Nursing Education in Tennessee

You've looked at career choices and now you're ready to begin your nursing education. You've made the decision what to do, but where do you begin? First you must choose the type of nursing program and then you will need to determine how you will finance your education.

If you've done much research, you will have found that nurses are either LPNs and RNs. In Tennessee you have both types of program readily available.

LPN/LVN (licensed practical nurse or, licensed vocational nurse in California and Washington state). LPN training programs are approximately 12-months long and are offered through a hospital, community college, or technical school.

RN: Diploma Program Generally these programs are 2-3 years in length and are based at a hospital instead of a college or university. These programs often partner with a community college or university to provide academic credits and a bridge to an Associate degree program.

RN: Associate Degree (AD, ASN). Most 2 year associate programs are offered through community colleges although a few university programs offer a two-year program with the opportunity to complete four years of study and achieve a Bachelor's degree in nursing.

RN: Baccalaureate Degree (BSN). The 4 year baccalaureate degree is offered by colleges and universities. This degree of nursing education consists of 4 years of study including basic general education courses as well as in-depth nursing courses.

In addtion to these basic nursing programs, there are also programs that specialize in helping nurses achieve the next level of nursing education once they have started their nursing career.

LPN to RN programs are available in many colleges or universities throughout the state. These programs assist the LPN to obtain an associate degree and become eligible for RN licensure.

RN to BSN programs are available in many colleges and universities to provide licensed RNs from diploma and associate degree settings the opportunity to complete studies to achieve the BSN. The length of study may vary from 2 - 3 additional years dependant upon previous college credits earned and work experience in the nursing environment.

Graduate Degree Programs (MSN) offer RNs the opportunity to complete advanced practice degrees within the university setting either as "bridge" students (RN-MSN) or as graduates from accredited bachelor degree programs. Advanced practice degrees include Masters of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education, Case Management, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Informatics, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nursing Administration.

Doctoral Degree Programs in nursing (PhD or DNSc) offer additional education opportunities for studies above the Master's degree level and are often referred to as "terminal degrees in the discipline." Practice roles include Director/Dean of school of nursing, Chief Nursing Officer in the hospital setting, Director of Nursing, and faculty in graduate schools. PhDs are often actively involved in Nursing Research.

In response to the nursing shortage, many colleges and universities have begun programs that make a nursing career possible to a diverse group of students.

Non-Traditional Programs offer individuals an opportunity to enter the field of nursing or add to their nursing credentials with some accelerated course work and creative scheduling of courses. Visit the schools listed to see what opportunities are available!

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