One of the best ways to improve your opportunities as you prepare for registered nursing is to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in nursing program. There are many different paths to becoming a registered nurse, but the BSN will open the doors to many areas of practice. This degree takes approximately four years to complete. However, there are fast-track programs that can be completed in three years – if you commit to year-round attendance.
There are many exceptional ADN-RNs. The Future of Nursing Report encouraged many of them to pursue their baccalaureate degree when they might not have previously considered it. The surge in BSN programs is a direct response to the need for better-educated nurses who can function independently in the complex healthcare environment. Employers expect their current and incoming nurses to hold an advanced degree, so holding the credential will give you a competitive advantage. Moreover, it will help you qualify for leadership positions and pave the way for advanced study to the MSN and DNP degrees. BSN graduates earn better salaries, hold managerial positions, and have the freedom to travel and work across the nation. In your search for a program, it is critical that you research thoroughly to ensure that the curriculum, duration, format, and cost meet and exceed your expectations for a BSN degree.
Registered nurses in Georgia earn $68,950 per year according to a 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS projects a 12% increase in RN employment from 2018 to 2028. This projection means there’s a great chance you’ll land a registered nursing position soon after graduation.
Chamberlain University
The BSN program at Chamberlain University prepares students for a career as a registered nurse in just three years of year-round study. Courses scheduled in the summer will give students the opportunity to complete the course much faster than the traditional four years. The school offers high tech nursing labs, no wait lists, and experienced faculty. There will be an emphasis on conceptual learning so students will be prepared to translate theory into practice. Hands-on practice in the SIMCARE CENTER will prepare students for the clinical rotation in various health care facilities. The curriculum requires completion of 122 credit hours including 56 general education hours. The Graduates of the CCNE-accredited program will be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 122
Duration: 3 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Courses – Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Algebra for College Students, Transition to Nursing Profession, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Culture and Society, English Composition, Anatomy and Physiology III with Lab, Advanced English Composition, Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology IV with Lab, Lifespan Development, Health & Wellness, Intro to General, Organic & Biological Chemistry with Lab, Fundamentals of Microbiology with Lab, Critical Reasoning, Interpersonal Communication, Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, Health Assessment II, Fundamentals – Skills, Fundamentals – Patient Care, Pharmacology for Nursing Practice, Adult Health I, Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Adult Health II, Mental Health Nursing, Information Systems in Healthcare, Pediatric Nursing, Applied Managerial Statistics, Maternal Child Nursing, Political Science, Complex Adult Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Community Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing – International, Principles of Ethics, Collaborative Healthcare, Humanities Elective or Latin American Humanities, Capstone Course, History Elective or Contemporary Hispanic American History
Admission criteria:
- Provide proof of graduating from a recognized high school with a minimum CGPA of 2.75
- Take the A2 Admission Assessment and score a minimum of 73
- Submit a completed application and fee of $95
- Pass a background and fingerprint check within 120 days of the semester start date
- Pass a drug screen
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $699 per credit. First-time students must pay $3,081 for the Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan. Other costs include books and supplies, background check, CPR certification, student services charge, drug screen, and health screening and immunizations.
Website: https://www.chamberlain.edu/nursing-school/georgia/atlanta
Address: 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, NE Suite A-100, Atlanta, GA 30342
Toll Free: 877-751-5783
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.94%
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a BSN nursing program that places a strong emphasis on liberal arts. Students will gain a strong foundation to qualify for entry-level positions as a registered nurse. The program is targeted to adults who want to complete the BSN as their first degree. The first two years will cover general education requirements. These courses must be completed before the junior year – fall semester. Admission to the School of Nursing will depend on completing a specific set of requirements. The final two years will cover the practice of nursing in the classroom and clinical sites. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a Registered Nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 122
Duration: 4 semesters (not including the prerequisite courses)
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisites: General Chemistry I with Lab, Foundations of Modern Biology I with Lab, Intro to Probability and Statistics or QTM 100 Intro to Stat Interference, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Human Growth and Development, Microbiology with Lab, Nutrition, It’s Your Health, Predictive Health and Society, Contemporary Nutrition, Predictive Health Challenges
Courses – Social Responsibility and Bioethics in Nursing, Pathophysiology for Nurses, Foundations of Nursing Practice, Clinical Practicum I, Health Promotion and Wellness, Health Assessment, Population Health: Community and Public Health Nursing, Pharmacology for Nurses, Acute and Chronic Care, Clinical Practicum: Adult Medical Surgical Care, Clinical Practicum: Pediatrics, Pediatric Nursing, Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses, Clinical Integration, Maternity and Reproductive Health Nursing, Clinical Practicum: Maternity and Reproductive Health, Clinical Practicum: Mental Health, Mental Health Nursing, Perspectives in Professional Nursing, Elective, Palliative Care & Difficult Conversations, Becoming a Professional Nurse, Nursing in Complex Care Situations, Clinical Practicum IV, Ambulatory Care, Elective
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Emory University
- Pay the application fee
- Provide official college/university transcripts from all schools attended
- Submit a current resume including work experience, community service, research, and leadership roles
- Submit standardized test scores not more than 5 years old – SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR credentials through the American Health Association
- Enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan at Emory University or provide documentation of adequate health insurance coverage
- Provide proof of current immunization
- Pass a drug screen and background check
- Provide a completed physical exam report, completed by a health care provider, indicating good health
Program Cost:
The cost of attendance for one year is $66,042 and includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. It does not include expenses for travel to clinical sites, insurance, supplies, background check, immunization, and CPR.
