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.

2025 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee

Looking for the best online RN to BSN programs in Tennessee? RegisteredNursing.org has you covered. We rank programs to help you find the right fit for your career goals. Our list considers key factors like flexibility, cost, and support services. Start your journey to a BSN today with a program that meets your needs. Learn more about how we rank programs here.

#1

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN - Public 4-Year - utk.edu

Bachelor's - RN to BSN

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers an online RN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking to elevate their qualifications. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing students to balance work and study through eight-week courses, all delivered online without the need for campus visits. Nurses can achieve their BSN in just one year, with the program requiring 34 credit hours. Admission criteria include a 2.0 GPA minimum, an active RN license, and an associate degree in nursing. The program's adaptability is further highlighted by its part-time and full-time study options, catering to the diverse needs of working professionals.

  • Fully online nursing program
  • Complete in one calendar year
  • 34 online credit hours
  • Flexible start dates
  • No campus visits required
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA required
  • Part-time and full-time options
  • Eight-week course format
#2

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN - Public 4-Year - etsu.edu

Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN

Online Learning - Visit Website

East Tennessee State University offers an exceptional online RN-to-BSN program tailored for registered nurses aiming to elevate their professional standing. This program stands out for its 100% online format, allowing nurses to balance work and study seamlessly. With a curriculum that can be completed in just three semesters, it's designed for efficiency without sacrificing depth. The program is CCNE accredited, ensuring high-quality education that meets national standards. Unique features include the opportunity to conduct practicum hours at your current workplace, making it incredibly convenient for working professionals. Affordable tuition and scholarship opportunities further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for nurses in Tennessee.

  • 100% Online Program
  • Flexible Three-Semester Track
  • CCNE Accredited Program
  • Tuition from $464/credit hour
  • Summer Term Start
  • Practicum in Current Workplace
  • Asynchronous Course Delivery
  • Scholarships Available
#3

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN - Private 4-year - lmunet.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BSN Option

Online Learning - Visit Website

Lincoln Memorial University's RN-BSN Option is a fully online program tailored for registered nurses holding an ASN or nursing diploma, seeking to advance their careers and educational qualifications. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing students to complete general education requirements while progressing through the nursing curriculum. It emphasizes comprehensive patient care across the wellness-illness continuum, preparing graduates for professional roles and further graduate education. Admission prerequisites include an active RN license and an ASN from an accredited institution, catering to motivated nurses ready to enhance their expertise and opportunities in the nursing field.

  • Fully online program.
  • Designed for RNs with ASN.
  • Prepares for graduate education.
  • Flexible general education completion.
  • Focuses on comprehensive care.
  • Requires RN licensure for admission.
  • ASN from accredited institution needed.
  • Career advancement opportunities.
  • Professional role preparation.
  • Tailored for dedicated professionals.
#4

Union University

Jackson, TN - Private 4-year - uu.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BSN

Online Learning - Visit Website

Union University's online RN-BSN program is tailored for registered nurses seeking to elevate their qualifications without sacrificing their current roles. This program stands out for its accelerated 18-month completion timeline, offering a blend of online coursework that covers essential nursing competencies from health assessment to ethical practices in healthcare. With a focus on leadership and community nursing, it prepares graduates for broader responsibilities in various healthcare settings. The program's affordability at $400 per credit hour and rolling admissions make it an accessible option for many. A 2.5 GPA and an unencumbered RN license are prerequisites, ensuring a committed and qualified cohort.

  • Online flexible learning format
  • $400 per credit hour
  • 18-month completion timeline
  • Nationwide program availability
  • Requires 2.5 GPA
  • Unencumbered RN licensure needed
  • 27 nursing requirement hours
  • Rolling admissions process
  • Capstone course included
#5

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN - Public 4-Year - tntech.edu

Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Tennessee Technological University's online RN-to-BSN program is tailored for registered nurses with an ADN or ASN, aiming to elevate their nursing practice through a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing working nurses to seamlessly integrate their studies with professional duties. Admission prerequisites include an active RN license and an ADN/ASN degree, ensuring a cohort of motivated professionals ready to advance their careers. Graduates are well-prepared to take on higher responsibilities in diverse healthcare settings, making this program a strategic step for those looking to enhance their professional trajectory in nursing.

  • Online RN-to-BSN program.
  • For ADN/ASN holders.
  • Focus on leadership skills.
  • Community health emphasis.
  • Evidence-based practice curriculum.
  • Flexible for working nurses.
  • Active RN license required.
  • Prepares for higher responsibilities.
  • Enhances professional skills.
  • Ideal for career advancement.
*Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2023, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.

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.

SchoolDegree NameLength
Tennessee State UniversityOnline RN to BSN2 Semesters
University of MemphisOnline RN to BSN1 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.

SchoolDegree NameTuition Cost
Austin Peay State UniversityOnline RN to BSN$8,431 per year (Resident)

$13,975 per year (Non-Resident)

Tennessee State UniversityOnline RN to BSN$8,336 per year (Resident)

$21,692 per year (Non-Resident)

Learn more about the most Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.

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.

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

2025 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:

Jump to City:

Athens, TN

Tennessee Wesleyan University

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online RN to BSN
    • Complete in one year
    • $370 per credit hour
    • Minimum 2.75 GPA required
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Challenge up to 12 credits
    • Flexible clinical projects
    • Supportive faculty

Bristol, TN

King University

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online RN to BSN program
    • Designed for working nurses
    • Builds on existing nursing knowledge
    • Flexible academic pathway
    • Enhances career opportunities

Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • 100% online coursework
    • Complete in 12 months
    • Five annual start dates
    • Accelerated 7-week courses
    • No entrance exam required
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Elective certification pathways
    • Affordable in-state tuition

Collegedale, TN

Southern Adventist University

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online and on-campus options
    • ACEN accredited program
    • Part-time online completion
    • Christian learning environment
    • Transfer-friendly curriculum
    • Clinical experience integration
    • Serves diverse healthcare contexts

Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

  • Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN program

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online RN-to-BSN program.
    • For ADN/ASN holders.
    • Focus on leadership skills.
    • Community health emphasis.
    • Evidence-based practice curriculum.
    • Flexible for working nurses.
    • Active RN license required.
    • Prepares for higher responsibilities.

Greeneville, TN

Tusculum University

  • Bachelor's - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online flexible program format
    • For licensed RN associates
    • Complete general education requirements
    • Course-by-course transfer evaluation
    • Pathway to advanced nursing roles

Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

  • Bachelor's - RN-BSN Option

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online program.
    • Designed for RNs with ASN.
    • Prepares for graduate education.
    • Flexible general education completion.
    • Focuses on comprehensive care.
    • Requires RN licensure for admission.
    • ASN from accredited institution needed.
    • Career advancement opportunities.

Jackson, TN

Union University

  • Bachelor's - RN-BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online flexible learning format
    • $400 per credit hour
    • 18-month completion timeline
    • Nationwide program availability
    • Requires 2.5 GPA
    • Unencumbered RN licensure needed
    • 27 nursing requirement hours
    • Rolling admissions process

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

  • Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • 100% Online Program
    • Top-Ranked in Tennessee
    • Flexible Three-Semester Track
    • CCNE Accredited Program
    • Tuition from $464/credit hour
    • Summer Term Start
    • Practicum in Current Workplace
    • Asynchronous Course Delivery

Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online nursing program
    • Complete in one calendar year
    • 34 online credit hours
    • Flexible start dates
    • No campus visits required
    • Minimum 2.0 GPA required
    • Part-time and full-time options
    • Eight-week course format

Martin, TN

The University of Tennessee-Martin

  • Bachelor's - Nursing (RN-BSN)

    Campus Based - Website

    • 100% online coursework
    • ACEN accredited program
    • Active RN license required
    • High NCLEX exam pass rates
    • Flexible for working nurses
    • Comprehensive patient care focus
    • Leadership skill development

McKenzie, TN

Bethel University

  • Bachelor's - Nursing - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online program format.
    • 10-week course duration.
    • Local clinical requirements.
    • Full-time completion in <1 year.
    • Total program hours: 128.
    • Includes online tutoring services.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Designed for working nurses.

Memphis, TN

Christian Brothers University

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program format.
    • Complete in three semesters.
    • Focus on leadership roles.
    • Includes global health opportunities.
    • Accredited by CCNE.
    • 122 credit hours required.
    • Online coursework available.
    • Community engaged learning.

Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

  • Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online RN-to-BSN pathway
    • 32 credit hours clinical placements
    • Christian nursing perspective
    • Comprehensive healthcare training
    • 100% job placement rate
    • 11:1 student-faculty ratio
    • Hybrid learning options
    • Extensive health simulation lab
*Data accessed from: IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics.