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Online RN to MSN Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee online RN to MSN programs come in a variety of flavors—some are 100% online, some have campus intensives, and some involve national travel. Our school listings contain specifics on admissions requirements and curricula, but we also suggest you talk to the program coordinator to ensure you’re eligible to apply. Here are a few more points worth mentioning:
- East Tennessee State University: The majority of ETSU’s program is online, but students may be required to be on campus for certain MSN classes or assessments, including clinical competencies. Clinical placement outside of Tennessee is contingent upon approval by the appropriate regulatory bodies and will be evaluated on an individual basis upon admission to the program. Currently, placement in North Carolina and Virginia is allowed. Applicants are also encouraged to determine the eligibility requirements for any state in which they intend to seek licensure post-graduation.
- Union University: At Union, the Nursing Education and Nursing Administration concentrations are 100% online and the NP specialties are blended (a combination of on-site and online coursework). Clinical experiences in education or administration can be scheduled in a place of the student’s preference. Union is a member of NC-SARA, which typically means online programs are usually available to students in almost every state. Check with the program coordinator if you have any questions about certification exams or state eligibility.
- University of Memphis: Applicants to U of M’s online and hybrid nursing programs must be residents of a state in which the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) is authorized to provide distance education. For example, LCON is not authorized to offer distance education in California. Students who reside outside of Tennessee and plan to enroll in an online program of study that leads to advanced nursing licensure should also verify that the program meets requirements for advanced licensure in their state. We also want to point out that the Executive Leadership concentration includes 4 on-campus intensives each year and mandatory attendance at 2 national conferences (Magnet® Conference and AONE).
Keep in mind, too, that some of the other RN to MSN programs are hybrid. Vanderbilt makes a point of mixing on-campus coursework and monthly block classes with online conferencing and recorded lectures (i.e. modified distance learning). Meanwhile, graduate courses in the Nurse Educator emphasis at Southern Adventist University may be taken completely online. If you don’t mind occasional commutes, you don’t have to live near the campus in order to attend the school.
Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Tennessee
Our ranking of the most affordable Tennessee RN to MSN programs is based on per credit graduate tuition rates. That means it’s just a ballpark! Each program in our school listings has a different number of total credits and different fee structures. In some cases, schools may also accept transfers on selected bridge courses, which can reduce your total number of credits. Put together a budget before making a decision.
- Eastern Tennessee State University: In-State (Out-of-State is higher)—View Tuition Rates
- Union University: View Tuition Rates
- University of Memphis: In-State (Out-of-State is higher)—View Tuition Rates
- Southern Adventist University: View Tuition Rates
You’ll notice that graduate nursing tuition rates for public and private schools in this ranking aren’t that far apart, especially if you live in Tennessee. The most expensive option will be—you guessed it—Vanderbilt.
Tennessee’s Healthcare Landscape
Tennessee is facing an uphill battle in healthcare. According to data from America’s Health Rankings and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the state has a high rate of heart disease & cancer, a high violent crime rate, a high rate of drug overdose and firearm deaths, and a series of problems related to infants (i.e. high rates of pre-term births, infant mortality, and low birthweights). On the BCBS Health Index, the state is often one big mass of red except in the areas around Williamson, Davidson, and Knox counties.
One of the most challenging concerns for Tennessee healthcare providers, especially NPs, is improving rural health:
- Tennessee received an F in the 2018 Rural Health Report Card, a deeply troubling grade for a state in which almost 25% of the population lives in rural counties.
- From 2012-2019, at least ten rural hospitals in Tennessee closed their doors (especially in areas surrounding Jackson) and many others reduced inpatient services.
- Due—in part—to a lack of access and a higher rate of uninsured residents, the age-adjusted mortality rate in rural Tennessee can be 16% higher than the rate in urban counties.
- Meanwhile, new rural health clinics have been grappling with high start-up costs and wrangles with TennCare moratoriums.
But even urban centers like Memphis are fighting hard. The opioid epidemic has had a devastating effect on the area. In 2019, the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition reported that Shelby County was averaging nine overdoses a week, with three being fatal. Memphis also accounts for a substantial portion of the state’s firearm deaths, a statistic exemplified by The Commercial Appeal’s Homicide Tracker. You can see how APRNs might be needed in the areas of psychiatry, neonatal health, primary care, and midwifery.
