Best Online Nursing Schools in Kansas (KS)
Learn about the top nursing schools in Kansas, including those with convenient online programs, and see which one best meets your needs.
Nursing schools in Kansas cater to every type of nursing student, from first-time students seeking initial credentials to veteran nurses looking to enter the top echelons of the discipline. Whether you want to get started in the field with an associate degree, update your credentials to a BSN, or pursue a graduate nursing degree, you have plenty of options. Keep reading to learn about the top online and campus nursing programs in Kansas, the types of degree and certificates available throughout the state, and more.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Public
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, Kansas
Private
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas
Public
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
Public
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas
Public
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Public
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, Kansas
Private
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, Kansas
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Kansas
Students in Kansas can choose from a spectrum of nursing programs designed to meet them at various levels of their education and careers. Whether you’re just entering the field or looking to gain specialized knowledge, there’s a program for you. We look at some of the most common types of nursing programs available in Kansas below.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Kansas
ADN Programs
Associate degrees in nursing (ADNs) often serve as the first educational stop for aspiring nurses. These programs require two years of full-time study and allow students to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure after graduating. You commonly find them at community colleges and vocational schools.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
Traditional BSN programs are designed for first-time college students who know they want to earn a bachelor’s-level education before becoming RNs. While these programs typically take four years, they can lead to higher salaries and make earning an MSN in the future much quicker. You usually find BSNs offered by public and private four-year schools.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs work best for students who want to get in and out of school quickly. Schools offering these degrees typically say that learners graduate in three years or fewer by following an accelerated learning path. As with traditional BSNs, you can find them at both public and private schools.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Kansas for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
Licensed practical nurses who want to update their credentials can work towards either associate or bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The LPN-to-RN option takes about 18 months to complete while the LPN-to-BSN takes closer to three years. Community colleges and four-year schools commonly offer these programs.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
If you’re looking to upgrade your ADN to a BSN, you can do so with an RN-to-BSN bridge program. Commonly available both online and in-person, these programs typically take 18-24 months depending on how much time you can devote to your studies while also working.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
ADN-educated RNs can bypass the BSN and go straight to earning an MSN degree. These programs are offered with both campus-based and online options with most taking 30-36 months to complete. These programs also commonly offer specializations to concentrate your studies in niche areas.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Kansas
MSN Programs
MSN programs exist for current BSN-educated nurses looking to update their credentials, but they also support non-nurses with unrelated bachelor’s degrees looking to directly enter the field at the MSN level. Program lengths vary from 2-4 years and often take place online for those with BSNs. Direct-entry students must participate in clinicals.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Students looking to earn the highest nursing degrees available pursue these programs. While the DNP is more professional and designed for those wanting to continue working as nurses, the PhD supports those wanting to move into research and/or academic positions. These programs take 3-6 years to complete.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates allow MSN and DNP nurses to build knowledge in specific nursing topics without completing another full degree. Certificate options vary by school, but common options include psychiatric-mental nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse leader.
Examples of Kansas Nursing Schools with This Program
Inside Look at Online Learning
For students who want to complete their nursing degrees online, it’s important to understand which programs allow for fully-online learning and which require hybrid classes. In general, any program with clinical hours will be hybrid, including LPN and RN programs. Once students hold licensure, their options for fully online learning expand since many RN-to-BSN programs are available online as are MSN programs. When completing clinicals, most nursing schools in Kansas allow students to do so at an approved facility near where they live. If you already work in a health facility, you may be able to complete your clinical there.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Kansas
For students trying to limit their debt, finding alternative sources to cover tuition and fees can make a real difference. Begin by finding scholarships, grants, and other types of awards that don’t require repayment. The Kansas Board of Regents, for example, provides the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship for students working towards an LPN or RN qualification who agree to work for a licensed sponsor for a set amount of time after graduating. LPN students can receive $3,500 per year while RN students can receive $4,000. Students should also familiarize themselves with other types of financial aid and consider how to graduate from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Kansas: Degree and Licensing Requirements
Because licensure requirements vary from state to state, it’s important that you understand the specifics before enrolling in a nursing program. The Kansas Nursing Board lays out the rules and steps, which we detail below, a prospective RN must go through to become licensed in the state.
Graduate from a state-approved and accredited program
The Kansas Nursing Board provides a list of schools that meet its requirements for licensure, so make sure any school you attend appears on this list. In addition to state approval, your program should also hold proper accreditation. Within nursing, accreditation names to look for include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Register for and Pass the NCLEX-RN
Students must register with PearsonVue to take the NCLEX-RN examination and pay the $200 examination fee. From there, they’ll receive an Authorization to Test that lets them schedule the exam. Students must get a minimum of 60 questions correct to receive a passing score.
Submit required documentation to the Kansas Nursing Board
The Kansas Nursing Board requires several documents before it considers you for licensure. In addition to supplying a completed application, you must also ask your alma mater to supply sealed official transcripts. You’ll also need to submit to a fingerprinting and background check and pay $100 for the application and $48 for the background check.
Keep up with renewal requirements
The Kansas Nursing Board requires RNs to renew their licenses by the last day of the month they were born on odd or even years depending on their birth years. For instance, someone born in 1990 would renew on even-numbered years, while someone born in 1991 would renew on odd-numbered years. They must also supply documentation showing they completed 30 hours of continuing nursing education credits.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Kansas
Kansas offers a stable career outlook for registered nurses (RNs), with a projected job growth rate of 5% in the coming years. Currently, there are 32,310 RN positions in the state, expected to increase to 33,910, adding approximately 1,600 new jobs. Each year, about 1,940 RN job openings are anticipated, indicating a steady demand for nursing professionals.
The salary range in Kansas is a crucial factor for aspiring registered nurses (RNs) to consider. It varies by experience and location, with the median salary across the state being $75,780. Those in the 10th percentile earn $58,760, while experienced nurses in the 90th percentile can make up to $94,900. Regional differences are evident, with Lawrence offering a median salary close to the state average at $75,940, and Wichita's median salary somewhat lower at $67,360. This data can guide aspiring RNs in Kansas to target locations and career plans aligned with job stability and competitive salaries within the state.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $58,760 | $75,780 | $94,900 |
| Lawrence, KS | $62,490 | $75,940 | $81,050 |
| Manhattan, KS | $59,440 | $68,360 | $83,710 |
| Topeka, KS | $61,570 | $75,430 | $94,510 |
| Wichita, KS | $55,280 | $67,360 | $91,710 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Kansas | 32,310 | 33,910 | 1,600 | 5.00% | 1,940 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
