Georgia CNA to RN Pathway
Start as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Georgia and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia State. Begin patient-care work in weeks, then ladder into a four-year BSN that prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- We enroll you in your CNA program
- Every course counts toward your BSN
- Admission checklist tracked to acceptance
Details & requirements
Everything below comes from our partner catalog. Compare before you commit.
The Georgia CNA to RN pathway is built for students who want to start working in healthcare quickly and grow into a Registered Nurse career. You begin with a state-approved Certified Nursing Assistant program at one of our partner schools across Georgia — typically four to six weeks of training plus the state competency exam. With your CNA credential, you can work alongside nurses in hospitals, long-term-care facilities, and home health settings while you complete the prerequisite coursework for nursing school.
From there, you transition into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia State’s Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions in downtown Atlanta. The BSN spans eight academic semesters (four prereqs + four nursing core) and ends with NCLEX-RN eligibility. Working as a CNA during your studies gives you a competitive application, real clinical experience, and an income while you train.
Why this pathway works:
- Earn your CNA in roughly 4–6 weeks and start working immediately.
- Use your CNA work to build clinical hours, references, and tuition savings.
- Apply to GSU’s BSN with a 3.6 cumulative GPA, 30 credit hours, and a TEAS score.
- Graduate as a BSN-prepared RN with full NCLEX-RN eligibility.
The payoff
Figures are national medians — your state, shift, and employer will vary.
How this pathway works
- 1
Enroll in your CNA program
We place you in a CNA program. Everything you complete counts toward the next rung. Already certified? Skip to step two.
- 2
Compare BSN programs that fit
See BSN programs side by side: prerequisites, entrance exams, tuition, and timelines.
- 3
Track your admission checklist
Every remaining requirement (TEAS, prerequisite courses, references, applications) becomes a checklist item you can finish one by one.
- 4
Apply and get accepted
When your checklist is green, you apply with everything schools ask for. No surprises.
Institutions where you'll finish in Georgia
Common questions
How long does the CNA to BSN pathway take?
Most students complete this pathway in about 4 years, depending on prerequisites already met and whether you study full- or part-time.
Do I need my CNA credential before I start?
No. The pathway starts with enrolling in a CNA program, and we help you do that. If you already hold the credential, you skip ahead: your experience and coursework count toward the next program's admission requirements.
How much more can I earn after finishing?
Nationally, the median jump is from about $34,000 to $94,000 a year. Pay varies by state, employer, and shift.
Which schools offer this pathway?
Dozens of accredited institutions in Georgia offer the destination program, including Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Albany State University, Augusta University.
Is TransitionU free to use?
Yes. Mapping your credentials, comparing programs, and tracking your admission checklist are all free for students.