LPN Programs in Tennessee – Schools, Salary, and License Info

LPN Programs in Tennessee

To be successful in a field, there has to be a constructive image of what it will look like in its culmination.

Healthcare especially is a delicate field.

It needs professional workers, high work standards and high-quality education.

In Tennessee Nursing has met the three elements of dedication.

And as a result, great work has been achieved.

In terms of nursing employment, the Bureau Labor of Statistics has foreseen a 12% growth in 2026.

To find out how to become an LPN in just a year’s time, follow this article.

Let’s start with earnings.

Sometimes that’s the only thing that motivates people to do more at their studies.

In general, an LPN is considered to earn $17.92 per hour.

$37,270 per year.

And $6,760 less per year, compared to the national US average.

However, money isn’t everything.

The way to get it is always through.

Hence, choosing the right school and the right program for you is the key.

The right programs are usually the ones that are state-approved.

They can be found in places similar to community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools.

There are 19 LPN schools located across Tennessee.

However, only the top-five programs were chosen for this article.

The programs were chosen in regard to the NCLEX-PN exam.

Specifically, first-time pass rates were observed as a subject of this analysis.

Details on Tennessee LPN Schools & Classes

In Tennessee, the number of schools is optimal, but so are the schedules.

Students can choose to attend part-time or full-time classes.

As well as day or evening ones.

The attendance will determine then how much the program takes to finish.

The traditional program is meant to last one year.

While the part-time one will surely take two years at most.

So basically, the length is a matter of your availability.

While you should also know that the classes are held through a specific curriculum.

The curriculum is mainly made of theory courses, lab skills and clinical hours of nursing.

From the most common courses in Tennessee schools, you will find the following:

  • Fundamentals of Nursing Care
  • Drug Calculations
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
  • Maternity and Pediatric Nursing
  • Understanding Medical/Surgical Nursing
  • Nutrition and Diet

 Accreditation

English people say ‘’Work smart, not hard’’.

Their saying has made me think every time I am in front of a hard decision.

In this case, accreditation is easy and smart.

There’s no hard decision when something is the only option you have to make a better life.

In Tennessee, you have the chance to contact two accrediting bodies.

The first is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

While the second is the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Being admitted to an LPN school is a matter of meeting a few conditions.

The basic admission requirements usually include:

  • High school graduate or GED completion (transcripts and scores must be submitted)
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses
  • Attending a mandatory program information session may be required
  • Provide immunization records
  • Submit a completed application

Tuition and Costs

If something comes across your mind a lot, it means it matters a lot.

And I don’t know of anything more concerning than spending money right.

Even more, when it comes to paying for education, we always strive to meet deadlines and costs.

Paying for an LPN program in Tennessee however, is a matter of separate categories.

The student will pay an amount of tuition, supplies and mandatory college.

While the room, board, and transportation are not in his or her charge.

To his or her advantage, the schools also offer additional help.

They offer loans, scholarships and financial aid to students who aren’t able to afford the total payment.

To profess that, consider the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville.

Its total LPN cost is around $3,843.

While adding textbooks and supplies, such as books, it goes to $2,715.

Tennessee LPN Licensing Requirements

The longest admission requirement list I have come across so far in US states is this.

But attendance of an approved program and NCLEX-PN exam are prior to that.

However, an LPN has to also submit proof of competence at work.

This submission needs to be done in 30 days when the board starts writing the request.

Their licenses must make sure they approve to meet the requirements in 4 years.

From these competencies, consider the following ones:

  • Employer evaluation.
  • Peer letter providing an evaluation of nursing performance.
  • Patient letter giving evidence of a relationship.
  • Nursing Contract renewal.
  • Self-evaluation based on competency standards.
  • Continuing national certification.
  • Documenting 2 nursing goals and how those were met.
  • Letter from an agency where volunteer hours were logged.
  • Teaching documentation from a nursing school
  • Evidence of 5+ hours continued education.
  • A published article relevant to nursing
  • Completion of a nursing refresher course.
  • Completion of a comprehensive orientation program.
  • An official transcript showing two hours of nursing credit.
  • Successful retake of NCLEX

NCLEX Exam Information

NCLEX-PN exam comes last, just like love.

I am kidding.

I am quite sure you will lot welcome him the same.

Naturally, the exam comes after LPN graduation.

The exam is meant to test’s nurse’s skills in various nursing areas of knowledge.

A practical NCLEX-PN exam is available for students who are not yet ready for the final one.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact has welcomed Tennessee as well in its arms.

As such, nurses who come from the states within the compact must register the first state of residence.

When they do so they can work in different states that are part of the compact without having to gain another LPN license.

On the other hand, nurses who are not part of the compact can apply for an LPN license in Tennessee by endorsement.

They can do that by having completed a similar LPN program that is state-approved and pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

Along with that, they need to have passed the State Board Test Pool Examination.

However, applying for a license requires some more documents.

These documents consist of:

  • Application and licensure fee ($115).
  • Headshot (passport-style) photo.
  • Nursing diploma or official transcript from a state-approved nursing program.
  • Criminal background check.

The state of Tennessee offers an LPN license to foreign applicants as well.

To gain it, the applicants need to submit a few documents to the state.

These documents include in the first place, the applicant’s school transcripts.

Secondly, a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

While, he or she needs also to send a headshot photo, a Declaration of Citizenship, as well as a criminal background check.

The Best LPN Schools in Tennessee

The Best LPN Schools in Tennessee have been put in this article.

They were put so because they were the top-ranked ones.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find good in the next 13 others left across the state.

The best school is usually the one that offers a quality program.

But sometimes it needs to also be the program you look for.

School NameAddress
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN 37919
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville100 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37205
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens1635 Vo-Tech Dr, Athens, TN 37303
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown821 W Louise Ave, Morristown, TN 37813
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson740 Hwy 46 S, Dickson, TN 37055

LPN Salaries in Tennessee

LPN Salaries are constantly shifting in Tennessee.

This shift is fortunately for the better.

However, the average is always there.

Annual Salary Range:

$40K
$44K
$49K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
LocationAvg. Annual Salary
Memphis$45,345
Nashville$45,377
Knoxville$45,238
Chattanooga$44,116
Clarksville$43,985
Murfreesboro$45,034
Jackson$45,003
Johnson City$42,587
Kingsport$42,747
Franklin$45,217

Regional Salary in Tennessee

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Chattanooga, TN-GA1,290$52,290$25.14$62,500$37,680
Clarksville, TN-KY620$52,910$25.44$65,310$36,890
Cleveland, TN250$51,490$24.75$58,480$37,670
Jackson, TN670$46,310$22.27$57,250$36,190
Johnson City, TN810$46,920$22.56$57,870$34,210
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA950$47,210$22.7$61,430$31,110
Knoxville, TN2,380$48,260$23.2$59,090$36,710
Memphis, TN-MS-AR2,810$51,270$24.65$62,450$37,540
Morristown, TN300$47,940$23.05$59,640$36,600
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN4,900$54,500$26.2$70,440$38,090
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, OCC Code 29-2061, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

USA LPN Programs by State


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