Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Kentucky offers nursing pathways from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP) degrees that address both Appalachian and metropolitan healthcare needs. Whether you’re starting as a CNA, transitioning from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), obtaining Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials, or entering an NP program, Kentucky’s colleges and health systems integrate classroom learning, on‑campus, online, or hybrid, with clinical rotations in Louisville medical centers and rural clinics. Graduates gain well‑rounded nursing competencies, leadership skills, and community‑focused experience to thrive in varied clinical environments throughout the Bluegrass State.
Midway, KY - Private 4-year - midway.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Midway University's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing with a blend of online and on-campus learning. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical clinical experiences. With options for day, evening, or hybrid formats, students can choose a schedule that fits their life. The program also provides an LPN-ADN bridge for licensed practical nurses. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. The program is accredited and recognized for its quality and affordability.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Midway University's BSN Prelicensure program is designed for aspiring nurses seeking a comprehensive education. This campus-based program blends general education with nursing theory and clinical practice, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a 100% pass rate in 2023, graduates are ready to excel in diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking and hands-on experience, supported by small class sizes for personalized learning. Admission is selective, emphasizing a strong educational foundation. Financial aid options are available, making this program accessible to many. Start your journey to becoming a registered nurse with Midway University's respected BSN program.
Richmond, KY - Public 4-Year - eku.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Kentucky University offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) program, designed to prepare students for a career as a registered nurse. This on-campus program requires 64-65 credit hours to graduate, with full-time, in-state tuition at $5,010 per semester. Students benefit from free textbooks and a state-of-the-art simulation center. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 and completion of the HESI A2 exam. Graduates are ready to take the NCLEX-RN and work in various healthcare settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Kentucky University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) provides a robust pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. The comprehensive program blends rigorous academic training with hands-on clinical experience, preparing students for dynamic nursing careers. Students complete 120-121 credit hours, with full-time in-state tuition at $5,010 per semester. The curriculum emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and quality care coordination. Admission is competitive, requiring prerequisite courses with grades of 'C' or better and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Graduates benefit from high NCLEX pass rates and 100% job placement, with opportunities in hospitals, community health agencies, and specialized healthcare settings.
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Eastern Kentucky University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Second Degree program is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field, offering a fast-track to a nursing career. The program requires 65 credit hours of nursing courses, with prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and statistics. Full-time, in-state tuition is $5,010 per semester, and books are free for all students. The curriculum focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, mental health, and complex health issues, preparing graduates for leadership roles in various healthcare settings. Admission requires a minimum EKU GPA of 2.5 and completion of prerequisite courses within the last five years.
Grayson, KY - Private 4-year - kcu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Kentucky Christian University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Prelicensure program prepares students for a rewarding nursing career with opportunities across various healthcare settings. Emphasizing a Christ-centered academic environment, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for professional nursing practice and further graduate studies. The curriculum covers health assessment, pharmacology, mental health nursing, and more, with clinical experiences in diverse settings. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0, completion of prerequisite courses, and an ACT score of 21 or equivalent. The program fosters a caring and competent nursing approach, integrating faith and professional practice.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Kentucky Christian University's online RN-BSN program is designed for registered nurses aiming to advance their careers. This fully online program offers flexibility, allowing students to balance work and studies. It emphasizes professional development, leadership, and integrating Christian faith into nursing practice. With experienced faculty and small cohorts, students receive personalized attention. The program prepares graduates for leadership roles and further education in nursing. Admission requires a valid RN license, a 2.5 GPA, and two references. The curriculum includes 36 credit hours, with clinical components completed in the student's community.
Berea, KY - Private 4-year - berea.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Berea College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program stands out for its commitment to preparing students with great promise and limited economic resources for professional nursing. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, this program equips graduates for the NCLEX-RN® and licensure in numerous states. With a focus on practical experience through work-study, students gain hands-on skills in various healthcare settings. The program also lays a solid foundation for graduate study in nursing, offering a pathway to advanced careers in the field.
Pikeville, KY - Private 4-year - an.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nursing Associate Degree at American National University-Pikeville prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing. This hybrid program combines online learning with on-campus residency, offering flexibility. It covers nursing fundamentals, patient care, and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Total tuition is approximately $46,291, including fees and textbooks. Admissions require meeting specific criteria. The program is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, ensuring quality education.
Kentucky’s LPN programs combine classroom study in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with hands‑on clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students learn to administer medications, monitor vital signs, and support patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Kentucky licensure, graduates bolster the state’s practical nursing workforce, improving access to quality care across both urban centers and rural areas.
Kentucky’s CNA programs run approximately six to twelve weeks, combining patient‑care theory, covering topics like infection control and safety measures, with hands‑on practicums. Students develop skills in assisting with daily living, monitoring vital signs, and documenting care activities. Following certification, graduates help maintain high standards of care in both institutional and home‑based environments. By delivering essential bedside support, CNAs bolster the state’s nursing workforce and improve patient experiences.
Kentucky’s RN to BSN programs cater to working nurses by combining self‑paced online coursework, covering leadership, community and population health, informatics and healthcare policy, with supervised clinical placements at regional hospitals and health centers. Available in part‑time and accelerated tracks, these bridge pathways let RNs earn a bachelor’s degree without pausing their careers. Completing a BSN enhances proficiency in evidence‑driven practice and interdisciplinary collaboration, meets employer and accreditation standards for degree‑prepared nurses, and unlocks opportunities in specialty certification, leadership roles and public health initiatives throughout Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Nurse Practitioner programs take a BSN-prepared nurse and deepen their expertise through advanced graduate coursework and practicum experiences, usually spanning two to four years, in specialty areas like family health, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered in flexible online, hybrid, and traditional on-campus formats at universities and health systems across the state, these MSN and DNP tracks ready graduates for APRN certification and Kentucky licensure. Once credentialed, NPs serve as frontline providers in metropolitan medical centers, community clinics, and remote Appalachian practices, managing chronic conditions, delivering preventive care, and expanding telehealth services. By increasing the number of highly trained clinicians in underserved regions and urban neighborhoods alike, NP programs are pivotal to strengthening Kentucky’s healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
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Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry in rural regions, BSN preferred in urban hospitals |
RN Diploma | 2–3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Kentucky |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12–18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Preferred by large health systems, RN-to-BSN programs widely available |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3–6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, NPs restricted by reduced practice authority laws |
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