Fastest Way To Become a Nurse in Georgia 2026
There are many routes to becoming a nurse in Georgia, whether practical or registered nursing. Some programs can be completed in one year of full-time study.
The fastest way to become a nurse depends on what type of nurse you want to become and your educational background. For example, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) doesn't require as much college coursework as a certified registered nurse (RN). LPNs can also be called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), depending on the state.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that LPN and RN positions will grow by 3% and 16%, respectively. Continue reading to explore the fastest way to become a nurse in Georgia.
Education Requirements for Nurses in Georgia
If you're looking for the fastest way to become an RN or LPN, consider what educational requirements you'll need to meet. Your previous coursework may qualify you for 12-month accelerated nursing programs with transfer credits. Below, we'll discuss the primary requirements set forth by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
<h3 id="section---HighSchoolDiplomaOrGED">High School Diploma or GED</h3><p>A high school diploma or GED is required for all types of nursing in Georgia. School of nursing admissions requirements include a high school diploma (or GED) for entry, which serves as a foundation for what you learn in your nursing program.
</p><h3 id="section---NursingEducation">Nursing Education</h3><p>To qualify for a state nursing license, you must complete a required nursing education program. State-approved programs meet the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a>. There are different types of nursing degrees as well as different paths to those degrees, which we will discuss in more detail below.
</p><h3 id="section---NCLEXExam">NCLEX Exam</h3><p>Part of obtaining a nursing license requires passing the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX) exam. LPNs take the NCLEX-PN and RNs take the NCLEX-RN exam. Nursing education programs are designed to prepare you for the exam as well as nursing practice.
</p><h3 id="section---GeorgiaLicensureRequirements">Georgia Licensure Requirements</h3><p>When you apply to take the NCLEX exam and obtain licensure, you must complete a handful of requirements. In addition to paying testing fees, you will submit your college transcripts, as well as citizenship verification (or immigration documents). You must also submit a background check and explain any disciplinary or criminal concerns.
</p><h2 id="section---FastestWaysToBecomeANurseInGeorgia">Fastest Ways To Become a Nurse in Georgia</h2><p>You can become a nurse and start working in healthcare in as little as one year, depending on your educational background. There are various pathways to becoming an LPN and RN.
</p><h3 id="section---LPNProgram">LPN Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> 12 to 18 months
</li></ul><p>LPNs and LVNs assist RNs and other healthcare providers with a variety of patient care, including completing physical exams, administering medications, and taking vital signs. LPN programs usually last three semesters and involve academic coursework and hands-on practice. LPN programs include competencies such as pediatric and mental health nursing, and graduates receive a certificate for completing the program.
</p><h3 id="section---AcceleratedBachelorOfScienceInNursing">Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One year
</li></ul><p>Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs provide a faster pathway to RN licensure. Accelerated BSN programs are typically open to students who hold a previous bachelor's degree or at least around 60 credit hours of coursework. Many programs can be completed in one year and consist of both didactic coursework, as well as clinical practice and skills labs.
</p><h3 id="section---RNToBSNBridgeProgram">RN-to-BSN Bridge Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One to two years
</li></ul><p>RN-to-BSN programs allow existing RNs to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in less time. RNs can apply their previous coursework toward the new bachelor's degree program, reducing the number of required courses. Many of these programs are available in a hybrid format, and a few are available online, due to the prior clinical practice completed during an RN program.
</p><h3 id="section---LPNToRNBridgeProgram">LPN-to-RN Bridge Program</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> One to two years
</li></ul><p>LPNs and LVNs can complete a bridge program and become licensed registered nurses in as little as one year. There are associate and bachelor's degree bridge programs that prepare LPNs for RN licensure, both of which integrate clinical experiences with academic coursework. Associate degree bridge programs can be completed in as little as one year, while bachelor's programs take two to three years to complete.
</p><h3 id="section---AssociateDegreeInNursing">Associate Degree in Nursing</h3><ul><li><b>Typical program length:</b> Two years
</li></ul><p>Standard RN programs typically lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). These programs require hands-on practice in both skills labs and clinical experiences, so that students develop the necessary skills for nursing. Once you complete the program and pass an NCLEX-RN, you can obtain your license and start your nursing career.
