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
Campus Based - Visit Website
MidAmerica Nazarene University's Traditional BSN Program in Olathe, KS, is designed for aspiring nurses seeking a comprehensive education. This campus-based program requires 120 credit hours, blending general education, nursing prerequisites, and core courses. Recognized as the top nursing school in Kansas by Niche, MNU offers state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on learning. Financial aid options, including scholarships and the Pioneer Pledge loan repayment assistance, make this program accessible. Admission requires official transcripts, professional references, and a Nursing Questionnaire. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam and professional nursing careers.
Campus Based - Visit Website
MidAmerica Nazarene University's Accelerated BSN Program in Olathe, KS, is designed for LPNs, paramedics/MICTs, or adults with previous college experience. This 12-month, on-campus program requires 63 credit hours and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a focus on experiential learning, it promotes critical thinking and clinical judgment. The program is competitively priced, offering financial aid options including the RISE Opportunity Scholarship. Admissions require official transcripts, two professional references, and a personal statement. MNU's nursing graduates boast high NCLEX-RN pass rates, reflecting the program's quality and effectiveness.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
MidAmerica Nazarene University's Hybrid BSN Program is designed for working students aiming to accelerate their nursing careers. This 18-month program combines online coursework with onsite clinicals, requiring 63 credit hours. It's tailored for those with previous college experience, offering flexibility without compromising on quality. MNU's nursing graduates boast high NCLEX-RN pass rates, reflecting the program's rigor and excellence. Financial aid options, including the RISE Opportunity Scholarship, make this program accessible. Admissions require official transcripts, two professional references, and a nursing questionnaire, with no Nursing CAS application needed. This program is a stepping stone to becoming a sought-after registered nurse in Kansas and beyond.
Topeka, KS - Public 4-Year - washburn.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing through hands-on learning in labs, simulation, and clinical experiences. Located in Topeka, KS, the program focuses on areas like obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency care, ensuring graduates are ready for the NCLEX exam. With a 100% placement rate, students benefit from personalized attention and state-of-the-art technology in the Regional Simulation Center. Prerequisites include 30 hours of coursework with a 2.7 GPA. Financial aid and scholarships are available, making this program accessible to aspiring nurses at various life stages.
Concentration: Obstetrics - Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Obstetrics prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing. This program combines hands-on learning in labs, simulation, and clinical experiences to equip students with the skills needed for obstetrics. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX to become licensed registered nurses. The program spans four years, including general education and nursing coursework. Admission requires 30 hours of prerequisite coursework with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Washburn offers scholarships and financial aid to support students. The nursing field, especially obstetrics, offers a bright outlook with competitive salaries.
Concentration: Pediatrics - Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Pediatrics prepares students for a rewarding career in pediatric nursing. This program blends hands-on learning in labs, simulation, and clinical experiences to equip students with the skills needed to care for children in various healthcare settings. With a focus on innovative technology and personalized attention from professors, graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam. The program requires a 2.7 GPA in prerequisite coursework for application. Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students, making this an accessible path to a fulfilling career in pediatric nursing.
Concentration: Emergency Department - Campus Based - Visit Website
Washburn University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with a concentration in the Emergency Department, prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing. This program combines hands-on learning in labs, simulation, and clinical experiences to equip students with the skills needed in emergency care settings. Admission requires completion of 30 hours of prerequisite coursework with a minimum 2.7 GPA. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ensuring high-quality education. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Financial aid and scholarships are available to help manage costs.
Topeka, KS - Private 4-year - rasmussen.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rasmussen University-Kansas offers an Associate Degree in Nursing, blending online and on-campus learning for flexibility. This program prepares students for a nursing career with a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Ideal for those starting their nursing journey, it covers essential healthcare skills. Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. Costs vary, so contact the university for details. This program is a great step towards becoming a registered nurse, offering a solid foundation for further education or immediate entry into the healthcare field.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rasmussen University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for aspiring registered nurses, offering a hybrid learning model with online coursework and in-person clinicals. Accredited by the CCNE, this program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam with a curriculum focused on patient care, evidence-based practice, and leadership. With options for standard and accelerated tracks, students can complete their degree in as few as 18 to 33 months. Financial aid and military benefits are available for eligible students.
Hays, KS - Public 4-Year - fhsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Hays State University in Kansas offers an On-Campus Pre-Licensure BSN Program designed for aspiring nurses. This program boasts a 95% NCLEX pass rate and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students benefit from hands-on experience in a simulated hospital setting, learning on the latest equipment. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses. The program prepares students for diverse nursing careers, offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes clinical practice. Financial aid and scholarships may be available to eligible students.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Hays State University's Hybrid Pre-Licensure BSN Program blends online theory classes with in-person lab and clinical experiences, designed for students seeking flexibility. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, the program is accredited and state-approved. It requires a 3.0 GPA for admission, with applications accepted from November 1 to June 15. Clinical sites are in Kansas, but students can live elsewhere. The program prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam, offering a mix of virtual and face-to-face learning. Costs vary, with financial aid options available. Ideal for those with healthcare experience or CNA certification looking to advance their nursing career.
Leavenworth, KS - Private 4-year - stmary.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Saint Mary's Traditional BSN program in Kansas offers a dynamic path to a rewarding nursing career. With a CCNE-accredited curriculum, students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations, preparing them for the NCLEX and beyond. The program boasts a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate and offers direct entry for freshmen through the Aspire to Nursing pathway. Scholarships up to $17,500 are available for transfer students. The program emphasizes excellence, leadership, and community in nursing, guided by expert faculty. Clinical partnerships with top hospitals enhance learning. Admission requires a 3.5 GPA and ACT scores or an essay for freshmen.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Saint Mary in Kansas offers an Accelerated BSN program designed for students with a bachelor's degree or prior college credit. This CCNE-accredited program condenses two years of traditional coursework into just 12 months, preparing graduates for the NCLEX exam and a career in nursing. The program is campus-based, focusing on practical skills for the generalized nursing field. While specific costs and admissions requirements aren't detailed here, prospective students are encouraged to contact the Division of Nursing for more information. This program is ideal for those looking to fast-track their nursing education and enter the healthcare field quickly.
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 |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Emergency Department - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Obstetrics - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatrics - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website