Nursing Programs in Nashville, TN

Last Updated On Aug 1, 2026

Expert Verified: Melanie Shaw, MSN, RN, CCRN

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Nashville

Rankings help prospective students identify programs with proven success in preparing graduates for the NCLEX. Our ranking of the best nursing schools in Nashville uses NCLEX pass rates as the sole criterion. Registerednursing.org has analyzed data from local programs to create these rankings. For methodology details, see https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Nashville nursing programs have shown strong exam performance overall, with average pass rates exceeding 92% each year. The slight decline in 2022 was followed by a rebound to near-perfect scores in 2023 and 2024.

2022: 92.99% average pass rate (110 students)
2023: 99.12% average pass rate (107 students)
2024: 98.74% average pass rate (103 students)

Yearly Nursing Graduates

The number of nursing graduates in Nashville has slightly declined over the past three years, from 110 in 2022 to 103 in 2024. This trend may reflect changing cohort sizes at area programs.

2024: 103 graduates
2023: 107 graduates
2022: 110 graduates

Pass Rate by Program Size

Smaller nursing programs in Nashville demonstrate perfect pass rates, while medium-sized programs also perform exceptionally well. No large programs (>100 students/year) were present in the dataset.

Small (<50 students/year): 100% pass rate (38 students)
Medium (50-100 students/year): 98% pass rate (65 students)

Biggest Improvements

Among Nashville nursing schools, Volunteer State Community College showed the most dramatic improvement, with a 12-percentage-point increase in pass rates. These gains highlight the potential for programs to elevate student outcomes.

Volunteer State Community College: +12 points (88% to 100%)
Cumberland University: +1 point (97% to 98%)

Consistently High Performing Schools

Two Nashville nursing schools maintained average pass rates above 90% across multiple years, demonstrating sustained excellence in preparing students for licensure.

Cumberland University: 98.32% average pass rate (186 students, 3 years)
Volunteer State Community College: 94.91% average pass rate (134 students, 3 years)

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN - Private 4-year - cumberland.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Cumberland University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) delivers a balanced curriculum of theory, high-fidelity simulation, and practical experiences, including community health fairs and transcultural nursing trips abroad. Students complete 1,080 clinical hours, preparing for NCLEX success; recent pass rates are 97% (2022), 100% (2023), and 98% (2024). The program boasts a 100% job placement rate and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Graduates pursue diverse careers such as flight, palliative, telehealth, or forensics nursing. Financial aid, endowed scholarships, and tuition reimbursement from healthcare systems enhance accessibility. The military-friendly program is noted for its supportive learning environment and dedicated faculty.

100% licensure pass rate
100% job placement rate
1080 clinical hours
Prepares for NCLEX
Employer reimbursement supported
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
11:1 student to faculty ratio
State-of-the-art human simulators
Transcultural nursing trips abroad

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, TN - Public 2-Year - volstate.edu

Associate - Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Volunteer State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree at its Gallatin, Livingston, and Springfield campuses. This two-year ADN program starts new cohorts every summer and fall, blending general education, sciences, and hands-on clinical practice. Admission is competitive and point-based, requiring prerequisite courses and a minimum 2.9 GPA; limited enrollment keeps cohorts small, fostering personalized faculty support. The curriculum is designed for direct entry into practice and articulates seamlessly into RN-to-BSN programs. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN, and recent pass rates demonstrate outstanding outcomes: 88% (2022), 98% (2023), and 100% (2024).

2-Year program
2 start dates per year
Starts summer/fall
Cohort-based structure
2.9 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Three campus locations
Competitive point-based admission
Articulation to BSN programs

Belmont University

Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - belmont.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing, B.S.N.

Campus Based - Visit Website

Belmont University's four-year direct-entry BSN provides clinical experiences starting in the sophomore year, with 100% placement across Nashville's top health systems, including HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The curriculum fuses classroom instruction, practice in a 60,000-square-foot simulation center, and rotations in acute care, pediatrics, and public health. This CCNE-accredited, NLN Center of Excellence program achieves NCLEX pass rates of 83% (2022), 96% (2023), and 99% (2024), plus 99% job placement. Small class sizes, global study-abroad opportunities, financial aid, and scholarships enrich the experience. Interdenominational and military-friendly, the program prepares graduates for RN licensure. No ACT/SAT entrance exam requirement is indicated in the program information.

