Tennessee has a well-developed nursing education system spanning major research universities, regional colleges, and community colleges, with strong program concentrations in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The state’s large healthcare sector — anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare’s national headquarters, and a network of major regional health systems — generates consistent demand for nursing graduates at every level. Tennessee is a long-standing member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning a Tennessee RN license functions as a multi-state license for nurses who reside in Tennessee and meet eligibility requirements.
Program options run from LPN certificates and ADN degrees through BSN, accelerated BSN, and graduate-level MSN and DNP programs. Workforce demand is particularly strong in the Nashville metro, which has grown into one of the largest healthcare industry hubs in the United States.
NLC compact membership
Tennessee is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. The state was an original participant in the NLC and transitioned to the enhanced NLC (eNLC) on January 19, 2018, when the enhanced compact launched nationwide.
The NLC allows nurses whose primary state of residence is a compact member state to hold a single multi-state license valid for practice in all current NLC member states. As of 2026, more than 40 states participate in the compact. If you are a Tennessee resident and meet the uniform licensure requirements — including a federal and state fingerprint-based criminal background check — your Tennessee RN license is your multi-state license.
Practical implications: compact licensure simplifies travel nursing assignments across state lines, per diem shifts in neighboring compact states (Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas), and temporary relocation without filing separate licensing applications. If you move your primary residence to another compact state, you would apply for licensure in your new home state.
Verify current NLC membership and eligibility requirements at nursecompact.com.
Types of nursing programs available
Tennessee’s nursing education system covers every preparation level, from entry-level certificates through graduate practice.
LPN programs (12–18 months) Licensed Practical Nurse programs are available at community colleges, career centers, and vocational schools statewide. LPNs can later advance through LPN-to-ADN or LPN-to-BSN bridge pathways.
ADN programs (2 years post-prerequisites) Associate Degree in Nursing programs are widely available at Tennessee’s community college system and regional colleges. ADN graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter practice as registered nurses. Many Tennessee ADN programs are ACEN-accredited.
BSN programs (4 years) Four-year bachelor’s programs are available at major universities across the state. BSN graduates are preferred by Magnet-designated hospitals and large health systems in the Nashville and Memphis metros.
Accelerated BSN (12–18 months) Designed for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in another field, accelerated BSN programs compress nursing coursework into intensive full-time study.
RN-to-BSN bridge programs Online RN-to-BSN completion programs serve Tennessee’s large ADN-educated nursing workforce. Most are available fully online with flexible scheduling for working RNs.
MSN and DNP programs Graduate nursing programs are available at Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, and others, covering nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, and nursing leadership tracks.
| Program type | Length | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| LPN | 12–18 months | High school diploma or GED |
| ADN | ~2 years | Prerequisites completed |
| BSN | 4 years | High school diploma |
| Accelerated BSN | 12–18 months | Bachelor’s degree (any field) |
| RN-to-BSN | 12–24 months online | Active RN license |
| MSN/DNP | 2–4 years | BSN + RN license |
Admission requirements
Admission requirements vary across Tennessee’s nursing programs, but core expectations are consistent across most ADN and BSN tracks.
Academic prerequisites: Most programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab), Microbiology (with lab), General Chemistry or Biology, English Composition, Psychology, and Mathematics or Statistics. Science prerequisites must typically be completed within the past 5–7 years with a grade of C or higher.
GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA requirements generally run 2.5–3.0. Competitive BSN applicants at University of Tennessee and Belmont University typically present science GPAs of 3.2 and above. Programs with limited seat availability are competitive even among qualified applicants. If your GPA falls below the typical threshold, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is the most widely required entrance exam for Tennessee nursing programs. Some programs accept or prefer the HESI A2. Competitive scores for community college ADN programs typically run at or above the 60th percentile; BSN programs at major universities often seek scores at the 70th percentile and above. See ATI TEAS vs. HESI for a detailed comparison.
Healthcare experience: Many Tennessee BSN programs recommend or require documented direct patient care experience — CNA work, emergency medical technician hours, or medical volunteering. Requirements vary by institution.
Background check and drug screening: Required by virtually all Tennessee programs and clinical placement sites. Certain criminal history may affect clinical placement eligibility and licensure. Contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing for specific guidance.
For a full prerequisites breakdown by program type, see nursing school prerequisites.
Top nursing programs in Tennessee
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing – Memphis UTHSC’s College of Nursing is the state’s primary public research nursing school and holds CCNE accreditation. It offers BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. UTHSC is embedded in Memphis’s large academic medical center environment — including Regional One Health and Methodist Le Bonheur — giving students access to high-acuity and diverse clinical settings. The BSN is competitive and highly regarded across the state’s hospital hiring network.
