Savannah Nursing Schools
The oldest city in Georgia, Savannah is home to three schools that offer nursing programs. This article puts the spotlight on two schools in particular and offers details on the courses and clinical experiences required at each. There's also a table of statistics included providing even more information about the schools.
- Located less than 3 miles from downtown, Savannah Technical College offers a practical nursing diploma.
- Georgia Southern University stands as one of the largest universities in the general area to offer nursing programs. The school has a campus in Savannah that's about 8 miles from downtown. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in the field as well as a doctoral program in nursing practice.
Comparison of Schools
Compare the two nursing schools by looking over the following table. Info on-campus setting, costs, acceptance rates, enrollment numbers and more can help you make an informed education decision.
| Savannah Technical College | Georgia Southern University | |
|---|---|---|
| School Type | 2-year, public* | 4-year, public* |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 3,582* | 27,076* |
| Campus Setting | Midsize city* | Midsize city* |
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) | $3,042 in-state $5,442 out-of-state* | $6,485 in-state $17,539 out-of-state* |
| % of First-time Beginning Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 83%* | 92%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | Open admissions* | 91%* |
| Retention Rate (2021) | 48% full-time* | 72% full-time* |
| Graduation Rate | 43% overall (for students beginning in 2018)* | 54% overall (for students beginning in 2015)* |
Source: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics
Savannah Technical College
This technical college offers a practical nursing diploma. The program can prepare students for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure.
Practical Nursing Diploma
The practical nursing diploma requires students to participate in a criminal background check and drug screening. The 57-credit program will cover topics like basic psychology, pharmacology, the structures and functions of the human body, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing coursework and maternity nursing. Students participate in a total of 6 clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Georgia Southern University
This school has campuses in Savannah, Statesboro and Hinesville, Georgia. The Savannah and Statesboro campuses offer degree options in nursing at multiple levels.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing must apply to Georgia Southern's School of Nursing separately from the university. Prerequisites for this highly competitive undergraduate program include the completion of a number of health science courses, as well as completing a health history and physical assessment, and the HESI A2 exam prior to application. A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained in prior coursework, and meeting these minimum requirements provides no guarantee of admission. Working registered nurses without a BSN can apply to the school's online BSN option.
Master of Science in Nursing
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the master's program at Georgia Southern is open to current Georgia RNs with a bachelor's degree in nursing. The is an all-online MSN program that requires 30 credits to complete. Courses for this program include informatics, family health promotion, epidemiology, chronic care management and scientific medical terminology.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
This online doctoral-level program is available to working professionals in the nursing field who hold an MSN. The 37-credit program takes 6 semesters to complete and allows for nine credits of specialization in areas of public health, nursing informatics, epidemiology, and more. Courses in this program include biometrics, clinical projects, leadership and management and biomedical ethics.