CCNE accredited
4-Year program
98% licensure pass rate
99% job placement rate
Prepares for NCLEX
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
100% clinical placement
Direct entry to BSN program
NLN Center of Excellence

Bachelor's - Nursing, B.S.N. (Community College Bridge Program)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Belmont's Community College Bridge to BSN is an accelerated, campus-based option for students who complete prerequisites at partner institutions. Over two years, participants take upper-level nursing courses in care management, experiential learning, and nursing scholarship, with an emphasis on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural sensitivity. Career paths include acute care, ICU, emergency nursing, public health, case management, and leadership. Distinctive benefits include small clinical groups, advanced simulation labs, discounted tuition for partner-college students, priority admission to Belmont's DNP program, and service-learning trips abroad. A 3.3 GPA is required. Belmont BSN graduates achieved a 99% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, with over 99% placement within six months. ACT/SAT requirements are not specified.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
2-Year program
Complete in in as little as two years
Starts fall
91% licensure pass rate
99% job placement rate
3.3 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX
Discounted tuition for partner colleges

Show 1 More Programs ˅

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN - Public 4-Year - tnstate.edu

Bachelor's - Traditional B.S.N. Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Tennessee State University offers a Traditional B.S.N. designed to prepare ethically grounded, culturally sensitive nurses. As an HBCU and military-friendly institution, TSU emphasizes holistic care, evidence-based practice, and community engagement, while developing clinical judgment and leadership through collaborative projects. Graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare settings, supported by a strong employment record. Admission requires prerequisite courses, but the program does not explicitly state an ACT or SAT requirement; applicants should verify current policies. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates highlight strong exam preparation: 100% in both 2022 (2 test-takers) and 2023 (4), and 93% in 2024 (14), demonstrating consistent success on the licensure exam.

Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Think. Work. Serve.
TSU made me well prepared to become a nurse.
Coordinate plans of care
Model effective leadership

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - lipscomb.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lipscomb University is an on-campus program that combines classroom instruction with immersive clinical training across obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, critical care, and medical/surgical nursing. Students complete 32 credit hours of clinical placements in Nashville healthcare facilities, supported by an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a Christian perspective on holistic care. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates demonstrate strong outcomes: 92% (2022), 96% (2023), and 93% (2024), while 100% of graduates secure jobs. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and compassionate care. As a military-friendly institution affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Lipscomb offers a supportive environment with opportunities for service.

100% licensure pass rate
100% job placement rate
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
32 credit hours of clinical placements
Training in five nursing areas

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, Lipscomb’s Accelerated BSN delivers a fast-track path to nursing in a hybrid format over 16 months. The ACEN-accredited program comprises 62 credit hours with coursework in nursing science, holistic care, evidence-based practice, and professional leadership, plus hands-on simulation lab training and clinical rotations in Nashville’s top hospitals. Tuition is $899 per credit, and admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of prerequisite courses (with science prerequisites valid for 10 years). A BLS-CPR certification is needed before starting. The program boasts a 100% career placement rate and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. It is also military-friendly and open to students from any church background.

ACEN accredited
$899 per credit
16-Month program
62 total credit hours
Starts fall
100% job placement rate
3.0 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Financial aid available
Hybrid online and in-person format

Show 1 More Programs ˅

*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2025. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Nashville, TN

For aspiring nurses with no prior training or experience, an entry-level training program is the best place to find out if a career in nursing is right for you. In the Nashville area, there are a few options for entry-level nursing programs, including LPN to RN programs, Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, and one direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing program. Each of these programs trains students for their first professional job in the nursing field.

