Practical Nursing at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville

McMinnville, TN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 289 students in McMinnville, TN.

Program Analysis

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville's Practical Nursing graduates start at $34,294/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Some AI exposure exists in Practical Nursing's career paths, with 18% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 25% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #644 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $34,294 to $45,474 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $34,294/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$481K
7.3% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,474
33% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville?
Starting salary is one data point. If Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →