As the field of nursing continues to advance with healthcare changes and emergent technologies and practices, it’s important for nurses to stay abreast of evidence-based best practices in the field. To this end, many nurses each year commit to undergoing an RN to BSN program to complete their degree. This advancement, while stressful, opens new pathways for success – both for patients and for nurses themselves.
2027 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee Tech
Cookeville, TN - Public 4-Year - tntech.edu
RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN program
Online Learning - Visit Website
Tennessee Technological University's online RN-to-BSN program, offered through the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, is designed for registered nurses with an ASN or ADN seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The curriculum builds on associate-level education to expand clinical reasoning, leadership, and community health competencies. Delivered entirely online, the flexible format accommodates working professionals, allowing them to balance career and personal obligations. The program also emphasizes preparation for advanced nursing roles and graduate study. Tennessee Tech is known for its commitment to nursing excellence, and the program is military-friendly, making it an attractive option for veteran nurses. This degree completion pathway equips graduates for broader healthcare responsibilities and leadership positions.
- Online program format
- For nurses with ASN/ADN
- Part of Whitson-Hester School
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - Public 4-Year - utk.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Tennessee–Knoxville's RN to BSN is a 100% online completion program for associate degree-prepared nurses. This bachelor's-level track requires 34 credit hours and can be completed in as little as one year thanks to eight-week courses and flexible full- or part-time scheduling. The curriculum includes transcultural nursing, pathophysiology, health assessment, healthcare informatics, population health, pharmacotherapeutics, evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, professional role development, and a portfolio capstone. Clinicals are completed virtually or close to home, so no campus travel is needed. With two start dates per year (fall and spring) and a 2.0 GPA minimum, it's designed for working RNs. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is explicitly required. The program is military-friendly and offers dedicated faculty advisors.
- 1-Year program
- Complete in within a calendar year
- 34 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 100% online format
- No travel to campus required
- Eight-week course format
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN - Public 4-Year - apsu.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Austin Peay State University offers a fully online RN to BSN program tailored for working registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma. This CCNE-accredited program requires no entrance exam (ACT/SAT not needed) and features accelerated 7-week courses with five annual start dates, allowing completion in as little as 12 months. The 30-credit curriculum covers pathophysiology, community nursing, leadership, research, and healthcare trends, with electives in holistic, wound care, or emergency nursing. Students benefit from 100% asynchronous learning, clinical hours at their workplace, and a Pathways to Certification initiative. Designed for flexibility, it supports full-time and part-time study, making it an affordable, career-friendly pathway to advanced nursing roles.
- CCNE accredited
- 3 concentration options
- No entrance exam required
- 1-Year program
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- 30 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 5 start dates per year
- Starts winter/spring/summer/fall
- Asynchronous online classes
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN - Private 4-year - lmunet.edu
RN to BSN - RN-BSN Option
Online Learning - Visit Website
Lincoln Memorial University's RN-BSN Option is an online degree completion program for RNs with an ASN or diploma. The curriculum prepares nurses as generalist caregivers for individuals, families, and communities, opening doors to career mobility and graduate study. Offered fully online with optional seat courses at three campus locations, it suits working professionals. The Caylor School of Nursing emphasizes professional development, enabling RNs to pursue leadership roles. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required. Graduates gain enhanced career opportunities and a foundation for advanced education.
- Designed for RNs with ASN or diploma
- Offered completely online
- Prepares for graduate education in nursing
- Career mobility for associate degree nurses
- Caring for individuals, families, communities
- Optional seat courses at three locations
Union University
Jackson, TN - Private 4-year - uu.edu
RN to BSN - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Union University's RN-BSN track is an online program for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma, featuring courses in health assessment, research, legal/ethical issues, technology, pharmacology, leadership, community nursing, and a capstone. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months, with rolling admissions and fall or spring start dates. Tuition is $400 per credit hour, totaling 121 credits, with a $50 application fee and a 2.5 GPA requirement. Financial aid is available. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is mentioned for admission; instead, requirements include CPR certification, drug screen, background check, physical exam, and immunizations upon acceptance. Transfer credits are accepted for prior nursing education, and the curriculum integrates Christian studies courses. The program is delivered nationwide through Union's online E-Campus for working RNs.
- $400 per credit
- 18-Month program
- 121 total credit hours
- Rolling admissions
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- $50 application fee
- Financial aid available
- Available nationwide online
Fast & Affordable Program Options
One of the best ways you can level up your career as a nurse is by getting a BSN degree. One of the fastest and most affordable ways to do that is to enroll in an RN to BSN degree program. THese programs are shorter than a typical BSN degree program because they build on the nurses existing experience and training, saving you more money and time in your busy schedule.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
By design, an RN to BSN program is supposed to be fast. Still, the actual time you’ll spend in class will depend on the specific program. Most RN to BSN programs can be completed in two years but in some cases, students can expect an even faster trajectory, often graduating in as little as a year or even a few months! Here are a few examples of the fastest RN to BSN programs available in Tennessee.
