Online Nursing Programs in Kentucky

Becoming a Nurse in Kentucky

Those who wish to become a registered nurse (RN), state registered nurse aide (SRNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the state of Kentucky must apply to the Kentucky Board of Nursing. This organization is an agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and responsible for enforcing all state laws that govern the safe practice of nursing.

Generally, students can pursue one of three types of nursing programs in Kentucky to get their initial nursing licensure: a practical nursing program, an associate in nursing, or a bachelor's degree in nursing. To obtain an APRN license, students will have to pursue a master's or doctoral degree from nursing schools in Kentucky or elsewhere.

How To Get a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Credential in Kentucky

In Kentucky, RNs can obtain both an SANE P/A or SANE A/A credential through a training program and an application.

Once RNs have completed their SANE training program, they must submit a certificate of attendance and a certificate of completion to the Kentucky State Police. Individuals must also submit an application, which includes a $120 fee; a Kentucky criminal background report; and a completed fingerprint card that costs an additional $13.25. If they are applying for both an A/A and P/A certification, they must pay the application fee for both applications.

How To Get Registered as an SRNA in Kentucky

In Kentucky, certified nursing assistants, or CNAs , are called state registered nurse aides (SRNAs). SRNAs in Kentucky are not licensed health care professionals; rather, they are nursing assistants who have completed a nursing aide training (NAT) program and a competency program to qualify as a nurse aide.

This NAT program is offered by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). The program includes written and clinical skills exams, and it features at least 75 hours of nursing aide instructional training and 16 hours of supervised practical training. Some nursing facilities have approved NAT programs and offer reimbursement to individuals who earn their license.

SRNA Renewal

All applicants who qualify as an SRNA are entered into the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry, which is run by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. In addition to providing a list of all qualified SRNAs in Kentucky, this registry also records SRNAs who have a history of abuse.

To stay on the list, Kentucky SRNAs must perform at least eight hours of nursing-related functions within a two-year period. Kentucky SRNAs must renew their active status every two years, and they are required to complete 12 hours of in-service education each year.

How To Get an LPN or RN License in Kentucky

For those wishing to earn a Kentucky LPN license, the process is the same as the RN licensure.

There are two ways to apply for a license, which are via endorsement or examination:

Endorsement

If you are already licensed in another state, you can apply for an endorsement and have your license transferred to Kentucky. The endorsement application has a $165 fee.

Examination

If you’re applying for a license for the first time, you’ll need to apply via examination. The application for licensure has a $125 fee.

Applicants must complete an accredited Kentucky nursing program. If you did not graduate from a Kentucky nursing program, the following requirements must be met:

• 3 contact hours of domestic violence
• 1.5 contact hours of pediatric abusive head trauma
• 2 contact hours of suicide prevention
• 1.5 contact hours of implicit bias

Once completed, there are two required examinations:

LPN and RN Renewal

After LPNs and RNs earn their Kentucky nursing license, they have to renew it on a yearly basis. The cost for renewal is $65, and they must also complete 14 approved contact hours of continuing education during this period. There are a few other ways nurses can meet the licensure renewal requirements without these hours, but this is the most common method.

How To Get an APRN License in Kentucky

The highest level of Kentucky nursing license is the APRN license. Having this license allows practitioners to establish their own practice and prescribe controlled substances. Because of this, all APRNs must have at least a master's degree from an accredited nursing program. Additionally, all potential APRNs must already hold RN licensure from Kentucky or another state as well as national certification in a population foci approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

There are a few different methods for applying to a Kentucky APRN license. Individuals with a current Kentucky or multistate/compact RN license may apply for their initial Kentucky APRN license. If an individual already has an out-of-state APRN, they can use their multistate/compact RN license to apply to have that license endorsed in Kentucky. If they have both an out-of-state RN license and an out-of-state APRN license, they’ll have to apply to have both licenses endorsed in Kentucky.

Applicants need to submit the Kentucky APRN licensure application and fee ($165), the fingerprint card and fee ($13.25), the Kentucky criminal history report, an official transcript of the professional's graduate-level education, and proof of their current national certification.

APRN License Renewal

Once the APRN license has been awarded, nurses need to renew it on a yearly basis by paying $55 for each APRN designation they have (in addition to the $65 fee for renewing their standard RN license). APRNs also need at least 14 approved contact hours, including at least five contact hours of pharmacology education.