Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee
(found programs from 15 schools)

The number of advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, in Tennessee has steadily grown over the last five years. Currently, almost 20 percent of advanced practice nurses in Tennessee are providing much-needed primary care services to the state's residents.

Tennessee's 5000 plus nurse practitioners work in a unique practice environment. A collaborative agreement with a physician is not necessary to practice as an NP in Tennessee - unless you wish to prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners who want to prescribe medicine must have a written protocol, formulary and supervising physician. The doc must sign off on all charting involving the prescription and use of a controlled substance.

The average annual salary for a nurse practitioner in Tennessee is between $81,000 and $84,000. The Tennessee Nurses Association Council of Advanced Practice Nurses is the professional organization for nurse practitioners and all advanced practice nurses in Tennessee.

NP programs for Tennessee nurses include in-state schools such as:

• Belmont University. Located in Nashville, Belmont offers a Master's-level program that leads to certification as a family nurse practitioner.
• The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Want to be prepared for the future? The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is already offering DNP-level nurse practitioner programs. (By 2015, a Doctorate in Nursing will be the academic degree required for entry into the field as a nurse practitioner.) Choose from primary care, acute care or psych/family nurse practitioner tracks. Most coursework is offered online, though students are required to spend five to seven days on campus four times a year.
• Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt offers a master's level adult nurse practitioner program that allows students to sub-specialize in cardiovascular disease prevention, gerontology or palliative care. Coursework is offered online and at convenient times and locations so that students can continue to work while pursuing their degree.

Accredited schools with NP programs in Tennessee: