Master’s in Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Are you looking for a way to use your nursing skills and education to have a larger impact on your community? If you are ready to further your education, consider earning a Master’s degree in nursing. With Tennessee’s large rural population, the need for skilled health care providers is high. You can find several different MSN programs in Tennessee, including RN to MSN bridge programs and online options. Check out the schools on our site to learn more!
If you select a nursing specialty as part of your Master’s degree, you may want to plan on getting a multifaceted, well-rounded education. A Master’s degree can open up many different paths for you, including those in nursing leadership, clinical leadership, nursing education, and advanced patient care. In Tennessee, you can consider a wide variety of specialties, including nurse anesthesia, forensic nursing, pediatric nursing, and nurse informatics.
To start your education off on the right foot, you can plan on taking core courses like Health Policy, Nursing Role Development, and Nursing Theory. These courses typically take one to two semesters. You then spend the remaining two to four semesters delving into your chosen specialty. Nurse practitioner students may take courses like Family Health Nursing and Pharmacotherapeutics, while nursing education students may take courses like Nursing Educational Process and Curriculum Development. Leadership programs may focus on business and finance courses.
Throughout the course of your degree, you may apply for scholarships to reduce your financial burden. The Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program offers loan forgiveness to graduates that agree to work at a Tennessee college or university. The Tennessee Elks Association awards a number of nursing scholarships every year.
Working With Your MSN in Tennessee
As the number of Associate’s-level and Bachelor’s-level nursing students increases in Tennessee, nursing educators may find themselves with a very positive job outlook. A Tennessee college recently received a grant to help new nursing students, as well as those switching careers, to pay for school. Your expertise can be put to use in the classroom and help influence the next wave of nursing graduates.
The need for nursing educators is punctuated by the fact that Tennessee ranks 34th in the country in terms of its amount of registered nurses. However, the state does rank fairly high in terms of median beginning nursing salaries.
If you want to go into direct care, WAAY TV notes that you may be able to help with the statewide primary care shortage. The Tennessee Department of Health claims that many of the state’s rural communities are designated Health Care Provider Shortage Areas. Although nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses have a limited scope of practice in Tennessee, they can still play a major role in patient care.
As an informatics nurse specialist, you have the opportunity to combine your nursing knowledge with computer and digital technology. You develop and implement various systems to document and store healthcare information. As an informatics nurse specialists, your potential salary might be around $77,300, based on the 2014 median income in Tennessee (O*Net, 2015). There is a 24 percent expected increase in demand for nurse informatics specialists in Tennessee between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2015).
Nurse educators help teach nursing students within a college or clinical setting. They can also work in hospitals to teach staff nurses new and upcoming skills and knowledge. Based on the 2014 annual median salary, a nurse educator in Tennessee can potentially earn $59,800 per year (O*Net, 2015). In addition, the demand for nurses in this career is predicted to grow by 31 percent between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2015).
To find out more information about either of these MSN careers or MSN programs, contact any of the schools listed on this page.
Nursing Schools in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program
Are you looking for a way to use your nursing skills and education to have a larger impact on your community? If you are ready to further your education, consider earning a master’s degree in nursing. With Tennessee’s large rural population, the need for skilled health care providers is high.
Earning a master’s degree in a nursing specialty may help you earn more money over the course of your career. O*Net indicates that the average salary for a Tennessee nurse practitioner is $90,100 per year. Nurse anesthetists have an average annual salary of $136,600 per year and nurse midwives earn an average of $75,200 per year (O*Net, 2013). The median salary for a nursing instructor is $54,900 per year (O*Net, 2013).
As the number of associate and bachelor-level nursing students increases in Tennessee, nursing educators may find themselves with a very positive job outlook. A Tennessee college recently received a grant to help new nursing students, as well as those switching careers, to pay for school. Your expertise can be put to use in the classroom and help influence the next wave of nursing graduates.
The need for nursing educators is punctuated by the fact that Tennessee ranks 34th in the country in terms of its amount of registered nurses. However, the state does rank fairly high in terms of median beginning nursing salaries.
If you want to go into direct care, WAAY TV notes that you may be able to help with the statewide primary care shortage. The Tennessee Department of Health claims that many of the state’s rural communities are designated Health Care Provider Shortage Areas. Although nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses have a limited scope of practice in Tennessee, they can still play a major role in patient care.
Even if you select a nursing specialty as part of your Master’s degree, you may want to plan on getting a multifaceted, well-rounded education. A Master’s degree can open up many different paths for you, including those in nursing leadership, clinical leadership, nursing education, and advanced patient care. In Tennessee, you can consider a wide variety of specialties, including nurse anesthesia, forensic nursing, pediatric nursing, and nurse informatics.