Website: http://www.nursing.emory.edu/admission-and-aid/bsn-programs/index.html
Address: 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
Phone: 404-727-7980
Email: nursingquestions@emory.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%
Mercer University
The prelicensure BSN program at Mercer University is designed for adults who do not have a nursing license and want to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. The curriculum includes 57 credit hours of general education courses that must be completed before the core nursing courses. They provide a foundation for professional nursing practice and have a strong focus on the liberal arts and sciences. The junior year will cover socialization into the professional role along with theory and practical coursework. Beginning courses will serve as the cornerstone for professional practice development.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 122
Duration: 4 semesters (not including the prerequisite courses)
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture and lab), Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture and lab), English Composition I, English Composition II, Introduction to Psychology, Political Science for Economics, Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology, Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology, Statistics, Cultural Appreciation, Fundamentals of Microbiology, Nutrition, General Education Elective, Speech or Communications, Fine Arts/Humanities Elective, Philosophy or Ethics, Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan, Religion
Courses – The Discipline of Professional Nursing, Foundations of Health Assessment, The Well Community, Human Pathophysiology & Pharmacological Principles, Adult Health, The Older Adult, Mental Health, Adult with High Acuity Needs, Maternal Child, Nursing Research, Leadership and Role Practicum, Infants and Children, The Community at Risk
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Mercer University
- Pay the application fee
- Provide official college/university transcripts from all schools attended
- Attend an information session
- Maintain primary insurance coverage
- Complete the Mercer University Student Health Form – must be signed by a healthcare provider
- Official documentation of immunization – MMR, TB screening (test or chest x-ray)
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR credentials through the American Health Association
- Pass a drug screen and background check
- Provide a completed physical exam report, completed by a health care provider, indicating good health
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $12,413 per semester or $24,826 per year. Students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours per semester will pay $1034 per credit. Other costs include the application fee, liability insurance, lab course fees, orientation fee, lab Nurse Pak, immunization, background check, and CPR.
Website: https://www.mercer.edu/
Address: 1501 Mercer University Drive Macon, GA 31207
Phone: 1-800-MERCER-U
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.85%
Georgia State University
Nursing students enrolled in the BSN program at Georgia State University will receive a high-quality educational experience that will enable them to function as competent professionals in the complex health care environment. Experienced instructors will cover the essentials of nursing care in the classroom and state-of-the-art simulation lab to prepare students for the clinical experiences in a range of health care facilities such as clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. The program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a Registered Nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 122
Duration: 4 semesters (not including the prerequisite courses)
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Courses – Health and Human Lifespan Development, Conceptual Foundations of Nursing and Trends, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Basic Concepts of Nursing Care, Basic Health Assessment and Nursing Skills (clinical), Human Services: Policy, Planning & Trends, Research Methods, Caring for Adult Populations (clinical), Caring for Childbearing Families (clinical), Caring for Children and Adolescents (clinical), Psychiatric/Mental Health Care for Populations (clinical), Caring for Families and Communities (clinical), Directed Readings (elective), Introduction to Critical Care Nursing (elective), Leadership and Management in Nursing, Senior Practicum, Complex Health Care Problems Across the Lifespan
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Georgia State University
- Pay the application fee
- Be a graduate of a recognized high school or completed the High School Requirements
- Have a minimum of 2.8 high school GPA
- Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or GSTEP
- Have a freshman index of 2500 or higher
- Submit standardized test scores not more than 5 years old – SAT, ACT, or TEAS scores
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR credentials through the American Health Association
- Provide proof of current immunization
- Pass a drug screen and background check
- Provide a completed physical exam report, completed by a health care provider, indicating good health
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition for in-state students is $4,643.24 per semester for 12 credit hours. It includes mandatory student fees but does not include the cost for textbooks, supplies, background check, health screening, and CPR.
