Overview: CRNA Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to 3 accredited nurse anesthesia programs distributed across the state: the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in Madison (near Nashville), and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate. With tuition ranging from $78,000 to $105,000, all three programs fall at or below the national average for doctoral-level nurse anesthesia education. Tennessee's average CRNA salary of $198,750, combined with one of the lowest costs of living among Southern states and no state income tax, creates an exceptionally favorable financial picture for nurse anesthetists who train and practice here.
The three programs represent a range of institutional types and degree pathways. UTHSC is a public health science university offering a DNP, while Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia is a private, freestanding graduate school -- one of the oldest and most respected nurse anesthesia programs in the country -- awarding a DNAP. Lincoln Memorial University rounds out the options with a DNP through its Caylor School of Nursing in the Appalachian region of East Tennessee. Each program provides access to distinct clinical environments, from the urban trauma centers of Memphis to the community hospitals of Middle Tennessee and the rural healthcare settings of the Cumberland Gap region.
Nashville's status as a national healthcare industry capital gives Tennessee CRNAs a unique professional advantage. The city serves as headquarters for HCA Healthcare (the nation's largest for-profit hospital operator), Community Health Systems, and numerous other healthcare corporations. This concentration of corporate healthcare leadership generates robust demand, competitive compensation, and career advancement pathways that extend far beyond bedside practice. Combined with Vanderbilt University Medical Center's academic medicine presence and the state's expanding ambulatory surgery market, Tennessee offers nurse anesthetists a career landscape that is both financially rewarding and professionally diverse.
Key Advantages of Tennessee Programs
- Affordable tuition: All three programs under $105K, with UTHSC at just $78K -- well below the national average for doctoral nurse anesthesia education
- No state income tax: Tennessee does not tax wages or salary, significantly increasing take-home pay compared to neighboring states
- Healthcare industry hub: Nashville is home to HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems, and other major hospital operators, creating abundant employment and networking opportunities
- Strong clinical training: Access to Level I trauma centers in Memphis and Nashville, Vanderbilt's academic medical center, and diverse rural practice sites across the state
- Low cost of living: Housing, transportation, and daily expenses are 10-15% below the national average, stretching both student budgets and CRNA salaries further
- Historic program: Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, founded in 1950, is one of the nation's longest-running nurse anesthesia programs with a strong alumni network
Program Considerations
- Supervision requirement: Tennessee requires a collaborative agreement with a physician for CRNA practice, though many facilities grant significant clinical autonomy
- Moderately competitive admissions: Average 19% acceptance rate requires strong ICU experience and academic preparation
- Geographic spread: Programs are located in Memphis, Madison, and Harrogate, which are hours apart, so applicants should consider location preferences carefully
- Rural clinical sites: Some rotations may require travel to outlying facilities, particularly at UTHSC and Lincoln Memorial
Tennessee CRNA Programs
CRNA Career Outlook in Tennessee
Salary & Compensation
Tennessee nurse anesthetists earn competitive salaries that, when adjusted for the state's low cost of living and absence of state income tax, translate into strong purchasing power:
- Average salary: $198,750/year ($96/hour)
- Salary range: $170,000 (entry-level) to $240,000+ (experienced, high-demand settings)
- Nashville metro: Highest-paying region at $205,000-$230,000, driven by Vanderbilt, HCA, and a dense hospital market
- Memphis metro: $190,000-$215,000, anchored by academic medical centers and regional health systems
- Knoxville/Chattanooga: $180,000-$200,000, with lower cost of living offsetting slightly lower base salaries
- Rural Tennessee: $170,000-$195,000 base, frequently supplemented with sign-on bonuses of $15,000-$40,000 and relocation assistance
- National comparison: Slightly below the U.S. average of $202,470, but Tennessee's zero income tax and low cost of living yield higher effective compensation
Job Market & Demand
Tennessee's CRNA job market is robust and growing, driven by population expansion, an aging demographic, surgical volume increases, and the state's position as a healthcare corporate headquarters:
