Choosing a career is one of the most significant decisions one makes in life. Because of this, you must ensure that you choose a career that you enjoy and that provides you with a great paycheck as well. A career as a registered nurse (RN) can be that career for you. Not only does a career as an RN offer an abundance of emotional satisfaction nationwide, but, specifically in Tennessee, it also offers an average salary of $78,240 per year.
- 12.8% RN Job Growth
- $78,240 Yearly Salary
- 63,460 RNs Employed
Source: Projections Central, BLS
Like in all other states, you will not have a hard time finding employment in Tennessee as well, as there is a huge demand for ADNs in the Volunteer State, just like in other states, and the U.S. Department of Labor expects available RN positions to increase for several years to come.
The fastest route to becoming an RN is earning an associate degree in nursing, or ADN. Naturally, if you wish to work as an RN in Tennessee, you will also need to take and pass the national nursing license exam for RNs, the NCLEX-RN.
Related: Typical Course Outline of an ADN Program
The Best ADN Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee is an amazing place to visit and an even better place to earn an ADN. There are many terrific ADN schools here, including those listed below.
Aquinas College
4210 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 (615) 297-7545Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406 (423) 697-4400Cleveland State Community College
3535 Adkisson Dr, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-7141Columbia State Community College
1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 540-2722Concorde Career College
5100 Poplar Ave # 132, Memphis, TN 38137 (901) 761-9494Dyersburg State Community College
1510 Lake Rd, Dyersburg, TN 38024 (731) 286-3200Fortis Institute
3354 Perimeter Hill Dr #105, Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 320-5917Freed-Hardeman University
158 E Main St, Henderson, TN 38340 (800) 348-3481Jackson State Community College
2046 North Pkwy, Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 424-3520Lincoln Memorial University
6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Cumberland Gap, TN 37724 (423) 869-7089Motlow State Community College
6015 Ledford Mill Rd, Tullahoma, TN 37388 (931) 393-1500Nashville State Community College
120 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 353-3333Northeast State Community College
2425 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617 (423) 323-3191Pellissippi State Community College
10915 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 694-6400Roane State Community College
276 Patton Ln, Harriman, TN 37748 (865) 354-3000Southern Adventist University
4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, TN 37363 (423) 236-2000Southwest Tennessee Community College
737 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 333-5000Tennessee State University
3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 963-5111Walters State Community College
500 S Davy Crockett Pkwy, Morristown, TN 37813 (423) 585-2600
Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in Tennessee
RNs in Tennessee are in high demand, with a projected 12.8% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 63,460 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $78,240, or $37.61 per hour.
Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.
Explore salary trends for RNs in Tennessee's metro areas below:
| Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin | $40.08 | $83,360 |
| Memphis-MS-AR | $39.49 | $82,140 |
| Cleveland | $38.45 | $79,970 |
| Chattanooga-GA | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Clarksville-KY | $36.15 | $75,180 |
| Johnson City | $35.06 | $72,910 |
| Jackson | $34.20 | $71,130 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol-VA | $33.74 | $70,180 |
| Knoxville | $33.61 | $69,910 |
| Morristown | $33.27 | $69,200 |
Source: BLS
Tennessee Board of Nursing
For questions about nursing programs and licensure in Tennessee, please contact the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Address: 665 Mainstream Dr 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
- Phone: (615) 532-5166
- Fax: (615) 741-7899
- Website: tn.gov
Conclusion
This article highlights that Tennessee has many reasons to become an RN, one being the availability of reputable ADN-offering schools, and lists some examples of such schools.
