What does bridging from LPN to RN actually mean for a Tennessee nurse's paycheck? Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median salary jump across the state ranges from roughly $22,000 to $33,000 annually, depending on your metro area, for example, LPN programs in Memphis, LPN programs in Nashville, or LPN programs in Chattanooga. That gap explains why 22 LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs across East, Middle, and West Tennessee continue drawing working nurses back to school.
Both ADN and BSN pathways exist here, with hybrid and campus formats designed around shift schedules. Community college tuition runs as low as $4,700 per year in-state, while private options top $27,000. Programs ranked below are sorted by a composite score that weights NCLEX-RN pass rate most heavily, with accreditation and completion also factored in.
10 Tennessee LPN to RN/BSN Programs by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Tennessee's LPN to RN and LPN to BSN bridge programs posted a 94.89% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024, well ahead of the 91.16% national figure. The ten schools below each give licensed practical nurses a recognized route to RN licensure, from one-year community college transitions to bachelor's tracks built around a working nurse's schedule. Start by comparing format and clinical placement, since those two details usually decide how quickly you can finish while staying employed.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation and retention rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Nursing program accreditation status
- Program completion and retention
- Tuition, fees, and net price
- Earnings weighted lightly
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
The University of Tennessee Southern
A small public university in Pulaski with a CCNE-accredited LPN-BSN bridge that folds LPNs into a five-semester sequence, including one summer term. Coursework runs online with clinical placements across South Central Tennessee and northern Alabama, and licensed LPNs receive six credits for prior learning. It is among the most affordable bridge options in the state, and its recent cohorts have posted a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Five full-time semesters, including one summer term
- Online coursework with clinicals in South Central Tennessee and northern Alabama
- Six credits awarded for NUR 343 based on LPN licensure
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite coursework
- Fall admission with a March 1 deadline; late applications taken if seats remain
- CCNE accredited, 120 credit hours over four years of full-time study
- An active LPN license waives NUR 343
- Campus-based clinical placements across Tennessee and Alabama
- Full approval from the Tennessee State Board of Nursing
- March 1 application deadline with one start per year
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN
LPN/LVN to RN, Associates — Online
LPN/LVN to BSN — On-Campus
Cumberland University
A private university in Lebanon whose hybrid LPN to BSN track is designed for nurses who cannot step away from work. Classes are asynchronous online, clinicals run at partner hospitals across Middle Tennessee, and most students need only one day off each week for on-site sessions. Nursing courses start in the first semester alongside prerequisites, and LPNs earn credit for their existing experience.
- Hybrid format: asynchronous online classes plus in-person clinicals
- Four-semester program with full-time and part-time options
- Nursing courses begin in the first semester alongside prerequisites
- Credit awarded for LPN experience
- Clinicals at partner hospitals across five Middle Tennessee counties
- Most students need only one day off work each week for campus sessions
- TEAS taken before the first nursing class, with no fixed cut score
- Weighted admission; cohort size limited by clinical and lab capacity
LPN to BSN, Associates — Hybrid
Jackson State Community College
A community college in Jackson with a three-semester LPN-RN career mobility track and a long record of strong NCLEX-RN results. The bridge mixes distance coursework with in-person clinical rotations at affiliate hospitals across West Tennessee, admitting one cohort of roughly two dozen students each year. Point-based admission rewards strong prerequisite grades and entrance exam scores, and the key science courses must be recent.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Three-semester bridge with clinical rotations at affiliate hospitals
- One cohort admitted per year, capped at around 24 students
- Hybrid delivery mixes distance coursework with required on-site sessions
- Anatomy and physiology II and pathophysiology must be within five years
- Unencumbered Tennessee or multistate LPN license required
- Point-based competitive admission using grades and entrance exam scores
- LPN-specific tuition and fee estimates published for 2025-2026
LPN-RN Career Mobility Track, Associates — On-Campus
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University's LPN to BSN track has been running since 2007 and lets LPNs convert prior schooling and clinical experience into advanced standing. Courses come in hybrid and online formats that suit nurses on rotating shifts, and clinical placements span hospitals, clinics, long-term care, schools, and community agencies. The Murfreesboro campus serves the Nashville region and graduates sit for the same outcomes as the generic BSN cohort.
