Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Tennessee

1. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 34
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 88.00%

UT’s 100% Online RN to BSN is not the cheapest of programs, but it’s one of the best in the country! The College of Nursing earns national plaudits for its graduate programs (check out the BSN to DNP tracks). It has tight connections with the UT Medical Center. Faculty are active in research and practical, interdisciplinary projects. BSN students are eligible for nursing scholarships & awards. And the Online RN to BSN is relatively flexible. By the way, that NCLEX pass rate isn’t reflective of the College’s usual statistics—in previous years, it’s been hovering around 98%, the same percentage as APRN certification pass rates.

2. Union University

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 18 Months (Full-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 90.00%

Looking for a faith-based program? Look no further than UU’s Online RN-BSN. The Christ-centered College of Nursing has created a no-nonsense RN to BSN curriculum with a final capstone and a 3-credit elective. UU calls itself “Baptist by tradition and evangelical by conviction,” so you can also expect a program that emphasizes values and ethics. If you enjoy the undergraduate experience, you could consider more study. The College offers a slew of graduate pathways, including a Hybrid DNP in Nurse Anesthesia.

3. Tennessee Technology University

• Program: Online RN-to-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time) or More
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.00%

Low debt rates, nursing scholarships, and high NCLEX scores—these are just a few reasons why TNTech’s Online RN-to-BSN appears at #3 in our rankings. We’re also impressed that the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing has created a strong bond with Hispanic communities. The curriculum contains everything you would expect from an RN to BSN program, including a Health Care of Communities and Lab. Concurrent study is also available for community college students.

4. East Tennessee State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4-5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 84.00%

ETSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is another solid public choice. NCLEX pass rates can be hit or miss, but the College of Nursing earns respectable national rankings for its MSN and it offers a number of nursing scholarships. It’s also known for its expertise in rural healthcare. The College is part of the ETSU Academic Health Sciences Center and it runs various Nurse Managed Health Centers.

5. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

• Program: Online RN-BSN Gateway
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Length: 3 Semesters/12 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.00%

UTC’s 100% Online RN-BSN Gateway is a worthy addition to our Best TN rankings. The CCNE-accredited School of Nursing earns outstanding NCLEX & certification pass rates. It runs an innovative Clinical-Academic Network for Developing Leaders (CANDL) for advanced practice nursing students in the FNP program. It offers plenty of graduate pathways, including the DNP. And it has developed a sturdy RN to BSN program that culminates in a Senior Experience.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee can be pricey for RN to BSN students. Many programs in our Best TN rankings are between $13,000-$15,000. For this affordable TN ranking, we only included programs that were under $10,000—anything else was out. If you’d like to explore much more affordable options, check out the list of Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Tennessee State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

To come up with the cost of TSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN, we used the Undergraduate E-Campus tuition rate. If you’re a Tennessee RN who can finish your program in two semesters (15 credits per semester), the price is reasonable. Out-of-state tuition rates are much higher. Be sure to include the mandatory per credit nursing fee in your calculations. It applies to AASN, upper-division undergraduate, and all graduate nursing courses.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee

To make it into our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs, Tennessee schools had to offer plans of study that could be completed in under 3 semesters/1 year. 2 semesters is a high-octane schedule—be prepared for a big time commitment.

1. Tennessee State University

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

TSU’s ACEN-accredited Online RN-BSN is offered in a 2-semester plan of study that involves 5 courses in the first semester, including a Health Assessment Lab, and 6 courses in the second semester, including a Community Health Nursing Clinical. If you’d prefer an easier schedule, you might choose to take 3-4 courses per semester.

2. Lincoln Memorial University

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 29
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 87.00%

With a full-time plan of study, LMU’s ACEN-accredited Online RN-BSN can be completed in 2 semesters. You’d take 5 courses in the first semester and 5 courses in the second semester. This program is available online, but some seat courses are also offered at three LMU locations: Main Campus (Harrogate), Cedar Bluff (Knoxville), and Tampa (Florida).

3. Austin Peay State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 5 Terms/10 Months (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 90%

APSU’s Online RN to BSN can be tackled on a full-time schedule or part-time schedule. Full-time students often take 2 courses per term for 5 terms, but you can opt for up to 3 courses. Since standard terms at APSU are 8 weeks long, we’re estimating it will take 40 weeks/10 months to finish. There are 5 start dates per year and the program is 100% online.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Tennessee

RN to BSN Requirements in Tennessee

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Tennessee universities will expect you to hold—or be in the process of earning—your RN license.

• If you need any help with state licensure, the Tennessee Board of Nursing can assist.
• The Board also posts a list of State-Approved Educational Programs and annual stats on NCLEX Pass Rates. NCLEX pass rates only apply to pre-licensure programs, but they’re a helpful benchmark. Interestingly, some big-name schools (e.g. UofM) fall behind lesser known ones.

State Authorization: Coming from out-of-state? Make sure you’re eligible to apply. A few TN programs are only willing to consider RNs with a valid multi-state license. When in doubt, check the admissions section & fine print on state authorization and talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator.

Tennessee Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Can I Choose a 100% Online RN to BSN in Tennessee?

You bet! Tons of programs in our state listings are 100% online. You can choose a degree from a big public research university, a Christian school, or a private college. Just be aware that you may be required to complete practicums & on-the-ground capstone work in your local community or place of employment.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Tennessee?

Online RN to BSN to MSN pathways are designed to allow you to earn a BSN and an MSN in a shortened time-frame. This option also saves you money on graduate work.

We had trouble finding any Online RN to BSN to MSN programs in Tennessee. If you’re interested in an MSN, but need a BSN for employment purposes, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator if any of your BSN-level credits can be substituted for MSN-level credits. You can also explore our national listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Tennessee Online RN to BSN Programs?

Maybe. A number of Tennessee schools list statistics as a prerequisite for the RN to BSN. If you don’t have statistics on your academic transcript, ask if you can take it during your RN to BSN. For example, in UofM’s 100% Online RN to BSN, statistics can be completed once students have been admitted into the program.

Are There Any “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee?

It depends on what you mean by “clinicals.” Although Tennessee Online RN to BSN programs don’t contain ADN-level clinical training, they will include practicums & community health clinical experiences. CCNE and ACEN regulations about BSN programs are pretty strict on this matter.

In 100% online programs, clinical projects & practicums can be completed in your community in local facilities. You’ll see this in UT’s 100% Online RN to BSN, which has clinicals in Population Health & Global Health Perspectives and Health Assessment.

Are There Ways to Shorten the Length of My Online RN to BSN?

Yes. In our research, we noticed that a few Tennessee schools offer ways for experienced RNs to avoid unnecessary coursework. For instance:

• In TWU’s 100% Online RN-BSN, RNs can challenge up to 12 credit hours through proficiency testing (Health Assessment, Pharmacology, and Advanced Nursing).
• In UofM’s 100% Online RN to BSN, RNs can substitute Credit by Examination (CBE) for three RN-BSN courses—Health Assessment & Lab, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology.

Do Tennessee Universities Have Agreements with TN Community Colleges?

Yes. If you are a graduate of—or currently enrolled in—a TN Community College, you should ask about streamlined pathways into an Online RN to BSN program. For example, at UT, General Education (GE) requirements for the Online RN to BSN are already fulfilled for graduates of any Tennessee Board of Regents institution.