The University of Tennessee began teaching nursing in Knoxville in 1971 and as of 2011 has 400 students studying at the undergraduate level, 150 doing master's courses and 30 in doctoral programs. It awarded $150,000 in scholarships in 2010, some on financial need and others for academic excellence, leadership or volunteer work.
The College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee offers an accelerated baccalaureate of science in nursing (B.S.N.), enabling students with higher degrees to complete a nursing program in a condensed time. The American Association of College of Nursing defines "accelerated" as 12 to 18 months. The college also offers a standard B.S.N., a registered nurse to B.S.N. program, a master of science in nursing, a doctor of nursing practice and a Ph.D. that takes four consecutive semesters of coursework and a dissertation.
South College has been part of the Knoxville education scene since 1882. It was the Knoxville Business College until 2001, when diversification and growth brought the current name. It offers students the intimacy of a small college with quality programs. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program gained full accreditation in 2006. The first two years of the B.S.N. are general studies with a liberal arts outlook and then comes six quarters of nursing education. South College also offers a master's of health science.
The Tennessee Technology Center in central Knoxville offers a practical nursing program and works closely with the Tennessee Board of Nursing. It combines theory and supervised experience in all facets of nursing and prepares licensed practical and vocational nurses. Graduates gain a diploma in practical nursing and can then take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nursing, with which Tennessee licenses its practical nurses.
Tennessee Wesleyan teaches all its nursing courses at its Knoxville campus. It offers a baccalaureate (B.S.N.) for pre-licensure students and an accelerated B.S.N. program for registered nurses wishing to take the next step. Wesleyan also offers a faith community nursing course recognized by the American Nurses Association. The program focuses on caring for the whole person in mind, body and spirit.