NURSE, REGISTERED


Registered nurses (RN) provide care, treatment, counseling and health education to ill or injured people. They also provide education to individuals and families to promote health and prevent injury and illness. They monitor their patients' conditions, give medications and treatments prescribed by a physician and communicate with the doctor and other members of the health care team. Nurses direct and supervise nursing support personnel. Nurses may work in specialty areas such as intensive care, surgery, obstetrics or with special populations such as children, the elderly or persons with disabilities.

Education

Most Kentucky schools require students to pass the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Registry Examination before admission into the nursing program. To become qualified as a registered nurse, you must complete an accredited professional nursing program. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs usually take two years. The bachelors degree (BSN) generally requires four years of college. Many nurses continue their formal education to earn a masters degree, which provides them with expanded career options.

Registration/Certification/Licensure

To become a registered nurse, a student must graduate from an approved school of nursing and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to be licensed and to practice in Kentucky. Graduates with either an associate or bachelors degree are eligible to take the state exam. Nurses practicing in an expanded role (nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist) must hold registration with Kentucky Board of Nursing as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).

Salary

$35,000-65,000

Employment Opportunities

A registered nurse may be employed as a staff nurse in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, health maintenance organizations, rehabilitation centers, primary care centers, physician offices, clinics, ambulatory care centers, birthing centers, mental health settings, health departments, home health agencies, hospices, wellness centers, public health agencies, schools and industry. RNs also may choose to pursue careers in health administration, teaching, utilization review and/or consulting.

Programs

Asbury College (3-2 Dual BA & BSN Degree in cooperation with UK) (800) 888-1818
Ashland Community College (AAS) (606) 329-2999
Bellarmine College (BSN, MSN) (502) 452-8217
Berea College (BS)  (859) 986-5381
Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University (ADN) (270) 780-2550
Eastern Kentucky University (ADN, BSN, MSN) (859) 622-1827
Elizabethtown Community College (AAS) (270) 769-2371
Hazard Community College (AAS) (800) 246-7521
Henderson Community College (AAS) (270) 827-1867
Hopkinsville Community College (AAS) (270) 886-3921
Jefferson Community College (AAS) (502) 584-0181
Kentucky State University (BSN) (502) 227-6000
Lexington Community College (ADN) (859) 257-4872
Madisonville Community College (AAS) (270) 821-2250
Maysville Community College (AAS) (606) 759-7141
Midway College (ADN, BSN) (859) 846-5346
Morehead State University (ADN, BSN, MSN) (606) 783-2296
Murray State University (BSN, MSN) (270) 762-2196
Northern Kentucky University (ADN, BSN, MSN)  (859) 572-5278
Owensboro Community College (AAS)  (270) 687-7255
Paducah Community College (AAS) (270) 554-9200
Pikeville College (ADN) (606) 432-9200
Prestonsburg Community College (AAS) (606) 886-3863
St. Catharine College (AAS) (606) 336-5082 Ext. 205
Somerset Community College (AAS) (606) 679-8501
Southeast Community College (AAS)  (606) 242-2145
Spalding University (BSN, MSN) (502) 585-7125 Ext. 245
Thomas More College (BSN) (859) 341-5800
University of Kentucky (BSN, MSN, PhD)  (859) 323-5815
University of Louisville (BSN, MSN) (502) 852-5831
Western Kentucky University (BSN, MSN) (270) 745-3391

 Professional Associations

Kentucky Nurses Association
1400 South First Street
P.O. Box 2616
Louisville, KY 40201
(502) 637-2546		 American Nurses Association
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Suite 100 West
Washington, DC 20024
(800) 274-4ANA

Last updated:  June 26, 2001