Nursing Jobs: Atlanta, GA, Overview
Some call it the Big Peach or the ATL. Some call it the New York of the South or the Chicago of the South. Whatever you call it, Atlanta is the center of things in Georgia, and even beyond the state’s borders. As the state capital, Atlanta is a hub of music, food, commerce, and even the movie business. This growing city with deep cultural roots may appeal to nurses seeking full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem opportunities in a place with as much to offer off the job as on.
Originally named Marthasville for the then-governor’s daughter, Atlanta is as famous for its airport (the busiest in the world) as it is for its hip-hop scene, and for having a key role in the Civil Rights movement. If you are starting your search for nursing jobs, Atlanta, GA, might just be the place you want to head to for your next career move.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Atlanta
- Is Georgia a compact state? Yes. Read about the Georgia Nurse Practice Act.
- What’s the average nursing salary in Atlanta? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Atlanta by license/certification:
- NP salary in Atlanta: $122,910
- RN salary in Atlanta: $95,000
- LPN salary in Atlanta: $58,130
- CNA salary in Atlanta: $36,620
- Where can I learn more about nursing licenses in Georgia? Visit the Georgia Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information on licensure in the state. If your license is set to expire soon, our guide to Georgia nursing license renewals can help.
What to Know About Nursing Jobs in Atlanta
The most populous city in Georgia is home to nearly 511,111 residents, making it about twice as big as the next largest city by population, Augusta. Take a look at the latest job openings for your license or certification:
- CRNA jobs in Atlanta, GA
- CNM jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Atlanta, GA
- RN jobs in Atlanta, GA
- LPN jobs in Atlanta, GA
- CNA jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Surgical tech jobs in Atlanta, GA
- CMA jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Medication aide jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Home health aide jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Caregiver jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Student nurse jobs in Atlanta, GA
What will your patients in Atlanta look like? The median age of the city’s residents is 34.5 years old, which is fairly young compared to the state median of 38 years old. People aged 65 and older make up slightly more than 12% of the population, and people under age 18 make up 17%, creating a need for both geriatric and pediatric nursing jobs.
Atlanta, GA, is one of a growing number of major cities where white residents are not the majority. The population is 47% Black, 40% White, 6% Hispanic/Latino, 6% two or more races, and 5% Asian. With a diverse patient population like the one Atlanta offers, be sure to let your potential employers know about your cultural competence, which may help you become an even more compelling candidate for the jobs you are most excited about.
Working in Atlanta
It’s going to take a bit of patience to get to your nursing job in Atlanta, which is among the cities with the worst commutes, which averages 32 minutes. Even if the commute is longer than in other cities, the options for great nursing jobs may just make up for it.
Healthcare and life science are some of the main industries in Atlanta. If you are interested in research or public health, don’t forget that the granddaddy of them all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (better known as the CDC), is headquartered in the city.
Prefer to focus on more traditional acute care nursing jobs? Atlanta, GA, has many busy hospitals, medical systems, and healthcare facilities to choose from. Have a look at the latest jobs from these employers:
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
- City of Hope Cancer Center
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
- Emory Healthcare
- Grady Health System
- Northside Hospital
- Piedmont Healthcare
- WellStar Health System
If you’re looking for long-term or post-acute care jobs, there are options in Atlanta for that kind of practice as well. The Atlanta metro area is home to more than 100 nursing homes, and Fulton County has extensive programming for seniors.
Do you need childcare when working extra shifts in your Atlanta nursing job? The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning website has many ways to search for childcare options and even discover quality-rated programs. Need some care for your furrier kids? You can find lots of options for dog walkers and cat sitters in Atlanta as well.
Living in Atlanta
It might be a cliché, but people still talk about Southern hospitality when they talk about Atlanta. You might not know they also talk about Atlanta’s green spaces, like Piedmont Park, and exploring the local trails at Morningside Nature Preserve or floating on the Chattahoochee River. Don’t forget about the BeltLine, a network of multipurpose trails that connects the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
If it’s too warm outside to go hiking, biking, or kayaking on your day off, how about grabbing a bite? Atlanta’s food scene is as hot as the summer weather, offering iconic eats like fried chicken, sweet tea, rather famous popsicles, waffles (with chicken or without), barbeque, and peach everything. You’ll also find treats like Szechuan dumplings and octopus on “best of” lists.
If you’ve had a great brunch, lunch, or dinner and are ready to dive back into the scene, there is everything from championship baseball (the Braves won the Series in 2021) to modern art to classical music. If you want to start on the traditional side, Atlanta has a symphony, an opera company, and the ballet. If you’d like more contemporary music, Atlanta is the epicenter of a legendary hip-hop scene with homegrown stars like OutKast, Ludacris, T.I., TLC, and too many more to name. To hear live music of all kinds, there are many famous venues in town including the Fox Theater and Chastain Park Amphitheater.
If art is more your speed, Atlanta has that as well. You can visit traditional spots like the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Contemporary, or the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. More unusual spaces include the Hammonds House Museum, The Goat Farm Arts Center, or one of dozens of galleries and art installations. If outside art appeals, Atlanta is known for the murals, photography, and event spaces that have brought urban renewal along the BeltLine.
The sunny weather in Atlanta is one of the benefits of living in the city. Despite the nickname “Hotlanta,” the city has an average annual temp of a mild 61 degrees. July is the hottest month during the year (89 degrees on average) and January is the coldest (the average low is 34 degrees). Atlanta gets all four seasons, but the snowfall is minimal, so your best bet for sports is all the hiking, biking, and water activities you can enjoy during the many days of sun.
Despite the warm weather, food, fun, and employment opportunities with world-famous companies and academic centers, the cost of living in Atlanta is 3.5% lower than the national average.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Atlanta, GA, has excellent career opportunities for nurses and healthcare professionals. Need some help getting started? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.