A Franklin, TN Career Guide for Licensed Practical Nurses

As a career analyst who’s lived in the Nashville metro area for over a decade, I’ve watched Franklin transform from a charming historic town into a booming healthcare hub. For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), this creates a unique opportunity. You’re not looking at the high-stakes, high-cost environment of downtown Nashville, but rather a well-established community with a strong demand for your skills, a reasonable cost of living, and a quality of life that’s hard to beat in the South.

Franklin is the county seat of Williamson County, one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing counties in Tennessee. The healthcare system here is robust, anchored by major hospital systems and a growing senior population. If you’re an LPN weighing a move, this guide is your roadmap. We’re going to skip the fluff and get straight to the data, the neighborhoods, and the real-world logistics of building a career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Franklin Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. In Franklin, the median salary for an LPN is $54,193 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.05. Compared to the national average of $54,620, Franklin sits just a hair below the U.S. norm. However, this figure needs context. The national average includes high-cost coastal cities; in the Southeast, this is a competitive wage, especially when you factor in Tennessee’s lack of state income tax on wages.

Experience is the primary driver of salary growth. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Franklin market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary (Franklin)	Notes
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$48,000 - $52,000	New grads often start in long-term care or home health. Hospital roles may be limited at this stage.
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$52,000 - $58,000	Opens doors to better hospital positions, dialysis, and some specialty clinics.
Senior/Expert	8+ years	$58,000 - $65,000+	Leads to charge nurse roles, case management, educator positions, or specialized fields like wound care.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base number. Many Franklin employers, especially hospital systems, offer shift differentials ($2-$4/hour for nights/weekends) and sign-on bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for roles in high-demand areas like rehab units or home health.

How Franklin Compares to Other Tennessee Cities:

• Nashville: Median salary is slightly higher (around $55,000), but the cost of living and commute are significantly more punishing.
• Chattanooga: Salaries are similar, but the job market (177 jobs in Franklin’s metro) is more concentrated here in the healthcare sector.
• Memphis: Salaries can be lower, but the cost of living is also less. Franklin offers a balance of competitive pay and a high quality of life.

Franklin’s job market, with 177 current openings for LPNs in the metro area, is tight and competitive. The 10-year job growth for LPNs in this region is projected at 5%, which is steady, not explosive. This means employers are looking for experienced, reliable nurses, not just warm bodies.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $54,193 salary sounds solid, but what does it mean for your monthly budget? Let’s break it down. Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a major win. Your biggest expenses will be federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and rent.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a single LPN earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$4,516	($54,193 / 12 months)
Federal Taxes & FICA	-$750 - $900	Varies by filing status and deductions. This is a conservative estimate.
Take-Home Pay	$3,600 - $3,750	Your actual cash in hand.
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,442	The citywide average. See neighborhoods below for specifics.
Utilities	-$150 - $200	Electric, water, gas, internet.
Car Payment/Insurance	-$350 - $500	Franklin is car-dependent; public transit is limited.
Groceries & Essentials	-$400	Living alone, cooking at home.
Discretionary/Savings	$1,000+	This is your buffer for healthcare, retirement, fun, and savings.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Franklin is well over $500,000. With a take-home pay of ~$3,600/month, a mortgage, taxes, and insurance would likely exceed $2,500/month, which is a stretch on a single LPN salary. Insider Tip: Most LPNs buying in Franklin do so with a partner’s income or after several years of saving for a substantial down payment. It’s not impossible, but it’s a long-term goal, not an immediate one.

Where the Jobs Are: Franklin's Major Employers

Franklin’s healthcare ecosystem is dominated by a few key players, with some smaller niches. Here are the primary employers you should be targeting:

1. Williamson Medical Center: This is the heart of Franklin’s hospital care. It’s a Level III Trauma Center and a major hub for maternity (The Women’s Hospital) and orthopedics. They have consistent openings for LPNs in med-surg, rehab, and their swing bed unit. Hiring Trend: They are actively expanding their outpatient surgery and specialty clinics, creating more day-shift opportunities.

2. TriStar Health (HCA Healthcare): While their flagship is TriStar Centennial in Nashville, they have a strong presence in Williamson County with TriStar StoneCrest in Smyrna (just east) and numerous urgent care and specialist clinics in Franklin. Hiring Trend: HCA’s vast network means they often have internal transfer opportunities and robust benefits.

3. Genesis Healthcare & Encompass Health: Franklin has several high-quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care centers. Companies like Genesis and Encompass are major employers for LPNs, especially in wound care and sub-acute rehab. Hiring Trend: With an aging population, demand here is steady and often offers more predictable schedules than hospitals.

4. Private Practice & Specialty Clinics: Franklin is home to a large number of private physician practices, particularly in cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology. These clinics often hire LPNs for patient intake, injections, and basic clinical support. Insider Tip: Check the websites of large practices like Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance or Heritage Medical Associates. They post jobs directly and value LPNs with strong clinic experience.

5. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) and SunCrest Home Health serve Franklin’s affluent aging population. This role offers autonomy but requires a clean driving record and strong time-management skills. Hiring Trend: Growth is strong here, driven by the preference for aging-in-place.

6. Vanderbilt Health Affiliates: While Vanderbilt’s main campus is in Nashville, its network includes many affiliated clinics and practices in Franklin. Being a Vanderbilt affiliate is a mark of prestige and can open doors to more specialized roles.