- Population growth: Tennessee's population exceeds 7.1 million and continues to grow, particularly in the Nashville and Knoxville metro areas
- National growth projection: 40% projected growth for CRNAs by 2033, well above the average for all occupations
- Anesthesiologist shortage: A projected national shortage of 12,500 anesthesia providers by 2033 increases reliance on CRNAs, especially in mid-size and rural markets
- Ambulatory surgery expansion: Tennessee has seen rapid growth in outpatient surgery centers, creating new CRNA positions outside traditional hospital settings
- Rural access needs: East Tennessee, the Upper Cumberland Plateau, and West Tennessee face persistent provider shortages, generating incentive packages for CRNAs
- Corporate healthcare presence: Nashville-based hospital companies operate facilities nationwide, creating internal transfer and advancement opportunities for CRNAs within their systems
Top Employers & Practice Settings
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Nashville's flagship academic medical center and Level I trauma center, one of the state's most prestigious CRNA employers
- HCA Healthcare: Headquartered in Nashville, HCA operates TriStar Health and dozens of hospitals across Tennessee, making it the largest private employer of CRNAs in the state
- Saint Thomas Health (Ascension): Multi-hospital system across Middle Tennessee, part of the national Ascension network
- Regional One Health: Memphis's Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital, providing high-acuity anesthesia experience
- Ballad Health: Dominant health system in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, operating 21 hospitals in the Appalachian region
- Erlanger Health System: Chattanooga's academic medical center and regional Level I trauma center
- University of Tennessee Medical Center: Knoxville's primary academic hospital and Level I trauma center
- Ambulatory surgery centers: Growing sector across Nashville, Memphis, and suburban markets
- Anesthesia staffing groups: NorthStar Anesthesia, TeamHealth (headquartered in Knoxville), and other contract groups providing flexible practice arrangements
Tennessee RN License Requirements
Before applying to CRNA programs in Tennessee, you need an active Tennessee RN license. Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses with a multistate license to practice in all compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
Requirements
- Graduation from an ACEN or CCNE-accredited nursing program (BSN preferred for CRNA admission)
- Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
- Criminal background check (fingerprint-based through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI)
- Official transcripts submitted to the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Verification of licensure from other states (if applicable via Nursys)
Timeline & Costs
- Processing time: 4-6 weeks for complete applications (may be faster with electronic verification)
- Application fee: $115 for initial RN license by examination
- Renewal fee: $100 every 2 years
- Background check: Approximately $40-$55 for fingerprinting
- Compact license: Tennessee RN license automatically confers multistate privileges if primary state of residence is Tennessee
Board contact: Tennessee Board of Nursing
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Tennessee-Specific Programs
- Tennessee Student Assistance Award: State-funded grants for Tennessee residents attending eligible institutions, including graduate nursing programs. Awards are need-based and require FAFSA completion.
- Tennessee Health Service Corps: Loan repayment program for healthcare professionals who commit to practicing in underserved communities across the state, with priority given to rural and medically underserved counties.
- MTSA Institutional Scholarships: Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia offers merit-based and need-based scholarships to enrolled students, including awards from its alumni association and endowed funds.
- Employer tuition assistance: Major Tennessee health systems including Vanderbilt, HCA/TriStar, and Ascension Saint Thomas offer tuition reimbursement or educational leave for employees pursuing advanced practice degrees.
National Programs
- HRSA Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships (NAT): Federal program designed to increase the supply of CRNAs, with priority for students committed to practicing in underserved areas
- AANA Foundation Scholarships: Approximately $297,000 awarded annually across 100 scholarships to AANA student members nationwide
- Federal student loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans available for doctoral nursing students
Loan Forgiveness Options
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Full loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments while employed by a government or nonprofit employer. Vanderbilt, UT system hospitals, and VA facilities all qualify.
