How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Tennessee

This article has been updated on October 8, 2024.

The role of a nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nursing commitment to provide specialized health care to patients and families. In the state of Tennessee, the scope of practice for NPs is determined by the Tennessee State General Assembly and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

If you’re currently a working nurse in or around Tennessee looking to advance your career, this blog post is for you. This step-by-step guide will explain the necessary steps for how to become a nurse practitioner in Tennessee.

Nurse practitioner programs in Tennessee are available to prepare current registered nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for the role of nurse practitioner. The educational curriculum and practice experiences prepare nurse practitioners to evaluate patients, diagnose and treat health conditions, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests and manage treatment plans.

Educational Pathways to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Tennessee

A nurse practitioner program builds upon the foundational BSN degree that many RNs hold. Some RNs have completed associate degrees in nursing (ADN) programs, which are shorter in duration, but the BSN is a prerequisite for progression into graduate nursing education.

Clinical experience is an important component of nursing education and helpful when applying for entry into graduate nursing programs. When returning to school to become a nurse practitioner, working RNs can benefit from their clinical experience because they can assimilate and apply new nurse practitioner knowledge to their existing patient care background.

RN licensure and clinical experience are necessary before moving toward greater autonomy as a nurse practitioner, one of the benefits of becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP).

Steps to Obtain RN Licensure in Tennessee

After graduating with a BSN degree, there are specific steps an RN licensure candidate must take to obtain RN licensure in Tennessee.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the premier nursing licensure examination, and passing the NCLEX is required for RN licensure in all 50 states. Tennessee is part of the nursing licensure compact, so residents of the state with a Tennessee driver’s license have the option to apply for this multistate RN license.

The Tennessee Board of Nursing outlines these steps:

• Complete a fingerprint criminal background check (advised six weeks before graduation).
• Apply for RN licensure by examination through the licensure and regulatory system online portal (advised four weeks before graduation).
• Register for the NCLEX exam, and pay the examination fee to Pearson Vue (advised two weeks before graduation).
• Request official transcripts to be sent to the Tennessee Board of Nursing (after your nursing program degree conferral).

Graduate Programs for Nurse Practitioner Specialization           

There are three broad degree categories that prepare nurse practitioners. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is for BSN-prepared nurses, while post-master’s certifications are for those who have already earned an MSN degree. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal, clinical degree that prepares nurse practitioners for leadership roles and evidence translation.

For students interested in obtaining this clinical doctorate without a prior MSN, the nurse practitioner curriculum may also be embedded within a longer program designed to take students from a BSN to a DNP.

When exploring available programs, different nurse practitioner specializations are typically offered within their own distinct MSN curricula or post-master’s certificate tracks. The coursework required for each specialization has some overlap, particularly in the core curriculum that includes advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment.

Beyond these courses, nurse practitioner programs include topics of study and mandatory clinical hours appropriate to the area of specialized practice. Examples are as follows:

• Age-specific training for working with populations such as geriatrics, obstetrics, pediatrics and neonatal care
• Research methods for evidence-based practice
• Nursing informatics and medical ethics
• Residency experiences and simulation labs

Accredited nurse practitioner programs prepare quality graduates through a combination of didactic coursework and clinical rotations, sometimes called clinical practicums or preceptorships. During this required field experience, students work in a supervised nurse practitioner role in one or more health care facilities and grow in their ability to execute advanced practice competencies with real patients.

Choosing a Nurse Practitioner Specialty

When choosing a nurse practitioner specialty, consider what specialty areas align your personal interests with the patient population and health care needs. For example, if you enjoy working with infants and children, you might specialize in pediatric primary or acute care or even choose a neonatal specialization. Those who enjoy working with older adults may choose to work in home health care, assisted living or hospice.

You might also select a specialty area based on the type of practice setting where you desire employment. FNPs are trained to work with patients and families across their lifespan, and their role in underserved communities is notable. 

The AANP Nurse Practitioner Fact Sheet presents a distribution of nurse practitioners across all specialty areas that shows the percentage of certified in each specialty area. In 2022, the top nurse practitioner specializations in the U.S. were:

• Family NP (70.3%)
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP (8.9%)
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP (6.5%)
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP (6.1%)

State-Specific Requirements for Nurse Practitioners in Tennessee

Within the United States, there are three general categories that describe the nurse practitioner practice environment. These categories are as follows:

• Full Practice: NPs are permitted the greatest level of autonomy in nursing.
• Reduced Practice: At least one aspect of NP practice is reduced by state law.
• Restricted Practice: At least one aspect of NP practice is restricted by the requirement of a collaborating or supervising physician.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides a summary overview of state practice environments within the country. Tennessee currently falls in the restricted practice category, requiring a formal agreement with a supervising physician. This partnership helps support advanced practice nurses with collaborative oversight so that NPs can carry out the full scope of practice in accordance with Tennessee law.

