Maria Delgado, RN
June 24, 2025
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs in Tennessee function as a fundamental healthcare resource by developing empathetic caregivers who assist nurses and care for patients. Patient care depends on CNAs because they perform basic daily tasks with patients while keeping track of vital signs and condition changes. The support system is vital for maintaining high-quality patient care especially for elderly and long-term care patients.
Collegedale, TN - Private 4-year - southern.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Jumpstart your healthcare career with Southern Adventist University's Clinical Nurse Aide program. In just 4-6 months, gain essential skills to provide compassionate patient care across diverse healthcare settings. This comprehensive program prepares you for certification exams and offers practical training with total tuition around $2,000, including exam fees and materials. Ideal for career changers and those seeking a quick entry into healthcare, the program equips you with vital skills in patient assistance, vital sign monitoring, and professional communication. With flexible online learning and hands-on clinical experience, you'll be job-ready and prepared to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
Harriman, TN - Public 2-Year - roanestate.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Roane State Community College offers a Clinical Nurse Aide (CNA) program with Tennessee State Licensure, providing aspiring healthcare professionals a direct pathway to entry-level certification. The comprehensive training prepares students for critical patient care roles, leveraging experienced instructors with real-world expertise. Ideal for career changers, recent graduates, and those seeking quick healthcare employment, this program combines practical skills with state-recognized credentials.
Morristown, TN - Public 2-Year - ws.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Jumpstart a rewarding healthcare career with Walters State's Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) program. In less than 12 weeks, students gain comprehensive skills to provide essential patient care, including vital sign monitoring, personal hygiene assistance, and patient interaction. The state-approved program meets Tennessee's rigorous 75-hour training requirements and prepares students to take the official certification exam. Graduates are qualified for entry-level positions in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare agencies, offering a fast track to a meaningful profession with strong job prospects.
Dyersburg, TN - Public 2-Year - dscc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Dyersburg State Community College provides comprehensive training for healthcare professionals seeking to enter the medical field. Students learn critical skills for patient care across diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home care environments. The program emphasizes practical knowledge in patient confidentiality, documentation, patient rights, and foundational anatomy and physiology. Designed for those passionate about patient-centered care, this program equips students with essential competencies needed to launch a rewarding healthcare career.
Tennessee permits students to complete part of their CNA education through online courses but full online programs remain impossible because of the necessity of hands-on training. The hybrid learning approach at some schools combines virtual classroom work with practical lab training and clinical experience for skills development. The flexible learning format provides advantages to students because it accommodates their needs to study between work and family responsibilities. CNA students enrolled in Tennessee must participate in face-to-face clinical training sessions to prove their ability in actual patient care activities. Traditional classroom-based programs maintain their popularity and include programs that operate during evenings and weekends.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University |
|
|
| Roane State Community College |
|
|
| Walters State Community College |
|
|
| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a state-approved 75-hour NATCEP and pass the competency exam within 24 months, LPN/RN students, military medics, and out-of-state CNAs (excluding Florida) may qualify by challenge or reciprocity |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Tennessee Health Facilities Commission – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 75 total hours, including at least 16 supervised clinical hours |
| Fees | $40 knowledge exam, $100 skills evaluation, paid via TMU, no state application fee |
| Certification Exam | Pass both written/oral and five-skill practical tests within two years |
| Registry Activation Time | Certification issued within 4–6 weeks of exam completion |
| Renewal Requirements | Every 24 months, verify eight hours of paid CNA work in a licensed facility |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs apply via reciprocity without testing or fees (Florida excepted) |
Working as a CNA in Tennessee provides a stable entry-level income and plenty of job opportunities. The typical hourly wage for CNAs in Tennessee amounts to $17 which translates to $35,000 annually. The wages of nursing assistants vary between different regions and employers because metropolitan hospital staff members receive better compensation with shift differentials but nursing home staff members receive lower salaries. The current strong demand for CNAs will persist in the future. The aging population of Tennessee creates sustained demand for qualified nurse aides at facilities including long-term care centers, hospitals, and home health agencies. The nursing field experiences a continuous influx of new CNA positions because some CNA professionals choose to advance their careers as LPNs or RNs.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Tennessee | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $33,200 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $15.95 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$42,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $33,200 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$29,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~8,100 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University |
|
|
| Roane State Community College |
|
|
| Walters State Community College |
|
|
The majority of CNAs in Tennessee choose to progress their nursing careers after working as CNA professionals. Most CNAs in Tennessee choose to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) after completing about one year of additional education. LPN school students who start as CNAs gain an advantage because they already possess fundamental patient care abilities and clinical procedures. Nursing professionals who begin as LPNs and gain experience can pursue Registered Nurse (RN) status through associate or bachelor’s nursing degree programs. Healthcare facilities support career development by providing tuition reimbursement and flexible scheduling programs for CNAs who attend nursing school. The early experience as a CNA builds essential practical skills which help future nursing career advancement.
Additional Nursing Programs in Tennessee
LEARN MORE
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
