Nashville – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN-BSN)
Program Quick Facts
| Duration | 39 months (full-time) which may change depending on any awarded transfer credits. |
| Start Dates | January/April/June/October |
| Format | On-campus |
| Accreditation | CCNE |
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In our Nashville LPN-BSN program, you’ll build on your knowledge and skills as an LPN to further develop a strong academic and clinical foundation for becoming a nurse generalist. With classroom, laboratory, and hands-on clinical training from our experienced instructors, you’ll work to prepare for an expanded role in a healthcare team to provide collaborative, interdisciplinary care that improves patient outcomes. You’ll also learn best practices for delegating tasks, supervising patient care, and evaluating personnel within a team setting. In your upper division nursing courses, you’ll undertake a rigorous schedule with approximately 20 hours of in-class time per week, along with reading, analysis, and other work outside of the classroom. Courses explore mental health, pediatric, adult health, maternal infant, and community health nursing, as well as topics like nursing management and nursing research. By the time you earn your BSN, you’ll have worked to develop the skills and technical competence needed and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Learn more about preparing for the TEAS Test, required for Admission to the program on Episode 31 of the LIVE From South College Podcast including Tips & Tricks to studying!
Develop Essential Skills In
- Evidence-based, holistic patient care
- Critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Patient education and communication
- Nursing management and leadership
- Nursing research
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Ranked #1 2024-2025 Best Colleges for Nursing
Ranked #1 in Tennessee 2025-2026 for Best Colleges for Nursing in Tennessee
Ranked #8 for 2025 Best Colleges for Nursing in America
Examples of Scholarships and Grants That May Be Available (Check with the Nashville Campus Financial Aid Office For More Information)
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BSN Program Overview
Consistent with South College’s mission and goals, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Nashville builds on a foundation of liberal arts education, establishing the knowledge base and clinical expertise for the generalist in nursing practice. The faculty supports the commitment to lifelong learning in a dynamic, culturally and ethnically diverse health care environment, promoting client advocacy, achieving and maintaining clinical competency, and providing service for the community and profession. The major curriculum is based on The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008).
The BSN program serves both traditional and nontraditional students and offers opportunities to enhance the community’s health care through participatory learning experiences. Information on when major rotations begin, and the maximum number of students admitted in each rotation is available by contacting the Nashville campus.
BSN Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes
The program outcomes of the Nashville BSN program are to provide undergraduate students with the:
- Critical thinking, interpersonal, and technical skills of a nurse generalist;
- Academic foundation necessary to pursue graduate education.
Upon completion of the BSN program, the graduate will meet the following student learning outcomes:
- Utilizes critical thinking skills to provide holistic nursing care to patients.
- Validates theoretical knowledge of health practices.
- Adapts and utilizes therapeutic communication.
- Supports other health care disciplines in coordinating holistic health care.
- Integrates information technologies when assessing, planning, intervening, and evaluating care.
- Summarizes and applies the current trends, issues, ethical dilemmas, personal, and cultural values and practices which affect the health care of patients.
- Anticipates and adapts the principles of teaching/learning in providing care to facilitate patient autonomy.
- Uses and applies the nursing process: assessing, planning, intervening, and evaluating care of patients, families, communities, and populations.
- Integrates nursing research into evidence-based practice.
- Demonstrates professionalism in nursing practice, encompassing accountability, integrity, and respect for the uniqueness of persons.
Additional Information
Need to Know More About the LPN-BSN Bridge Program? Here Are Frequently Asked Questions!
An LPN-BSN bridge program provides a streamlined pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and become a Registered Nurse (RN). These programs build upon an LPN’s existing knowledge and experience, offering a route to RN licensure and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam. They are often faster and less expensive than traditional nursing degree paths, with options for online and hybrid formats to accommodate working professionals.
Key characteristics of LPN-BSN bridge programs:
- Streamlined education: The curriculum is designed to recognize and leverage the prior education and practical experience of LPNs, sometimes reducing the time and credit hours needed to complete the degree.
- RN eligibility: The primary goal is to prepare graduates for entry-level Registered Nurse positions and to pass the NCLEX-RN examination.
- Expanded scope of practice: Earning a BSN degree allows nurses to practice with a broader scope, enabling them to conduct comprehensive patient assessments, develop care plans, and supervise other healthcare staff.
- Career advancement: These programs lead to increased professional opportunities and the possibility of advancing into leadership roles within the healthcare system.
- Accessibility: Many different types of institutions offer these programs, often with flexible formats to suit the needs of working nurses
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN/BSN pathway) is designed for completion in 39 months – this may decrease depending upon the academic background of each student.
Cohorts begin depending upon enrollment and approvals from the associated state board of nursing. All students must meet the requirements for general admission to South College in order to pursue core/general education courses. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Application deadlines are available in the School of Nursing and the Admissions Department.
Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of academic qualifications, previous educational experiences, and standardized test scores. The School of Nursing reserves the right to update or modify admission criteria as deemed necessary.
Please see this page for more information: https://www.south.edu/program/associate-of-science-in-nursing-lpn-asn/
Applicants to the LPN/BSN pathway are not required to take the ATI TEAS Assessment. Applicants must meet the additional admissions requirements: proof of a current, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse license and proof of completion of other certification program for LPN license. Refer to the Additional Admissions Requirements outlined on the program page.
Competitive Admissions and Ranking Criteria
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and dependent upon class size. Applicants will be ranked based on an approved ranking system that includes, but not limited to, GPA and TEAS score.
Yes! Please scroll up on this page and look on the right side of the page to see the Scholarships available to those that qualify
Accreditation
State Authorization (Tennessee)
The South College Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in December 2003, with full approval granted in September 2008. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2016. The Master of Science in Nursing program received approval in November 2016. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program received approval in February 2020. The Post-Graduate Certificate programs received approval in August 2021.
The South College Associate of Science in Nursing program (Knoxville & Nashville Learning Site) was approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in November 2022.
The South College Certificate program in Practical Nursing offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in February 2018. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2018.
Programmatic Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs offered at South College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).