- CCNE accredited with a 2.5 GPA minimum and ACT required
- Advanced standing for LPN education and experience, plus test-out options
- Hybrid and online courses scheduled around working nurses
- Upper-division courses cover health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Clinicals in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, schools, and community agencies
- Program reports a 90% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement
- Track has run continuously since fall 2007
LPN to BSN — Hybrid
Pellissippi State Community College
Pellissippi State runs a 12-month LPN and paramedic bridge to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, pairing online lectures with on-site labs and clinicals. The pathway is offered at three Knoxville-area campuses and awards credit for fundamentals nursing once students complete the transition course. It is one of the quicker routes to RN licensure in East Tennessee for someone already licensed, and the program is ACEN accredited.
- 12-month hybrid bridge for licensed LPNs and paramedics
- Online lectures and testing with on-site labs and clinicals
- Offered at Blount County, Magnolia Avenue, and Strawberry Plains campuses
- Credit for NRSG 1710 Fundamentals after completing the transition course
- ACEN accredited, 66 to 67 total credit hours
- Spring start with two concentration options
- Curriculum emphasizes evidence-based care and clinical decision-making
Nursing (A.A.S.), Associates — On-Campus
Dyersburg State Community College
Dyersburg State consolidated its LPN and paramedic fast tracks into a single advanced standing RN program delivered at three West Tennessee locations: Dyersburg, Covington, and the Paris area. Applicants earn advanced standing through the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam, then move through cohort-based training with clinicals close to home. Campuses alternate admission terms, so choosing the right site can shorten your wait.
- ACEN accredited and recognized by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Consolidated pathway serving licensed LPNs and paramedics
- Three locations: Dyersburg, Covington, and the Paris area
- NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam required with a score of 75 or higher
- Current LPN or paramedic license plus a 2.5 GPA in required courses
- TEAS exam required for admission
- Campus cohorts alternate terms; Dyersburg uses a September 15 deadline
Advanced Standing LPN-RN Fast Track Program, Associates — On-Campus
Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University in Clarksville launched an LPN to BSN pathway built on a three-year plan with up to 30 prior learning credits for LPN experience. Four semesters of nursing coursework follow the prerequisites, and the first cohort of about 20 students begins in fall 2026. Online and campus versions let working LPNs decide how much time they spend on site.
- Three-year pathway with up to 30 prior learning credits
- Nursing coursework delivered online; starts fall
- 2.8 GPA minimum and a TEAS score of 65%
- Four semesters of upper-division nursing courses after prerequisites
- Apply to the School of Nursing by April 1
- Unencumbered Tennessee LPN license required
- Initial cohort of about 20 students
- Cohort-based campus track designed for TCAT LPN graduates
- Up to 30 prior learning credits awarded for LPN experience
- Four semesters of nursing coursework after prerequisites
- Individualized advising and mentorship through the cohort
- Other LPN credentials evaluated case by case
- Campus option admits separately from the online concentration
LPN to BSN Concentration (Online), Associates — Online
LPN to BSN Concentration (Campus) — On-Campus
Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State's three-semester transition program moves licensed LPNs and paramedics straight into the second year of the RN sequence after a summer bridge course. Day sections run every year and night sections in odd years, which helps nurses who work shifts. Admission is point based, requires documented recent work hours, and is capped at 24 seats per cohort.
- ACEN accredited three-semester transition for LPNs and paramedics
- Summer NRSG 1700 course earns credit for the first year of nursing
- Day transitions run annually; night transitions offered in odd years
- At least 400 hours of employment in the past two years required
- January 15 application deadline and TEAS exam required
- Point-based competitive admission with 24 seats per cohort
- Academic advisor assigned and information sessions recommended
Nursing RN (A.A.S. Transition Programs), Associates — On-Campus
Volunteer State Community College
Vol State's LPN to AASN bridge runs at Gallatin, Livingston, and Springfield, with fall starts at two sites and a January start at the third. LPNs can waive the fundamentals course through a prior learning assessment, then finish an ACEN-accredited associate degree built to transfer cleanly into BSN completion programs. Admission is point based and competitive, with a single April 1 deadline for every cohort.
- Offered at Gallatin, Livingston, and Springfield campuses
- August starts at Gallatin and Livingston; January start at Springfield
- Prior Learning Assessment can waive NRSG 1710 Fundamentals of Nursing
- Current unencumbered Tennessee LPN license needed for the PLA waiver
- April 1 application deadline for all cohorts
- ACEN accredited; coursework aligns with university BSN completion programs
- Point-based selection; admission described as quite competitive
LPN to AASN, Associates — On-Campus
Motlow State Community College
Motlow State offers a one-year, campus-based LPN to RN transition track in Tullahoma alongside its traditional and paramedic nursing options. The college's nursing program carries a long regional reputation across Middle Tennessee, and the transition track compresses the timeline to RN licensure for LPNs who are already working. Prerequisites and admission steps follow the college's standard nursing sequence.
