The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee
- Best Tennessee NP Programs and Schools
- What to Look For
- Applying to Tennessee NP Programs
- Program Accreditation
- Career Opportunities
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Malcolm MacGregor / Moment / Getty ImagesAre you a registered nurse (RN) interested in becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) in Tennessee? Graduates of Tennessee NP programs can anticipate growing employment opportunities and high salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Tennessee ranks among the top states for NP employment. The average salary for NPs in Tennessee is $103,720.
This guide introduces you to the top nurse practitioner schools in TN and provides important information about admission requirements, accreditation, and certification.
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About the Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee
South College
Knoxville, TN- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1882, South College offers one of the best NP programs in Tennessee with a focus on family nursing that you can complete fully online in 18 months. You can choose from BSN-to-MSN, RN-to-MSN, or RN-to-MSN tracks that take 18-36 months.
The program prepares you for an advanced nursing practice with core courses in pathophysiology, healthcare informatics, pharmacology, health assessment, and research methods. The family nursing concentration focuses on primary care of infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $3,950/quarter (1-9 credits); $5,500/quarter (10-20 credits)
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's in nursing degree or associate in nursing degree from an accredited college, depending on the program; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; official transcripts; personal statement; resume
- Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 89% first-time pass rate
- In-State$16,450
- Out-of-state$16,450
- In-State$27,025
- Out-of-state$27,025
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,171
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Southern Adventist University
- Collegedale, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Southern Adventist University offers an NP program rooted in Seventh-day Adventist principles. You can choose from concentrations in nursing education, acute care-adult gerontology, and primary care for families, adult gerontology, or psychiatric mental health.
The 51-credit MSN degree with an emphasis on nursing education is fully online. You can study full or part time and complete clinical placements in your state of residence. Courses cover healthcare technology, Christian leadership management, healthcare policy, and health assessments.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Collegedale, Tennessee
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $715 per credit for North Carolina residents and out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school; minimum 3.0 GPA; current RN license; two years of nursing experience; official transcripts; three recommendations; written statement; resume; interview.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 87% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $92,277 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$22,060
- Out-of-state$22,060
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled2,730
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Union University
- Jackson, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Union University provides a Christian-based nursing education that you can complete in 16 months.
Offered by the 1960s-established college of nursing, the program lets you choose from tracks in family nursing or psychiatric mental health nursing. You can take courses online or at the campuses in Jackson, Germantown, and/or Hendersonville.
The program requires 560 clinical hours and courses in nursing statistics, health assessments, theoretical and ethical concepts, nursing evidence, informatics and healthcare, pharmacology, and psychopharmacology.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Jackson, Tennessee
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $685 per credit for Tennessee residents and out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's in nursing degree from an accredited school; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 93% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $90,412 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$22,080
- Out-of-state$22,080
- In-State$10,625
- Out-of-state$10,625
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled3,071
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Vanderbilt University's school of nursing dates back to 1908 and offers a hybrid nurse practitioner program that only takes one year.
The MSN program, with an emphasis on family nursing, requires viewing pre-recorded lectures and web conferences, plus 10 on-campus visits. Students can choose from part time or full time options. Courses explore advanced pathophysiology, health assessments, pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical decision-making.
To earn a degree, you also must complete 630 clinical hours.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Nashville, Tennessee
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,939 per credit for Tennessee residents and out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited school; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; statement of purpose; admission essay; three letters of recommendation; official transcripts; completed prerequisites
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 95% first-time pass rate for master's students
- In-State$52,781
- Out-of-state$52,781
- In-State$50,082
- Out-of-state$50,082
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled13,537
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in a Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Program
Since programs vary, prospective students should inquire about what the NP program offers. Considerations include specialties, the number of credits, and the required clinical hours to graduate. The typical NP curriculum includes evidence-based coursework, population-focused classes, and clinical experiences. These requirements prepare graduates for national certification and state licensure.
Nurse practitioner schools in TN require certain must-haves before admissions, such as a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and an active nursing license with no restrictions or limitations. Although some programs do not require nursing experience before applying, it may be beneficial to have 1-2 years of nursing experience before applying.
Depending on curriculum requirements, NP programs take 1.5-3 years to complete. Some schools offer online formats, part-time study plans, bridge programs, and accelerated timelines, which affect the time needed to finish the degree.
While every NP degree requires clinical experience, each program determines where students can fulfill their placements and the number of hours required.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Tennessee
When applying to Tennessee’s nurse practitioner programs, consider specific entrance requirements. In addition to holding an undergraduate degree from an accredited school, you can complete specific prerequisites. Depending on the program, you may have to submit GRE scores. In general, nurse practitioner programs accept applicants who demonstrate the following:
Admission Requirements
- Unrestricted Tennessee RN license;
- Associate or a BSN degree from an accredited school
- At least one year of clinical experience
- 3.0 GPA or higher
Admission Materials
- Official transcripts from previously attended schools
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal essay
- In-person or online interview
Prerequisites
Each program establishes required undergraduate courses in subjects like chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and statistics.
Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation for NP programs is important because it helps you identify schools that meet industry standards. This status establishes the program’s academic quality and integrity, ensuring graduates adequately prepare to practice as NPs.
There are three accrediting agencies for NP programs:
- The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
Attending an unaccredited program has many risks. You may not qualify for federal financial aid, transfer credits to an accredited school, or sit for the state boards. Doctoral programs and prospective employers look for applicants who hold degrees from accredited institutions. All nurse practitioner schools in TN in this ranking have received programmatic accreditation.
Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee
Think of paying for an NP program in Tennessee as an investment. Tuition costs vary depending on whether you attend a public or private school. And, like everything else, tuition continues to rise due to inflation.
Luckily, there are programs to assist NP students with paying for their education. For students unable to pay out-of-pocket, there are many financial aid resources for nurses, including filling out a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They can also research nursing scholarships and grants.
Hospitals and certain institutions may offer tuition reimbursement for employees who have been with the company for a set time. This benefit can help employees pay for tuition, fees, and required books. Make sure to research the requirements and budget your out-of-pocket costs.
Federal grants are also available to nurses enrolled in accredited NP programs in Tennessee. These grants help you finance your nursing degrees and may pay for some or all of your tuition and fees. In return, you must work for a few years in a critical nursing or facility shortage area after graduation.
What Can You Do With a Degree from a Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Program?
The national growth outlook for NPs is an encouraging 45% compared to other advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialties like nurse anesthetists and midwives. According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for NPs in Tennessee is $103,720. Tennessee also ranks among the top 5 states with the highest level of employment of NPs.
You can choose from various specialties in NP programs offered in Tennessee. Each program offers courses unique to a specialty and helps advance your nursing skills.
According to ZipRecruiter data accessed in June 2024, the national average for these specific NP salaries in Tennessee are:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP: $54 per hour/$112,934 annual salary
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP: $61 per hour /$126,773 annual salary year
- Family NP: $55 per hour/$113,794 annual salary
- Emergency NP: $103 per hour/$214,863 annual salary
- Pediatric NP: $65 per hour/$135,291 annual salary
According to the BLS, the national mean annual salary for NPs is $128,490 as of May 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Nurse Practitioner Programs
Tennessee is one of 11 states with the highest restrictions for advanced practice registered nurses, including NPs. State law requires Tennessee NPs to work under collaborative practice agreements with physicians. The supervising physician must be available for consultation but can be physically present or in a different practice location.
Related Resources
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