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Practical Nursing at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens

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

with a smaller student body of 365 in Athens, TN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,871/yr, edging above the $44,151 national average for Practical Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #433 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $46,871/yr (6% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings

$47K

Reported median after graduation

Viable Career Paths

2 of 2

Occupations with strong AI resilience

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$39,597

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Practical Nursing Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

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-Athens

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?

At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Is Practical Nursing from Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens a future-proof career choice?

For Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.

Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?

Beyond Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.

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. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →