Online RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky: Explore Today’s Top Schools
An associate degree in nursing was enough to get your career started but may not be enough to keep pace with the times. Learn how top RN to BSN programs can prepare you for what lies ahead.
The healthcare field is full of rewards and challenges, and great nurses are always ready to rise to the occasion. Nurses are tasked with everything from soothing anxious patients to preparing them to undergo life-saving procedures. This is why nurses who are serious about providing patients with optimal care are encouraged to become more well-rounded and effective by pursuing additional nursing education.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, an increase in the percentage of nurses holding a BSN within a hospital was associated with a notable reduction of patient deaths, particularly those among patients who experienced complications. Additionally, per the National Nursing Workforce Survey, more than one-fifth of nurses are retiring between 2020 to 2025, meaning newer, less experienced nurses will be responsible for facilitating patient care across various healthcare settings in the near future. Whether you decided to pursue your RN to BSN online in Kentucky to increase your clinical care skills and patient outcomes, or to fill one of the many positions that are becoming available in the next few years, we’re here to help.
As you know, additional nursing education is not only highly recommended for nurses of all kinds but required in the form of Continuing Education units (CEUs). Like CEUs, RN to BSN programs are not only a win for the nurses who earn them but the healthcare facilities that employ them. We’ve crafted this in-depth guide to take the guesswork out of the process of earning your online RN to BSN degree in Kentucky by introducing you to some of the top programs available today, their benefits, and more.
Spotlight Schools: Popular RN to BSN Online Programs in KY
If you’re interested in enrolling in an RN to BSN program in Kentucky, you have many options. Kentucky is filled with highly revered undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Attending school 100% remotely removes physical limitations that might have kept you from top programs in the past. Let’s take a closer look at some of Kentucky’s best RN to BSN programs and what they have to offer.
Murray State University
Murray State’s 30-credit RN to BSN Online Nursing program is offered 100% remotely. The curriculum includes eight nursing courses to be completed over 2-3 semesters. Students who choose Murray State enjoy highly personalized instruction from hands-on faculty. To enroll in the program, students must be licensed RNs with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
They must also complete the following prerequisites in English, college Algebra, chemistry, communications, and psychology. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited institution and earned a “C” or higher in their prerequisite courses. All online students qualify for in-state tuition rates, meaning RN to BSN program students can expect to pay roughly $404.50 per credit hour.
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University offers an accelerated RN to BSN Online Degree program that can be completed in as few as ten months. This 30-credit program costs a total of $9,750 to complete and focuses on providing graduates with the leadership skills required to excel in nursing. Graduates are prepared to take on pivotal roles in acute, intensive, and specialty settings. Over the course of this BSN program, students gain a deeper understanding of research processes, leadership and management theories, health informatics, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and more.
To be admitted, students must send official transcripts and hold active, unencumbered nursing licenses. They must also complete either Introduction to Statistical Methods (STA 205) or Statistics for Business Applications I (STA 212) before enrolling in Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (NRP 472).
Finally, students are required to have completed prerequisite courses in English, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, health care ethics, and human development with a grade of “C” or better. Alternatively, students can complete these courses as co-requisites once admitted.
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville offers a 100% remote, CCNE-accredited RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This 30-credit course has 8-week terms and costs $375 per credit hour to attend. To apply, students must possess an ADN and an unrestricted RN license or be eligible to take the NCLEX exam. They must also have a cumulative collegiate GPA of at least 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0) on all undergraduate coursework. Finally, they must submit to a certified criminal background check before completing clinical coursework.
Graduates are equipped to work more competently and responsibly with diverse populations and to better meet employer demand and patient needs. This online RN to BSN program is also coupled with a Community Health Leadership Practicum that includes 84 clinical hours that help students prepare to work in various healthcare settings upon graduation.
FAQs About RN to BSN Online Programs in Kentucky
Researching (and earning) an RN to BSN online in Kentucky can be arduous. This is especially true if you have never taken online courses/programs in the past. Given the complexity of the nursing field, it’s only natural to have questions about the process of choosing, enrolling in, paying for, and reaping the benefits of online programs. You may feel overwhelmed at the thought of earning your RN to BSN in KY online, since nursing is such a hands-on field; that’s why we’ve answered some of the top FAQs below.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Kentucky prepare me for more opportunities?
Completing an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky will prepare you to better navigate this complex and ever-evolving nursing sector. Since the healthcare system is becoming more innovative with the help of artificial intelligence and other forms of technology, nurses must become more versatile to maintain their positions for the long term. Earning your RN to BSN online in KY will enable you to develop better communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, and stay up to date with the latest technologies and techniques. You can visit the Kentucky Board of Nursing for information about current nursing vacancies for BSN degree holders to get a clearer picture of the professional opportunities that await you after graduation.
How long is an RN to BSN program in Kentucky?
The amount of time it takes to complete an RN to BSN program in Kentucky varies depending primarily on whether you attend school part or full-time. Those interested in attending school full-time and year-round can complete this program in as few as ten months, while part-time students typically take 18-24 months.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Kentucky cost?
The cost ofan RN to BSN degree in Kentuckyvaries according to several factors, the most significant of which being the kind of school, college, or university you are attending (public or private) and the format in which you are taking your classes (online, in-person, or hybrid). In Kentucky, online RN to BSN programs can cost as little as $8,000 total. However, programs can also cost much more than that. Therefore, it’s important thatyou research the costs—and the available financial aid options—associated with each program before enrolling.
Is there financial aid available to Kentucky RN to BSN students?
