
Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Kansas’s nursing education spans entry‑level CNA certificates, Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) bridge tracks, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs, and advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP) degrees, each tailored to the state’s healthcare demographics. Whether you’re becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), bridging to a BSN, pursuing an LPN credential, or stepping into an NP specialization, Kansas’s community colleges, universities, and health systems deliver a blend of classroom instruction, online modules, and clinical rotations in Kansas City medical centers and rural hospitals. Graduates acquire in‑demand nursing skills, critical thinking, and leadership training to excel across the Sunflower State’s diverse care settings.
Olathe, KS - Private 4-year - mnu.edu
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MidAmerica Nazarene University's Traditional BSN Program in Olathe, KS, is a top-ranked campus-based option requiring 120 credit hours. It blends general education, prerequisites, and core nursing courses with state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on learning. Accredited by CCNE, it prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission requires official transcripts, professional references, and a Nursing Questionnaire, with no mention of an ACT or SAT entrance exam requirement. Financial aid, including scholarships and the Pioneer Pledge, enhances accessibility.
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The Accelerated BSN Program at MidAmerica Nazarene University is a 12-month, on-campus track for LPNs, paramedics, or those with prior college experience, requiring 63 credit hours. It emphasizes experiential learning and critical thinking, leading to high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Admission involves official transcripts, two professional references, and a personal statement, with no ACT or SAT exam specified. Financial aid options like the RISE Opportunity Scholarship support affordability.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
MidAmerica Nazarene University's Hybrid BSN Program offers an 18-month, flexible path for working students, combining online coursework with onsite clinicals and 63 credit hours. Designed for those with previous college background, it boasts high NCLEX-RN pass rates and is accredited by CCNE. Admission requires official transcripts, two professional references, and a nursing questionnaire, with no Nursing CAS application or mention of an ACT or SAT entrance exam. Financial aid, including the RISE Scholarship, is available.
Topeka, KS - Public 4-Year - washburn.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, located in Topeka, Kansas, offers a comprehensive education with hands-on learning in labs, simulation, and clinical experiences. It prepares students for the NCLEX exam with a 100% placement rate and focuses on areas like obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency care. Admission requires 30 hours of prerequisite coursework with a 2.7 GPA; no ACT or SAT is mentioned as required. Financial aid and scholarships are available, making it accessible for aspiring nurses.
Concentration: Obstetrics - Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's BSN program with an Obstetrics concentration emphasizes specialized training through hands-on labs, simulation, and clinicals, preparing graduates for the NCLEX exam. This four-year program requires 30 hours of prerequisites with a 2.7 GPA; no ACT or SAT is specified as needed. Scholarships and financial aid support students, and the focus on obstetrics ensures readiness for careers in maternal and newborn care with a positive job outlook.
Concentration: Pediatrics - Campus Based - Visit Website
The BSN program at Washburn University with a Pediatrics concentration provides targeted education for caring for children, integrating hands-on learning, simulation technology, and clinical experiences. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission necessitates 30 hours of prerequisite coursework with a 2.7 GPA; no ACT or SAT requirement is indicated. Financial aid and scholarships are offered, facilitating entry into pediatric nursing roles.
Concentration: Emergency Department - Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's BSN program with an Emergency Department concentration trains students for emergency care settings using hands-on labs, simulations, and clinicals, accredited by CCNE. It prepares for the NCLEX-RN exam and requires 30 hours of prerequisites with a 2.7 GPA; no ACT or SAT is mentioned. Financial aid and scholarships are available, supporting students in pursuing high-demand careers in emergency nursing.
Topeka, KS - Private 4-year - rasmussen.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rasmussen University-Kansas offers an Associate Degree in Nursing through a hybrid model, combining online coursework with on-campus experiences for flexibility. This program prepares students for RN licensure by covering essential healthcare skills, theory, and practical training. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with no entrance exam specified. It's ideal for those starting their nursing career, providing a solid foundation for further education or immediate entry into the field. Costs vary, and the program is military-friendly.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rasmussen University-Kansas provides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in a hybrid format, accredited by CCNE and designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. The curriculum emphasizes patient care, evidence-based practice, and leadership, with options for standard and accelerated tracks. Admission does not require prerequisite courses or an entrance exam, and it offers financial aid and military benefits. With small class sizes and hands-on clinical experiences, it's tailored for aspiring registered nurses seeking flexible start dates.