To start your education off on the right foot, you can plan on taking core courses like Health Policy, Nursing Role Development, and Nursing Theory. These courses typically take one to two semesters. You then spend the remaining two to four semesters delving into your chosen specialty. Nurse practitioner students may take courses like Family Health Nursing and Pharmacotherapeutics, while nursing education students may take courses like Nursing Educational Process and Curriculum Development. Leadership programs may focus on business and finance courses.
Throughout the course of your degree, you may apply for scholarships to reduce your financial burden. The Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program offers loan forgiveness to graduates that agree to work at a Tennessee college or university. The Tennessee Elks Association awards a number of nursing scholarships every year.
Tennessee RN to MSN Bridge Programs
Nursing has always been an important field in the United States. With recent changes in health care reform, this career path is even more essential. There’s more to this field, however, than the care that nurses provide to patients under the supervision of doctors and other care practitioners. Highly-educated nurses are needed in Tennessee to educate new nursing students, carry out care plans, and manage nursing staff. Nursing research is also important in this field; Tennessee Today reports that recent discoveries in nursing research have helped dying patients communicate with their loved ones. If you’d like to use your ADN to start an advanced nursing career, consider an RN-to-MSN bridge program in Tennessee.
RN-to-MSN programs in Tennessee last an average of three years. Many programs require you to study full-time, since they tend to run on an accelerated basis. However, since you have nursing experience and education under your belt already, you may be able to complete some of your coursework online.
Some of the courses you may start with as you begin your MSN curriculum include Theories for Nursing, Nursing Research, Pathophysiology, and Advanced Assessment. These classes are designed to build on your RN education and prepare you for your chosen specialty. Once you complete these classes, you may take the courses that relate to your career path.
Available career paths at the MSN level include nursing leadership, nursing education, nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, and nurse anesthesia. These degree paths have their own course requirements. In a clinical specialty, you may take courses like Primary Healthcare, Advanced Healthcare Assessment, and Pharmacotherapeutics. Those who go into administrative specialties often take courses like Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Finance, and Policy in Healthcare. In a nurse education career path, commonly required courses include Curriculum Development in Nursing, Assessment in Nursing, and Role Development in Nurse Education. In addition to your traditional nursing courses, you will likely have to complete several hundred clinical hours to meet graduation requirements.
In addition to school-specific grants and scholarships in Tennessee, there are many organization-wide and nationwide scholarships that you can consider to help offset your educational expenses. On a governmental level, consider the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. They have a loan repayment option that forgives your loans if you work in Tennessee. The Tennessee Nurses Association is another excellent resource for Tennessee nursing students, providing a range of scholarships each academic year. Through West Tennessee Healthcare, you can apply for several different nursing grants.
The Tennessee Department of Health is responsible for licensing advanced practice nurses in this state. You do not need an advanced practice license in every case. Only if you plan on working as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist, do you need to complete this step. There is an exam for each specialty, and you must pass the appropriate exam before getting your license.
In general, the job outlook is extremely positive for advanced nursing professionals in Tennessee. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net anticipates a 19 percent increase in nursing jobs for nurse managers. The fastest-growing field in this state is advanced nursing care. Through 2022, O*Net expects to see a 36 percent increase in nurse practitioner jobs.
There’s a wide range of reported salaries for each MSN-level nursing job. On the low end of this range, nursing instructors earn an average of $54,900 per year (O*Net, 2013). Nurse anesthetists have the highest reported salaries in Tennessee, with an average annual salary of $136,600 (O*Net, 2013).
It’s clear that getting an MSN can help you make the most out of your nursing experience and give you options to further your career. As you explore your options, don’t forget that putting extra effort into your education can strengthen the nursing field while helping you reach your full potential.
Tennessee Direct Entry MSN
Many of us change our career paths after college graduation, choosing a new direction in search of greater personal, professional or financial rewards. For those who are considering a move into the world of nursing, a “direct entry” master’s degree from a Tennessee school can be an excellent tool to get you where you want to be. Contact the schools you find on this site that offer the accelerated master’s in nursing programs that interest you to learn more.
These accelerated nursing degrees are being touted by some health care advocates as a way to address looming nursing shortages by opening doors to graduates with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing subjects. Many Tennessee nursing colleges are introducing programs that allow graduates from other fields to get the training needed to transition into nursing careers. Three Tennessee schools now offer the programs: East Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, and Vanderbilt University. There are also online options available in some states.
In Tennessee, the job market for nurses is expected to be promising in future. By 2030, the state is expected to have a shortage of more than 8700 registered nurses (RN), according to a national workforce study. The state’s colleges reported 38 nursing faculty vacancies in 2013, contributing to reports that nearly 2000 qualified applicants were turned away from programs that year. Like many states, Tennessee needs to attract new nurses to fill the void.
To prepare for your nursing career in Tennessee, consider these options:
East Tennessee State University
Even without an undergraduate nursing degree, you can earn a MSN from East Tennessee State through the Regents Online Degree Program. The program is a collaborative effort between colleges and universities within the state system. Every MSN candidate must apply and be accepted both by the nursing graduate school and the online program.
To apply, you must be a licensed RN in Tennessee or in the state where you will do your clinical work. Some out-of-state students may be asked to do their clinical assignments within Tennessee. All applicants also must have earned a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA). If you don’t have a nursing background, you will have to complete several “nursing bridge” classes in topics like healthcare research, nursing leadership, and community health nursing.
Once accepted, you can choose from four master’s concentrations: family nurse practitioner, nursing administration, nursing education, and nursing informatics. Each program’s requirements include core classes, specialty courses, and hands-on clinical practice hours.
The University of Memphis
The University’s Loewenberg School of Nursing allows baccalaureate-trained graduates in non-nursing fields to train to be nurse educators, nurse administrators, or nurse practitioners. As a MSN candidate, you will take bridging courses in subjects such as healthcare research, trends and issues in nursing and healthcare, and community health nursing. Classes are offered on campus or online.
To qualify for the program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject or an associated degree in nursing from an accredited program. You also must have a valid RN license and an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8. In addition, you must be admitted to both the nursing program and the university’s graduate school.
Flexible full-time or part-time study options are available to you. Every program has different class requirements, but some core courses include advanced nursing research, scholarly synthesis, and healthcare policy. You also can expect clinical or practicum hours to be part of your schedule.
Vanderbilt University
The accelerated “pre-specialty” master’s program allows you to become an advanced practice nurse in Tennessee without an undergraduate nursing degree. After taking three semesters of general nursing courses, you should be prepared for the National Council for Licensure Exam. You must be an RN before you begin taking the MSN nursing specialty classes.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, you must have several prerequisite classes under your belt. These include lifespan development, statistics, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nutrition. You also will be asked to do at least 700 hours of clinical work during your pre-specialty year. Specific admissions requirements depend on your background and can be reviewed at the school’s website.
Vanderbilt has a full range of MSN specialties, including adult gerontology, emergency nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, women’s health, psychiatric mental health, and pediatric nurse practitioner.
Financing your MSN Degree in Tennessee
The schools have a limited number of nursing scholarships for qualifying students. A variety of national loan and grant programs also provide funds for those who are eligible. Some programs allow you to repay your debt in part by making a commitment to work in an under-served community. For more information about these national efforts, visit the National Health Service Corps website.
Take some time to review the options for accelerated master’s in nursing programs in Tennessee, then request program information from those schools you are interested in to learn more.
Tennessee CRNA Programs
Though recent legislation has made health care more available and affordable to patients across the United States, many patients still struggle to get the care they need. This is due to a shortage of health care professionals, particularly in rural states like Tennessee. Specialists in the field of anesthesiology may be hard to come by or retain, leaving some patients waiting for lifesaving surgery or other procedures. One piece of the solution to this problem is an increase in the amount of nurse anesthetists, highly-trained nursing professionals that can administer numerous types of anesthesia to patients.
To become a nurse anesthetist, you should already be a registered nurse with some experience in this field. Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist may put you in a leadership position in the nursing community of Tennessee, so it’s important to feel confident in your nursing skills. As you proceed through your education and begin your career, you may work with patients with diverse medical needs. Prior nursing experience can be particularly helpful as you learn about the different specialties served by nurse anesthetists.
To become a nurse anesthetist, you should be willing to get an advanced degree in nursing. If it’s time for you to take your bachelor’s degree in nursing to the next level, discover how you can become a nurse anesthetist with CRNA programs in Tennessee. Please take some time to request information from the schools you see offering CRNA programs on our site to learn more.
Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Tennessee
Before you begin the process of applying to nurse anesthesia programs in Tennessee, you must decide which type of advanced nursing degree is right for you. A master’s degree is a popular option. CRNA master’s degree programs tend to require the completion of 40 to 50 credits, which takes most students about three years of full-time study. If you decide to earn a doctoral degree, you may spend up to six years as a full-time student. This degree tends to require the completion of 50 to 80 credits.