Tennessee Nursing Challenges & Opportunities
All of this comes at a time when Tennessee is looking at a potential nursing shortage. According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, Tennessee is one of 33 states nationwide expected to have fewer nurses working than needed by 2030. A higher acuity of hospitalized patients and increasing nurse-patient ratios also means nurses are being asked to do more with less.
In response, the TNA has been advocating for the removal of a law that requires nurse practitioners to have a supervising physician. As of 2019, NP-led clinics must have a physician review 20% of their charts, review prescriptions for controlled substances, and visit the clinic once per month. A change in the law would give primary care APRNs more flexibility to practice, especially in rural areas where physicians are scarce.
Jobs for Tennessee RN to MSN Graduates
Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps track of employment and wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary. We especially like the maps on these pages, which will give you a bird’s-eye-view of job opportunities in various parts of Tennessee.
- For instance, it’s a given that Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are large employment hubs for NPs. But it may surprise you to hear that Johnson City, Cleveland, and Chattanooga have a particularly high concentration of these jobs (a figure that takes into account population numbers).
- Of those cities, Memphis and Chattanooga frequently offer the best annual mean wages for nurse practitioners. However, wages in rural areas can be quite low.
- Thanks to the presence of Vanderbilt, TSU, and other schools, the real hub for Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary is Nashville. It often employs over three times the number of nursing instructors that Memphis or Knoxville might.
If you’re interested in a hospital job, you may want to consult U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the Best Hospitals in Tennessee and ANNC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University Medical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are always going to be premier places to work, but there are plenty of other well-respected options. Think of the UT Medical Center in Knoxville, St. Thomas hospitals in Nashville, Methodist Hospitals Memphis, and the CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga.
Eager to help rural patients? Remember that the Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program (TSLRP) provides educational loan repayment to qualified primary care practitioners in exchange for an initial 2-year service obligation to practice full-time or part-time at an ambulatory public, non-profit or private non-profit primary care site located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Career Resources for Future APRNs
Tennessee Nursing Job Boards
- TNA Career Center: Job listings for Tennessee nurses, including NPs, nurse administrators, and nurse educators
- TNNPA Career Center: Job listings for Tennessee NPs
Tennessee APRN Salary & Wage Data
- Annual Mean Wages for Tennessee Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
- Annual Mean Wages for Tennessee Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
- AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members
Tennessee Nursing Organizations
State Board of Nursing
TN Nursing Associations & Coalitions
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Tennessee Chapters
- Tennessee Hospital Association (THA)
- Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA)
- Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Association (TNNPA)
TN Nursing Specialty Organizations
- American College of Nurse-Midwives – Tennessee Affiliate (Tennessee ACNM)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Tennessee Chapter (APNA Tennessee)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Tennessee (AWHONN – Tennessee)
- Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA)
- Tennessee Association of School Nurses (TASN)
- Tennessee Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (TSPAN)
- Tennessee State Council Emergency Nurses Association (TN-ENA)
- Tennessee Student Nurses Association (TSNA)
Tennessee RN to MSN School Listings
5 Schools FoundEast Tennessee State University
College of Nursing
Johnson City, Tennessee
RN/MSN Bridge Program - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN/MSN Bridge Program - Nursing Administration
Offered Online
RN/MSN Bridge Program - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
ETSU is a public university in Johnson City and part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee. That means tuition rates for graduate programs in the College of Nursing are fairly reasonable for in-state residents. Students in select border counties in North Carolina and Virginia may also qualify for the in-state tuition rate. The College is one of the largest nursing colleges in the state of Tennessee and it has a reputation for rural care. For example, it runs 7 nurse-led clinics that are designed to serve rural and underserved populations (e.g. Johnson City Community Health Center); JCCHC itself is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and an HRSA Health Center Quality Leader. The majority of ETSU nursing faculty hold doctorates and around a third are certified in advanced practice specialties. The College also achieves great results. Pass rates for NP certification exams in recent years have ranged from 98%-100%. Independent ratings of professors vary, but one reviewer was quick to praise the small class sizes, great community, and helpfulness of instructors. If you're looking for funding, a few ETSU nursing scholarships are open to MSN students.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
ETSU's bridge program is open to RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree (e.g. BA or BS). Applicants should have an unencumbered RN license in Tennessee or the state in which clinical assignments are completed, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and credits from an undergraduate-level statistics course. The application must also include 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and written essay. Once admitted, bridge students must take 4 undergraduate courses (12 units) before proceeding to the MSN. The BSN is not awarded in this pathway. On a full-time schedule, the MSN portion can be completed in as little as 4 semesters. Part-time study could take 8 semesters (3 years). The NP specialties and Nursing Administration concentration contain 500 clinical hours; the Nursing Education concentration contains 420 hours. Most of the MSN coursework is online, but students may be required to visit the campus for certain classes or assessments, including clinical competencies.
