PROGRAMS

CRNA Schools in Tennessee

Written By: Chaunie Brusie

BSN, RN

9 Min Read Published August 21, 2024

How to Become a CRNA in Tennessee
CRNA Schools in Tennessee
Admission Requirements
School Difficulty
School Length
What to Expect
Next Steps
FAQs

Learn about all of your CRNA program options in Tennessee, including their locations, tuition, and admission requirements. Currently, there are six accredited CRNA schools in Tennessee:

Lincoln Memorial University
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
Union University
University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee Chattanooga - Erlanger Health
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

How to Become a CRNA in Tennessee

To become a CRNA in Tennessee, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Typically, only BSN-prepared RNs are considered for admittance into CRNA programs, which offer a Doctoral of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Prospective CRNA applicants must have worked for one to three years as a critical care or acute care nurse before applying for CNRA school, and the work experience must be recent relative to the application. Most CNRA DNP programs take three years and prepare students to sit for the state-qualifying exam to become CRNAs.

CRNA Schools in Tennessee

There are six accredited CRNA schools in Tennessee, which gives Tennessee students multiple options when it comes to becoming a CRNA. Also, despite the lower cost of living, the average salary is not much less than the national average, making it a good return on your education after graduation.

1. Caylor School of Nursing at Lincoln Memorial University

Location: Harrogate, TN
Program cost: $34,095/year, or $102,285
Degree offered: DNP
School type: Private

The Caylor School of Nursing DNP CRNA program is 36 months long and consists of 109 credit hours. Applicants need one year of experience as an acute care RN, with preference given to applicants with Level I or Level II trauma center experience. Students in the program may have to travel to states out of Tennessee for clinical practice, so they will need an RN license that can be used in Kentucky, Virginia, and Georgia.

2. Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia

Location: Madison, TN
Program Cost: $95,000
Degree offered: DNP
School Type: Private

The DNAP Practice Doctorate at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia is full-time and on campus for 36 months. Clinicals begin in the third semester. Applicants must have their CCRN and one and a half years of acute care nursing experience.

The yearly application deadline for the program is March 15, which starts in December of the same year. While BSN-prepared nurses are preferred, the school also allows applicants who have an additional 15 semester hours of biophysical sciences above a Nursing Degree. The school does have strict rules on specific undergraduate classes that must be taken to apply, even with a BSN, so applicants should check that they meet all curriculum prerequisites.

3. Union University

Location: Jackson, TN
Program Cost: $30,750/year, or $92,250
Degree offered: DNP
School Type: Private

This 36-month, 99-credit program is a front-loaded hybrid program, which means that core DNP curriculum courses are completed online in the beginning, followed by on-campus courses. The program begins yearly in the fall, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority deadlines of Oct. 1 and Jan 15.

The school is the only one in the country that grants students a Butterfly IQ personal ultrasound. Clinical rotations are done in the following:

Cardiac anesthesia
Obstetrics
Pediatrics
Trauma
Regional Anesthesia

Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

4. University of Tennessee

Location: Knoxville, TN
Program Cost: $6,690 per semester, or $60,210
Degree offered: DNP
School Type: Public

Applications are due by October 15 of each year, with a start date in early June. The program takes 38 months, which puts students graduating in August to be eligible to sit for the CRNA exam. The primary clinical site where students receive hands-on training is the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville, a 640-bed academic medical center, Magnet-recognized, and Level-I adult and pediatric trauma center. However, there are other clinical sites throughout Tennessee as well. BSN or MSN students who have a GPA of over 3.3 do not have to sit for the GRE.

5. University of Tennessee Chattanooga - Erlanger Health

Location: Chattanooga, TN
Program Cost: $5,235 per semester, or $47,115
Degree offered: DNP
School Type: Public

Students who graduate from the DNP CRNA school at UTC and pass their certifying exam can begin working as a CRNA immediately, without any additional training or orientation. The school has a partnership with North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi which allows for clinical rotations. Additionally, the medical center doesn’t have medical anesthesia residencies, so SRNAs get exclusive access to practice anesthesia.

6. University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Location: Memphis, TN
Program Cost: $18,698 per year, or $56,094
Degree offered: DNP
School Type: Public

Applicants to this program must be CCRN-certified. Applications open in March for a start date in the summer of the following year. The program is full-time for 36 months, with students completing coursework in the first four terms and starting clinical rotations in the fifth term. The last four terms of the program are full-time clinical work with a supervised mentor.

All clinical rotations are done at UTHSC and nearby clinical sites. The GRE is not required for admission, but students need to have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Admission Requirements for Tennessee CRNA Programs

Program admission requirements vary by school, but generally, most programs require the following:

Minimum of 2 years of critical care experience
Minimum (undergraduate cumulative) GPA 3.0
Official transcripts from ALL postsecondary schools
Official GRE transcripts
CRNA or anesthesiologist shadow experience
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of intent
Official school application
Official CV/resume
Current RN license

Read our guide to CRNA school requirements to learn more about what it takes to get into a CRNA program.

How Hard is CRNA School in Tennessee?

CRNA school is challenging, time-consuming, and stressful regardless of which program you attend. Completing a CRNA program requires a higher level of learning and processing than a BSN degree.

How Long is CRNA School in Tennessee?

CRNA programs in Tennessee are 36 months (3 years) long and include full-time didactic and clinical coursework in both online and in-person formats. However, students complete clinicals and simulations in person. Because students must complete classes according to a specific progression, CRNA students follow a strict educational pathway.

What to Expect Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Tennessee

CRNA Salary in Tennessee

CRNAs in Tennessee earn an average annual salary of $174,170 or $83.74 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Tennessee CRNA salaries fall short of the national average of $205,770 annually, but the lower cost of living in the Volunteer State can help make up for the difference.

Career Outlook

The BLS predicts a 9% growth in nurse anesthetist jobs over the next decade, faster than all other occupations. Currently, there are 1,760 CRNAs employed in Tennessee. From 2022 to 2023, there will be a need for 4,500 more nurse anesthetists nationwide.

Where Can You Work? CRNA Jobs in Tennessee

Facilities with operating rooms, emergency rooms, and intensive care units need CRNAs. Some places nurse anesthetists can work in Tennessee include the following:

Medical and surgical hospitals
Critical access hospitals
Mobile surgery centers
Pain clinics
Outpatient care centers
Offices of plastic surgeons, dentists, ophthalmologists, pain management specialists, and other medical professionals
U.S. military medical facilities

Next Steps for Becoming a CRNA in Tennessee

Becoming a CRNA, regardless of the state, is a serious commitment. Programs in Tennessee are 36 months long with few breaks, which can be emotionally and physically stressful.

If you want to become a CRNA, consider speaking to an admissions counselor and shadowing a current CRNA. This will give you first-hand experience of the day-to-day responsibilities.

For more information on what it takes to become a nurse anesthetist, check out these helpful guides:

Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

FAQs

How many CRNA schools are in Tennessee?
- There are currently six accredited CRNA programs in Tennessee.
How much do CRNA schools in Tennessee cost?
- CRNA programs range in price from roughly $47,000 to over $100,000, depending on the program.
How long is CRNA school in Tennessee?
- CRNA school is 36 months in Tennessee.
How many CRNAs are in Tennessee?
- Currently, there are 1,760 CRNAs employed in Tennessee.
How much do CRNAs in Tennessee make?
- Tennessee CRNAs earn an average annual salary of $174,170 or $83.74 per hour.