Scope of practice for NPs is just one of several factors to consider when considering a role as a nurse practitioner in Tennessee.

NP Certification and Licensure

Just as the NCLEX is part of the nursing licensure process for RNs, national certification as a nurse practitioner is required by nearly all states for nurse practitioner practice. Initial certification is granted through success on an entry-level, competency-based examination.

Accredited organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) offer certification examinations in a variety of nurse practitioner specialties.

To complete a certification exam, applicants must apply and receive notice of eligibility to test before scheduling the exam. Exam candidates who meet the eligibility requirements and pass the exam receive certification in the specialty area for a period of five years.

Certification renewal requirements vary based on the certifying organization but include activities such as:

• Direct patient care hours
• Publications and presentations
• Continuing education in the NP specialty area
• Administration and research duties
• Serving in education and preceptorship roles

Certified nurse practitioners are granted authorization to use the specialty credentials after their name to indicate their certification achievement.

Becoming Licensed as a Nurse Practitioner in Tennessee

The Tennessee Board of Nursing governs the process of applying for and obtaining nurse practitioner licensure in Tennessee. Before applying for licensure in Tennessee, the board mandates that national certification is obtained. Verification of the licensure candidate’s national certification is to be sent directly from the certifying agency to the board.

Tennessee advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) applicants are also required to hold a current Tennessee or other multistate RN license before proceeding with the application process. Next, the nurse practitioner candidate must complete the following requirements for licensure:

• Request that official transcripts from the NP program be sent to the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
• Apply for APRN licensure via the online portal.
• Upload documents, including a current RN license and declaration or proof of citizenship.
• Complete a mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire.

The Tennessee Board of Nursing requests that applicants allow six weeks for review before licensure is granted. If there are deficiencies in the submitted materials, the board will contact the applicant.

Gaining Practical Experience            

During your nurse practitioner program, you’ll have the opportunity to build networks within health care facilities and specialties. This happens as you connect with nursing colleagues, faculty and mentors who work alongside you during your clinical placement and preceptorship rotations. Joining professional organizations, such as the Tennessee Nurses Association, can be a great way to meet like-minded professionals and partner in nursing practice goals.

The value of hands-on experience within an advanced practice nursing specialty area is one reason why some nurse practitioners begin their formal employment in the same agency or a similar practice setting where they completed their clinical hours.

NP Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 280,140 nurse practitioners were employed in the country as of May 2023. This statistic excludes self-employed nurse practitioners.

A look at the industry landscape shows the practice settings where nurse practitioners have the highest levels of employment:

• Physicians’ offices (approximately 137,030 NPs)
• General medical and surgical hospitals (approximately 61,740 NPs)
• Outpatient care centers (approximately 25,440 NPs)
• Offices of other health practitioners (approximately 11,400 NPs)
• Home health (approximately 7,410 NPs)

In May 2023, the state of Tennessee ranked No. 5 in the country for the highest employment levels of nurse practitioners, with an annual average salary of approximately $103,720. The top-paying industry for nurse practitioners in the U.S. was home health care services, with an average salary of approximately $146,850.

The job outlook for nurse practitioners from 2022 to 2032 projects an expected rise in employment of 45%, which is substantially higher than the average growth rate of all occupations. Now is a great time to become a nurse practitioner in Tennessee because of the positive job outlook and the opportunity to serve others through a meaningful career.

What Factors Influence Nurse Practitioner Pay?

Factors that influence how much FNPs earn primarily include their experience, education, subspecialty and location. For example, nurse practitioners specializing in cardiac, emergency or orthopedic care earned higher salaries in Nashville compared to nurse practitioners working in nursing homes in the same city.

New nurse practitioners can also expect to earn a salary that may be below the median wage for the region, but their pay will increase with experience.

Nurse practitioners enjoy healthy salaries for a master’s-level career field. They have the ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients autonomously in much the same way as physicians do.

There’s no better time than now to become an FNP or to pursue another advanced practice nursing role. The entry-level education necessary to become a nurse practitioner is a master’s degree, which many nurses complete online. Nurse practitioners may also decide to pursue a DNP later in their careers.

Become a Family Nurse Practitioner With an MSN Degree or Post-Master’s Certification From Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman University offers an accredited online MSN-FNP program and a post-master’s certificate (PMC-FNP) program that can prepare you to deliver primary care to patients and families across the lifespan. The program’s faculty comprises active nurse practitioners in their own communities with experience and expertise to help you find your path forward into successful nurse practitioner practice.

Program features include the following:

• 100% online coursework with small class sizes
• Complementary clinical placement support with preceptors in your area
• Completion of the MSN degree in just 32 months and the certificate in two years or less
• One on-campus residency to connect with fellow classmates and grow your clinical skills

Learn more about Carson-Newman’s online MSN-FNP program by visiting the program page today, and take the first step toward becoming a nurse practitioner in Tennessee.