How To Become a Nurse in Kentucky 2025

Registered nurses (RN) perform many essential patient-care tasks in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings all across the country. If you want to know how to become a nurse, then focus on the core requirements for nursing education and licensing. This article will explain what that means for prospective nurses in Kentucky.

What Does an RN Do?

A certified registered nurse has several responsibilities, which involve providing direct care for patients, supporting doctors and fellow nurses, and ensuring regulatory compliance with various public health laws at the state and federal level. This includes everything from dedicated bedside care from nurse aides all the way to nursing administration for entire hospitals in busy cities. Here are some common nursing positions you may consider after getting an RN license.

• licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• certified nursing assistant (CNA)
• chief nursing officer (CNO)
• surgical nurse
• emergency room nurse

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Kentucky?

It takes anywhere between two to four years to become a nurse in Kentucky, depending on whether you earn just a standard RN license or pursue additional education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You can complete some nursing programs faster if you enroll in accelerated nursing programs online. These fast-track options allow students to finish at least six months faster than traditional degrees.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Kentucky

Below is our three-step approach to becoming a nurse in Kentucky. This includes the most important educational requirements for nurses along with how to obtain a nursing license by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Step 1: Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing

The initial step for becoming a nurse is to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited community college or university. You can bypass this step if you enroll in a four-year degree program for a BSN degree; however, RNs can secure entry-level employment with just two years of nursing education. This degree will introduce you to all the essentials of nursing, including clinical experience supervised by real-life nurses.

Step 2: Get a BSN or Master's

BSN programs take your education a step beyond the basic qualifications for an RN license. These four-year programs are not only great for your resume but can also help you qualify for higher-paying positions right out of college.

Then, if you wish to pursue even higher nursing administration roles, consider other continuing education opportunities, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This is a terrific way for mid-career nurses to advance to senior healthcare administration positions after building years of field experience.

Step 3: Get Licensed

RN licensing is an essential part of getting your nursing career off the ground. You should try to pass the NCLEX-RN exam within six months of completing an accredited degree program. There is a $200 application fee for the exam, which you can take through the Pearson Vue testing company.

The NCLEX-RN exam applies to anyone seeking an LPN or RN license in the state. It's also important to complete a criminal background check within that timeframe for licensing in Kentucky.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Kentucky

These are the top nursing degree programs that lead to RN licensure in Kentucky. Some of them include convenient online nursing programs, which you can complete without attending class on campus.

1. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky boasts its status as one of the top 2% of BSN programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report. It also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which ranks in the top 9%. Kentucky's flagship public school has three BSN options: a traditional four-year program, a 16-month accelerated option, and an RN-to-BSN degree available 100% online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $582.00 per credit hour (in-state); $1,382 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers an Associate in Applied Nursing (AAN), a traditional BSN, an RN-to-BSN option, a second-degree BSN, and five graduate degrees or certificates. Given the university's location, the nursing school places significant emphasis on serving rural communities in the eastern portion of the state. Roughly 90% of EKU's graduates pass the NCLEX-RN exam on the first try.

• Estimated tuition cost: $443 per credit hour (in-state); $796 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3. Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University also offers multiple ways to pursue an associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate in nursing. This includes bridge programs, which permit BSN or MSN holders to complete a DNP. The nursing school even offers a scholarship opportunity where graduates begin a 30-month employment period with nearby CHI Saint Joseph Health.

• Estimated tuition cost: $344 per credit hour (in-state); $522 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

4. Western Kentucky University

You can attend Western Kentucky University to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or one of multiple BSN or graduate-level degrees. The College of Nursing offers guaranteed admission to incoming freshmen who submit either a 3.6 unweighted grade point average (GPA) or an SAT score of 1130. Transfer students can enter the program by passing the Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment (HESI) exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $663 per credit hour (in-state); $858 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Berea College

Berea College is an accredited institution that offers a unique ''no tuition promise'' to its students, including those who enter its nursing programs. This includes a BSN degree, which prepares graduates for careers in several nursing fields. Some even move on to careers at premier medical facilities, such as Johns Hopkins Medical Center and Vanderbilt Medical Center.

• Estimated tuition cost: Tuition free (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Kentucky

Nurses earn higher than average salaries once they reach the middle of their careers, if not sooner. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 6% increase in nursing jobs from 2023 to 2033. This goes along with an annual average salary of about $93,600.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Kentucky

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about nursing school in Kentucky. This includes how to pay for your degree, the typical program duration, and how to fulfill prerequisite courses.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Kentucky?

Kentucky universities offer cheaper tuition rates compared to some parts of the country, but you can still expect to pay up to $10,000 per year unless you get scholarships. Nursing students can qualify for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are also several online colleges that accept FAFSA if you wish to complete your credentials through distance education.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Prerequisite courses are the ones you must take before applying to nursing school. There are several ways to this via self-paced nursing prerequisites online, covering topics like introductory biology, chemistry, and lower-division nursing topics. If you decide to complete prerequisites online, then we recommend equipping yourself with the best laptop for nursing students so that you never have trouble accessing coursework modules.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse is to complete your degree program and take the NCLEX-RN exam as soon as possible. This could take 16 to 24 months in a fast-track program, whereas traditional BSN degrees last about two to four years, depending on how many prerequisite classes you've already taken.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

The easiest nursing degrees are the ADN, ASN, and other associate degree programs. Although they are not ''easy,'' these programs cover the most fundamental topics, stopping short of what you'd encounter in a more rigorous BSN program.

Find a Nursing Degree

We hope this helps you find the fastest way to obtain RN licensure through one of those accredited nursing programs. You can use our website to learn all about online and in-person bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and other degree programs for nursing.