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing – Nashville Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and one of the most recognized nursing programs in the South. The school focuses on graduate nursing education — offering entry-to-practice MSN, DNP, and PhD programs — making it the primary destination for advanced practice nursing in Tennessee. Its location adjacent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the region’s top academic medical centers, provides exceptional clinical depth.
Belmont University School of Nursing – Nashville Belmont’s School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and located in Nashville’s growing healthcare corridor. It offers BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs. The school’s simulation facilities and clinical partnerships with Nashville-area health systems support strong outcomes. Belmont’s ABSN program is a well-regarded option for career changers in the region.
Middle Tennessee State University School of Nursing – Murfreesboro MTSU’s BSN program is CCNE-accredited and serves the rapidly growing Nashville metro corridor. The program reported NCLEX first-attempt pass rates near 98% in 2024, among the highest in the state. MTSU’s in-state tuition and proximity to the Nashville healthcare job market make it a strong value option.
University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Nursing – Knoxville UTK’s College of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Its location in Knoxville provides clinical partnerships with UT Medical Center and regional health systems serving eastern Tennessee.
Chattanooga State Community College – Chattanooga Chattanooga State’s ADN program is ACEN-accredited and representative of Tennessee’s strong community college nursing pipeline. Affordable in-state tuition and accessible scheduling make community college ADN programs a practical entry point, particularly in the southeastern Tennessee region.
NCLEX pass rates and program quality
The Tennessee Board of Nursing oversees RN and LPN licensure and publishes NCLEX pass rate data by program. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Tennessee-educated candidates generally track near the national average, which has run approximately 82–87% for US-educated first-time test takers in recent years.
Program pass rates vary considerably across Tennessee’s institutions. Programs consistently achieving first-attempt rates above 85% demonstrate strong outcome performance. Rates above 90% — such as those reported by MTSU and University of Tennessee–Martin — indicate consistently strong preparation. Programs with sustained rates below 75–80% warrant closer review.
You can look up program-specific NCLEX pass rate data through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) or the Tennessee Board of Nursing directly. See NCLEX pass rates by nursing school for a guide to comparing programs.
Nursing salary expectations in Tennessee
Tennessee RN salaries fall below the national average, reflecting the state’s lower overall cost of living and the wage structure of its regional healthcare market.
| Setting | Approximate annual RN salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville metro | $68,000–$80,000 |
| Memphis metro | $62,000–$72,000 |
| Knoxville metro | $62,000–$70,000 |
| Rural Tennessee | $55,000–$65,000 |
| Travel nursing (TN-based) | $80,000–$110,000+ (varies) |
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data places Tennessee’s mean annual RN wage at approximately $66,680 ($32.06 per hour), compared to the national mean of approximately $93,600. While Tennessee salaries trail national figures, the lower cost of living in most of the state partially offsets the gap — particularly outside Nashville.
Nashville’s position as the headquarters of major health systems including HCA Healthcare and Ardent Health Services creates concentrated demand for experienced nurses and some of the state’s highest RN salaries. Rural areas and critical access hospitals often supplement salaries with loan repayment or sign-on incentives to attract nurses to underserved regions.
For a full cost-benefit analysis, see is nursing school worth the debt?.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tennessee a compact nursing state? Yes. Tennessee is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact and has participated since the original compact’s formation. The state transitioned to the enhanced NLC (eNLC) on January 19, 2018. A Tennessee RN license issued to a Tennessee resident serves as a multi-state license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states.
How long does nursing school take in Tennessee? It depends on the program. ADN programs take approximately two years of full-time clinical coursework after prerequisites are completed. BSN programs are four years. Accelerated BSN programs for career changers run 12–18 months of intensive full-time study. LPN programs are 12–18 months. RN-to-BSN bridge programs for working RNs typically take 12–24 months online.
What GPA do I need for nursing school in Tennessee? Most Tennessee nursing programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5–3.0. Competitive programs at University of Tennessee and Belmont University typically see admitted applicants with science GPAs of 3.2 and above. Community college ADN programs may have lower GPA minimums but accept limited cohorts, making competition high relative to seats. See nursing school GPA requirements for a detailed breakdown.
How much do RNs make in Tennessee? Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data places Tennessee’s mean annual RN wage at approximately $66,680. The national mean is approximately $93,600. Nashville metro nurses earn at the higher end of the Tennessee range; rural areas tend toward the lower end. Travel nursing from a Tennessee base can significantly increase earnings. For help evaluating the full cost-benefit picture, see how to choose a nursing school and nursing license by state.