Getting Licensed in TN

If you’re moving from another state, you’ll need a Tennessee LPN license. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

• Requirements: You must graduate from an approved LPN program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. If you’re licensed in another state, Tennessee is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This means if your primary state of residence is a compact state, you can practice in Tennessee without obtaining a separate TN license. Check the Tennessee Board of Nursing website to confirm your state’s status.
• Costs: The application fee is $115 (for in-state graduates). For endorsement (transferring a license), the fee is $150. The NCLEX-PN exam fee is $200.
• Timeline: If you are a new graduate, the entire process from application to a test date can take 6-10 weeks. For endorsement, it can take 4-8 weeks after submitting a complete application. Insider Tip: Start the application process before you move. You can often list a tentative start date with employers and provide your license number once it’s issued.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)s

Where you live will define your commute and your lifestyle. Franklin has distinct neighborhoods, each with a different feel.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for an LPN
Downtown Franklin	Historic, walkable, bustling. 10-15 min to WMC.	$1,600 - $1,900	Walk to work if you land a job at WMC. High energy, great social scene. Parking can be a pain.
Cool Springs	Modern, corporate, shopping hub. 10-20 min commute.	$1,450 - $1,700	Close to major clinics, TriStar facilities, and I-65 for an easy commute to Nashville. Very convenient.
Westhaven	Master-planned community, family-oriented. 15-25 min commute.	$1,500 - $1,800	Beautiful, safe, and quiet. Great for LPNs with families. Commute to downtown or WMC is straightforward.
Rural West Franklin	Suburban, spacious, quieter. 20-30 min commute.	$1,200 - $1,500	More affordable rent. Ideal if you work at a facility on the west side of town or in nearby Leiper's Fork.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-65 during rush hour can add 15-20 minutes to any commute. If you work shifts outside of 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM, you’ll have a much easier time.

The Long Game: Career Growth

An LPN career in Franklin isn’t a dead end; it’s a foundation. The key is specialization.

• Specialty Premiums: LPNs with certifications in wound care (CWCN), IV therapy, or gerontology can command higher pay and are in high demand in SNFs and home health. Dialysis LPNs also see a premium.
• Advancement Paths:
  • RN Bridge Programs: This is the most common path. Local schools like Columbia State Community College and Volunteer State Community College offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement.
  • Case Management: With experience, LPNs can move into case management roles with insurance companies or home health agencies.
  • Education/Supervision: Senior LPNs can become clinical instructors for local nursing programs or take charge nurse roles in long-term care.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 5% job growth is solid. The real growth will be in home health and outpatient settings as care continues to shift from hospitals. LPNs who adapt to telehealth support and chronic disease management will be most valuable.

The Verdict: Is Franklin Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Quality of Life: Safe, clean, with excellent schools and parks.	High Housing Costs: Rent and home prices are steep for a single LPN income.
Strong, Diverse Job Market: Multiple major employers, not reliant on one hospital.	Car-Dependent: You will need a reliable vehicle. Public transit is minimal.
Competitive Salary with No State Income Tax: Your take-home pay goes further.	Competitive Job Market: Employers can be selective; experience is valued.
Proximity to Nashville: Access to big-city entertainment and additional job opportunities.	Growing Traffic: As the city grows, commute times are slowly increasing.
Steady Demand: An aging population ensures long-term job security for LPNs.	Limited Nightlife (Compared to Nashville): It’s a family-oriented suburb.

Final Recommendation:
Franklin is an excellent choice for LPNs who are mid-career (3+ years of experience) or who have a partner’s income to share housing costs. It’s ideal for those prioritizing safety, community, and long-term stability over a bustling urban core. For a brand-new LPN, the rent may be a significant burden, but starting your career here at a facility like Williamson Medical Center or Genesis can set you up for rapid advancement.

FAQs

1. Do I need my own health insurance to work as an LPN in Franklin?
Most full-time employers (hospitals, large SNFs) offer comprehensive health insurance. However, if you work for a smaller clinic or as a per-diem, you may need to secure your own. Tennessee’s marketplace (HealthCare.gov) is an option, and many larger employers cover a significant portion of premiums.

2. Is the NCLEX-PN pass rate high for Tennessee schools?
Yes. Tennessee schools have consistently high pass rates. When choosing a program, check the Tennessee Board of Nursing website for the most recent pass rate data. For local graduates, Columbia State CC and Volunteer State CC have strong track records.

3. What’s the best way to find LPN jobs in Franklin?
Go beyond Indeed. Check the career pages of the major employers listed above. Also, use LinkedIn and connect with nurse recruiters in the area. Many jobs are filled through internal referrals before they’re widely posted.

4. How does the cost of living in Franklin compare to Nashville?
Franklin’s cost of living index is 97.4 (US avg = 100), while Nashville’s is over 100. Rent in Franklin is high, but often slightly less than comparable neighborhoods in Nashville proper. The real savings come from not paying a city income tax and having shorter, less stressful commutes if you work in Franklin.

5. Can an LPN work in a hospital in Franklin?
Absolutely. While RNs handle more complex tasks, LPNs are vital in med-surg, rehab, long-term care, and some outpatient units. Williamson Medical Center and TriStar facilities regularly hire LPNs. The key is to highlight any hospital experience you have on your resume.

---

Sources: Tennessee Board of Nursing, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RentCafe, BestPlaces.net, and local employer career pages. Salary data is based on the provided figures for the Franklin, TN metro area.