- One-year campus-based transition for licensed practical nurses
- One of three nursing options, alongside traditional and paramedic tracks
- Located in Tullahoma, serving Middle Tennessee
One Year Track LPN to RN Transition, Associates — On-Campus
How We Ranked Tennessee LPN Bridge Programs
A ranking is only as useful as the method behind it, and too many program lists offer no explanation of how schools earned their spots. Here is exactly how we built ours.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: The Core Metric
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate accounts for roughly three-quarters of each program's composite score. We pulled three years of results from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), then weighted each year by the number of candidates who sat for the exam. A program that graduated 80 test-takers in a given year carries more statistical significance than one that graduated 12, and the formula reflects that.
Accreditation and Completion Rates
The remaining weight is split between two factors:
- Programmatic accreditation: Programs holding ACEN or CCNE accreditation count as Accredited LPN and RN Programs and receive credit in the composite. This signals that curriculum, faculty qualifications, and clinical experiences meet nationally recognized standards.
- Institution-wide completion and retention rates: Because program-specific graduation data is limited across Tennessee's LPN to RN Bridge Programs, we use institution-level completion and retention figures reported through federal higher-education databases, including IPEDS and College Scorecard. These serve as a reasonable proxy for how well a school supports students through to graduation.
Why Transparency Matters
Many competing lists present programs in an order that appears authoritative but never disclose why School A outranks School B. That gap makes it impossible for you, as a working LPN weighing tuition costs and time commitments, to judge whether the ranking reflects quality or marketing budgets when choosing the right LPN/LVN bridge program. By publishing our methodology here, we give you the context to evaluate our recommendations on their merits and to weigh additional factors, like location, schedule flexibility, and cost, that matter to your specific situation.
LPN to ADN vs. LPN to BSN: Which Path Fits Your Goals?
Tennessee LPNs weighing bridge programs face a core decision: earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for a faster, lower-cost route, or invest in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for broader career reach. Both paths lead to RN licensure through the NCLEX-RN, but the differences in time, cost, and long-term opportunity are worth comparing side by side. Program-level earnings data for these pathways are not yet reported at the credential level, so the comparison below focuses on verified program attributes.
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Tennessee LPN Bridge Program Costs and Financial Aid
Tuition at Tennessee's public community colleges remains remarkably affordable for LPN bridge students, with in-state rates clustered between roughly $4,700 and $5,300 per year. Out-of-state learners face a steeper bill, typically $17,700 to $18,600, so establishing Tennessee residency before enrollment pays off quickly. The effective net price, which factors in grants and scholarships, drops most programs to between $4,270 and $6,777 for in-state students. Beyond sticker price, working LPNs should explore three Tennessee-specific funding sources: the TN Reconnect Grant covers tuition and fees for adults at community colleges who do not already hold an associate degree, the HOPE Scholarship may apply when prerequisite coursework was completed at an eligible institution, and federal Pell Grants are awarded at every school on this list, where Pell recipient shares range from about 82% to over 90% of the student body, reflecting the strong need-based aid pipeline at these colleges. Employer tuition partnerships can eliminate out-of-pocket costs entirely. Ascension Saint Thomas offers a tuition-free LPN to RN program that covers tuition, fees, books, and NCLEX costs with 100% financial support for qualifying LPN employees. HCA Healthcare provides up to $5,250 per year in tuition assistance for eligible team members, and colleagues enrolled at Galen College of Nursing in Nashville receive an additional 5% quarterly tuition discount plus waived registration and technology fees. In 2022, HCA distributed $7.7 million in education assistance across more than 2,250 employees. Ballad Health, the dominant system in northeast Tennessee, reimburses up to roughly $2,500 per year after one year of full-time employment (or two years part-time) and partners with TCAT Elizabethton and TCAT Morristown for nursing scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and books. Ballad also offers up to $5,000 in student loan assistance. Each system's eligibility criteria vary, so confirm requirements with your employer's HR department before committing to a program.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (In-State) | Pell Grant Recipients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roane State Community College | Harriman | $4,998 | $18,630 | $4,270 | 90% |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg | $4,758 | $17,742 | $4,612 | 90% |
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia | $5,296 | $18,112 | $4,734 | 87% |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis | $4,778 | $17,750 | $4,754 | N/A |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville | $4,786 | $17,770 | $4,983 | 87% |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | $4,772 | $17,756 | $5,283 | 82% |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown | $4,752 | $17,736 | $5,387 | N/A |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson | $4,740 | $17,724 | $6,236 | N/A |
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland | $4,762 | $17,746 | $6,384 | 88% |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville | $4,730 | $17,714 | $6,777 | 88% |
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites for Tennessee LPN Bridge Programs
Tennessee LPN bridge programs share a core set of admission requirements, though specifics vary by school. Here is what to expect when you apply.