Southern Adventist University
School of Nursing
Collegedale, Tennessee
Nursing School Overview
Southern is a private, Seventh-day Adventist university in Collegedale that's known for supporting Adventist beliefs and conservative religious practice. The School of Nursing is housed in Florida Hospital Hall, which has a range of skills and assessment labs, simulation labs with high-fidelity stations, and well-equipped classrooms. Clinical experiences take place at various agencies in the greater Chattanooga area. The School posts program achievement data on its website. Pass rates for NP certification exams are very strong (e.g. 100%) and graduates of the MSN and DNP have an excellent job placement rate. Independent reviewers say the nursing program at Southern is one of the best around, with a reputation for producing high-quality nurses. Graduate tuition rates are slightly pricier than public options, but Southern offers a monthly installment plan so you can spread the cost of tuition over the semester.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This accelerated program is designed for RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program. Candidates will also need to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25, current RN licensure in the state or country which they practice, and a minimum of 2 years (4,000 hours) of current nursing experience. Applicants to acute care concentrations should have have substantive experience in critical care or a related area, including documentation of their critical-case skillsets. There is no BSN awarded in this pathway. Instead, RN-to-MSN students take a specific set of general education and undergraduate-level nursing courses. You can transfer credits, but certain courses must be taken at SAU, including a course on Christian Ethics. The length of the MSN will vary depending on the concentration. For example, the master's portion of the AGACNP specialty is 48 credits, with clinical practicums and a capstone. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time, and nursing classes usually meet on Tuesdays. Graduate courses for the Nurse Educator emphasis may be taken completely online.
Union University
School of Nursing
Jackson, Tennessee
RN-MSN Track - Nursing Administration
Offered Online
RN-MSN Track - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Union is a private, evangelical Christian liberal arts university in Jackson, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. The College of Nursing makes a point of creating a Christ-centered environment, with a Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice that seeks to demonstrate the Christian worldview of humanity through simulation education, continuing education, information services to the community, and excellence in clinical research. According to U.S. News & World Report data, Union's online graduate nursing programs have a small number of students, a competitive acceptance rate (e.g. average GPA of 3.6), a low student-to-professor ratio, and a short time period (e.g. average of 1.5 years to finish). Online professors are both experienced and qualified, with 80% of full-time faculty holding a PhD or terminal degree. Better yet, 100% of students and graduates who sought certification in their specialty (i.e. administration or education) were successful on their first attempt. Independent reviews are almost uniformly positive, with compliments on the rigor of the program and supportiveness of the faculty and staff. Because of Union's mission, the educational experience can include prayer and devotions.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Union's program offers two pathways to the MSN. RNs with an Associate of Science or a diploma in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited and state-approved nursing program can go down one route. RNs who have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and certain undergraduate credits can go down another. All candidates must have a current and unencumbered RN license and a cumulative GPA of 3.0. The application should also include 3 letters of recommendation and a personal statement, but GRE scores are not required. Once admitted, RNs without a bachelor's degree will be expected to complete a series of undergraduate-level courses in general education, including credits in Christian Studies, and 4 credits in nursing subjects. RNs who have a bachelor's degree will take fewer credits and may be able to transfer courses. When it comes to the MSN, all master's programs are cohort-based and begin in August of each year. Full-time options are 4 semesters (16 months) and part-time options are 7 semesters (28 months). Concentrations in Administration and Education may be taken 100% online, but NP specialties are blended (i.e. hybrid) and only available on a full-time basis. Didactic classes for NP specialties are held on Thursdays. Clinical requirements may be fulfilled on other days of the week depending on the student's arrangement with the clinical agency.