Both program types require you to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing before applying. You also need at least one year of full-time nursing experience. Some schools may have even more specific requirements, as they require students to have worked in critical care, emergency care, or trauma nursing.
Your curriculum should help you develop a strong knowledge of nursing theory, build on what you already know from prior nursing coursework, and build up your practical nurse anesthesia skills. Core courses include Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia, Pharmacokinetics & Dynamics of Anesthetic Agents, and Chemistry & Physics for Anesthesia. Some of the more advanced courses that may be part of your curriculum include Advanced Principles of Anesthesia, Clinical Practice, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, Epidemiology for Health Professions, and Pathophysiology of Human Disease.
A variety of nursing scholarships and grants are available through Tennessee nursing employers, schools, and associations. School-specific scholarships include the Elizabeth Club Scholarship, the Marie E. Buckley Scholarship, and the Absher Memorial Scholarship. The Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program is provided by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. You may get assistance with loan repayment by agreeing to work in Tennessee. If you live in the eastern part of Tennessee, consider looking for financial aid through the East Tennessee Foundation Scholarship. There are several scholarships specifically for nursing students.
Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Tennessee
Once you have completed your nurse anesthetist degree, you’re probably very excited to start your career and begin working with patients in anesthesia. However, you do have to meet the licensing standards of Tennessee to call yourself a nurse anesthetist. Before you get licensed in Tennessee, you can get your national certification through the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.They administer a rigorous anesthesia exam, and upon passing that exam, you can become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Getting this professional title qualifies you for advanced licensure through the Tennessee Board of Nursing. With a passing test score and a filled out application, you can turn your registered nursing license into an advanced practice nursing license.
Tennessee may be a great place to begin your CRNA career. The demand for nurse anesthetists is high across the country, but it’s particularly high in Tennessee. From 2012 to 2022, O*Net anticipates a 32 percent increase in nurse anesthetist jobs. This job growth rate is 7 percent higher than the national average (O*Net, 2012). In general, nursing salaries in Tennessee are fairly similar to those reported across the country. O*Net reports that nurse anesthetists earn an average salary of $136,600 per year in Tennessee (O*Net, 2013).
Even if you’ve been in the nursing field for years, it can be intimidating to take on a new role and get started in a new specialty. You may want to give yourself a boost by joining the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists. You may learn more about what is expected of nurse anesthetists in Tennessee, network with those who are established in their nurse anesthesia careers, and attend continuing education events to get more out of your career. Furthermore, this group may provide you with legislative updates that affect the field of nurse anesthesia.
Now could be the right time to advance your nursing career. If you want to learn more about nurse anesthesia programs in your area, contact CRNA schools in Tennessee to find out what your options are.
Forensic Nursing in Tennessee
Crime is an unfortunate part of life, from large cities too suburban areas and rural communities. With advances in forensic evidence and science, it is essential that each community have professionals who are trained specifically in the protection and analysis of evidence.
That is where forensic nurses come onto the scene.
Forensic nurses in Tennessee ensure that crime victims get the sensitive and empathetic care they need, while still collecting evidence in a way that keeps it safe for legal purposes. This is one of the fastest growing nursing specialties in Tennessee, with the state reporting a growing shortage of forensic nurses and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (WCYB, 2016).
There are several forensic nurse degrees in Tennessee that can help you explore your career options.
Master’s Degree Programs in Forensic Nursing in Tennessee
To qualify for advanced forensic nurse training, you need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. You must also have a current nursing license, as this permits you to take part in higher-level clinical experiences. Quite a few programs currently require some type of nursing experience; the average requirement is one year of full-time nursing.
When it is time to start your education, you may be able to take courses that explore the latest developments in forensic evidence and science. A forensic nursing degree may focus on the care needs of victims, the victimization of at-risk groups, physical assessment procedures, and nursing research.
Forensic Nursing Graduate Courses
- Forensic Nursing Science
- Advanced Forensic Nursing Seminar
- Sexual Violence
- Violence Against Elders and Children
- Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment
- Nursing Scholarship
There are other program options to evaluate. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training program may give you the specialized practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to assist those who have gone through traumatic sexual assault. Legal nurse consulting is another option. This program requires an extensive understanding of Tennessee law and its application to different types of cases.
If you opt for a legal nurse consulting degree, your certification documents go through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. The Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification oversees certification of Advanced Forensic Nurses and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.
The Role of Forensic Nurses in Tennessee
With your forensic nursing certification, you may qualify for job openings in different settings. Those who work as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners often seek employment in specialized crisis centers, such as the SANE program of the Helen Ross McNabb Center, also known as the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee.
