Nursing Schools in Kentucky
Top nursing schools across the state of Kentucky were created to help students effectively build the right skills in a rigorous academic environment in preparation of a vibrant career. Both graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to earn targeted degrees in nursing that range from a BSN to and ADN to an LPN and DNSc. Working professions may be at a position where leveraging an RN to BSN or LPN to BSN program will help you move up in your organization. In either case, it is important to understand the range of degree programs from RN and LPN to less traditional nursing paths such as nurse midwifery and nurse anesthetist. Expect an ADN degree to take around two years while a BSN can be completed in around 4-years. After graduation, you will need to obtain licensure to practice from the Kentucky Board of Nursing after passing the NCLEX. Find the very best nursing program in Kentucky for you today with an array of tools and educational resources targeted to help you succeed today and tomorrow.
Browse Nursing Schools in Kentucky By Type
- (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurse (21 Schools)
- (ADN-RN) Registered Nurse (29 Schools)
- (BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (22 Schools)
- (MSN) Master of Science in Nursing (8 Schools)
Top Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Programs in Kentucky By Number of Graduates
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs usually take 9 - 12 months to complete and you would have to pass a licensing exam prior to being licensed in the state. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of LPN program students enrolled.
Top Associate Level Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in Kentucky By Number of Graduates
The minimum degree requirement to become a Registered Nurse is to obtain an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, which usually takes about 2 years to complete. You would also have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam prior to being state licensed. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in the program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Galen College of Nursing - Louisville | Request Info |
| Beckfield College - Florence | Request Info |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Western Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Madisonville Community College | Request Info |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Somerset Community College | Request Info |
| Morehead State University | Request Info |
| Midway College | Request Info |
| Hopkinsville Community College | Request Info |
| Kentucky State University | Request Info |
| Campbellsville University | Request Info |
| Henderson Community College | Request Info |
| Hazard Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | Request Info |
| Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College | Request Info |
Top Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in Kentucky By Number of Graduates
See the top schools offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. A BSN program usually takes 4 years to complete, and a licensing exam (NCLEX) is also required. Some of these schools may also offer a RN to BSN bridge programs. The top 10 schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their BSN program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| University of Louisville | Request Info |
| University of Kentucky | Request Info |
| Western Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Bellarmine University | Request Info |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Northern Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Murray State University | Request Info |
| Spalding University | Request Info |
| Morehead State University | Request Info |
| Kentucky Christian University | Request Info |
| Kentucky State University | Request Info |
| Campbellsville University | Request Info |
| Midway College | Request Info |
| Lindsey Wilson College | Request Info |
| Thomas More College | Request Info |
| University of Pikeville | Request Info |
| Berea College | Request Info |
| Saint Catharine College | Request Info |
| Sullivan University | Request Info |
| Daymar College - Owensboro Campus |
Top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Kentucky By Number of Graduates
Getting your Master of Science in Nursing will take about 5-7 years from start to finish. You would still need to take a exam prior to being fully licensed to practice in the state. The schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their Master's program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Northern Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Western Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Bellarmine University | Request Info |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Request Info |
| Murray State University | Request Info |
| Frontier Nursing University | Request Info |
| Spalding University | Request Info |
| University of Kentucky | Request Info |
Registered Nurses in Kentucky can make a salary between $45,000 to $79,000 per year. The list below shows registered nurse salaries in areas throughout Kentucky.
- Owensboro: $57,000
- Elizabethtown, Fort Knox: $63,000
- Louisville/Jefferson County: $64,000
- Lexington, Fayette: $62,000
- Bowling Green: $59,000
Nurse's in Kentucky Compared to Median Income Averages
+80% Above State Median Income
+61% Above National Median Income
Nurse's in Kentucky take home an average 28.76 per hour. Annual earnings for Nurse's working in the State of Kentucky average $59,810 which is 80% above the state median income and 61% above the national median income for all occupations. Employment for a Nurse makes up just 0.16% of the working population in Kentucky and is limited due to the specific qualifications required along with the schooling involved in this career path. The increasing demand for qualified Nurses coupled with the educational barrier to enter the field is met with a steady supply of eager college graduates anxious to make a long-lasting impact in the lives of others in and around Kentucky.
Average Income for a Nurse in Kentucky
| Employment | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Nurse | 45,500 | $28.76 | $59,810 |
| State Average | 1,939,500 | $15.96 | $33,196.80 |
| National Average | 153,156,000 | $17.82 | $37,040 |
Source:
Graduate data is from the 2013-2014 school year.
IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.