Tennessee Board of Regents·Knoxville, Tennessee
The Associate Instructor will facilitate classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction to prepare students for practical nursing licensure. Responsibilities include developing curricula, monitoring student progress, and ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.
Title: Associate Instructor of Practical Nursing
Employee Classification: Faculty
Institution: TCAT-Knoxville
Department: Practical Nursing
TCAT Knoxville - Knox Regional Health Science Education Center
Are you an experienced registered nurse ready to share your clinical expertise and help shape the next generation of nursing professionals?
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is seeking a dedicated, full-time Associate Instructor of Practical Nursing to join our team at the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center and at times the Knoxville main Campus.
At TCAT Knoxville, our mission is to prepare students for successful careers in high-demand fields, and our Practical Nursing program is a vital part of that work.
As an Associate Instructor, you will play an essential role in preparing compassionate, competent, practical nurses who go on to serve patients and families in hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, and home health settings throughout East Tennessee.
You will join a supportive faculty team and have the opportunity to combine your passion for nursing with the rewarding work of teaching and mentoring.
In this role, you will deliver high-quality instruction that fosters student learning and cultivates a positive, professional learning environment. You will guide students through classroom and laboratory experiences as well as off-site clinical assignments, ensuring that every learner receives the support and encouragement needed to thrive on the path to licensure. This is a full-time, twelve-month position working 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with a thirty-minute lunch; some assignments take place at off-site clinical locations. The position offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive State of Tennessee benefits package, and the deeply rewarding experience of helping students launch meaningful careers in healthcare.
ABOUT THE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM The TCAT Knoxville Practical Nursing program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Upon completion, graduates earn a diploma in Practical Nursing and may be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which is required for nursing licensure in Tennessee. Practical Nursing is an entry-level nursing program that prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to provide knowledgeable, basic nursing care to patients with varying degrees of physical need. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) practice under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, with employment opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, home health agencies, and a variety of other healthcare settings.
As a TCAT Knoxville employee, you will have access to the comprehensive Tennessee Board of Regents benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; a retirement plan plus optional deferred compensation savings; paid annual and sick leave and paid state holidays; educational assistance programs, including tuition discounts for employees and eligible dependents; a wellness program; and optional benefits such as flexible spending accounts and short- and long-term disability coverage.
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Environment: Work is performed in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings with frequent interruptions, and may include assignments at off-site clinical locations. Approximately 30 hours per week are spent in direct instruction and training, with the remaining 7.5 hours used for grading, recordkeeping, lesson preparation, and individual student meetings.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in classroom, laboratory, and clinical health-care settings; to stand or sit for prolonged periods; to move about in order to demonstrate procedures and assist students; and to communicate effectively to exchange information.
Commensurate with education and experience, in accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents guidelines, within the range of $56,263 – $67,517.
Applicants for this Associate Instructor position may be considered for hire at the Instructor rank if they meet the qualifying criteria for that rank, including three (3) years of full-time higher education teaching experience in the occupational discipline, and required work experience and education. Final rank placement will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications at the time of hire.
Application submission & review
To be considered for a position at TCAT Knoxville, you must create and submit an online application that includes uploads of your required documents.
Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using what is recorded on your application.
Please be sure to include the full start and end dates for each employment history entry.
Scan and attach the required documents to the online application in Word or PDF format.
Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Resume: Educational transcripts/diploma
Industry licensure and certifications
Applications will remain open until the position is filled.
Current federal law requires identification and eligibility verification prior to employment. Only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States may be employed. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
Candidates must hold an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Tennessee. A minimum of three years of clinical practice experience within the last five years is required.
Market context
In Tennessee, school support staff roles for nurses are often shaped by steady demand for licensed professionals who can manage student health needs and coordinate with school teams. These positions are competitive because employers typically look for a valid Tennessee RN license, pediatric or public health experience, and sometimes a nursing degree beyond the minimum diploma or GED. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your license status and tailor your application to school-based or child health experience.