Website: https://lewis.gsu.edu/
Address: 33 Gilmer Street SE Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-413-2000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.52%
Erudite Nursing Institute
The BSN program at Erudite Nursing Institute meets and exceeds the national standards for the RN curriculum. Students will learn how to integrate theories and concepts in nursing practice, implement skills to address issues in practice, use ethical, logical and mathematical reasoning to provide leadership, and adhere to ethical and legal standards in practice. Graduates will demonstrate professionalism in practice, apply evidence-based knowledge to improve the quality and safety of health care, and develop, implement, and assess patient care plans. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120
Duration: 3 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Courses – Advanced Pharmacology II, Community Health Nursing, Advanced Health Assessment, Clinical Nursing Skills II, Medical Telecommunications & Technologies II, Theoretical Foundations for Professional Nurses, Medical Surgical Psychotherapeutic Nursing I, Medical Surgical Psychotherapeutic Nursing II, Acute/Chronic Nursing Management, Pathophysiologic Foundations of Care, Chemistry for Health Professions, Anthropologic and Sociological Ethics in Nursing, Biology for Nurses II, Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Clinical Problem Solving
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Erudite Nursing Institute
- Pay the application fee of $65
- Provide official college/university transcripts from all schools attended
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR credentials through the American Health Association
- Provide proof of current immunization
- Pass a drug screen and background check
- Provide a completed physical exam report, completed by a health care provider, indicating good health
- Have a current state photo ID and social security card
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $32,160. It does not include fees, books, uniforms, insurance, administrative costs, and supplies.
Website: https://www.eruditenursing.education/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/
Address: 3330 Cumberland Blvd, Ste 500, Atlanta, Ga 30339
Phone: 1(800) 595-6276
Email: admissions@EruditeNursing.education
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
Kennesaw State University
The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing at Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It is designed to prepare students for generalist nursing practice where they will care for individuals, families, communities and populations across the lifespan and continuum of healthcare environments. Graduates will be able to analyze research and translate evidence into clinical practice, use leadership skills to improve healthcare delivery systems, use the principles of health promotion and disease prevention in the care of patients, communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and commit to lifelong learning.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 120
Duration: 9 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisites: Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory, Fundamental Microbiology, Fundamental Microbiology Laboratory, Introduction to General Psychology, Introduction to Human Development
Courses – Pathophysiology, Theoretical Basis for Holistic Nursing & Health, Professionalism and Ethics in Nursing, Clinical Pharmacology for Nurses, Health Assessment, Adult Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Parent Child Nursing, Nursing Research for Evidence-based Practice, Community Health Nursing, Complex Health Nursing, Leadership in Nursing, Advanced Clinical Practicum, Nursing Electives
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to Kennesaw State University and obtain a KSU ID and email address
- Complete the Regent’s requirements before admission
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on the required science and math courses
- Achieve a minimum of 78 on the TEAS exam
- Complete an annual history and physical exam
- Provide documentation of immunization for specific communicable diseases as required by the clinical agencies
- Have proof of health insurance
- Complete annual TB screening
- Have certification in Health Care Provider CPR by the American Heart Association
- Attend a mandatory Nursing Orientation session before entering the nursing program
- Complete a criminal background check and drug screen at a School of Nursing designated vendor
- Maintain professional liability insurance throughout the program
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition for 15 credit hours per semester is $3,748. It includes fees such as activity fee, athletic fee, health fee, parking fee, technology fee, and wellness fee. The cost for non-residents is $10,818 per semester. Additional costs include textbooks, uniforms, nursing kit, CPR, insurance, background check, immunization, TB screening, and health requirements.
Website: https://wellstarcollege.kennesaw.edu/nursing/bachelor-science-nursing/traditional.php
Address: 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: 470-578-6000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.37%