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 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate reached 94.89 percent in 2024, ahead of the national 91.16 percent, and the state expects nursing programs to keep first-time pass rates at or above 80 percent. This list leads with first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, with accreditation status and completion measures shaping the order behind it. Not every Tennessee school publishes a separate pass rate for its LPN bridge cohort, and where that number is missing we say so rather than guess.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Retention and completion measures
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Nursing program accreditation status
- Delivery format and affordability
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Cumberland University
Cumberland University in Lebanon runs a dedicated LPN to BSN bridge that puts licensed practical nurses into nursing coursework in their first semester, alongside any remaining prerequisites. Classes are asynchronous online with clinical placements spread across hospitals in Wilson, Davidson, Putnam, Rutherford and Sumner counties, so most students need only one day a week away from work. Admission is weighted and competitive, cohort size depends on available clinical and lab space, and the university advertises a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates.
- Hybrid format: asynchronous online classes plus clinical placements
- Nursing courses begin in the first semester alongside prerequisites
- Four semesters, with full-time and part-time options
- Most students need only one day a week away from work
- TEAS required before the first nursing class, with no set cut score
- Credit awarded for prior LPN experience
- Clinicals across Wilson, Davidson, Putnam, Rutherford and Sumner counties
LPN to BSN, Associates — Hybrid
Jackson State Community College
Jackson State's LPN to RN Career Mobility Track is a three-semester, ACEN-accredited bridge that admits one cohort each summer for up to 24 students. The curriculum covers Adult Health Nursing I and II, Nursing Transitions and clinical rotations at affiliate hospitals, with hybrid delivery that limits trips to campus for LPNs across West Tennessee. Anatomy and physiology II and pathophysiology must be recent, and admission is point-based and competitive against a published cost estimate for bridge students.
- Three-semester bridge with one summer start per year
- Cohort capped at 24 students
- Hybrid delivery with distance-learning options
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- A&P II and pathophysiology must be completed within five years
- Entrance exam required; admission is point-based and competitive
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level RN roles
LPN to RN Career Mobility Track, Associates — On-Campus
Pellissippi State Community College
Pellissippi State's Bridge to RN pathway is a 12-month accelerated option for licensed LPNs and paramedics, combining online lectures with on-site labs and clinicals at three Knoxville-area campuses. Students who complete the transition course receive credit for Fundamentals of Nursing and move straight into advanced nursing content. The college reported a 100 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025, and the curriculum is built around evidence-based care and clinical decision-making.
- 12-month hybrid bridge for licensed LPNs and paramedics
- Online lectures with on-site labs and clinicals
- Credit for Fundamentals of Nursing after the transition course
- Offered at Blount County, Magnolia Avenue and Strawberry Plains
- ACEN accredited with a spring start
- 66 to 67 total credit hours
- College reported a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025
Nursing (A.A.S.) Bridge to RN, Associates — On-Campus
Dyersburg State Community College
Dyersburg State's Advanced Standing RN Fast Track merges the former LPN to RN and paramedic to RN routes into a single pathway taught at three West Tennessee sites: Dyersburg, the Jimmy Naifeh Center in Covington and the Henry County Center near Paris. Applicants need a current LPN or paramedic license, a 2.5 GPA in required courses and a score of at least 75 on the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam to qualify for advanced standing. Start terms and application deadlines rotate by campus, so timing takes planning.
- Consolidated pathway for licensed LPNs and paramedics
- Taught at Dyersburg, Covington and Henry County near Paris
- 2.5 GPA minimum in required courses
- NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam score of 75 or higher
- TEAS entrance exam also required
- Deadlines differ by campus: September 15 and March 15
- ACEN accredited
Advanced Standing LPN to RN Fast Track, Associates — On-Campus
Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State moves licensed LPNs and paramedics into the second year of its RN associate degree after a summer transition course, with day sections offered every year and night sections in odd years. Applicants must show at least 400 hours of employment in their licensed role within the past two years and complete the TEAS, and seats are awarded through a competitive point system. Cohorts run about 24 students with an assigned academic advisor, and faculty suggest capping outside work at roughly 20 hours a week.
