,120. This does not include additional expenses such as application fees, tech fees, or a per-course instructional fee. Keep in mind that students are also responsible for course materials, like textbooks.

Does an RN to BSN Increase My Salary?

Nurses wanting to entertain career opportunities in oncology, surgery, pediatrics, or other specialties will find that most of these environments require a BSN degree or higher, making the RN to BSN program a worthwhile endeavor. The good news is that these higher-level jobs tend to come with even higher paychecks, along with numerous advancement opportunities.

RN to BSN Salary Comparison in Georgia

RN salaries are dependent on many factors: city size, employment location (hospital, private practice, care facility), and education level are just a few. That last factor is important; with Payscale reporting the salary range of an RN in Atlanta, Georgia between $45,969 and $79,481 annually, those wanting to earn more will need to pursue higher nursing education.

RN to BSN Programs

The American Association of Colleges of Nurses recognizes more than 20 RN to BSN programs in the state of Georgia, and because of the number of schools offering the program it has made it easier for nurses to access higher education. A BSN or greater degree program for nursing can have a greater impact on the number and quality of job opportunities that are being offered to nurses on a regular basis. BSN nurses in Georgia can look to earn approximately $20,000 more yearly than that of an ADN nurse. The higher the degree means your qualifications and responsibilities are greater as well, making you a more preferred standard of nurse.