University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Nursing Programs Offered

RN to BSN Program Details

The UT College of Nursing is committed to advancing our mission to prepare nurses to meet the challenges of an ever-changing health care system, and we are committed to excellence in nursing education, practice and research. The RN to BSN program is specially designed for registered nurses who hold associate degrees or diplomas in nursing who wish to further their education to complete the BSN. The RN to BSN program is delivered in an online format. This allows RNs the flexibility to work around their schedules while completing the degree program. The upper-division curriculum can be completed in three semesters or can be taken on a part-time basis. Undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are unconditionally approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

BSN Program Details

The BSN program in nursing combines the unique resources of the UT campus with health care agencies in a manner that enables both faculty and students to participate fully in all facets of the health care delivery system. Facilities at the College of Nursing include a human patient simulator, a clinical practice laboratory, a learning resource center, and state-of-the-art equipment. Clinical instruction is offered for students in major hospitals, community clinics, health departments and schools in the region.

The baccalaureate nursing curriculum is guided by the assumptions that: persons and their health and well being are the focus of nursing; nursing is a caring practice profession, an art, and a scientific discipline; persons are influenced by a complex environment (both internal and external) that affects their health and well being, and; a goal for nursing is to modify environmental factors to promote, maintain and restore health. The curriculum also integrates the themes of holism, diversity and caring and emphasizes critical thinking, communication and leadership and management principles and skills.

A broad base of general education, a thorough study of human behavior, an emphasis on health maintenance, promotion and restoration, and a strong family and community orientation are all essential components of baccalaureate nursing education. Maintaining a high quality, relevant program responsive to the increasing complexity of health care delivery, the changing health needs of society, and the changing and expanding role of the nurse, enables graduates of the program to:

assume beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings,
work collaboratively with other health professionals,
function as socially conscious and contributing citizens, and
pursue advanced education on either a formal or informal basis.

Undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are unconditionally approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

MSN Program Details

The purpose of the Master's program in nursing is to prepare leaders, managers, and practitioners who facilitate achievement of optimal health in the dynamic health care system. The program offers role preparation as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists or nursing administrators. Advanced practice nursing involves the delivery of care, management of resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of technology, information systems, knowledge, and critical thinking. Graduates of the program are expected to:

-Provide advanced nursing care to clients in a variety of health care settings.
-Utilize theoretical knowledge to guide advanced practice nursing.
-Collaborate in research activities and utilize knowledge gained from research in advanced practice nursing.
-Evaluate health policies and economics related to the delivery of health care.
-Assume roles as leaders and collaborators with other professionals and communities in planning, providing, and evaluating health care.

Accelerated BSN Program Details

The accelerated BSN program’s objective is to offer individuals with non-nursing baccalaureate or higher degrees the opportunity to complete a nursing program in less time than a traditional baccalaureate program. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) defines accelerated BSN programs as those that can be completed in 12 to 18 months. The UT College of Nursing program is a 12-month accelerated program, not an abbreviated program. For those individuals who have the right balance of intellectual ability, time management skills, emotional fortitude, personal and financial support, an accelerated BSN program can be the ideal entry into practice.

With an increasing number and range of opportunities available in nursing today, the accelerated BSN is a perfect second degree option. Unique features of this program include:

-Twelve-month program (August to August), completed in three full-time semesters.
-Direct transfer of previous baccalaureate degree credits.
-Minimum prerequisite course requirements.
-Excellent clinical experiences at major hospitals, community clinics, health departments, schools, and other health care facilities in the region.
-Highly qualified faculty who are experienced teachers, researchers, and leaders in nursing and health care.
-State-of-the-art classroom, learning resource center, and simulation laboratory facilities.
-Outstanding preparation for the NCLEX, the national licensing exam for RNs. UT College of Nursing graduates consistently exceed both the state and national pass rates.

The baccalaureate nursing curriculum is guided by the assumptions that persons and their health and well-being are the focus of nursing; nursing is a caring practice profession, an art, and a scientific discipline; persons are influenced by complex internal and external environments that impact their health and well-being; and a goal for nursing is to modify environmental factors to promote, maintain, and restore health. The curriculum also integrates the themes of holism, diversity, and caring and emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and leadership and management principles and skills.

A broad base of general education, a thorough study of human behavior, an emphasis on health maintenance, promotion, and restoration, and a strong family and community orientation are all essential components of baccalaureate nursing education. Maintaining a high-quality, relevant program responsive to the increasing complexity of health care delivery, the changing health needs of society, and the changing and expanding role of the nurse, enables graduates of the program to:

Assume beginning leadership positions in a variety of settings.
Work collaboratively with other health professionals.
Function as socially conscious and contributing citizens.
Pursue advanced education on either a formal or informal basis.

Undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing are accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are unconditionally approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

The DNP program is designed for MSN prepared nurses who wish to pursue a clinical doctoral degree in Nursing. The program prepares nurses to practice at the highest level of professional practice and competence. The goal of the program is prepare expert nurses who will provide nursing care in a variety of settings, serve as leaders in improving the health care system, and educate future nurses. Nurses who hold a Master`s dregree in nursing (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.

We are now offering a part-time curriculum option along with the full time curriculum.

-Students taking the full time option will complete the program in 5 semesters (1 ½ years) of full time study (8 to 10 credits per semester).
-The part time option is 7 semesters (2 ½ years ) in length, with students taking 6 to 7 credits per semester.

At the completion of the DNP program, students will be able to:

-Integrate nursing science with other disciplines as the basis for the highest level of evidence-based nursing practice
-Demonstrate professionalism, advocacy, ethical principles, and scientific integrity in advanced nursing practice
-Provide collaborative leadership in the development of clinical practice models, health policy, and standards of care, for diverse populations
-Generate system and outcomes research and analyze other evidence to guide improvements in practice
-Utilize information systems/technology to support and improve nursing care and healthcare systems, and prevent illness and disability.