</p><h2 id="section---FastestNursingDegreesInGeorgia">Fastest Nursing Degrees in Georgia</h2><p>Our team checked several dozen institutions to find some of the best options available across the state of Georgia. The best schools with nursing programs that are fast and flexible are listed below.
</p><h3 id="section---1.ChattahoocheeTechnicalCollege">1. Chattahoochee Technical College</h3><p>Chattahoochee Technical College offers a practical nursing certificate program at its Marietta and Jasper campuses, consisting of 49 credit hours. Students take coursework such as maternal nursing, pediatric nursing, and introductory pharmacology. Clinical practice and coursework are offered in person and students can complete the program in one year of full-time study.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $107 per credit hour
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Three semesters (one year full-time)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the Georgia Board of Nursing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---2.GwinnettTechnicalCollege">2. Gwinnett Technical College</h3><p>Gwinnett Technical College has an Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares students for RN licensure. The campus-based program is offered in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta and consists of 71 credit hours. Students who already have LPN/LVN licensure can alternatively complete a one-year LPN to RN bridge program.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $107 per credit hour
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Four to six semesters (1.5 to two years)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC, ACEN, and the Georgia Board of Nursing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---3.NorthGeorgiaTechnicalCollege">3. North Georgia Technical College</h3><p>North Georgia Technical College offers an LPN to ASN program at its Currahee campus. The program builds upon prior LPN studies to advance skills in patient care, critical thinking, and other professional nursing competencies. Students progress through the program in a cohort format and complete their degree in four semesters of full-time study.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $107 per credit hour
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Four semesters (1.5 years)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC, ACEN, and the Georgia Board of Nursing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---4.GeorgiaSouthernUniversity">4. Georgia Southern University</h3><p>Georgia Southern University offers an online RN to BSN program that can be completed through full-time or part-time enrollment. Full-time students can finish in as few as two semesters, and all students enjoy flexible clinical hours that can be completed near them. Coursework includes nursing research, health assessment, leadership, and community health nursing.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $159 to $199 per credit hour
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Two or more semesters (Less than one year)
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the Georgia Board of Nursing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---5.MercerUniversity">5. Mercer University</h3><p>Mercer University has a 12-month ABSN program that combines online coursework with in-person clinical practice. Students complete skills lab components at the Atlanta campus and can complete clinical hours at a variety of healthcare facilities. The program is open to students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and prepares them for RN licensure.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $1,103 per credit hour
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> 12 months
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the Georgia Board of Nursing
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2><p>To provide you with information on the best programs, we review many schools and the nursing options that they offer. Key criteria we look for include program length, accreditation, and quality or reputation.
</p><ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Each of the listed schools is accredited at the school level, and each of the featured programs is also fully accredited by a nursing accreditation board and the Georgia State Board of Nursing.
</li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> These programs emphasize evidence-based practice and use experienced instructors. NCLEX pass rates for program graduates are also higher than the national average.
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> The programs listed here are some of the most accelerated options. They are structured to allow students to complete their programs sooner than through other nursing programs in Georgia.
</li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTheFastestWayToFinishNursingSchoolInGeorgia">FAQs About the Fastest Way To Finish Nursing School in Georgia</h2><p>As you decide on what program is right for you, make a list of which features or criteria are the most important. The FAQs answered below can help to establish a starting point for what you want in your program.
</p><h3 id="section---HowLongIsNursingSchool">How Long Is Nursing School?</h3><p>The length of your nursing school program depends on which degree and nursing license you are pursuing. The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_laptops_nursing_students.html">best laptop for nursing students</a> can help you to move through your program more smoothly, especially if it's an accelerated and hybrid program.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesANursingDegreeCost">How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost?</h3><p>Your nursing program cost depends on how many credit hours you need to complete and the specific costs associated with your program. Consider choosing <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_georgia.html">accredited online colleges that accept financial aid</a> to cut back on your program costs.
</p><h3 id="section---CanYouBecomeAnRNInOneYear">Can You Become an RN in One Year?</h3><p>Traditional RN programs take around two years to complete, but ABSN programs can be completed in one year. If you have at least 60 or so credit hours of college coursework, then you could become an RN in one year through an ABSN track.
</p><h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineNursingDegree">Find an Online Nursing Degree</h2><p>You can discover more great nursing programs on Learn.org, including accelerated and affordable options. Contact schools with programs that you like to get started.</p>