Top RN to BSN Programs in Nashville, Tennessee
RN to BSN programs allow registered nurses to complete their bachelor's degree in just a few semesters. Check out the best RN to BSN programs in Nashville, TN.
To become a registered nurse (RN), you need at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
However, many students return to school to complete their bachelor's degree with an RN to BSN program, because there are many benefits to holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Keep reading to discover the top 2 RN to BSN programs in Nashville, TN, and throughout the state.
Top RN to BSN Programs in Nashville, Tennessee
There are two schools in Nashville that offer RN to BSN programs. We've broken them down below, listing them in alphabetical order.
1. Herzing University Nashville
Herzing University is a private, non-profit university based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but with several locations across the United States, including one in Nashville.
It offers an online RN to BSN program that can be completed in as little as 12 months for full-time students, although part-time options are available.
The program doesn't require students to complete traditional clinicals. Instead, they complete a 45-hour community health program where they live.
Students also have the opportunity to earn dual credit toward a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, and an RN to MSN program is also available.
2. Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a public, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee. It offers a fully online RN to BSN program .
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Community Health Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing Concepts
- Issues in Nursing and Healthcare
- Nursing Research
Students can complete this program in two to three semesters, depending on how many credits they enter the program with. Students can start the program once they've completed all prerequisite courses.
Other Top RN to BSN Programs in Tennessee
While there are only two RN to BSN programs in Nashville, there are many more throughout Tennessee. Many of these programs are available online, so you can still study while living in Nashville.
Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University is a public university in Clarksville, Tennessee, about an hour northwest of Nashville. It offers an online RN to BSN program.
Courses in the curriculum include:
- Emergency Room Nursing for RNs
- Leadership for RNs
- Transcultural Nursing for RNs
- Trends and Issues for RNs
The program takes a year or two to complete, depending on your credits and study load. Students also have the option to earn a certificate in ER nursing, holistic nursing, or wound care.
Bethel University
Bethel University is a private Christian university in McKenzie, Tennessee, two hours west of Nashville. It offers an online RN to BSN program.
Courses are fully online, and the clinical requirements for the program can be completed in a local facility near you. Examples of courses in this program include:
- Health Assessment of Adults
- Introduction to Research for Evidence-Based Practice
- Leadership and Management in Baccalaureate Nursing Practice
- Pharmacological/Pathophysiological Basis for Complex Illness Nursing Care
The degree requires a total of 128 credits and takes less than a year to complete. Courses are ten weeks long, and students take two at a time.
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University is a public research university in Johnson City, Tennessee, more than four hours east of Nashville. It offers a 100% online RN to BSN degree.
The program includes courses such as:
- Advancing to Professional Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Systems and Informatics for Nurses
- Leadership and Professional Practice
- Population, Community, and Public Health Nursing
Full-time students can complete the program within three semesters, or one calendar year. Students working as RNs may complete their practicum at their place of employment.
Union University
Union University is a private Baptist university in Jackson, Tennessee, about two hours west of Nashville. It offers an online RN to BSN program.
Courses in the curriculum include:
- Health Assessment
- Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing
- Research in Nursing
- Survey of Technology in Nursing
Union University offers rolling admissions for this program and most students can earn their degree within 18 months.
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is a public research university in Memphis, Tennessee, around three hours southwest of Nashville. It offers an online RN to BSN program through its Loewenberg College of Nursing.
The program includes courses such as:
- Clinical Pathophysiology RN-BSN
- Evidence-Based Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Transcultural Nursing in Diverse Populations
Courses in this program are offered in seven-week terms, and students can potentially finish their program within 12 months.
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university in Chattanooga, Tennessee, about two hours southeast of Nashville. It offers a 100% online RN to BSN program.
Courses in the curriculum include:
- Community Health Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Professional Nursing
The program takes three semesters, or 12 months, to complete, and new cohorts begin every August.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, roughly two hours and 40 minutes east of Nashville. It's the flagship university of the University of Tennessee System.
It offers an online RN to BSN program that includes courses like:
- Health Assessment for the Registered Nurse
- Health Informatics
- Nursing Leadership and Management Dimensions
- Capstone Course for the Registered Nurse
The program takes a year for full-time students, but part-time schedules are also available. The program accepts new students in the fall and spring.
University of Tennessee, Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin is a public university in Martin, Tennessee, about three hours west of Nashville. It offers an online RN to BSN program.
Courses available in the curriculum include:
- Adult Health
- Leadership and Management
- Maternal-Child Nursing
- Population Health
The program emphasizes real-world, hands-on learning experiences, and most students finish within four semesters.
Find RN to BSN Programs in Nashville, Tennessee
There are a few RN to BSN programs in Nashville, TN, but students can also study online through many Tennessee universities. Check out the featured programs above to find the perfect fit for you today!