Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Tennessee Southern is a four-year, 120-credit program that blends a strong foundation in the sciences with professional nursing coursework. Students build critical thinking and clinical skills through classroom learning, simulation labs, and hands-on clinical experiences. The curriculum covers health assessment, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and community health, preparing graduates to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care. Career paths include registered nurse, case manager, nurse educator, public health nurse, and travel nurse. The program boasts a 100% career placement rate and a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. It holds full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students benefit from personalized attention thanks to a high faculty-to-student ratio. Many Tennessee residents qualify for free tuition through institutional aid. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue advanced practice. Extracurricular opportunities include the Health Sciences Association club.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 4-Year program
• Complete in four academic years
• 120 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-07-18
• Starts fall
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed for students seeking a comprehensive nursing education. Accredited by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, this campus-based program prepares students for professional nursing roles. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical skills, ensuring graduates are ready for the healthcare field. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, with specific prerequisites. Financial aid options are available to eligible students. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and patient care, making it ideal for those committed to making a difference in healthcare.

• Accredited by Tennessee Board of Nursing.
• Campus-based learning environment.
• Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
• Hands-on practical skills training.
• Financial aid options available.
• High school diploma required.
• Prepares for professional nursing roles.
• Emphasizes critical thinking.
• Focus on patient care.

Lee University's BSN Traditional Track is a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. It admits three groups: first-time freshmen, current Lee students, and transfer students. Students must first be accepted to the university before applying to the nursing major. They start as pre-nursing and must complete prerequisite courses. Admission is competitive with limited space, and all nursing majors begin in the fall semester. The School of Nursing oversees the program and admission process. This track provides a structured foundation for students pursuing a nursing career. Students benefit from a supportive academic environment and a clear pathway to the nursing major.

• Starts fall
• Prerequisite courses required
• Scholarships available
• Three student admission groups
• University acceptance required first
• Pre-nursing category initially
• Limited admission space

Jackson State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Nursing, a comprehensive program designed to prepare you for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. The curriculum covers foundations of nursing, adult health, and essential skills like clinical decision-making and patient care. You'll gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations at affiliate hospitals, building real-world competence. Graduates are prepared to excel on the NCLEX-RN and work in hospitals, clinics, and extended-care facilities. With competitive admission based on a point system, the program admits new classes each fall and spring. The program boasts a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement. An LPN-RN bridge option is available for licensed practical nurses. Programmatic accreditation is held by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

• Tennessee Board of Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: ACT
• 2-Year program
• Starts fall/spring
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• $81,480 median earnings
• Prerequisite courses required

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

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at UTC is a four-year program preparing students to become registered nurses. Students gain experience in diverse clinical settings with small classes for personalized instruction. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, decision-making, and evidence-based practice. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and consistently achieve high first-time pass rates. The program also serves as a strong foundation for graduate nursing study. Accredited by CCNE, faculty are leaders in healthcare. Graduates pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health, equipped with both technical skills and compassionate care.

• CCNE accredited
• 4-Year program
• 98% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Scholarships available
• Small clinical groups
• Experience a variety of care settings
• Individualized attention from faculty
• Prepares for graduate nursing study
• Emphasizes critical thinking skills

The University of Tennessee-Martin's Pre-licensure BSN program prepares students to become registered nurses through a blend of classroom theory and hands-on clinical experiences. Curriculum covers patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and leadership, with clinical rotations at Baptist Memorial Hospitals and West Tennessee Healthcare. Students train in a simulation lab and gain real-world experience in off-campus settings. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention. Accredited by ACEN, the program boasts high NCLEX pass rates, with recent cohorts exceeding 97%. Graduates are ready for diverse healthcare roles, from hospital nursing to community health. Offered at the Martin campus and Parsons Center, this BSN program provides a supportive learning environment with state-of-the-art resources.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Starts fall
• 90% job placement rate
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• High NCLEX pass rates historically
• Clinical sites at Baptist Memorial Hospitals

Tennessee Tech's Whitson-Hester School of Nursing offers a four-year BSN program that combines foundational coursework with a five-semester clinical sequence. Students gain hands-on experience through weekly clinical placements in mental health, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, and other specialties across Middle and East Tennessee. The curriculum prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, and the program boasts a first-time pass rate above 95%. Admission to the upper-division clinical portion is competitive, encouraging strong academic performance early on. This campus-based program provides a supportive learning environment with experienced faculty and a focus on real-world patient care. Graduates emerge ready for careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, equipped with the skills to deliver compassionate, evidence-based nursing care.

• 4-Year program
• 95% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate
• 5-semester clinical portion
• Clinical placements in multiple areas
• Eligible for RN licensure
• Competitive upper division admission
• Prerequisites at community colleges

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Middle Tennessee State University is a four-year, on-ground program that blends classroom learning with extensive hands-on experience. Students spend 200 hours in state-of-the-art simulation labs using specialty manikins, building confidence in a safe environment. They also log over 500 clinical hours at community partners, including major hospitals like Vanderbilt and Ascension Saint Thomas. The curriculum emphasizes five core competencies: communication, critical thinking, leadership, the nursing process, and personal and professional relationships. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX and pursue careers in direct patient care, research, education, and healthcare administration. The program is accredited by CCNE and offers a strong foundation for roles such as cardiac care nurse, emergency room nurse, clinical researcher, and more. With a focus on real-world skills and professional development, MTSU's BSN program equips students to meet the dynamic needs of modern healthcare.

• CCNE accredited
• 4-Year program
• 120 total credit hours
• Prepares for NCLEX
• On-ground classes
• 200 hours in simulation labs
• 500+ clinical practice hours
• Careers in direct patient care and healthcare industries

Chattanooga State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a registered nurse. The curriculum blends medical-surgical and specialty courses with hands-on clinical experiences, culminating in a leadership course. Students choose between a traditional day pathway (2 years, classes and clinicals four days weekly) or a night pathway (2.5 years, three evenings weekly). Core subjects include clinical decision-making, patient care across the lifespan, and professional nursing standards. Graduates are ready to work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home health agencies, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, ensuring a high-quality education. With strong NCLEX pass rates and a dedicated faculty led by Program Director Lindsey O'Hagan, students receive the support needed to succeed in the demanding field of nursing.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Starts fall
• 99% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Day pathway completed in 2 years
• Night pathway completed in 2.5 years
• Day classes meet 4 days per week
• Night classes meet 3 evenings per week

This program is for LPNs and Paramedics looking to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Start in summer with accelerated courses tailored to your background. LPNs and Paramedics take different medical-surgical courses. After summer, join the second-year curriculum. Pick the day track—finish in about a year—or the night track. Classes meet two to three days a week at main campus or Kimball. Study mental health, medical-surgical care, and clinical decision-making across the lifespan. Graduates take the NCLEX-RN and work in hospitals, clinics, home health, and more. ACEN accredited and approved by Tennessee Board of Nursing. High NCLEX pass rates and strong employment outcomes make this a direct path to RN licensure.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Tennessee Board of Nursing accredited
• 2 concentration options
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Starts summer
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Separate accelerated courses for LPNs and Paramedics
• Day and night pathway options
• Five-year limit waiver for lab science courses
• Annual January 15 application deadline