Nursing can be a rewarding career that allows you to help others in your community. If you are based in Georgia or plan to move to the Peach State, pursuing a career in nursing can be an excellent decision. According to the Bureau of Health Workforce, Georgia has the fifth-lowest ratio of nurse-to-state population in the US. The demand for nurses in Georgia is significantly high, and prospective nursing professionals have plenty of opportunities to explore.
The Georgia Board of Nursing has a specific set of pre-licensure and continuing education requirements you must meet to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN) in the state. After becoming a nurse, regardless of the path you take, you must also complete nursing continuing education courses to renew your license to practice as a nurse.
At Fast CE For Less, we offer nursing continuing education courses for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to help them renew their credentials. For prospective nurses, we create guides to help them understand the nursing board requirements for each state. Today’s guide will discuss the Georgia Board of Nursing’s requirements to become a RN or LPN in Georgia.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
To become a registered nurse in Georgia, you must complete specialized training and education, pass the National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and complete a certain number of contact hours of nursing continuing education courses to renew your license.
Obtaining an ADN or BSN
Before applying for a license to become a registered nurse in Georgia, you must earn a nursing degree from a state-approved program. To become a registered nurse, you can earn a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for prelicensure education. Ideally, you should consider pursuing a BSN to become an RN in Georgia.
While it might take longer, choosing a BSN offers more in-depth training and education. For potential employers, a prospect with a BSN will be a more attractive option to consider due to their advanced training and education. A BSN might be a better fit if you want a better-paying position to start your nursing career.
Regardless of the path you choose, you must ensure you complete a prelicensure nursing education program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of state board-approved nursing education programs through its official website here.
Apply for a State License to Become a Registered Nurse
Once you earn the prelicensure nursing degree, you can apply for your state license through examination. To become a registered nurse in Georgia, you must pass the NCLEX-RN, a national licensure examination. To apply to become a registered nurse in Georgia via examination, you must submit your licensure application to the Georgia Board of Nursing and register with Pearson VUE to appear for the NCLEX-RN.
You must also register with GAPS/Gemalto for the required criminal background check on the same day. GAPS will send you instructions for fingerprinting once it processes your registration and you have applied for state licensure. Once everything checks out, you must appear for and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Get Your License as a Registered Nurse
After applying for state licensure via examination and passing the NCLEX-RN, you should expect the state board to take 20 business days to process your application. It is essential to remember that processing times can vary based on individual circumstances.
Because the state’s nursing board does not issue temporary permits, you cannot start practicing as a registered nurse in Georgia without receiving your license. Wait for the board to reach out to you regarding your license status.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
To become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia, you do not need to complete an ADN or BSN degree. You must however, have a high school diploma, complete a practical nursing program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, apply for licensure via examination through the National Council of Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), and complete a certain number of nursing continuing education hours every two years.
Complete a Practical Nursing Program
Once you have a high school diploma, you must complete a practical nursing program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing to become eligible for state licensure. You can find a complete list of practical nursing programs approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing through its official website here.
Apply for a State License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
After graduating from a state nursing board-approved practical nursing program, you can apply for state licensure to become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia via examination. To become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia, you must pass the NCLEX-PN, a national licensure examination for practical nurses. To apply to become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia via examination, you must submit your license application to the Georgia Board of Nursing and register with Pearson VUEÂ to appear for the NCLEX-PN.
You must also register with GAPS/Gemalto for the required criminal background check on the same day to streamline the application process. Once you apply for state licensure and your application is processed, GAPS will send you instructions for fingerprinting. After you receive approval, you must appear for and pass the NCLEX-PN.
Get Your License as a Licensed Practical Nurse
The Georgia Board of Nursing typically processes applications for LPNs within 20 business days of receiving the application. However, the processing time can differ in individual circumstances. Once you pass the exam and complete your application, the Georgia Board of Nursing will thoroughly review your application before giving you the license. Georgia’s nursing board does not issue temporary permits, and you may not practice as a practical nurse until you receive your license from the state board.
Renew Your License to Continue Practicing as a Nurse
With constant changes in healthcare, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must stay up-to-date with all the developments throughout their careers. To ensure all nursing specializations remain current with the best practices and techniques, each state’s nursing board requires RNs and LPNs to renew their credentials every two to three years. To recertify, RNs and LPNs must complete a specified number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses as defined by the state’s nursing board.
To recertify as a registered nurse in Georgia, you must complete 30 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years. To renew your license as a licensed practical nurse in Georgia, you must complete 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years. You can find more details about the nursing continuing education requirements for the Georgia Board of Nursing at www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-georgia/.
If you already are an RN or LPN and it is time to renew your license, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com offer you a convenient, affordable, and flexible solution to fulfill your nursing continuing education requirements.