- NHSC Loan Repayment: Up to $50,000 for working 2 years in a Health Professional Shortage Area, with extensions available for continued service
- NURSE Corps Loan Repayment: Up to 85% of qualifying nursing education debt for work in critical shortage facilities
- Military education benefits: Active duty and veteran educational benefits through the GI Bill, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill covering tuition at public institutions. Fort Campbell straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky border and connects CRNAs to military health benefits.
- VA Employee Education System: Tuition support and loan repayment for CRNAs employed within the Veterans Health Administration, including Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (Nashville and Murfreesboro campuses)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do CRNA programs cost in Tennessee?
Tennessee CRNA programs range from $78,000 (University of Tennessee Health Science Center) to $105,000 (Lincoln Memorial University), with an average around $92,667. All three programs are at or below the national average for doctoral nurse anesthesia education. UTHSC offers the best value as a public university, while MTSA's private tuition of $95,000 reflects its specialized, standalone focus on nurse anesthesia. When combined with Tennessee's zero state income tax and low cost of living, the total financial burden is lighter than comparable programs in higher-cost states.
What is the average CRNA salary in Tennessee?
The average CRNA salary in Tennessee is $198,750 per year ($96/hour). While this figure sits slightly below the national average of $202,470, Tennessee's lack of state income tax and cost of living that runs 10-15% below the national average give CRNAs here greater purchasing power than the headline number suggests. Nashville pays the highest at $205,000-$230,000, followed by Memphis at $190,000-$215,000. Experienced CRNAs in leadership roles or high-demand specialties can exceed $240,000. Rural positions frequently add sign-on bonuses of $15,000-$40,000.
How competitive are Tennessee CRNA programs?
Tennessee programs have an average acceptance rate of 19%, placing them in the moderately competitive range. UTHSC is most selective at 16%, followed by Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia at 20% and Lincoln Memorial University at 22%. Strong candidates typically present a BSN with a 3.3+ cumulative GPA (science GPA weighted heavily), at least 1-2 years of adult critical care nursing experience in a high-acuity ICU, CCRN certification, competitive GRE scores where required, and well-prepared interviews. Shadowing a practicing CRNA and obtaining recommendation letters from CRNAs or anesthesiologists strengthens applications at all three programs.
Is Tennessee a good state for CRNAs?
Tennessee is an excellent state for CRNAs based on the overall financial and professional picture. The $198,750 average salary combined with no state income tax and a low cost of living produces strong real earnings. Nashville's position as a national healthcare headquarters city -- home to HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems, TeamHealth, and others -- creates a job market with depth that few other states can match. Vanderbilt University Medical Center anchors the academic side, while the state's growing population drives consistent demand across urban and rural settings. The primary limitation is that Tennessee requires a physician collaborative agreement for CRNA practice, which restricts fully independent practice.
Does Tennessee have full practice authority for CRNAs?
Tennessee does not currently grant full practice authority to CRNAs. State law requires a collaborative agreement with an anesthesiologist or physician for nurse anesthesia practice. In practice, the degree of supervision varies significantly by facility. Many community and rural hospitals grant CRNAs considerable clinical autonomy within the collaborative framework, particularly where CRNAs serve as the sole anesthesia providers. Legislative efforts to expand CRNA practice authority have gained traction in recent sessions, and advocacy through the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists continues. Candidates who prioritize independent practice should monitor the legislative landscape or consider neighboring states with full practice authority.
How long does it take to become a CRNA in Tennessee?
The standard path takes 7-9 years from starting a BSN to completing nurse anesthesia training: 4 years for the BSN, 1-2 years of critical care nursing experience in an ICU (all three Tennessee programs require this), then 3 years for the DNP or DNAP program. After graduation, candidates pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) to earn the CRNA credential. Tennessee's RN license processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Students who already hold a BSN and have ICU experience can enter a program within one application cycle, reducing the total timeline to the 3-year program duration plus certification.
Related State Programs
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