Best LPN Programs in Nashville 2026

Nashville, Tennessee, is widely recognized as “The Health Services Capital of the U.S.,” boasting a robust and expanding healthcare industry. This vibrant sector provides a wealth of opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Tennessee has over 117,000 licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs) as of 2023, with a significant number contributing to the healthcare landscape within the Nashville metropolitan area. The employment outlook for LPNs nationally is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations, driven primarily by an aging population and the increasing demand for healthcare services.

Between 2018 and 2022, Nashville’s healthcare employment experienced an impressive 8% growth. In 2022, over 127,700 individuals were employed by the core healthcare sector in Nashville, with the broader healthcare industry cluster directly employing 170,702 people across the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This signifies that approximately seventeen out of every 100 nonfarm employees in the region work in healthcare. Projections indicate continued expansion, with the healthcare and social assistance sector in Tennessee expected to add an estimated 80,570 new jobs by 2030, meaning one in every five jobs will be in healthcare.

As of May 2023, the average hourly pay for an LPN in Nashville is $26.85, with salaries typically ranging from $24.08 to $29.20 per hour (25th to 75th percentile). The average annual salary for LPNs in the city is $55,850, generally falling between $50,090 and $60,740 (25th to 75th percentile). It is important to note that this is slightly lower than the national average; Nashville LPNs earn approximately $55,850 per year, which is about 4% lower than the national average of $58,160 for LPNs.

LPNs are vital members of healthcare teams and are employed in a diverse array of settings throughout Nashville, including:

• Hospitals:Major medical centers continue to be significant employers. Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), for instance, employs LPNs primarily in outpatient or procedural areas and offers an LPN Transition to Practice Program for recent graduates. TriStar Skyline Medical Center, part of HCA Healthcare, also frequently hires LPNs for various units.
• Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs):Due to the aging population, these facilities are primary employers. Opportunities are abundant in skilled nursing facilities. Nashville Center for Rehabilitation and Healing is an example of a facility actively recruiting LPNs.
• Home Health Agencies:Demand for LPNs in home healthcare services is particularly high. Companies such as Amedisys and Enhabit Home Health & Hospice frequently seek LPNs for home-based care, with Amedisys sometimes offering competitive sign-on bonuses. TriStar Healthcare at Home, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, also employs Home Health LPNs.
• Senior Living Facilities:This category encompasses assisted living, independent living, and memory care communities. Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., and Aviva Maybelle Carter are examples of companies that hire LPNs for these settings.
• Private Practices and Clinics:LPNs are finding increased opportunities in doctors’ offices and outpatient centers. Williamson Health (e.g., WHMG Pulmonary Clinic) and Vanderbilt Health (e.g., Plastic Surgery Clinic) represent common employers in this area.
• Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs provide essential nursing care to patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. The Nashville Center for Rehabilitation and Healing and the Debra Johnson Rehab Center are prominent facilities hiring LPNs in this sector.
• Other Facilities:LPNs also work in specialized settings such as dialysis centers (e.g., Fresenius Medical Care, U.S. Renal Care, Inc., Dialysis Clinic, Inc.), plasma donation centers (e.g., BioLife Plasma Services), and behavioral health facilities (e.g., Oak Plains Academy).

Nashville is home to several major healthcare employers known for consistently hiring LPNs:

• HCA Healthcare: Headquartered in Nashville, this large hospital system and its affiliates, such as TriStar Healthcare at Home and TriStar Skyline Medical Center, are frequent employers of LPNs.
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC): A prominent academic medical center that hires LPNs for various outpatient and procedural areas.
• Amedisys: A significant home health and hospice company with a strong presence in Nashville, actively recruiting LPNs.
• Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.: One of the largest operators of senior living communities, hiring LPNs for assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing facilities.
• Nashville Center for Rehabilitation and Healing: This center consistently has numerous LPN job openings in rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.
• Fresenius Medical Care and U.S. Renal Care, Inc.: These companies frequently have LPN positions for dialysis care in the Nashville area.
• Enhabit Home Health & Hospice: A national leader in home-based care that also seeks LPNs in Nashville.

In addition to these major players, numerous smaller facilities and networks contribute significantly to LPN employment. Opportunities also extend to neighboring cities such as Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Franklin, with positions available across full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem schedules.