Top LPN Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee LPN Schools, License Requirements, Salary, and Job Outlook

Practical nursing is one of the most appreciated jobs in the healthcare industry. While the doctors diagnose and prescribe, the practical nurse administers the daily medication and is responsible for activities like taking vital signs, collecting samples, making beds, and everything that puts patients at ease. It is due to such an extensive role that the job of an LPN is considered very demanding.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2015, there were 22,490 licensed practical nurses working in the state of Tennessee. But as per the current estimates, even such a large workforce is not sufficient to meet the growing demands of the aging population. As per the reports of the US Department of Labor, the number of job opportunities in this sector is projected to grow 16% by the year 2024.

Now, before you make up your mind to become a practical nurse, there are certain things you need to know, to make an informed decision. To work as an LPN, you first need to complete a practical nursing course from any nursing school accredited by the State Board. There are plenty of colleges in Tennessee that offer quality licensed practical nursing courses.

LPN Schools in Tennessee

OUR METHODOLOGY +

A nursing school ranks on the top according to the following criteria-

• Higher Passing Rate of Alumni in NCLEX
• Financial Aid that a school provides
• Higher number of students

The nursing schools were then included in the ranking on the basis of following factors-

• Well-developed Architecture
• Better Infrastructure
• Superior Technology
• Ranking in US News and World Report
• Teachings offered by world-class faculty
• Inclusion of world-class facilities
• World-class Opportunities

We hope that the list will help you to opt the best college as per your preferences in the state. The programs available in these colleges will give you an opportunity to begin your journey as a successful nurse.

License Requirements for LPNs in Tennessee

It is due to the extensive responsibilities associated with the job of an LPN that any aspirant, before working as a practical nursing professional, needs to obtain a license from the Tennessee Nursing Board. Though the procedure to get a license is fairly simple, there are certain prerequisites and formalities that you must fulfill. Below is the detailed description of the steps; you need to follow:

1. Complete Your LPN Program

If you aspire to be a practical nurse, the first thing you need to do is get enrolled in an LPN course in any of the accredited nursing schools in Tennessee. There are a host of diploma, degree, and certification courses offered by the colleges from which you can pick the one as per your interest.

2. Application

After completion of the LPN course, you need to apply for the NCLEX-PN exam. Along with the application fee, the aspirants also need to submit the following documents, duly attested by a notary public:

• Official transcript of the course completed
• One photograph attested by the applicant and director of the program
• Criminal background check result to be sent directly by the vendor

After receiving the supporting documents and fee, the board issues an ATT (Authorization to Test) that makes you eligible to attempt the exam.

3. Clear the NCLEX-PN Exam

Merely completing your LPN course isn't enough to work as a practical nurse. The state requires every applicant to pass the NCLEX-PN exam to be considered for licensure. The exam in itself is adaptive in nature, and hence; the duration and difficulty level highly varies depending on an individual’s performance. The state allows the candidates to take multiple attempts if they meet certain recommendations laid out by the Board, on case-by-case basis.

Licensure by Endorsement

If you already posses a nursing license in another state and want to practice in Tennessee, the procedure to acquire the LPN license is very different from above and largely depends on your state of origin.

Procedure for the NLC States

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between different states of the US that allows the nursing professions with a valid license in one state to practice in any member state without going through the tedious licensure procedure. So, if you hold a nursing license in any of these 24 member states- Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin, all you are required to do is produce your original license and a proof of residence (driver's license, voter registration, etc.).

Procedure for the Non-NLC States

If you have a nursing license in a state that is not a part of the NLC, you have to submit the following documents before you start practicing:

• Official verification of the current license
• A reference from your last employer
• One self-attested photograph
• Criminal background check result to be sent directly by the vendor
• Proof of proficiency in English language (for foreign nationals)
• Copy of the nursing education mailed directly by the nursing school

To download the offline application form for licensure by endorsement, click here.

License Reinstatement

The license issued by the Tennessee Board of Nursing is not for the lifetime and gets expired after a period of 2 years. Also, if you had earlier applied for the retirement of your LPN license, and now want to start practicing again, you have to get your license reinstated. The basic requirements for the license reinstatement are as follows:

• Pay all the dues
• Pay license reinstatement fee
• Submit proof of eligibility to work as the nursing professional

You can apply offine for reinstatement. To get the application form, click here.

License Renewal in Tennessee

If you feel license reinstatement is too much of a trouble and want to save yourself from paying the reinstatement fee, then you must get your license renewed every two years. It ensures that your data is maintained in the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. You can get your license renewed by either of these ways:

• Online- Login to Tennessee license renewal portal, fill in your credentials, pay the required fee, and your license will be renewed.
• Offline- The license renewal division of Tennessee Board of Nursing also mails renewal applications to all individuals who have not renewed their license online. Send the duly filled and signed form and make the required payment to get your license renewed.

Duplicate License

In case; you have lost your LPN license, you are required to inform the Board and submit a form along with supporting documents attested by notary. The board upon receiving these documents and appropriate fees, will issue a new certificate.

Name and Address Change

Those who undergo address or name change need to notify the board within 30 days of the change. You have to submit a duly filled form along with a copy of any legal document such as the divorce decree, marriage certificate, or court order, as a proof.

Average Annual Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse in Tennessee

The income of a Licensed Practical Nurse depends on various factors, including experience, education, employer, and geographical location. The average annual salary of these professionals was $47,000 as per the statistics of indeed.com (as of October 4, 2016). Their annual salary, according to the US Department of Labor (as of May 2015), was $37,270 while the mean hourly wage was $17.92.

Information Source: indeed.com (as of October 4, 2016)

Analysis of the above table indicates that Psychiatric Nurses made the highest salary, i.e., $53,000 a year, while the Patient Care Technician Students took home only $16,000 per annum.

Annual Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurses in Different Cities of Tennessee

Name of the City	Salary
Chattanooga	$40,460
Germantown	$42,415
Kingsport	$38,685
Nashville	$42,643
Knoxville	$40,325
Johnson city	$38,685
Jackson	$36,828
Clarksville	$39,823
Franklin	$42,643
Murfreesboro	$38,919
Hendersonville	$42,643
Memphis	$42,415

Information Source: Salary.com

As per the above table, Franklin, Hendersonville, and Nashville paid the highest median annual salary (i.e., $42,643) to the LPNs. The practical nurses in Jackson were paid the least, i.e., $36,828 per annum.

Job Outlook for LPNs in Tennessee

With the current boom in the healthcare industry, job prospects in the field of practical nursing are also on the rise. As per the statics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22,490 licensed practical/vocational nurses in the state of Tennessee in May 2015. The number of jobs for practical nurses in the country is projected to grow 16% by the year 2024, which is much more than other occupations. Overall the sector seems to be promising in terms of salary and future growth.