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| Tennessee State University | Online RN to BSN | 2 Semesters |
| University of Memphis | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
Yes, they do, but they’re somewhat rare, especially in Tennessee. You can definitely expect to find RN to BSN programs under two years in Tennessee (as demonstrated above) but to be eligible for 6-month RN to BSN degree programs, you’ll need to have a large number of transferable credits and you’ll need to locate a school that accepts them.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
Apart from the timeliness of an RN to BSN program, many students are particularly happy with the price. Because you will only be required to enroll for a period of one to two years for your BSN, this means that you will likely only be paying around half the cost compared to a traditional BSN program. Keep in mind that your cost may be more or less costly depending on your state residency status and the cost of living and textbooks in the area where you are enrolling. That being said, here are a few of the cheapest RN to BSN programs in Tennessee.
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| Austin Peay State University | Online RN to BSN | $8,431 per year (Resident) $13,975 per year (Non-Resident) |
| Tennessee State University | Online RN to BSN | $8,336 per year (Resident) $21,692 per year (Non-Resident) |
Learn more about the most Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.
See Related Articles
Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Whether you’ve been in the workforce for a short while or a longer term, returning to the classroom to complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can seem overwhelming. Below, we’ve included some of the most common admissions criteria that appear throughout accredited RN to BSN programs in Tennessee.
- Be fully admitted to your university of choice by the application deadline
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 (cumulative)
- Have graduated from an accredited RN diploma program, also known as an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Complete all nursing prerequisites with a minimum of ‘C’ in ADN coursework
- Have an unencumbered nursing license valid for the state of Tennessee
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Austin Peay State University in Clarksville strives for the year on year betterment of their online RN to BSN programming with the philosophy that now is the time for nurses to upgrade and update their credentials. Offered fully online, the program offers such courses as the following to help nurses bridge knowledge and experiential gaps between ADN and BSN.
- NURS 4151 – Community and Public Health Nursing Clinical
- NURS 4170 – Leadership and Management of Professional Nursing
- NURS 4171 – Leadership and Management of Professional Nursing Clinical
- NURS 4180 Trends and Issues of Professional Nursing
2026 List of RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee
Check out the best RN to BSN programs in Tennessee in our listings.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Browse Our List of Programs
Athens, TN
Tennessee Wesleyan University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $370 per credit
- 1-Year program
- Complete in as little as one year
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Employer reimbursement supported
- Financial aid available
- Clinical projects in your hometown
Bristol, TN
King University
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses
Online Learning - Website
- 4-Semester program
- 48 total credit hours
- Full-time enrollment
- Cohort-based structure
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Work experience required
- Capstone required
Clarksville, TN
Austin Peay State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 3 concentration options
- No entrance exam required
- 1-Year program
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- 30 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 5 start dates per year
Collegedale, TN
Southern Adventist University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- ACEN accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Part-time available
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/winter/summer
- Seamless transition from AS to BSN
- Christian learning environment
- Two delivery options: on-campus and online
Cookeville, TN
Tennessee Tech
- RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN program
Online Learning - Website
- Online program format
- For nurses with ASN/ADN
- Part of Whitson-Hester School
Harrogate, TN
Lincoln Memorial University
- RN to BSN - RN-BSN Option
Online Learning - Website
- Designed for RNs with ASN or diploma
- Offered completely online
- Prepares for graduate education in nursing
- Career mobility for associate degree nurses
- Caring for individuals, families, communities
- Optional seat courses at three locations
Jackson, TN
Union University
- RN to BSN - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- $400 per credit
- 18-Month program
- 121 total credit hours
- Rolling admissions
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- $50 application fee
Johnson City, TN
East Tennessee State University
- RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $487 per credit
- 120 total credit hours
- Starts summer
- Asynchronous online classes
- Cohort-based structure
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
Knoxville, TN
South College
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- 100% online classes
- RN to BSN program
- Bachelor's degree level
- As little as 1 year
- Flexible for working RNs
- Virtual laboratory experiences
- In-person clinical experiences
- Current RN license required
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 1-Year program
- Complete in within a calendar year
- 34 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 100% online format
Martin, TN
The University of Tennessee-Martin
- RN to BSN - Nursing (RN-BSN)
Campus Based - Website
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
- 4-Semester program
- 90% job placement rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- 100% online coursework
- Simulation lab enhances education
- Clinical experiences at local agencies
- Small class sizes
Mckenzie, TN
Bethel University
- RN to BSN - Nursing - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 128 total credit hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Financial aid available
- All classes offered online
- Clinicals completed locally
- 10-week course terms
- Two classes per term full-time
Nashville, TN
Belmont University
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Online Learning - Website
- Capstone required
- Established in 1986
- Accredited since inception
- Up to 30 hours prior nursing credit
- Challenge exams or portfolio review
- Individualized curriculum for RNs
- Accepts licensed RNs
- Total hours required: 128-129
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus
- RN to BSN - Online RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 12-16 months full-time
- Online class mode
- 6 start times per year
- No application fee
- No essays required
- Active RN license required
- Official college transcript required
- Transfer credits accepted
Lipscomb University
- RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- ACEN, Tennessee Board of Nursing accredited
- Complete in within 27 months
- 128 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts spring/fall
- 90% job placement rate
- 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Capstone required
Pulaski, TN
The University of Tennessee Southern
- RN to BSN - RN-BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 2-Semester program
- May be completed in two full-time semesters
- 120 total credit hours
- 8 total courses
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Work experience required