- Active, Unencumbered LPN LicenseEvery Tennessee LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN program requires an active, unencumbered LPN license before you begin nursing coursework. Programs operating under the Tennessee Board of Regents TCAT-to-community-college articulation specifically require a Tennessee or multistate compact license.
- Minimum GPAMany programs set a cumulative GPA floor between 2.5 and 2.75. Bethel University, for example, requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA (excluding developmental courses) plus a 2.75 on any trade-school transcript. Cumberland University requires official transcripts from all institutions attended, though its published materials do not specify a minimum GPA cutoff, contact the program directly for current thresholds.
- Prerequisite Science and General Education CoursesTypical prerequisites across Tennessee programs include Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, English Composition, and Developmental Psychology. Bethel's LPN-to-BSN track also requires General Chemistry with lab and Introduction to Statistics, five science prerequisites total, at least four of which must be completed or in progress by the July 31 application deadline. Some programs allow concurrent enrollment in remaining prerequisites after admission.
- Entry Without Prior College CreditsNot all programs require existing college coursework. Bethel University accepts working LPNs with no prior college credits, building a four-year BSN path that incorporates general education and science prerequisites from scratch. TCAT graduates can also enter community-college ADN bridge programs through systemwide articulation agreements without separate college transcripts, provided they graduated from a TCAT within three years and passed the required TCAT exit exam.
- Entrance Exam RequirementsMost programs require either the ATI TEAS or HESI exam. Bethel accepts a TEAS score at the Proficient level, a HESI Exit score of 850 or above, or an ATI Comprehensive Predictor PN score of 92 percent or higher, any one of the three satisfies the requirement, and scores must be within two years. Cumberland University requires the ATI TEAS before beginning classes, though it functions as an assessment rather than an admission gate. TCAT graduates who passed their program exit exam within three years may have the community-college entrance exam waived entirely under the Board of Regents articulation.
- Bethel University LPN-to-BSN Cohort DetailsBethel admits one cohort per year, entering each fall. The Fall 2026 application deadline is July 31, and the program is delivered in a hybrid format. Tuition is $400 per credit hour (2025–2026 rate), with a $30 application fee. No cohort size cap has been published. Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field may skip general education requirements but must still complete all five science prerequisites.
- Cumberland University LPN-to-BSN Cohort DetailsCumberland University's LPN-to-BSN program is active, requiring official transcripts from all colleges attended, a completed Nursing Candidacy Form, a high school transcript if available, and a letter of recommendation from an employer or former instructor. Tuition details for the 2026 cohort have not been officially confirmed by the university, an external estimate of approximately $13,320 per semester has circulated, but prospective students should verify current rates with Cumberland's admissions office directly.
- TCAT-to-Community-College ADN Bridge PathwayTennessee Colleges of Applied Technology do not confer RN degrees themselves, but a systemwide articulation agreement lets TCAT LPN graduates transition into community-college Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) programs. Schools such as Columbia State and Northeast State Community College participate. TCAT graduates who completed their program within three years and passed the required exit exam can skip the community-college nursing entrance exam. A newer pathway through TCAT Dickson and Austin Peay State University allows LPNs to begin prerequisites in Fall 2026 and enter BSN-level nursing courses by Fall 2027.
Online, Hybrid, and Campus Options for Working LPNs in Tennessee
Working LPNs in Tennessee should not expect a fully online bridge program. Clinical rotations are in-person even when didactic coursework is online, and true 100% online nursing bridge programs are rare.
What Hybrid Means in Tennessee
Among the best LPN programs in Tennessee, Cumberland University is one of several hybrid programs, with asynchronous online classes and part-time options paired with clinical learning. Most community college LPN mobility tracks are campus-based, though some, such as Pellissippi State's Nursing A.A.S., use online lectures with on-site labs. For working LPNs, asynchronous online coursework reduces commuting, but schedules still need room for in-person labs and clinicals.
ETSU LPN to BSN: Not Fully Online
East Tennessee State University's LPN to BSN program is hybrid, not online-only. It combines online courses with interactive television (ITV) courses and three required clinical intensives. The second semester includes an on-site weekend intensive, and clinicals may run 12-hour Friday-to-Sunday days in Northeast, East, and Middle Tennessee. ETSU states that out-of-state clinical placements are not possible. The program awards 23 articulation credits and runs as a four- to eight-semester major sequence after prerequisites, with Spring 2026 courses scheduled. Prospective students should check current admission windows each term.
Weekend and Border-State Options
ETSU's Friday-to-Sunday clinical scheduling is one of the clearest weekend-friendly designs for full-time working LPNs. Across the border, Western Kentucky University's LPN to ASN Bridge offers another hybrid path: 61 hours over four semesters, online classes with in-person clinicals. WKU's program page lists Tennessee residents as eligible for in-state tuition, so border-county LPNs can consider it without paying out-of-state rates. As with all hybrid programs, confirm clinical site locations and scheduling before relying on a commute or work schedule.
From LPN to RN License: Tennessee Steps and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member, which means that once you earn your RN license here, you hold a multistate license that lets you practice in 40+ compact states without applying for additional credentials. That is a significant advantage if you plan to explore travel nursing, pick up per diem shifts across the border in a neighboring compact state, or provide telehealth services to patients in other jurisdictions. Here are the key steps and details: (1) Complete a Board-approved LPN to RN bridge program. (2) Apply to the Tennessee Board of Nursing through the online LARS portal and submit fingerprints for the required background check (OCA code 1703 for RN applicants). (3) Register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 NCLEX-RN exam fee. (4) Pass the NCLEX-RN. (5) The Board processes your application, typically within four to six weeks of receiving all materials, and issues your multistate RN license, provided your primary residence is in Tennessee. The Board application fee is $150, and fingerprint processing fees are set by the vendor, so confirm the current amount when you schedule. Keep in mind that electronic fingerprint results usually return to the Board within eight to ten business days, though mailed cards take longer. Planning ahead on fingerprints and your Board application can shave weeks off your total wait time.
RN Salary in Tennessee: What LPNs Can Expect After Bridging
The financial case for completing an LPN to RN bridge program in Tennessee is straightforward. Based on the latest available Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, the median salary jump from LPN to RN across Tennessee metro areas ranges from roughly $22,000 to $33,000 per year, more than enough to recoup typical bridge program tuition within one to two years. Statewide, the 2024 BLS data shows Tennessee RNs earning a median annual wage of approximately $81,500 compared to roughly $58,870 for LPNs, a difference of about $22,600 at the median. In higher-cost metros like Nashville and the Tri-Cities region, that gap widens further. Program-level median earnings for recent completers are not yet reported for every Tennessee bridge program, but where available on practicalnursing.org scorecards, graduates typically show earnings consistent with or slightly above these metro medians within one to two years of completion.
| Metro Area | LPN Median Hourly Wage | RN Median Hourly Wage | Estimated LPN Annual Salary | Estimated RN Annual Salary | Approximate Annual Salary Lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $22 to $24 | $36 to $38 | $45,760 to $49,920 | $74,880 to $79,040 | $25,000 to $30,000 |
| Memphis | $21 to $23 | $34 to $36 | $43,680 to $47,840 | $70,720 to $74,880 | $22,000 to $28,000 |
| Knoxville | $20 to $22 | $33 to $35 | $41,600 to $45,760 | $68,640 to $72,800 | $23,000 to $30,000 |
| Chattanooga | $20 to $22 | $33 to $35 | $41,600 to $45,760 | $68,640 to $72,800 | $23,000 to $28,000 |
| Johnson City (Tri-Cities) | $20 to $22 | $34 to $37 | $41,600 to $45,760 | $70,720 to $76,960 | $27,000 to $33,000 |
| Tennessee (Statewide) | $28.30 | $39.18 | $58,870 | $81,500 | $22,630 |
Salary Snapshot: Tennessee RNs vs. LPNs
Bridging pays off, literally.
More Tennessee LPN to RN/BSN Programs to Consider
The ranked programs above are only part of the picture. Tennessee has additional LPN to RN and LPN to BSN bridge options spread across all three grand divisions, and the directory below organizes them by region so you can find a campus, schedule, or format closer to home.
East Tennessee
- LPN to A.A.S. Bridge Pathway
- LPN-BSN
- LPN-RN
- LPN Mobility Program
- LPN-ASN
- LPN to BSN
- Career Mobility Admission - LPN-RN Transition
- LPN to RN Option
- LPN-BSN
- Associate of Science in Nursing (LPN/ASN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN)
Middle Tennessee
- LPN-RN Career Mobility Program
- LPN-to-RN Bridge
- LPN to RN Bridge Program
West Tennessee
- Nursing, L.P.N. to B.S.N.