Hays, KS - Public 4-Year - fhsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Hays State University's On-Campus Pre-Licensure BSN Program is accredited by CCNE and boasts a 95% NCLEX pass rate. It requires a 3.0 GPA for admission, with no ACT or SAT exam needed. Students gain hands-on experience in a simulated hospital setting, preparing for diverse nursing careers through a comprehensive curriculum that includes clinical practice. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Hybrid Pre-Licensure BSN Program at Fort Hays State University combines online classes with in-person labs and clinicals, achieving a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and does not mandate an ACT or SAT exam. Clinical sites are located in Kansas, offering flexibility for students, including those with healthcare experience or CNA certification. Financial aid options are accessible.
Leavenworth, KS - Private 4-year - stmary.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Saint Mary's Traditional BSN program in Kansas is CCNE-accredited and prepares students for the NCLEX with a 97% first-time pass rate. It offers direct entry for freshmen through the Aspire to Nursing pathway and scholarships up to $17,500 for transfer students. Admission requires a 3.5 GPA and ACT scores or an essay, with clinical rotations and expert faculty emphasizing leadership and community in nursing.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Saint Mary's Accelerated BSN program in Kansas is a CCNE-accredited 12-month campus-based option for bachelor's degree holders, condensing traditional coursework to fast-track entry into nursing. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX exam and focuses on practical skills, though specific admission requirements are not detailed; contact the Division of Nursing for more information.
Kansas’s LPN programs blend classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and rural clinics. Through this combination, students develop hands‑on skills to administer medications, monitor patient status, and support recovery under professional guidance. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Kansas licensure, graduates bolster the practical nursing workforce by easing RN workloads and expanding patient access. By serving both urban centers and remote communities, LPNs help sustain quality healthcare across the state.
Kansas’s CNA courses span six to twelve weeks, merging classroom lessons on hygiene, patient safety, and vital‑sign recording with supervised practicums across healthcare settings. Participants master fundamentals like feeding assistance, bathing support, and mobility aid, while honing communication with nursing teams. Once certified, CNAs step into roles that underpin daily care operations in hospitals and care homes. Their efforts enable nurses to focus on advanced clinical responsibilities.
Kansas’s RN to BSN programs strengthen practicing nurses’ foundations by pairing advanced online coursework, covering nursing administration, population health, informatics and healthcare policy, with hands‑on practicums at both regional hospitals and community clinics. Tailored for busy professionals, these bridge pathways offer part‑time and accelerated tracks that flex around existing work schedules. Completing a BSN hones expertise in evidence‑based practice and team collaboration, aligns with state and employer requirements for degree‑prepared nurses, and opens pathways into leadership, specialty certification and public health roles. By deepening their skills, Kansas nurses help elevate care quality across both urban centers and rural communities.
Kansas’s Nurse Practitioner programs expand a BSN foundation into advanced practice through rigorous graduate coursework and immersive clinical experiences, typically completed over two to four years, in areas like family health, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered via on-campus cohorts, hybrid schedules, and fully online tracks at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP pathways ready nurses for APRN certification and Kansas licensure. Once credentialed, graduates serve as primary care providers, chronic disease managers, and telehealth specialists in urban medical centers, rural community clinics, and tribal health settings. By supplying highly trained practitioners to regions facing provider shortages and enhancing care coordination, NP programs are instrumental in strengthening Kansas’s healthcare landscape.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry route, especially in rural areas, BSN preferred in larger hospitals |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Not offered in Kansas |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Increasingly preferred, programs emphasize rural and frontier healthcare needs |
| 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 remain under reduced practice authority laws |
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Concentration: Emergency Department - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Obstetrics - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatrics - Campus Based - Website
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