Accelerated BSN Programs in Tennessee (2026)

3 accelerated BSN programs for Tennessee career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Tennessee ABSN students

  • 3 accelerated BSN programs in our Tennessee directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Tennessee: 12 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition ranges from $46,860 to $55,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Tennessee earn $82,010/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — an RN license issued here can authorize practice in other compact states.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Tennessee

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Tennessee. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Tennessee students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Tennessee nursing program hub for related pathways.

3

ABSN Programs

12 mo

Fastest Option

$46,860

Lowest Tuition

$82K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Tennessee

3 accelerated BSN programs — 2 on-campus or hybrid, 1 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

3 accelerated BSN programs in our Tennessee directory (12 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Tennessee BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 12 Tennessee BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 12 months (Vanderbilt University, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 12 of 12 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Tennessee programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Vanderbilt UniversityBSNOn Campus12$55,000
UT Health Science Center – College of NursingBSNOnline12—
Galen College of NursingBSNOn Campus15$46,860
Arizona College of NursingBSNOn Campus28$56,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleBSNOn Campus48$55,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Tennessee

Tennessee lists 3 accelerated tracks against 12 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 12 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Tennessee hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Tennessee earning an average of $82,010 per year and 6.9% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Tennessee participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an ABSN graduate who passes the NCLEX-RN and is licensed in Tennessee can practice in any of the other compact member states without applying for separate licensure — useful for career changers who anticipate relocating after graduation.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Tennessee

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Tennessee hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Tennessee, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Tennessee ranges from $46,860 to $55,000 total. Ask Tennessee hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Tennessee ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Tennessee?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Tennessee students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Tennessee, the fastest option is 12 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Tennessee schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 12 Tennessee BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 12 months (Vanderbilt University). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1 years in Tennessee?
The shortest listed Tennessee BSN pathway in our directory is 12 months (1 years) at Vanderbilt University. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Tennessee?
Vanderbilt University, UT Health Science Center – College of Nursing and Galen College of Nursing — 3 institutions, 3 accelerated tracks listed for Tennessee, the quickest 12 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Tennessee board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with no blanket CE contact-hour requirement.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Tennessee?
Among ABSN programs listed for Tennessee, total tuition ranges from $46,860 to $55,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Tennessee?
Partly. 1 of the 3 tracks listed for Tennessee is flagged primarily online, at UT Health Science Center – College of Nursing; the other 2 run campus-based or hybrid.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Tennessee?
For career changers in Tennessee, the math is favorable. RNs in Tennessee earn an average of $82,010 per year (BLS May 2024), with 6.9% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Tennessee hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, and the licence travels: Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Tennessee multistate licence is accepted across every other compact state without a second application.

Tennessee Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

None specified

NLC Compact

Yes — multi-state license

Source: Tennessee Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Tennessee

Tennessee nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$82,010 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

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