University of Memphis
Loewenberg College of Nursing
Memphis, Tennessee
RN to MSN - Executive Leadership
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
U of M is a public research university in Memphis with a well-known Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON). LCON is housed in U of M's Community Health Building, one of the largest facilities for community health-related education and research in the Mid-South, and many of its experienced nursing faculty are involved in interprofessional research projects (e.g. building a culture of health for urban children & families). LCON also maintains ties with a large number of academic practice partners & clinical affiliates, including large hospitals and medical centers (e.g. St. Jude's), the Shelby County Health Department, and community organizations. When it comes to reputation, you'll often see LCON in the top 20 of U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. That means competition for online spots tends to be fierce (e.g. 51% acceptance rate) and successful applicants tend to be smart (e.g. average 3.6 GPA). Employment rates for MSN alumni can be as high as 100%. The vast majority of independent ratings for U of M nursing professors are positive, and reviewers say LCON's programs are challenging and diverse.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This streamlined online program is tailor-made for RNs who have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing discipline. Candidates should have an unrestricted RN license to practice in Tennessee or an approved state in which clinical assignments will be completed and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. The application will also need to include 3 letters of recommendation, a letter of interest, and a resume. The BSN is not awarded in the RN to MSN pathway. Instead, students go through a 12-unit nursing bridge sequence. Check with the program coordinator to see if campus visits are required for bridge credits. The length of the online MSN will depend on the concentration: Executive Leadership is 37 credits, Education is 40 credits, and FNP is 46 credits. In general, U of M's master's programs in nursing generally take - on average - 2.5 years to finish. All requirements for the MSN degree must be completed in 5 calendar years. Coursework is online and clinical practicums take place in the student's community, but it's important to note that the Executive Leadership concentration includes on-campus intensives (4 times per year) and trips to national conferences.
Vanderbilt University
School of Nursing
Nashville, Tennessee
Nursing School Overview
Vanderbilt is a private research university in Nashville with an outstanding reputation in health sciences. The School of Nursing is often in the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Nursing Schools and it's a well-established NLN Center of Excellence with great facilities. Pass rates for national certification exams are superb and MSN programs typically achieve outstanding graduate and employment rates. Perhaps most importantly, the School has established a large faculty-practice network of affiliated clinics and primary care centers where professors and students can apply their skills. All this quality comes with a price - Vanderbilt has the most expensive per credit tuition rates for graduate nursing programs in Tennessee. However, it does offer full and partial internal scholarships, including funds for PreSpecialty students. VUMC and Vanderbilt University employees may also be able to take advantage of tuition assistance benefits. Though you may not need them, you'll find a huge number of independent reviews of Vanderbilt's nursing programs on the web. MSN alumni often say the degree is fast-paced, hands-on, and challenging, with extremely supportive faculty and outstanding instructors.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Vanderbilt's accelerated program is designed for RNs with an ASN or a diploma in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school. To apply, ASN or diploma graduates must have earned at least 78 accredited semester hours (or 120 quarter hours) in various undergraduate areas (e.g. natural science). Applicants should also have an unencumbered RN license in the state(s) in which they will complete their clinical training and a undergraduate GPA or 3.0 or better. The application should include a statement of purpose, 3 letters of reference, and 3 application essays. Successful candidates will be enrolled in a PreSpecialty program that takes 1 year on a full-time basis and 2 years on part-time basis (26 credits in total). PreSpecialty coursework is offered in concentrated blocks of time on campus, including weekends. But it also includes online learning. Once the PreSpecialty program is over, students can tackle the hybrid MSN. The length and format of the master's degree will depend on the specialty. For example, the Nursing Informatics concentration includes 3-4 on-campus sessions and it might take 2 years to complete on a part-time basis. Check each MSN specialty page for info on the program schedule and details about online elements. Clinical placements may be arranged in your home area provided a suitable agency and preceptor are available.