Forensic nurses may work in most healthcare facilities, criminal justice agencies, and crime labs. As a legal nurse consultant, you may start up your own practice or become employed by a legal nurse consulting firm.The job outlook varies across Tennessee, but since this field is relatively new, demand tends to be fairly high.
At forensic nurse programs in Tennessee, you can discover how to apply your nursing experience to an in-demand career path.
Find the right program for you by requesting information from forensic nurse schools below.
Tennessee Clinical Nurse Leader
Public health is a challenging area of nursing. Overall rates of health can be influenced in many different ways, from geographical location and cultural variations to availability of care and health care affordability. Tennessee faces certain health care challenges that are not common in other states.
Perhaps that is why Tennessee is ranked 43 out of 50 in terms of overall health. In 2015, the state experienced improvements in many prominent areas, including obesity rate, childhood vaccination rate, uninsured rate, and rate of hospital readmissions (Knox News, 2015). These improvements may continue as more and more nurses further their education and become integral parts of Tennessee health care.
Are you ready to play an important role in Tennessee medical care? With a Master’s degree in nurse leadership, you may work in many different clinical settings and utilize your knowledge of research to improve procedures and policies.
Find out more by contacting graduate nurse leadership programs in Tennessee to request information.
How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Tennessee?
Health care is extremely complex, and to become a leader, you must display a strong knowledge of the inner workings of the health care system, impeccable clinical skills, and an understanding of the roles that other professionals play in this industry.
Each program lists competencies that they expect you to have by the time you complete your education. Common areas of competency in this field include leadership principles in health care, care delivery in microsystems, epidemiological principles, team coordination and delegation, and quality improvement in health care.
Over a period of four semesters, you should meet and exceed these expectations while earning at least 33 credits.
You may earn these credits by taking some or all of the following courses:
- CNL Health Care Systems Complexity
- CNL Quality Management
- CNL Target Population Diagnosis
- CNL Synthesis
- Biostatistics
- Health Assessment
- Professional Roles in Nursing
You may put your newfound skills and knowledge to work by completing clinical rotations. These rotations are different from the ones you complete as a registered nursing student; they are specifically intended to help you become a confident leader and learn how to function as a leader in varying health care settings. Depending on which college you choose to attend, you may complete as few as 100 clinical hours or as many as 600 clinical hours.
Do not let your registered nursing license lapse during this time, as it is required for Clinical Nurse Leaders. The Tennessee Board of Nursing requires license renewal by the final day of your birth month every two years. After you finish your Master’s degree, you may apply for certification via the AACN. They award certification after you pass a CNL exam. Renewal occurs every five years.
What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do in Texas?
In response to a growing demand for advanced nurses in various specialties, the role of the Clinical Nurse Leader was created by the AACN. This is one of the newer nursing specialties, so it is still gaining ground in various care settings. You may work different shifts and specialties to meet the needs of your facility.
Since this is a management role, you should be ready to oversee multiple RNs during each shift. You may supervise them during specific procedures or while carrying out care plans.
Care plans are an essential component of Clinical Nurse Leadership. You develop these for the patients in your care, utilizing research and up-to-date nursing evidence to make your recommendations and procedural decisions. This is one part of your job that often involves collaborating with nurse practitioners, general practitioners, and specialty physicians. Doing so allows for proper integration of care.
Although Clinical Nurse Leadership is a new certification, the nurse leadership community is well established in Tennessee. As a graduate student, you may want to join the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives. This can help you get practical experience during your clinical rotations and build a professional network, easing your transition into nursing leadership.
Your nursing career can improve patients’ lives, give you great career fulfillment, and encourage the continued growth of the nursing industry. Taking on a leadership role is a great way to influence change in nursing!
Explore your options now and contact graduate nurse leadership programs in Tennessee.
Tennessee Nursing Research Graduate Programs
While the Tennessee Department of Health has a variety of licenses for nurses, there is not one specific to nursing research. However, the Tennessee Campaign for the Action Coalition is working with the AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to transform healthcare by building a healthier community for the residents of Tennessee through advanced nursing practice.
To learn more about nursing research programs in Tennessee, contact the schools listed below to learn more about your options for study.
According to the Campaign for Action consumers of health care are more likely to find qualified clinicians due to a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that authorizes Medicare to pay for graduate–level nursing education, as reported by AARP’s Public Policy Institute. Congress has determined that primary care is best delivered where people prefer to receive care, such as their own homes, medical offices, community health centers, outpatient clinics and retail clinics.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has a vision of the Culture of Health that encourages creative, rigorous research on new innovative programs, with nurses at the forefront of helping to design these care delivery services. This is an excellent time to continue your education in a graduate degree program that involves research as nursing is rapidly changing to adapt to what is best for patients in Tennessee.
