RN Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee RN Programs

With the current state of the economy, it can be difficult for those starting college or struggling to begin a new career. Unlike other jobs, registered nursing is resistant to the recession because people are always in need of medical care.

There are many different RN programs in Tennessee, so potential students have a lot to choose from. Tennessee RN programs are a great start for those who want a challenging and rewarding career.

Becoming an RN in Tennessee

In Tennessee, one can become licensed either by examination or by endorsement, depending on whether or not he or she already holds a license. In order to be eligible for licensure, one must have completed an approved education program and passed the NCLEX-RN.

Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensing Compact, which means that a nurse licensed in another compact state can practice in Tennessee without becoming licensed there. An individual who is licensed in a non-compact state but wishes to practice in Tennessee can apply for licensure by endorsement, as well as those who have held a license in any other state but consider Tennessee to be a primary state of residence.

Renewing an RN License

Once licensed, there is a 2 year renewal period. An RN who wishes to renew his or her license and continue practicing in Tennessee must submit 2 of the following items:

  • Copy of satisfactory evaluation completed by employer
  • Peer letter of satisfactory nursing performance
  • Copy of position renewal contract
  • Written self-evaluation
  • Evidence of initial or continuing national certification
  • Document identifying 2 nursing goals and how they were met
  • Document from nursing school stating applicant participated in nursing student education
  • Evidence of 5 continuing education contact hours
  • Copy of published nursing-related article
  • Letter of satisfactory nursing refresher course completion
  • Letter of satisfactory nursing orientation program completion
  • Official transcript showing 2 or more nursing credits
  • Proof of re-passing the NCLEX

Additional Resources

RN Schools Near You & Online in Tennessee

King College

  • 1350 King College Road Bristol, TN 37303
    Programs: BSN, Medical Assistant, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (423) 652-4861

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

  • 615 McCallie Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37403
    Programs: BSN, DNP, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (423) 425-4111

Chattanooga State Technical Community College

  • 4501 Amnicola Highway Chattanooga, TN 37406
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Phlebotomy, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN, Sonography
    (423) 697-4404

Austin Peay State University

  • 601 College Street Clarksville, TN 37044
    Programs: BSN, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN
    1(877)861-2778

Cleveland State Community College

  • PO Box 3570 Cleveland, TN 37320
    Programs: ADN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (423) 472-7141

Southern Adventist University

  • 4881 Taylor Circle Collegedale, TN 37315
    Programs: ADN, Family Nurse Practitioner, RN, RN to BSN
    1(800)768-8437

Columbia State Community College

  • 1665 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401
    Programs: ADN, EMT Paramedic, Radiography, RN
    (931) 540-2722

Tennessee Technological University

  • 1 William L Jones Dr. Cookeville, TN 38505
    Programs: BSN, EMT Paramedic, LPN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (931) 372-3888

Dyersburg State Community College

  • 1510 Lake Road Dyersburg, TN 38024
    Programs: ADN, Health Information Management-Associate, RN
    (731) 286-3200

Roane State Community College

  • 276 Patton Lane Harriman, TN 37748
    Programs: ADN, Health Information Management-Associate, RN
    (865) 354-3000

Lincoln Memorial University

  • 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway Harrogate, TN 37752
    Programs: ADN, MSN, Physician Assistant, RN, RN to BSN
    (423) 869-3611

Union University

  • 1050 Union University Drive Jackson, TN 38305
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, LPN to BSN, MSN, Nurse Anesthetist, RN, RN to BSN
    (731) 668-1818

Jackson State Community College

  • 2046 North Parkway Jackson, TN 38301
    Programs: ADN, EMT Paramedic, Radiography, RN
    (731) 424-3520

Carson-Newman College

  • 2130 Branner Ave. Jefferson City, TN 37760
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (865) 471-2000

East Tennessee State University

  • 807 University Parkway Johnson City, TN 37614
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, Nursing PhD, RN, RN to BSN
    (423) 439-1000

Tennessee Wesleyan College

  • 9821 Cogdill Rd # 2 Knoxville, TN 37932
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (865) 777-9822

South College

  • 3904 Lonas Drive Knoxville, TN 37909
    Programs: BSN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Physician Assistant, Radiography, RN
    1(865)251-1800

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • 1331 Circle Park Drive Knoxville, TN 37996
    Programs: Accelerated MSN, BSN, MSN, Nursing PhD, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (865) 974-1000

Cumberland University

  • 1 Cumberland Square Lebanon, TN 37087
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    1(800)467-0562

University of Tennessee at Martin

  • 61 Mt Pelia Road Martin, TN 38237
    Programs: BSN, RN
    (731) 881-7000

Bethel College

  • 325 Cherry Avenue McKenzie, TN 38201
    Programs: BSN, RN
    (731) 352-4000

Methodist Hospital

  • 1211 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38104
    Programs: Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiography, RN
    (901) 516-7000

University of Memphis

  • 101 Wilder Tower Memphis, TN 38152
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (901) 678-2111

Baptist College of Health Sciences

  • 1003 Monroe Ave Memphis, TN 38104
    Programs: BSN, LPN to BSN, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN
    (901) 572-2646

University of Tennessee Health Science Center

  • 920 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38163
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, Health Information Management-Bachelor's, MSN, Nursing PhD, RN, RN to BSN
    (901) 448-5500

Southwest Tennessee Community College

  • 5983 Macon Cove Memphis, TN 38134
    Programs: ADN, EMT Paramedic, Radiography, RN
    (901) 333-5000

Milligan College

  • PO Box 500 Milligan, TN 37682
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (423) 461-8700

Walters State Community College

  • 500 South Davy Crockett Parkway Morristown, TN 37813
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, Health Information Management-Associate, RN
    (423) 585-2600

Middle Tennessee State University

  • 1301 East Main Street Murfreesboro, TN 37132
    Programs: BSN, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    1(615)898-2300

Trevecca Nazarene University

  • 333 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, TN 37210
    Programs: BSN, Physician Assistant, RN
    (615) 248-1200

Tennessee State University

  • 3500 John A Merritt Blvd Nashville, TN 37209
    Programs: ADN, BSN, Health Information Management-Bachelor's, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (615) 963-5000

Lipscomb University

  • One University Park Drive Nashville, TN 37204
    Programs: BSN, Pre-Nursing Studies, RN
    (615) 966-1000

Fisk University

  • 1000 17th Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37208
    Programs: BSN, RN
    (615) 329-8500

Belmont University

  • 1900 Belmont Blvd Nashville, TN 37212
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (615) 460-6000

Vanderbilt University

  • 211 Kirkland Hall Nashville, TN 37240
    Programs: Accelerated MSN, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Nursing Administration, Nursing PhD, Pediatric Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Radiation Therapy, RN, RN to MSN
    (615) 322-7311

Aquinas College

  • 4210 Harding Pike Nashville, TN 37205
    Programs: ADN, RN, RN to BSN
    (615) 297-7545

Motlow State Community College

  • 6015 Ledford Mill Road Tullahoma, TN 37388
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (931) 393-1500