Best Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Tennessee

After your first few years of nursing, there may come a point where you start to consider your options for advancing your career. One way that many RNs decide to do this is by becoming a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners in Tennessee often practice independently, similarly to physicians, and often specialize in specific areas such as cardiology or neurology. You can also look forward to higher-paying salaries and more job security, especially in areas like Memphis or Nashville, where the need for nurse practitioners is much higher. Jump to program listings.

2025 - Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee

RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee highlights the top online programs for aspiring nurse practitioners. Programs are evaluated based on key factors like completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty expertise. To learn more about how we determine our rankings, visit the methodology page.

1.

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University offers highly regarded nurse practitioner programs within their College of Nursing. Their programs emphasize hands-on clinical experience and a patient-centered approach, guided by the nursing department's philosophy of promoting health and well-being through evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. Graduates from ETSU's nurse practitioner programs are well-equipped to provide high-quality, compassionate care to diverse patient populations.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Online/Hybrid
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate Campus

DNP Programs

• BSN to DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• MSN to DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid
• BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• MSN to DNP: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Online/Hybrid
• BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• MSN to DNP: Adult Nurse Practitioner/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (ANP/GNP) Online/Hybrid
• BSN to DNP: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• BSN to DNP: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• BSN to DNP: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

2.

King University

Bristol, TN

King University offers highly competitive nurse practitioner programs, with a focus on evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration. The nursing department emphasizes hands-on clinical experience and a patient-centered approach, preparing graduates to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to diverse populations. With state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty, King University's nurse practitioner programs are at the forefront of advancing the nursing profession.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post Master's Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master’s Certificate Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Online/Hybrid
• MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

3.

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

The University of Memphis offers nurse practitioner programs that prepare students for advanced practice in various specialties. Their nursing department is committed to promoting diversity and cultural competence, while also emphasizing evidence-based practice and innovation. With a focus on collaboration and leadership, graduates of these programs are equipped to provide high-quality, patient-centered care to diverse populations.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Master of Science in Nursing Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner Online Campus

MSN Programs

• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Master of Science in Nursing, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

“Fast and affordable” isn’t always the way that nurses describe graduate school, but if you know where to look, you can find plenty of options in Tennessee that fit your budget and your schedule. Below, we’ll break down the cheapest and quickest types of NP programs available and how you can access them.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

You may be surprised to learn that even though the role of a registered nurse is very different from a nurse practitioner, the training involved can be completed in as little as two years following a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). This amount of time can be shortened even more if you have transferable credits and you are able to utilize online classes and summer classes.

Between the two nurse practitioner options (a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice), an MSN is usually the quickest as a DNP can take as much as 8 years to complete. Here are a few of the fastest ones in Tennessee:

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

Unfortunately, many nurses wait many years before deciding on going back to school for their NP education because they’re worried that it will cost too much money. Unbeknownst to them, there are many affordable nurse practitioner programs that allow them to save money, especially if they have established residency in Tennessee. Here are a few of the cheapest nurse practitioner programs in the state:

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

One of the coolest things about becoming a nurse practitioner is that a lot of the graduate programs you’ll be required to take to become one offer ways to get specialized training in a variety of practice areas. This makes getting certified much easier. Here are a few examples of specialized nurse practitioner programs in the state:

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

In this guide, we’ve focused primarily on MSN programs due to the fact that they are a very popular option for most nurses who decide to become nurse practitioners due to their length and cost. However, there are plenty of other nurse practitioner degree programs available that may be more suitable for your specific needs. Below is a complete list of the types of nurse practitioner programs available in Tennessee.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

As mentioned, most nursing students decide on Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs due to their speed, cost, and their entry requirements. They take about two years to complete. Here are some examples available in Tennessee:

• University of Memphis – Memphis, TN
• Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN

RN to NP Programs

RN to NP programs, also referred to as RN to MSN and ADN/ASN to MSN programs, are a fast-tracked bridge program version of a traditional MSN. If you have an RN license and an associate degree in nursing, you can likely use this type of program to graduate with your MSN in around four years. Here are a few that are available in Tennessee:

• East Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN
• Tennessee Tech University – Cookeville, TN

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree an NP can obtain. These programs typically take 4-6 years to complete, though this may be higher or lower depending on the number of credits you enroll with. DNP programs located in Tennessee include:

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
• East Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

If you’ve already graduated from a nurse practitioner programs but are unhappy with your specialization or would like to specialize in an additional area, you can enroll in a Post-Master's Nursing Certificate without having to re-enter an MSN program. These programs are very quick, usually leading to graduation in a year or less. The following Tennessee schools offer these types of programs:

• Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN
• East Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) programs, also called direct-entry or accelerated MSN programs, are perfect for students who have already graduated from a bachelor’s degree program with a non-nursing major but would like to become nurse practitioners without getting another bachelor’s degree. They are longer than a traditional MSN program, but they are shorter than having to earn two degrees. Here are a few located in Tennessee:

• The University of the South – Sewanee, TN

General Admissions Requirements

The type of admissions requirements you’ll need to meet will depend on which schools you apply to, however, in general, you can expect to be asked to provide:

• BSN from an accredited school
• Transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
• Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
• Resume or CV

Tennessee NP License and Certification Requirements

If you’re ready to begin working as a nurse practitioner, the final step is getting licensed and certified in the State of Tennessee. To get licensed, you’ll need to provide proof of your RN licensure and transcripts verifying your educational credentials, whether you’ve graduated with an MSN or DNP. Additionally, you must also complete the official application form and pay a license fee, which typically amounts to around $210. Specific details and instructions for the application process can be found through Tennessee’s nursing board.

To practice as an NP in Tennessee, certification in a specialty area is mandatory. Certification can be obtained through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other national certification bodies, depending on the NP’s area of focus. Most certification exams require candidates to have both a current RN license and a graduate-level degree in their chosen specialty.

Unlike some states, Tennessee requires NPs to maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe medications. This means that while NPs have significant autonomy, they still need physician oversight for certain aspects of care. This requirement makes Tennessee a “reduced practice” state.

List of NP Programs in Tennessee

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