A private college or university is an independent, non-state school that does not rely on direct government funding. Private colleges and universities are thus primarily funded by student tuition and endowment donations, typically from successful alumni. There are a number of private schools that offer nursing programs in Tennessee.

Benefits of attending a private college or university
There are several benefits to attending a private institution. Private schools usually have smaller class sizes, enabling greater student participation and closer interaction with professors and classmates. Many private colleges and universities have a prestigious reputation that benefits graduates in the job market. They also often award scholarships to highly qualified students, lowering tuition costs.

Nursing programs at Tennessee’s private schools
There are more than twenty private schools in Tennessee that offer nursing programs. Some of the state’s most prestigious private institutions are Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Union University in Jackson, and Bethel University in McKenzie. All three schools offer highly regarded nursing programs.

Tennessee nursing employers
Graduates of Tennessee’s private nursing schools are well-positioned for employment with the state’s largest healthcare providers, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Genesis HealthCare, and Tenet Health. All three employers are frequently hiring for a variety of nursing positions, including nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, and registered nurse.

To help Tennessee’s aspiring nurses find the best education, we have organized below a detailed list of the state’s private colleges and universities with state-approved nursing programs.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga College
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southern Adventist University
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Chattanooga College Chattanooga
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southern Adventist University Collegedale
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Knoxville

South College
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • DNP: Nurse Executive
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Tennessee Wesleyan University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
South College Knoxville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • DNP: Nurse Executive
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Tennessee Wesleyan University Knoxville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion

Memphis

Baptist Health Sciences University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Christian Brothers University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
The Healthcare Institute
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
School City Programs offered
Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Christian Brothers University Memphis
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
The Healthcare Institute Memphis
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing

Nashville

Allied Health Careers Institute
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Aspen University - Nashville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Belmont University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Cumberland University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leadership and Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Fortis Institute - Nashville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Galen College of Nursing - Nashville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • LPN-to-ADN Bridge Program
  • Three-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lipscomb University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Marian University - Nashville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
South College - Nashville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Trevecca Nazarene University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Vanderbilt University
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse-Midwifery
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Allied Health Careers Institute Murfreesboro
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Aspen University - Nashville Nashville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Belmont University Nashville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Cumberland University Lebanon
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leadership and Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Fortis Institute - Nashville Nashville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Galen College of Nursing - Nashville Nashville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • LPN-to-ADN Bridge Program
  • Three-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lipscomb University Nashville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Marian University - Nashville Nashville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Madison
  • Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
South College - Nashville Nashville
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Vanderbilt University Nashville
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse-Midwifery
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Other Tennessee cities

Bethel University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Carson-Newman University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Fortis Institute - Cookeville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Freed-Hardeman University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
King University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Lee University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
Lincoln Memorial University
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificates
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Martin Methodist College
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Milligan University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Tusculum University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Union University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Bethel University McKenzie
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Carson-Newman University Jefferson City
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Fortis Institute - Cookeville Cookeville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Freed-Hardeman University Henderson
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
King University Bristol
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Lee University Cleveland
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificates
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Martin Methodist College Pulaski
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Milligan University Milligan
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Tusculum University Greeneville
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Union University Jackson
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Category: 
Tennessee