12-Month ABSN Programs in Tennessee: Accelerated Nursing Online

<p>Are you a bachelor's degree holder in a non-nursing field who would like to become a registered nurse (RN)? Many schools offer accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs that help students with a non-nursing background attain RN licensure and start a nursing career. </p> <p>If you're interested in earning an ABSN in Tennessee, several colleges offer 12-month accelerated nursing programs. Keep reading to learn where in the state you can find <a href="https://learn.org/articles/12_month_accelerated_nursing_programs.html">fast track nursing programs online</a>. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsA12MonthABSNProgram">What Is a 12-Month ABSN Program?</h2> <p>A 12-month ABSN is a program enabling students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to earn a second degree in nursing and become a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Requirements_to_Be_a_Certified_Registered_Nurse.html">certified registered nurse</a> in one year. Unlike traditional BSN programs, which require four years of coursework and clinical experiences, these ABSN programs allow students to meet their coursework and clinical requirements in significantly less time. </p> <h2 id="section---AreThereAnyOnlineABSNProgramsInTennessee">Are There Any Online ABSN Programs in Tennessee?</h2> <p>Yes, several nursing schools in Tennessee offer online ABSN programs. But how can you pick the right one for you? The key is choosing a program that aligns with your needs. </p> <p>Suppose quick degree completion is your greatest concern. You might consider nursing schools offering 12-month programs. However, if you have budget limitations, ASBN programs with low tuition and financial aid might be a better choice. </p> <h2 id="section---TopAcceleratedBSNProgramsInTennessee">Top Accelerated BSN Programs in Tennessee</h2> <p>If you're looking for the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_way_to_become_nurse.html">quickest way to become a nurse</a> in Tennessee, ABSN programs are the way to go. Explore the list below to discover schools offering fast-track nursing programs online. </p> <h3 id="section---1.MarianUniversity">1. Marian University</h3> <p>Marian University's Leighton School of Nursing in Nashville delivers an accelerated BSN program designed for completion in 16 months. In this hybrid program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), learners take online courses and participate in on-campus simulations and patient care experiences through a partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas. </p> <p>The curriculum focuses on nursing practice fundamentals, community health, mental health nursing, pediatric care, and more. Admission requires a baccalaureate or graduate degree, a GPA of 2.80 or higher, and completion of prerequisite and general education courses (e.g., physiology and microbiology). </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $399 per credit (online courses); $945 per credit (other courses) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Eligible students in need of financial assistance can use federal student aid to make learning more affordable. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Higher Learning Commission (HLC) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.UniversityOfTennesseeHealthScienceCenter">2. University of Tennessee Health Science Center</h3> <p>The University of Tennessee Health Science Center offers an accelerated second-degree BSN program designed for completion in 12 months. This CCNE-accredited degree, which boasts a high first-time National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate, provides didactic courses, labs, and clinical experiences to prepare students for roles in patient care. </p> <p>Admission requirements include holding a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing and maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must also complete prerequisite courses and have a GPA of 2.67 in science courses. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $13,535 total (in-state); $38,573 total (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 12 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> The university offers federal student aid (e.g., work-study, grants, and loans) and scholarships to help students save. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.UniversityOfTennesseeAtChattanooga">3. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga</h3> <p>Students attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga can prepare for the NCLEX and RN licensure in 12 months via the CCNE-accredited ABSN program. Enrollees build on what they learned in their previous degree program, taking nursing-specific courses and participating in hands-on clinical experiences to complete their studies. </p> <p>Earning this degree requires three semesters of coursework in professional nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and beyond. To enroll, students should complete prerequisite courses and have a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours of coursework from their previous bachelor's degree. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $15,672 total (in-state); $27,768 total (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 12 months (three semesters) </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> ABSN students can use grants, scholarships, on- and off-campus employment, and loans to reduce costs. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfMemphis">4. University of Memphis</h3> <p>The ABSN at the University of Memphis is a CCNE-accredited program helping pre-licensure nursing students earn a bachelor's degree and prepare to sit for the NCLEX. The curriculum, based on requirements of the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON), teaches core nursing material, clinical content, and professional nursing concepts. </p> <p>To enroll, learners must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative undergraduate college GPA of 2.75. A nursing program prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is also required. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $4,668 per full-time semester (in-state); $8,775 per 15-credit semester (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> Four semesters </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> University of Memphis students can lower costs using grants, scholarships, and loans. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.EastTennesseeStateUniversity">5. East Tennessee State University</h3> <p>The accelerated BSN from East Tennessee State University helps students with a non-nursing background qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam and nursing licensure in just five semesters. In this CCNE-accredited program, learners complete coursework exploring communication for health professionals, nursing informatics, healthcare systems, and public health nursing. </p> <p>ETSU offers the program at three campuses (Johnson City, Kingsport, and Sevierville) with different admission dates for each. To gain admission, students complete a NursingCAS application with all required documentation by the application deadline. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $10,994 annually (in-state); Starting at $11,894 annually (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> Five semesters </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> ETSU offers scholarships and federal financial assistance, enabling nearly half of enrollees to graduate without student debt. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h3 id="section---6.UniversityOfTennesseeKnoxville">6. University of Tennessee-Knoxville</h3> <p>The accelerated BSN from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville enables students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree or higher to complete their nursing studies in 12 months. This 47-credit on-campus program, accredited by the CCNE, teaches pathophysiology, nursing care of adults, pharmacology, and pediatrics. Clinical experiences are completed at major hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the region. </p> <p>Upon completion, nursing students will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX. College of Nursing graduates regularly exceed state and national exam pass rates. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $32,295 total (in-state); $62,461 total (out-of-state) </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 12 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Learners can save on tuition and fees with help from scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h3 id="section---7.UnionUniversity">7. Union University</h3> <p>Prospective nurses looking to start a nursing career in a short amount of time can pursue Union University's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSNA) degree. Available at the Jackson, Germantown (Memphis), and Hendersonville (Nashville) campuses, this CCNE-accredited program can be completed in 15 months. </p> <p>Enrollees gain key skills in safe and effective patient care through full-time courses and clinical rotations. Preferred applicants are non-nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field or non-nurses who are at least 24 years old, have no bachelor's degree, and have completed general education requirements. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $725 per credit hour </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 15 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Scholarships, grants, student employment, veterans' benefits, and other financial aid help students save. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h3 id="section---8.LipscombUniversity">8. Lipscomb University</h3> <p>Lipscomb University is home to a hybrid ABSN program that incorporates online and in-person learning components. Designed for students with a bachelor's degree or higher in another field of study, this 62-credit program can be completed in just 16 months. </p> <p>The curriculum teaches the foundations of professional nursing, nursing leadership, and other key nursing concepts. To gain admission to this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA, a B average in prerequisite science courses (e.g., Anatomy &amp; Physiology I), and a C or higher in ABSN prerequisite courses. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $899 per credit hour </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Qualified ABSN enrollees receive full tuition and fees for their first two semesters if they participate in the Tennessee Rural Workforce Initiative for Nursing (TN R-WIN). Other enrollees can increase program affordability with help from grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and student loans. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2> <p>Our team thoroughly vetted the colleges and universities in this rank list to verify that they've met the following criteria for providing a high-quality educational experience: </p> <ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Each school is accredited by nationally recognized organizations such as the SACSCOC or HLC. </li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> These institutions offer reputable nursing programs with accreditation from the CCNE or the ACEN. </li><li><b>Program cost:</b> Many schools in this list provide affordable tuition or financial aid to help students save. </li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutAcceleratedOnlineABSNPrograms">FAQs About Accelerated Online ABSN Programs</h2> <p>Enrolling in an ABSN program is a common option for students who want to earn a nursing degree without spending four years in a traditional program. Explore the FAQs below to learn more about these programs. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAnOnlineABSNProgramCostInTennessee">How Much Does an Online ABSN Program Cost in Tennessee?</h3> <p>The amount you'll pay to earn an ABSN in Tennessee varies based on factors like enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time) and residency (in-state vs. out-of-state). Financial aid can also make a difference. If you're looking for one of the most affordable programs in the state, consider <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_tennessee.html">accredited online colleges that accept financial aid</a> and offer low tuition rates. </p> <p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/cheapest_absn_programs.html">Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Programs</a> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsForAcceleratedBSNPrograms">What Are The Requirements For Accelerated BSN Programs?</h3> <p>Gaining admission to an accelerated BSN program typically requires a bachelor's degree in any field of study, a minimum GPA (as determined by your school of choice), and completion of specific prerequisite courses. After enrolling, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a> include completing mandatory nursing courses and clinical experiences at an approved healthcare facility. To obtain licensure, students must pass the NCLEX exam. </p> <h3 id="section---CanIBecomeAnRNIn12Months">Can I Become an RN in 12 Months?</h3> <p>Becoming an RN in 12 months is possible for students who enroll in 1-year accelerated nursing programs. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, the ABSN is a good option to consider. These programs use general education courses completed in a bachelor's program as prerequisite courses for a nursing degree. Enrollees complete nursing courses and clinical experiences to quickly start their careers. </p> <p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/can_i_get_bsn_without_rn.html">Can You Get A BSN Without An RN?</a> </p> <h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineNursingDegree">Find an Online Nursing Degree</h2> <p>Begin your journey toward an exciting nursing career by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to find out how they can help you achieve your goals.</p>