Research Nursing Graduate Programs in Tennessee
Linda Nichols, PhD, Professor of the Department of Preventative Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received a $231,000 grant for Protein Function Research. She has worked for over 20 years, and the Gerontological Society of America has named her one of their 2015 Fellows. Her research team will further explore the importance of this specific protein and regulatory mechanism in normal and diseased conditions. It is this type of research that you can be a part of after earning your graduate degree, and there are several other areas of research being conducted in the state of Tennessee as well.
The first step to getting started in nursing research is to expand your education.
The admission criteria for a graduate research degree in nursing is similar between universities and typically includes:
- Official College Transcripts from all previous educational facilities
- Letters of Recommendation
- Most programs require acceptable scores on the GRE or the MAT
- TOEFL exam if English is not your first language
The curriculum of research nursing programs usually includes:
- Nursing Theory
- Role Development
- Pathophysiology
- Advanced Research
- Advance Assessment
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Nursing Education I,II,III Organize Operations
- Advance Health Assessment
- Adult Care or Women’s Health and Pediatric Care
- Project Writing I, II
The total semester hours you will earn in a graduate nursing program is usually around 45, plus clinical hours, which are also typically required. If you complete your Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program you may be eligible to enter a postgraduate study program if you are interested. Graduation from a post-graduate certificate program requires successful completion of 20 hours of the Nursing Education Concentration courses in addition to all associated clinical hours.
If you need financial assistance, complete the FAFSA application as it is a federal grant based on your income. The Foundation of the National Student Nurse’s Association also awards over $330,000 of scholarships annually for nursing programs. The Tennessee State University and Foundation scholarships may also be applied for online.
The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Tennessee
There are numerous types of positions for Clinical Nurse Research Coordinators. For example, one five-year grant studies inner-city adolescents by examining the bio behavior linkages among adolescents and adults in the community. Another research program studies families of children with or at risk for intellectual or developmental disabilities. There are wide variety of choices for you to look into as a nurse researcher, depending on your career goals.
Tennessee Clinical Nurse Research Coordinators in 2014 earned an average annual salary of $120,050. This career may give you opportunities to advance in a career that is both exciting and helps the nursing profession as a whole.
Request program information from the Tennessee schools offering nursing research programs to learn more about getting started in this essential nursing career today.
Tennessee Certified Nurse Midwife
As a nurse, you have the power to change patients’ lives, make them comfortable with their health care decisions, and provide care that is backed up by the latest evidence in your field. If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and you’re looking for a way to further your career, you may want to look into how you can affect the field as a nurse midwife.
You can request program information directly from the schools below to get details about admissions, curriculum and costs.
Nurse midwives are experts in women’s health care. Though they are most commonly known for working with pregnant and laboring women, they can provide care to women throughout the life span. As a nurse midwife, you may help young girls adjust to puberty, prescribe birth control and other medications to women, assist women who want to become pregnant, and provide care throughout and after pregnancy. CNMs also provide care to women before, during, and after menopause.
In general, women go to CNMs because they are more affordable, provide great personalized care, and give women health care options during pregnancy. If you want to explore careers in nurse midwifery, learn more about certified nurse midwife programs in Tennessee.
Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Tennessee
You must develop a wide range of skills and deepen your nursing knowledge in many ways if you want to become a nurse midwife. The first step is getting accepted to a CNM program. This requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Typically, schools require at least one year of full-time nursing experience. For acceptance to some schools, you must have relevant work experience in labor & delivery.
As an advanced nursing student, you tackle a long set of learning goals. By the time you graduate with your advanced nursing degree, you should recognize that birth, pregnancy, and menopause are normal, physiological processes. Instructors may also expect you to be well-versed in community health, disease prevention, and health promotion. You should be ready to provide family-centered care that is up-to-date with nursing research.
While working on these goals, you may take several important nursing courses. Classes that may be part of nurse midwife programs in Tennessee include Scientific and Analytical Approaches for Advanced Practice, Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Health Assessment, Well Woman/GYN Care, Intrapartum and Postpartum Care, Nurse-Midwifery Integration in the Childbearing Cycle, and Antepartum Care of Women.
One of the biggest benefits of taking your nursing education to the next level is the variety of scholarships that are available to advanced nursing students. The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation has a loan forgiveness program for nurses who serve in a rural area. Nursing scholarships are also available through the East Tennessee Foundation. Scholarships are available for MSN students through the Tennessee Nurses Foundation.
Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Tennessee
With Tennessee’s growing need for nurse midwives, this could be an excellent place to start your career. From 2012 through 2022, O*Net predicts a 43 percent increase in nurse midwifery jobs. This growth rate is 14 percent higher than the national average (O*Net, 2012). Salaries in this field depend on experience, work setting, and seniority. Per O*Net, the average salary for a Tennessee nurse midwife is $75,200 per year.
Before you can enjoy Tennessee’s strong job market, you must become certified and licensed as a nurse midwife. The American Midwifery Certification Board awards national certifications to applicants who pass their nurse midwifery exam. With your national certification, you may earn state licensure through the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
If you’re ready to take your nursing career in a new direction and meet the health care needs of women all over Tennessee, contact certified nurse midwife programs in Tennessee today.
Tennessee Clinical Nurse Specialist
The field of health care relies on care providers and specialists at all different levels of education. There are no superstars in health care—everyone needs to work together for the good of patients and for the best possible outcomes. As a nurse, you’ve likely been part of a health care team and experienced what it’s like to save a patient’s life and triumph as a team.
If you’re ready to use this experience to have an even more positive impact on patients in Tennessee, consider becoming a clinical nurse specialist.
Clinical nurse specialists work in many different fields and settings. For example, some clinical nurse specialists work in academic settings to help students manage their medical concerns. Their services may also be used in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Learn more about clinical nurse specialist programs in Tennessee and what they cover.
Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tennessee
Choosing the right school is the first step to becoming a clinical nurse specialist in Tennessee. You must choose a graduate program that focuses on clinical experience, research, and leadership. You may want to start by choosing a clinical specialty or area of expertise and then looking for schools that have that program. Common options include acute emergency care, gerontology, and pediatrics.
From there, you can delve into your curriculum and become familiar with the learning outcomes of your chosen program. Your school may help you become an effective leader, learn how to read and apply research, and perform complicated clinical procedures without the oversight of other care providers.
To meet these goals, plan on taking advanced nursing courses. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice, Advanced Pathophysiology, Research Design and Methods, Health Care Leadership, Advanced Health Assessment, and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice.
At every step in the educational process, you can become more confident in your skills by working in various clinical settings. You may spend well over 500 hours in clinical settings like hospitals and nursing homes.
One benefit of working in a high-demand field like nursing is the variety of financial aid options that are available. By spending a little bit of time looking into opportunities every year, you may be able to save money and avoid student loans. Join the Tennessee Nurses Association to take advantage of their offerings. West Tennessee Healthcare funds a number of scholarship and grant programs, particularly if you’re willing to work there after graduation. The East Tennessee Foundation awards nursing scholarships to those who reside or study in the eastern part of Tennessee.
Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tennessee
Before you can begin working independently and changing lives as a clinical nurse specialist, you have to go through the certification and licensing procedures of Tennessee. First, reach out to the American Nurses Credentialing Center to become certified in your specialized area of study. Once you have national certification, you can contact the Tennessee Board of
Nursing to apply for licensure as an advanced practice nurse. When both of these steps are complete, you can work to the full extent of your scope of practice.
For years to come, clinical nurse specialists may enjoy a great earning potential and job outlook. Per CNN Money, the average salary for a clinical nurse specialist is $86,500 per year. They expect to see a 26% increase in job openings by 2022.
It’s time to put your education to work and change Tennessee health care. Contact clinical nurse specialist programs in Tennessee to get started today.
Tennessee Public Health Graduate Programs
The Academic Health Department (AHD) is a bridge between the Tennessee Department of Public Health and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. This unique organization’s goal was to bridge public health academia and practice in order to improve the public healthcare system.
The Institute of Medicines study, which was named The Future of Public Health, identified a disconnect between academic programs and public health and the actual practice of public health of the community. Therefore, they establish an academic program in public health medicine that revolutionized workforce training and education, as well as, research and resources.
The AHD provides an opportunity for graduate students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. The AHT has three focus areas which include; Practice–based Research, Student Education & Practice–informed Teaching and Workforce Development. This program has improved public health outcomes.
There are a variety of different critical roles for the public health nurse. They work with individuals, families and the community at large. If you are considering returning to school for your graduate degree, public health nursing has a wealth of opportunities that may very well enhance your career goals.
Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Tennessee
There are multiple universities in Tennessee that offer master’s level nursing degrees, and there are several programs you may complete online.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville admission requirements include; a bachelors degree from an accredited university,minimum GPA of 3.0, a TN, RN license, GRE scores, three letters of reference, resume/CV and a statement of educational and career goals.
