2024 - Best LPN Programs in Tennessee

Details on Tennessee LPN Schools & Classes

With over 15 schools in the state offering LPN programs, prospective students can choose one that suits their needs. Part-time or full-time, day or evening schedules – there is something for just about everyone. A traditional full-time program will take students just about a year to complete, while part-time students will finish in closer to two years. The curriculum of a practical nursing program consists of nursing theory courses, lab skills, and clinical hours. Popular course titles include:

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

Accreditation

Searching for an accredited program is always a smart idea. There are national accrediting agencies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) that evaluate and endorse practical nursing programs, and smaller regional ones as well. Students are also advised to choose a program that is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Students should ensure that they are well-qualified for a practical nursing program before applying, as admission can be competitive. Common requirements 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

Program cost is on the minds of most prospective practical nursing students. Generally, expenses are broken into the following categories: tuition, mandatory school fees, and supplies (textbooks, scrubs, etc.). Transportation and room/board expenses are not usually included in a school’s fees but should be factored into the total cost if applicable. Financial aid is typically available for students who need assistance. As an example, tuition and fees for the LPN program at Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville cost an estimated $10,000, which includes books.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Tennessee LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Tennessee LPN Licensing Requirements

Tennessee requires individuals seeking to become an LPN in the state to attend a Board-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX. Licensed LPNs in Tennessee are required to submit proof of competence within 30 days of a written request by the board, and each licensee must maintain evidence of compliance for 4 years from when the requirements are completed. Acceptable competencies include:

• Employer evaluation.
• Peer letter providing evaluation of nursing performance.
• Patient letter giving evidence of relationship.
• Nursing Contract renewal.
• Self-evaluation based on competence 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.
• Published article relevant to nursing
• Completion of a nursing refresher course.
• Completion of comprehensive orientation program.
• Official transcript showing two hours nursing credit.
• Successful retake of NCLEX

NCLEX Exam Information

Upon graduating from an approved LPN program, students must then take and pass the NCLEX-PN examination in order to be eligible for licensure. This exam tests a nurse’s competency and covers many aspects of nursing. For more detailed information on this exam, view our comprehensive guide here. We also recommend taking the NCLEX-PN practice test in order to study for the exam and get a feel of what the questions will be like.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means that nurses in compact states must register a primary state of residence, but can work in multiple compact states without additional licensure. As part of the NLC, nurses working in other NLC states do not require an additional license to practice in the state of Tennessee. LPNs outside of the NLC area can apply for a Tennessee license by endorsement if he or she has completed an equivalent state-approved nursing program and passed the NCLEX-PN or State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). To apply for licensure, the applicant must submit the following:

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

Foreign applicants, seeking to work as an LPN in Tennessee, must submit his or her official school transcripts or a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation. The applicant must also submit a headshot (passport-style) photo, Declaration of Citizenship, and submit to a criminal background check.

2024 TN NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

• Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 22
• Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 1,259
• 2022 Average Statewide Tennessee NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 84.9%

LPN Salary in Tennessee

The table below lists career information collected by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Tennessee. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)