Best LPN Programs in Tennessee
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In 2021, research from the Tennessee Hospital Association revealed a shortfall of 15,700 nurses in the state. To help cover the shortfall, healthcare facilities across the state turned to licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
While LPNs have a narrower scope of practice than registered nurses (RN), they are still valuable members of many healthcare teams. LPN training programs are designed to help you enter the healthcare workforce more quickly — and with the option to advance your education and become an RN down the road.
Explore details about Tennessee’s best LPN programs, as well as licensure requirements and a career and salary outlook.
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Education and Licensure Requirements for Tennessee LPNs
Tennessee requires all nurses, including LPNs, to acquire and maintain an active nursing license.
Here’s what practical nursing graduates can expect from the education and licensing processes.
Basic Eligibility
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must graduate from an approved LPN program
Education and Training Requirements
The Tennessee Board of Nursing (BON) requires all LPN candidates to have graduated from an approved practical nursing program, whether you’re applying as a new graduate or for licensure by endorsement.
Among requirements for new grads, applicants must include a completed application signed by a notary.
Additional Requirements for Licensure
- Recent photograph, taken within six months of the application date, signed by the student and the nursing program director.
- Criminal background check, including fingerprinting.
- Notarized declaration of citizenship
- Submit the proper fees:
- $100 examination
- $110 reexamination
- $115 endorsement
- $100 renewal
- $200 reinstatement (prorated)
- $37 criminal background check with fingerprinting
- $30 verification of licensure for license by endorsement
Tennessee became part of the nationwide Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement in January 2024. This agreement currently includes 41 of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The agreement allows nurses who have already earned a license in one state to practice in other states — as long as both states have joined the NLC — without obtaining an additional license. Nurses who legally reside in Tennessee can apply for a single-state or multi-state license. Applicants for a multi-state license must meet all NLC criteria.
License Renewal
Tennessee LPNs must renew their license every two years, on the last day of the nurse’s birth month. For example, a nurse whose birthday falls on January 15 has a renewal due date of January 31.
Renewal notices are mailed 45 days before the expiration date. LPNs can renew their license up to 60 days before the expiration date.
LPNs are required to meet specific competency standards to renew their license. This includes at least two of the following:
- Satisfactory employer evaluation
- Satisfactory peer evaluation of nursing performance
- Letter from a patient or family giving evidence of a satisfactory patient/nurse relationship
- Have a contract renewal or continuing contract
- Provide a written self-evaluation
- Evidence of current national certification
- Identify two nursing goals and detail how those goals were met
- Provide a letter from an agency where nursing volunteer hours were completed
- Proof of five contact hours of continuing education for practicing LPNs and 10 contact hours when not practicing
- Copy of a published nursing article written by the applicant
- Satisfactory completion of a nursing refresher course
- Successful completion of a comprehensive nursing orientation program
- Transcript proving two hours of nursing credit
- Evidence of successfully retaking the NCLEX-PN
- Submit a $100 nonrefundable license renewal fee.
Salary for LPNs in Tennessee
As in many other professions, LPNs in Tennessee can expect to earn an annual wage commensurate with their experience and the specific nature of their workplace.
Here’s a comparison of average LPN salaries in Tennessee to national averages.
| Type | Tennessee | National |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Wage (25th percentile) | $43,310 | $50,640 |
| Annual Wage (Median) | $49,780 | $59,730 |
| Annual Wage (75th percentile) | $57,890 | $67,140 |
| Location | Annual Wage (25th Percentile) | Annual Wage (Median) | Annual Wage (75th Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | $46,680 | $54,910 | $61,720 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,220 | $53,020 | $60,620 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,750 | $51,460 | $58,620 |
| Cleveland, TN | $46,780 | $51,400 | $56,930 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,720 | $51,140 | $59,280 |
Tennessee LPN Employment Trends
According to BLS projections, LPNs can expect a 5% job growth from 2022-2032, which is slightly stronger than the national average.
As Tennessee continues to experience a nursing shortage, healthcare organizations are aggressively trying to find, hire, and retain qualified nurses and other healthcare workers. These areas in the state have the highest number of employed LPNs.
| Location | Total Employment (2023) |
|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | 4,900 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 2,810 |
| Knoxville, TN | 2,380 |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 1,420 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 1,310 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 1,290 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 950 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 920 |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 880 |
| Johnson City, TN | 810 |
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs in Tennessee
LPN programs typically take 12-18 months to complete, with a year being about average. This includes not only graduating but passing the NCLEX-PN examination.
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