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) program prepares caring, competent graduates to deliver excellent evidence-based care across the lifespan. The curriculum blends theory with hands-on practice using state-of-the-art human simulators. Students gain real-world experience through community health fairs and transcultural nursing trips abroad. With 1,080 clinical hours, graduates are ready for the NCLEX and achieve a 100% pass rate. Career paths include flight, palliative, telehealth, and forensics nursing. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Multiple endowed scholarships and tuition reimbursement from healthcare systems make it accessible. Ranked first in Tennessee for pass rate, Cumberland's BSN offers a supportive learning environment with 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 program that prepares students to become registered nurses. This two-year program is available at three campuses in Gallatin, Livingston, and Springfield, with cohort starts each summer and fall. The curriculum combines general education, science, and nursing coursework with hands-on clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The program features competitive point-based admission and limited enrollment, ensuring a focused learning environment. Designed with transfer pathways in mind, the program articulates smoothly into bachelor's degree programs. Students benefit from small cohort sizes and dedicated faculty support, gaining the skills needed for a rewarding nursing career.

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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a direct-entry program that immerses students in clinical experiences from their sophomore year. With 100% clinical placement across Nashville's top health systems, including HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, students gain hands-on training in diverse settings. The curriculum blends classroom learning, simulation in a 60,000-square-foot center, and clinical practice. Graduates are prepared for careers as registered nurses in acute care, pediatrics, public health, and more. The program boasts a 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate and is designated a National League of Nursing Center of Excellence. Small class sizes and study abroad opportunities enrich the student experience.

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 University's Community & Partner College Nursing Bridge to BSN Program offers a streamlined path for students who have completed general education and prerequisites at partner colleges. This campus-based program builds on prior learning, blending prerequisite courses with upper-level nursing coursework in care management, experiential learning, and nursing scholarship. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers in hospital acute care, intensive care, emergency nursing, public health, case management, and healthcare leadership. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural sensitivity. Distinctive features include small class and clinical groups, state-of-the-art simulation facilities, discounted tuition for partner college students, and priority admission to the DNP program. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary simulations with other health professions, and service-learning opportunities abroad. With a 91% NCLEX pass rate and over 99% job placement within six months, this program provides a strong foundation for a rewarding nursing career.

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

The Traditional B.S.N. Program at Tennessee State University prepares students for a rewarding nursing career through a comprehensive curriculum focused on holistic, ethical, and culturally sensitive care. Students develop clinical judgment, leadership skills, and effective communication through collaborative projects and community engagement. The program emphasizes patient-centered care across the lifespan, using evidence-based practice and current technology. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue careers in diverse healthcare settings. With a strong employment record and a supportive learning environment, TSU's BSN program cultivates fearless and compassionate nurses ready to think, work, and serve their communities.

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

Lipscomb University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares you for a rewarding career in nursing through a blend of rigorous academics and hands-on clinical experience. You'll train in five foundational nursing areas—obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, critical care, and medical/surgical—accumulating 32 credit hours of clinical placements in top healthcare facilities. The program boasts a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate and a perfect job placement rate, reflecting the strength of its curriculum and faculty support. With a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you receive personalized mentorship in a Christian community focused on healing both body and soul. Whether you aim to work in a hospital, clinic, private practice, or mission field, this BSN equips you with the critical thinking and compassion needed to thrive in today's healthcare environment.

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

Lipscomb University's Accelerated BSN is a 16-month hybrid program for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. You'll build on your prior education with a rigorous curriculum covering nursing science, holistic care, evidence-based practice, and professional leadership. Through small classes and a state-of-the-art simulation lab, you'll gain hands-on skills before entering clinical rotations at Nashville's top health care facilities—right in the nation's health care capital. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue careers as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. With ACEN accreditation and a 100% career placement rate, this second-degree track offers a fast, supportive path to a rewarding nursing career.

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.