Those attending an RN to BSN program in Kentucky have several financial aid options.One of the top ways to fund an RN to BSN is via FAFSA. However, grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans are also great ways to finance your degree. Your options and eligibility will depend on factors like your academic history, previous awards, and financial status, among others. All students are encouraged to start by applying for FAFSA and take advantage of resources like veterans benefits and employee reimbursement programs, if eligible. The Kentucky Board of Nursing is an excellent resource to research available nursing scholarships.
What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Kentucky?
Generally speaking, to apply for admission to online RN to BSN programs in Kentucky, students must possess an associate degree from a reputable (accredited) institution, hold an active, unencumbered nursing license, and have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all past college work. Other requirements may vary according to your chosen school or specialty area.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Kentucky?
When seeking the best RN to BSN program, accreditation is essential. This is because unaccredited institutions often disqualify students from finding gainful employment in the nursing field. Additionally, many colleges have required prerequisites, such as NCLEX pass rates, which may exclude certain students from attending. Either way, students should focus on the types of specialties offered, the number of clinical hours required, the school’s reputation and graduate rates, and even the most likely career outcomes for graduates.
From RN to BSN: Benefits for Kentucky Nurses
While many medical facilities may not require nurses to possess a BSN when they are hired, it is becoming an increasingly common requirement to maintain gainful employment in the nursing sector. Going through an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky offers nurses additional benefits—beyond job security and peace of mind—that may not be available to RNs who hold only an associate degree. Here is a list of the most common benefits of graduating from an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky.
Better Patient Outcomes
One of the top benefits of completing an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky is that it improves patient outcomes. Put simply, this is because RN to BSN programs makes RNs more well-rounded, capable, and confident nurses. These program enhances nurses’ communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and empower nurses to be more effective when treating patients.
Career Advancement
As of 2019, Kentucky was one of nine states leading the country in BSN acquisitions. Online RN to BSN programs can contribute not only to your career advancement in positions like health educator, tech (IT) nurse, insurance specialist, medical writer, health coach, pharmaceutical sales representative, medical researcher, and political activist, but help Kentucky reach its goal of hiring more BSN-prepared nurses and overcoming barriers to continuing nursing education, like financial concerns and family obligations.
Enhanced Clinical Skills
Clinical skills are paramount for all nurses and are a key feature of online RN to BSN programs. Completing an online RN to BSN program in KY allows students to enhance their clinical skills, as well as their communication, timeline management, dependability, and problem solving. Graduates are more well-rounded, confident, and capable of achieving positive patient outcomes. In fact, an increase in baccalaureate-prepared nurses has been linked to decreased post-surgery patient mortality.
Expanded Knowledge Base
Completing an RN to BSN program allows students to expand their knowledge base in both practical and leadership topics. Interpersonal communication and creative problem-solving are essential elements of effective leadership. Western Kentucky University’s BSN programs, for example, place emphasis on communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills, in addition to clinical competencies.
Higher Earning Potential
Per the BLS, which does not differentiate between nursing specialties or credentials, the median annual salary for RNs is $75,330. Nevertheless, one’s earning potential depends on variables such as location, experience, education, and drive, etc. According to Northern Kentucky University, nurses in Kentucky with BSNs can expect to see a significant bump in pay. Nurses with BSNs are also better suited for promotions and other opportunities that can boost earnings.
Personal Growth and Satisfaction
Earning an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky can give you a greater sense of personal growth and satisfaction. According to a study published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, BSN-prepared nurses have a high level of job satisfaction, particularly in terms of their opportunities for autonomy and growth.Moreover, earning a BSN degree also provides nurses with credentials that increase their reputability and the respect they receive. Best of all, you’ll be glad to know that 94% of BSN graduates are able to secure job offers within 4 to 6 months of completing their programs.
Advantages of Online RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky
Enrolling in an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky offers many advantages. It allows you to earn the same nursing credentials as those who attend traditional programs without breaking the bank, missing work, changing your schedule, or being boxed into a curriculum that doesn’t allow you to pursue your interests. Take a look at some of the top benefits of enrolling in an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky to see if this format is right for you.
Affordability
Most online RN to BSN programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. This is because the cost of online courses is typically cheaper than that of in-person courses ones. For instance, Union College’s RN to BSN program is just $225 per credit hour for all students. However, even when the actual courses are not discounted, online programs allow students to save money by removing additional expenses associated with traditional programs, including parking, travel, fast food, and the opportunity cost of missing work to attend class.
Flexibility and Convenience
Another great benefit of enrolling in online RN to BSN programs in Kentucky is that these programs offer greater flexibility and convenience. In particular, they enable students to set their own learning schedules and the most convenient locations to receive instruction without disrupting pre-existing responsibilities.
For more about flexible programs for working nurses, take a look at our dedicated Nurse’s Guide to Online Bridge Programs.
Self-Paced and Asynchronous Learning
Earning a BSN degree online allows you to make the most of a self-paced and asynchronous learning model. In other words, you decide when, where, and how they learn, spending as much or as little time as needed on each module. If you learn at a faster pace, you may even want to explore accelerated programs such as those at Kentucky State University, that allow you to complete the program in as few as 10 months.
Access to a Wide Range of Programs
Lastly, enrolling in an online RN to BSN program in Kentucky gives students access to many programs. Students can attend school online, in person, or enroll in hybrid programs. They can choose from public, private, and 100% online institutions and from various specialties and concentrations. The Kentucky Board of Nursing keeps an up-to-date list of all approved nursing programs in the state that you can use for reference as your continue your search for the online RN to BSN program for you.
