University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) College of Nursing

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a public entity, was founded in 1794.

The College of Nursing was founded in 1971 and offers several undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

Undergraduate

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

The accelerated BSN program is designed for students who hold another bachelor or higher degree in a non-nursing field. The content is delivered through a twelve-month program (August to August), completed in three full-time semesters.

Clinical experience is obtained through major hospitals, community clinics, health departments, schools, and other health care facilities in the region.

UT College of Nursing consistently excels in both the state and national NCLEX pass rates.

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN program is for nurses who hold an associate's degree or diploma in nursing. The program is delivered exclusively online and can be completed on a part-time basis.

Prerequisite Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Associate's degree or Diploma in Nursing
• RN license prior to the end of the first semester in the program
• Minimum of 63 hours of transferrable credit to University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Graduate

The graduate program is designed for nurses who want to take on an advance practice role in a variety of settings.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN Program Options

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Primary or Primary/Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Nursing Administration

Family Nurse Practitioner Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• BSN from regionally accredited program
• Hold or be eligible for RN licensure in the state (or a compact state as applicable) for which the student will be earning clinical credit
• Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher or GPA of 3.3 for courses undergraduate major
• Undergraduate-level health assessment course
• 3 hours graduate-level statistics
• GRE is not required for admission unless applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or lower

Nurse Anesthesia

Notice to Applicants: Transition to the Doctoral Degree

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in May 2019. Please note that applicants should be prepared to take prerequisite courses in Summer 2019 to be considered for admission to the DNP program in August 2019.

The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration will no longer be offering admission to the MSN or post-master's certificate program after January 2019. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in August 2019 (update 7/8/19).

Presently, the program is 31-months culminating in the awarding of an MSN with a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia.

Students who successfully meet the clinical and didactic requirements of the program officially complete the program in August, which is approximately 2.5 years after beginning studies and are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE). Typically, graduates of the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration are employed less than 6 months after graduation.

Applicant Requirements (not all inclusive)

• BSN or MSN from a regionally accredited college/university
• Only applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.3 must take the GRE
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Current ACLS & PALS certification
• Graduate-level course in statistics from regionally accredited college/university
• CCRN certification is not required, but recommended before application
• ICU experience of at least 1 year of current, full-time adult critical care nursing experience
• Experience with ventilators, numerous vasoactive drugs, a thorough understanding of EKG interpretation, and be able to apply hemodynamic values to patient care
• Acceptable Critical Care areas: Surgical ICU, Trauma ICU, CV ICU, Medical ICU, Coronary Care Unit
• Nursing experience in the ER, ICN, Pediatric ICU, or PAR does not fulfill this requirement

NICU and PICU employment time is considered and may count toward the minimum one-year critical care criterion. Other work history may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but must include experience in units where nurses care for high acuity, critically ill patients on a 1:1 ratio who require invasive monitoring and the administration of vasoactive drugs. Flight Nursing is considered highly complementary experience for applicants.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The doctoral program offers a blended program using online learning strategies and face-to-face learning.

The DNP program is designed for BSN- or MSN-prepared nurses.

Nurses who hold a Master's degree in nursing in any specialty from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education are eligible to apply. 

Part-time curriculum options are available and the program is 7 semesters (2 ½ years) in length.

Nurse Anesthesia (Doctoral)

Notice to Applicants: Transition to the Doctoral Degree

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in May 2019. Please note that applicants should be prepared to take prerequisite courses in Summer 2019 to be considered for admission to the DNP program in August 2019.

The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration will no longer be offering admission to the MSN or post-master's certificate program after January 2019. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in August 2019 (update 7/8/19).

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

The program is delivered in an on-line learning and periodic block scheduling. On campus time is required once in the early semester and once in the end. Two tracks are available: Nursing Education and Health Policy.

There is a BSN to PhD program offered as well.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2020)

• #115 (tie) in National Universities
• #76 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #100 in Best Value Schools
• #52 (tie) in Top Public Schools
• #35 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #57 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #51 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
• #202 (tie) in Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

Forbes (2019)

• #224 Top Colleges
• #71 in Public Colleges
• #117 in Research Universities
• #45 in the South
• #145 America's Best Value Colleges

The Princeton Review (2018-2019)

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate and master’s degree in nursing programs.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) accredited the MSN Nurse Anesthesia concentration.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Tennessee Board of Nursing approved all academic programs at the College of Nursing.