RN Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Tennessee
- ADN Programs: 16
- BSN Programs: 29
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 89%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 75% to 96%
- Average Net-Price $9,316.69
- Net-Price Range: $4,575.00 to $20,343.00
- Average Student Loan: $9,603.93
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 88%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 68% to 97%
- Average Net-Price $16,159.21
- Net-Price Range: $7,531.00 to $30,357.00
- Average Student Loan: $18,625.45
Tennessee RN Program Guide
Healthcare is constantly evolving and nursing schools in Tennessee are responding to meet the need of nursing students. They are offering new ways for nurses to expand their education and professional reach. Up until recently, hospitals were designed as the focus of bedside care to patients that experience health disruption. The guidelines in the Affordable Care Act require registered nurses to be health leaders and provide health prevention to the masses. Registered nurses are encouraged to pursue higher education to meet the challenges of the complex and evolving healthcare system. The new responsibilities of nurses are challenging but can present wonderful opportunities and rewards.
In our Tennessee RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Tennessee RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Tennessee offers 44 RN programs in 28 different cities. Public institutions offer 23 of the RN programs in the state while there are 2 private, for-profit and 19 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Tennessee, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Tennessee RN Programs.
ADN Programs in Tennessee
RN programs are abundant in the state of Tennessee; in fact, many colleges also offer articulation programs, allowing students to finish general education credits, then finish their BSN degree at university. For incoming freshman, students may also apply for Tennessee Promise – a program that, “…provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or state student assistance funds.”
NCLEX Passing Rates for Tennessee ADN Programs
Motlow State Community College has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Tennessee of 95.67%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $8,012.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Tennessee: 16
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.20%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 74.83% to 95.67%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Tennessee?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Tennessee so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Tennessee is offered by Walters State Community College at about $4,575.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 89.83%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Southern Adventist University and it will cost about $20,343.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 85.33%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inTennessee: $9,316.69
- Net-Price Range for Tennessee ADN Programs: $4,575.00 to $20,343.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Tennessee Schools: $9,603.93
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Tennessee: $2,500.00 to $22,849.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 13
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 3
BSN Programs in Tennessee
Nurses can be prepared for acute care in a hospital setting with an associate’s degree. However, without a higher education, nurses will not have a lot of room to grow as professionals. Nursing schools in Tennessee offer BSN programs that can connect knowledge gained while working in the field to what is learned in the classroom. As nurses in Tennessee complete higher education in the field, they will be better prepared for new opportunities that would not have been previously offered.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Tennessee BSN Programs
Tennessee Technological University wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Tennessee with a score of 96.67%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $12,389.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Tennessee: 29
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 87.99%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 68.00% to 96.67%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Tennessee?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Tennessee to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Tennessee is offered by The University of Tennessee-Martin and will cost you about $7,531.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 94.83%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Belmont University and will cost you about $30,357.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 89.67%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Tennessee: $16,159.21
- Net-Price Range for Tennessee BSN Programs: $7,531.00 to $30,357.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Tennessee Schools: $18,625.45
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Tennessee: $11,128.00 to $31,425.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 9
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 2
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 18
MSN Programs in Tennessee
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Tennessee offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Tennessee RN Licensing Requirements
Tennessee State Board of Nursing
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-3111
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $100
License renewal (every two years): RN: $100
Continuing Education Requirements:
No continuing education hours are required, though license renewal requires proof of continued competence.
RN Licensure by Exams
Candidates who completed an approved nursing program will be automatically presented to the Board for exam eligibility. Fingerprinting will be required in the process and candidates must use the company Identogo. Then, the candidate will register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee. When the candidate has received authorization to test (ATT), he/she will be able to schedule the exam.
RN License by Endorsement
Applicants who completed a program in one of the other 50 states will be able to apply for endorsement. The candidate must list all positions held in the previous five years and submit a transcript, copy of diploma, and verification of official licensure. There is a $115 fee for license by endorsement and the candidate must include a passport-type photo. The application is to be notarized before submission.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Candidates who have been trained outside of the United States are encouraged to email the Board for instructions.
RN Salaries in Tennessee
Nurses who are looking to advance their careers can gain positive results from higher education. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses may take advantage of worthwhile areas such as:
- Nurses in the armed forces with a bachelor’s may receive officer status and receive special benefits and advanced education opportunities
- Opportunities in physician specialty areas and private practice like cosmetic surgery
Approximately 79,000 registered nurses have obtained licensure. It is predicted that there will be a 30% increase in shortages of nurses in Tennessee by the year 2020. Nurses in Tennessee earn, on average, $56,730. This varies and is dependent on the education and experience level of the nurse.
Tennessee Registered Nursing Salaries
Chattanooga has the highest amount of registered nurses employed across the state. In addition, Chattanooga also has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 5,850 | $27.72 | $57,670 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 1,490 | $27.70 | $57,600 |
| Cleveland, TN | 570 | $24.95 | $52,420 |
| Jackson, TN | 2,000 | $24.86 | $49,570 |
| Johnson City, TN | 2,700 | $26.63 | $54,980 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 2,600 | $24.80 | $49,900 |
| Knoxville, TN | 6,970 | $25.93 | $54,310 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 12,200 | $28.80 | $58,900 |
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 15,850 | $28.51 | $58,870 |
| Western Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 1,680 | $25.63 | $52,190 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 2,140 | $25.79 | $52,670 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 2,120 | $27.20 | $56,300 |
| Eastern Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 1,910 | $25.04 | $51,240 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
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