LPN to RN Programs

Many licensed practical nurses decide to pursue their RN license in order to earn a higher wage and take on more patient care responsibilities. LPN to RN programs help practical nurses do just that and earn either their ADN or BSN in the process. Tennessee College of Applied Science offers an LPN to BSN program in a hybrid online/on-campus program that can be taken on a full- or part-time basis to accommodate working practical nurses.

ADN Programs

The ADN degree is offered at many community colleges and vocational schools and generally takes around two years to complete. These programs provide basic nursing education and prepare students to take the NCLEX licensing exam. One example of these programs is found at Nashville State Community College, which places students in clinical settings in middle Tennessee for clinical practice hours.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

BSN programs are becoming more popular entry points to the nursing profession as more employers are seeking candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher education level. BSN programs take longer to complete than ADN programs and generally include additional general education courses as well as a more in-depth nursing curriculum. Belmont University, as an example, offers a traditional BSN program as well as an accelerated BSN program that allows students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject to earn the BSN in just 16 months of full-time study.

Find out more about Tennessee Accelerated BSN Programs

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

A less common entry point to nursing is the direct-entry MSN program, which is generally offered to students who have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and would like to earn a master’s-level education in nursing. The direct-entry MSN program at Vanderbilt University program includes three semesters of study for the bachelor’s level degree in nursing, followed by three semesters or more of the master’s-level study of nursing.

Find out more about Tennessee Direct Entry MSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Nashville, TN

If you are a working nurse with a valid RN license and an ADN degree, there are specially designed programs in which you can earn a higher nursing degree in a shorter amount of time than a traditional BSN or MSN program. So-called “bridge” programs because they provide a bridge between one degree and the next, RN to BSN/MSN programs can put your dreams of a new career in nursing within reach.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs can be completed in as little as one year of study, and are often offered in an online format to accommodate working nurses. For RNs in Nashville, there are several online options, as well as an RN to BSN program at Tennessee State University that offers admission in the summer semester and is completed in one calendar year.

Learn more about Tennessee RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

Nurses who want to become advanced practice nurses may be interested in RN to MSN programs, such as the one offered at Vanderbilt University, which is in a modified block format that features concentrated blocks of time on campus supplemented with online conferencing and recorded lecture delivery and can be completed in two years of study.

Learn more about Tennessee RN to MSN Programs

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

We've rounded up a list of RN to BSN/MSN programs designed for registered nurses ready to take the next step. The table below breaks down each school by city and state, gives a snapshot of program highlights, and provides direct links to official program pages. Use this resource to compare options and find a program that fits your needs.

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

*Source: U.S. DOE, IPEDS 2025 collection, National Center for Education Statistics.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nashville, TN

For nurses who are serious about advancing their careers in the nursing field, an advanced practice degree is a next step. These programs, which include traditional MSN, graduate certificate programs, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, prepare nurses for careers as nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, administrators, and educators.

MSN Programs

MSN programs prepare nurses for careers as nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nursing specialties, and generally allow students to specialize their studies along a particular career track. Tennessee State University offers an MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner program that includes coursework on nursing theory, research, health policy, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and family health nursin,g and 600 hours of clinical practice.

Find out more about Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Nurses who have already earned their MSN but would like to learn a new advanced practice specialty can seek out a post-graduate certificate program. These programs offer master’s-level specialty nursing courses that prepare nurses with their MSN for certification exams in a new specialty. For example, Belmont University offers a 24-credit hour post-master’s certificate program in the family nurse practitioner role.

Learn more about Tennessee Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP Programs

The highest level of advanced practice nursing education is the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. DNP programs may be designed for nurses with BSN degrees or MSN degrees. Belmont University offers both types of DNP programs, offered in a hybrid format with intensive classes held during four weekends each semester and supplemented by online coursework.

Learn more about Tennessee DNP Programs

List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Nashville

Looking for advanced practice nursing programs in Nashville? This table highlights APRN options, including MSN, DNP, and NP tracks. Find city and state details, program highlights, and direct links to each school's program page. Use this list to compare options and take the next step toward a rewarding nursing career.