More than 4 million registered nurses (RNs) care for patients across the country, according to the American Nurses Association. They assess patients’ healthcare needs, educate communities about disease prevention, administer medical treatments, and provide care to patients of all ages.
In Tennessee, as in the rest of the nation, nurses are in demand. By attending a Tennessee nursing school, individuals can gain the knowledge and skills needed to qualify for a nursing license and entry-level RN positions.
But what can nursing students expect during nursing school? What are the requirements for an RN license in Tennessee? And what are the benefits of attending nursing school in the Volunteer State?
What Does Nursing School Entail?
A nursing school education prepares students to take the licensure exam to become licensed registered nurses. Because RNs must meet high patient care standards, a license issued by the Tennessee Board of Nursing is required to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee. Only graduates of approved nursing schools are able to qualify for a Tennessee RN license.
The two types of educational programs for RNs are the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Many nurses enter the field with an associate degree because an ADN program provides focused training for an RN license on a shorter timeline than a BSN program. After becoming an RN, nurses can continue their education by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program.
Associate Degree in Nursing Overview
What can nursing students expect during an Associate Degree in Nursing program? ADN programs teach students about patient care, nursing practice, and fundamental nursing skills through a blend of classroom education and supervised clinical experiences.
Tennessee nursing school topics include:
Human anatomy and physiology
Health assessment
Evidence-based practice
Health promotion
In addition to coursework, nursing students learn clinical skills through labs, practicums, and clinical rotations. During these experiential components, students strengthen their clinical decision-making and critical thinking skills. They also gain experience in nursing specialties such as pediatric nursing, critical care nursing, and cardiac nursing.
After earning an ADN, graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and, once they pass the exam, apply for their registered nurse license.
Nursing School Length and Requirements in Tennessee
The admission requirements for nursing school can vary by program and institution. ADN programs typically require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some nursing programs can require prerequisite courses in biology, math, and chemistry. Many high school graduates already meet these requirements. Applicants may also need to complete a nursing school entrance exam.
After gaining admission into nursing school, students typically take two academic years of full-time study to complete an ADN program or up to four years of full-time study to complete a BSN program. During that time, nursing students complete coursework and meet supervised clinical experience requirements. Some nursing schools use a hybrid format that incorporates online classes.
Nursing students demonstrate their knowledge and expertise through simulation-based exams, dosage calculation questions, and clinical performance evaluations. Nursing schools prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure exam for registered nurses.
Graduates from approved Tennessee nursing schools can apply for an RN license from the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Applicants must submit their official transcripts and NCLEX-RN scores. Tennessee also requires applicants to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check. After obtaining an RN license, Tennessee nurses are eligible to work in any of a variety of types of healthcare settings.
Fortis Institute Nursing School Requirements
The ADN programs at Fortis Institute in Tennessee are hybrid delivery programs with a combination of on-campus and online learning. Students must have a recognized high school diploma and achieve a minimum test score on the Wonderlic SLE aptitude test in order to enroll. There are no prerequisite courses required to enroll in a nursing program at Fortis in Tennessee.
Benefits of Attending Nursing School in Tennessee
Graduating from nursing school and obtaining an RN license prepares aspiring nurses for in-demand jobs in Tennessee. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities rely on RNs to coordinate patients’ care, administer treatments, and provide evidence-based care.
As the demand for healthcare services grows, the need for RNs will also increase. In particular, RNs working in healthcare settings that provide same-day services or home care and those working in residential care facilities are expected to see strong job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Registered nurses in Tennessee benefit from job growth projections that are significantly stronger than the national average. Nationally, RNs are expected to see 6% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS. In Tennessee, RNs are expected to see 12.8% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projections Central, the U.S. Department of Labor’s economic reporting project.
With two campus locations in Tennessee offering Associate Degree in Nursing programs, Fortis Institute is proud to be among the Tennessee nursing schools working to help the state meet the growing demand for qualified RNs.
Earn Your Nursing Degree at Fortis Institute
The Fortis Institute campuses in Cookeville and Nashville, Tennessee offer ADN programs that are approved by the Tennessee Board of Nurses and use a flexible format to educate aspiring registered nurses. At Fortis, nursing students take courses online while also gaining clinical expertise during on-campus courses and clinical placements.
Fortis also offers a direct entry path for individuals who are currently working as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and are seeking to advance their nursing careers by becoming RNs. By granting academic credit for an active LPN license, Fortis helps practical nurses earn an RN license in less time.
Graduates of Fortis’ ADN programs work in healthcare settings in Tennessee and across the country. Contact Fortis today to learn more about the nursing school campus locations in both Cookeville and Nashville, Tennessee.
Recommended Readings
LPN vs. RN: What’s the Difference?
What Are the Different Types of Nurses?
What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Nurse?