The required 34 credit hour curriculum for Community Health Education degree includes:
- Environmental Health Science
- Public Healthcare policy and Administration
- Biostatistics
- Fundamentals of Program Evaluation
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Health and Society
- Research Methods in Health
- Theory, Program Development and Implementation
- Community Health Assessment
- Professional Skills Development
- Graduate Seminar in Public Health
- Internship
Field Practice is 360 hours of work experience is required, and it enables graduating students to utilize public health competencies. There are over 200 agencies and facilities in 32 different states that provide sites for the graduate students.
The financial aid office at the University of Tennessee states the first step in receiving financial aid is to complete the FAFSA application, which is a federal grant based on your income. Their office has information on grants, federal work study, need-based scholarships and student loans. This University also has the Dr. June D. Gorski Scholarship Endowment for graduate students studying public health. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing also has a wealth of information for assistance on their website. If you are ready to return for your graduate degree, and your finances are a problem, then be sure to seek out information from your university and the website.
The Role of Public Health Nurses in Tennessee
Public health nurses with graduate degrees may have job opportunities in a variety of settings that include nonprofit organizations, government public health departments, schools, correctional facilities and industry.
A Medical and Health Services Manager is a position for a graduate prepared public health nurse. A graduate nurse often directs and supervises the work activities of nurses, technical, clerical, service and other personnel. Their position often entails communication between governing boards, medical staff and department heads as well. In Tennessee, in 2014, a person in this position earned an average annual wage of $92,810 according to O*Net Online. The projected growth for this position is 22 percent higher.
A graduate degree may fulfill your career goals, as you may have the opportunity to be a chief executive. You will have earned the respect of your peers as well.
Tennessee Healthcare Policy Degrees
What change would make the single biggest difference in the health of Tennessee residents? As a nurse, you can likely think of at least a dozen possible answers to this question.
Depending on your background and your interests, you may think that the answer is making healthcare more affordable, implementing seatbelt laws, dropping smoking rates, improving access to nutrition education, or increasing the number of healthcare workers in Tennessee.
No matter what you think, you may have a future in the world of healthcare policy if you can envision a healthier and brighter future for Tennessee.
Like many states, Tennessee is making big strides in its health programs. Despite these efforts, however, Tennessee is still ranked 43 out of 50 in healthcare across the nation (The Tennesseean, 2015). In 2015, policy experts successfully improved in various measures, including the amount of uninsured adults, the amount of people who cite cost as a barrier to healthcare, and the amount of children who receive all of their immunizations.
There is still quite a bit to be done for Tennessee to reach its full potential in healthcare. If you want to be part of these efforts, get started now by contacting Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Tennessee.
Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Tennessee
When you study health policy, you may learn how to function within a variety of medical settings. You may influence policy on an institutional level by changing the laws, guidelines, and policies that dictate the work done in a facility. However, you may also learn about how policies are created at a state and federal level to improve health outcomes. Since this field is interdisciplinary in nature, you may study policy, management, and administration to get a well-rounded education.
Over a period of four or five semesters, you should earn at least 40 credits in courses like:
- Organizational Dynamics in Healthcare
- Theories and Techniques in Health Planning
- Financial Management of Health Programs
- Grant Writing and Project Management
- Interpersonal Health Communications
- Facilitating Change in Healthcare
- Public Policy Process
Once you complete the curriculum of your chosen program, you should feel confident about your ability to successfully work in many different areas of health law and policy. You should have a thorough understanding of population health, program management and administration, political ethics, and the legislative process.
You must meet the requirements of the Tennessee Board of Nursing to keep your nursing license up-to-date. Currently, this involves renewing your license by the last day of your birth month every two years.
How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Tennessee?
With the right education and experience under your belt, there is no limit to the ways that you can influence the future of the nursing industry in Tennessee.
Networking is important in any nursing career, but it is one of the most essential parts of your career in health policy. Establishing working relationships with other legislators and lobbyists can help you get a foothold in this industry.
Staying involved with nursing groups may also help you make the most of your career opportunities. The Tennessee Nurses Association is quite involved in legislation, backing bills that would expand the Medicaid program, offer full practice rights to nurse practitioners, and strengthen the healthcare budget. There are many other associations and organizations that are crucial in nursing legislation, like the Tennessee Healthcare Campaign.
Are you ready to realize your full potential as an advocate for nurses and patients? If so, make your move now by checking out graduate healthcare policy programs in Tennessee.