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.
2026 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee
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 a strategic online RN to BSN program tailored for working nurses seeking career advancement. Exclusively delivered through digital platforms, the curriculum spans 34 credit hours with flexible eight-week course modules. Ideal for registered nurses holding an associate's degree or nursing diploma, this program eliminates campus residency requirements, enabling professionals to balance work and academic pursuits. Designed for maximum accessibility, students can choose part-time or full-time enrollment. Admission criteria include maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA, possessing valid RN licensure, and completing an associate nursing degree. The program's innovative structure allows degree completion within a single calendar year, making it an efficient pathway for nursing 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
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's fully online RN-to-BSN program offers registered nurses a strategic pathway to advance their professional credentials through a flexible and efficient curriculum. Designed with working healthcare professionals in mind, the program enables students to complete their degree in just three semesters with asynchronous coursework. CCNE-accredited and featuring practicum opportunities within current workplaces, this program allows nurses to enhance leadership skills and expand career opportunities. Military-friendly with competitive tuition rates starting at $464 per credit hour, the program provides scholarships and summer term start options, making it an accessible and attractive option for career-driven nurses seeking academic progression.
- 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
Tennessee Tech
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 offers a strategic pathway for licensed registered nurses with an Associate Degree to elevate their professional credentials. Engineered with a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice, the program provides working nurses unprecedented flexibility to advance their education. Students benefit from a dynamic online learning environment that accommodates professional schedules while developing advanced nursing competencies. The program requires an active RN license and an existing ADN/ASN degree, positioning graduates for expanded career opportunities and enhanced clinical responsibilities. Notably, the curriculum is meticulously designed to transform practicing nurses into sophisticated healthcare professionals capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse healthcare settings.
- 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.
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN - Public 4-Year - apsu.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Austin Peay State University's online RN to BSN program provides an innovative educational pathway for registered nurses seeking career advancement. Tailored for working professionals with an associate degree, this comprehensive program allows complete flexibility through 100% online coursework and accelerated 7-week courses. Students can finish their degree in just 12 months, benefiting from multiple annual start dates and CCNE accreditation. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, leadership development, and holistic patient care strategies. Uniquely, the program offers specialized certification pathways in holistic nursing, wound care, and emergency room nursing. With no entrance exam requirement, military-friendly policies, and affordable in-state tuition, this program enables nurses to expand their professional opportunities while maintaining work-life balance.
- 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
- Military tuition benefits
- Supportive faculty
Union University
Jackson, TN - Private 4-year - uu.edu
Bachelor's - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Union University's innovative online RN-BSN program offers registered nurses a dynamic 18-month pathway to academic advancement. Tailored for working professionals with active RN licenses, this comprehensive program enables students to enhance nursing expertise without disrupting current employment. The curriculum delves into sophisticated nursing domains including health assessment, evidence-based research, healthcare ethics, and community health strategies. With a flexible online format, students nationwide can complete coursework conveniently while maintaining professional responsibilities. The program requires an unencumbered RN license, maintains a 2.5 GPA threshold, and includes a comprehensive capstone course. Notably, the program costs $400 per credit hour and provides rolling admissions, making educational progression accessible and streamlined for practicing nurses.
- 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
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.
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
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:
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 Tech
- 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