- Summer transition course leads into the second year
- Day transitions every year; night transitions in odd years
- 400 hours of recent employment in the licensed role required
- TEAS exam and competitive point-based admission
- Cohorts of about 24 students with assigned advisors
- ACEN accredited three-semester transition
- Faculty advise limiting outside work to 20 hours a week
Nursing RN (A.A.S.) Transition Program, Associates — On-Campus
Volunteer State Community College
Volunteer State offers an LPN to AASN bridge at its Gallatin, Livingston and Springfield campuses, and licensed LPNs can use prior learning assessments to waive the fundamentals course and move directly into advanced nursing content. The college describes the pathway as a part-time hybrid LPN to RN program and aligns the associate curriculum with university BSN completion, so credits transfer cleanly. Admission is point-based, and a single April 1 deadline covers all cohorts.
- Offered at Gallatin, Livingston and Springfield campuses
- Prior Learning Assessments can waive the fundamentals course
- Part-time hybrid format built for working LPNs
- August starts at Gallatin and Livingston; January at Springfield
- Single April 1 application deadline for all cohorts
- Point-based admission described as quite competitive
- Curriculum aligns with university BSN completion programs
- Current unencumbered Tennessee LPN license required
LPN to AASN, Associates — On-Campus
South College
South College's Knoxville campuses run two bridge routes for LPNs: a 21-month associate degree track and a BSN track designed to finish in about 39 months. The BSN route does not require the TEAS and lets students complete prerequisites online, and both options build on an active LPN license. Nursing coursework holds ACEN and CCNE accreditation, and the college highlights national nursing program recognition for 2025-2026.
- 21-month program completed over seven quarters
- About 20 in-class hours per week
- TEAS or HESI A2 entrance exam required
- 2.5 GPA minimum plus prerequisite sciences
- ACEN accredited, offered at five campus locations
- Financial aid, scholarships and military benefits available
- Current unencumbered LPN license required for admission
- Designed for completion in about 39 months
- No TEAS, ACT or SAT required for admission
- Prerequisites can be completed online
- Back-credit for nursing courses after fundamentals
- Campus or hybrid formats with labs and clinicals
- January, April, June and October start dates
- Yellow Ribbon program participant; application fee waived for military
Associate of Science in Nursing (LPN/ASN) — On-Campus
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN), Associates — Hybrid
Cleveland State Community College
Cleveland State's LPN to A.A.S. Bridge Pathway is a three-term sequence that starts each spring and is open only to licensed practical nurses, with applications taken from August 1 through October 1. The college reported a 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate for its spring 2025 nursing class, which included bridge students, well above the state's 80 percent requirement for first-time test takers. A simulation center supports hands-on practice, and a 2026 statewide articulation agreement gives TCAT LPN graduates credit toward the bridge.
- Three-term bridge sequence starting each spring
- Applications accepted August 1 through October 1
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- 69 total credit hours
- Simulation center for hands-on practice
- Spring 2025 nursing class posted a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
- TCAT LPN graduates may receive credit under a 2026 state agreement
LPN to A.A.S. Bridge Pathway, Associates — On-Campus
Southern Adventist University
Southern Adventist offers LPNs two routes: a five-semester LPN to BSN and an associate track that places licensed practical nurses into the second level of the program for three semesters of nursing coursework. Both are campus-based in Collegedale, taught within a Christian Adventist framework, with fall and winter entry terms and full-time or part-time enrollment. A simulation center and a dedicated tutorial program support students, and the school also runs a licensure update course for nurses whose Tennessee license has lapsed.
- Five semesters of nursing coursework
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Entrance exam required for admission
- ACEN and Tennessee Board of Nursing accredited
- Campus-based in Collegedale with a simulation lab
- Christian, Adventist framework of whole-person care
- Full-time and part-time enrollment options
- Three semesters after advanced placement
- LPNs enter at the second level of the four-level program
- Bridge course: LPN-RN Perspectives
- Fall and winter start terms
- Transfer of Fundamentals credit possible
- ASAP tutorial program and Learning Resource Center support
LPN to BSN — On-Campus
LPN to Associate of Science in Nursing — On-Campus
South College-Asheville
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN-BSN) — 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 programs below sit outside the ranked top ten, and they are grouped by region so you can find options closer to home. Each entry lists the campus location, delivery format, degree level, and published tuition where the school reports it.
East Tennessee
- LPN Mobility Program
- LPN-ASN
- Career Mobility Admission - LPN-RN Transition
- LPN to BSN
- LPN to RN Option
- Hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Middle Tennessee
- LPN-to-RN Bridge
- LPN to RN Bridge Program
West Tennessee
- LPN Mobility Track
