Also known as “the Volunteer State”, Tennessee is known for its smoky mountains and country music. Besides, it also offers a number of opportunities for higher education. There are numerous colleges and universities in Tennessee that offer programs in a variety of areas of study including engineering, education, healthcare and more. Pursuing programs in healthcare, especially nursing, can particularly be suitable for students as demand for nursing in the state is expected to grow in the coming years.
What do nurses do?
Nurses make a vital segment of the healthcare workforce who provides nursing care to patients in diverse medical settings. They record patient’s medical history, administer medicine and also carry out a number of related tasks along with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Nurses may hold different titles such as registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Registered nurses (RNs) lead other nurses such as LPNs and provide safe and effective nursing care to the sick and injured. Some nurses also hold administrative positions while others specialize in a particular area within nursing. Both LPNs and RNs in Tennessee need to complete an approved training program and obtain the nursing license.
LPN Programs in TN
There are numerous nursing schools in the state of Tennessee that offer programs for aspiring nurses. LPN programs are also available that are designed for students who wish to work as licensed practical nurses.
Geared towards providing students with foundational knowledge in nursing, these programs enable students to find out how to offer nursing care to diverse populations under the guidance of RNs and other medical staff. In addition to classroom based instructions, LPN students also receive practical training.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPN programs award a certificate or diploma and generally take about 1 year to complete. However, the exact program duration depends on the enrollment status of the students.
What courses are covered in the LPN programs?
Ranging from biology to pharmacology, LPN programs instruct students in a number of subjects that enable them to become familiar with basic nursing practices. Common courses include:
- Medical ethics
- Common nursing practices
- Psychology
- Special needs individuals
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
Financial aid options for nursing students in Tennessee
Nursing students in the state of Tennessee can apply for financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans, in case they cannot manage the cost of their nursing education. However, only those who qualify are awarded financial aid. Some of the financial aid programs that the nursing students may explore are:
- The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association Scholarship
- ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Corp) Nursing Scholarships
- The Pell Grant
What are the opportunities for Tennessee LPNs?
O*NET OnLine notes that there were 22,750 LPNs in the state of Tennessee in 2012. The state is expected to have about 1000 openings for LPNs each year between 2012 and 2022, which shows over 19% change.
Pay
The median annual pay for licensed practical nurses in Tennessee was $35,800 in 2013 (O*NET OnLine).