Nursing Programs in Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community and Technical College offers a four-semester Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program for aspiring registered nurses. Students learn through a blend of theory and clinical practice, choosing either the traditional Downtown Louisville campus or the hybrid Shelby County format with online lectures and evening/weekend labs. This ACEN-accredited and Kentucky Board of Nursing-approved program awards an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing, making graduates eligible for the NCLEX-RN. The HESI entrance exam and a pre-admission conference are required. The program reports a 94% job placement rate. Kentucky data shows first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 90.5% (2022), 92.3% (2023), and 93.2% (2024) for the largest cohorts; a smaller 2024 cohort passed at 100%.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: HESI
• 4-Semester program
• 94% licensure pass rate
• 94% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Approved by Kentucky Board of Nursing
• Hybrid format on Shelby County campus
• Mandatory pre-admission conference

Bellarmine University's BSN program is a campus-based, CCNE and Kentucky Board of Nursing accredited degree requiring 120 credit hours. The curriculum integrates liberal arts with nursing-focused clinical training, offering hands-on practice in high-fidelity simulation labs and placements at major Louisville healthcare systems including Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health. Students benefit from a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and small class sizes. Graduates are 100% employed, passing the NCLEX at rates of 86.1% (2022), 89.7% (2023), and 94.8% (2024). The university supports military-affiliated students, offers scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement, and emphasizes leadership, ethics, and interprofessional collaboration. Clinical experiences span medical-surgical, pediatric, psychiatric, and critical care settings.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Kentucky Board of Nursing accredited
• 120 total credit hours
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Military benefits accepted
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 91.4% NCLEX pass rate

Galen College of Nursing's Louisville campus offers an Associate Degree in Nursing pathway focused exclusively on nursing education. With no prerequisite courses required, you can begin nursing courses immediately. The curriculum combines classroom theory with simulation and clinical learning labs, providing real patient care practice in a safe environment. Four annual term start dates offer flexibility, and ACEN accreditation ensures academic quality. Recent NCLEX pass rates for ADN graduates reached 95.2% in 2024, up from 88.4% in 2022. Dedicated academic advisors, Galen All Access video library, and financial aid support student success. This program prepares confident, compassionate registered nurses ready for today's healthcare settings.

• ACEN accredited
• 4 start dates per year
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• No waitlists
• Four annual term starts
• Simulation labs for practice
• Clinical learning labs
• Galen All Access library
• Easy transfer credit review

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville's three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed for students seeking a direct path to registered nursing. This accelerated on-campus program requires the TEAS entrance exam for admission. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction and clinical learning labs, building essential nursing competencies. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health. The BSN also serves as a foundation for specialization or graduate education. Galen reports NCLEX BSN pass rates fluctuating between 84.1% and 93.2% over 2022-2024. Students receive personalized academic advisors, on-demand tutoring, transfer credit review, and multiple scholarship opportunities. With four start dates per year and no application fee, the program emphasizes accessibility and student support.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 3-Year program
• 4 start dates per year
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Personalized academic advisor assigned
• Clinical learning labs for hands-on practice

Spalding University offers Kentucky's longest-standing BSN program, delivered in a supportive, Roman Catholic, military-friendly campus environment. The holistic curriculum integrates evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and spiritual values, with small classes and personalized faculty support. Through community partnerships, students can access scholarships of 10–25%, a Hospital Scholars program covering 100% tuition, and automatic 10% alumni tuition discounts. Clinical experiences occur across diverse healthcare settings, preparing graduates for hospital and community practice. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates improved from 65.9% (2022) to 76.5% (2023) and 84.2% (2024). The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and supports employer reimbursement and financial aid.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Longest-standing BSN in Kentucky
• Small class sizes, personalized attention
• Community partnerships provide 10–25% scholarships
• Hospital scholars program covers 100% tuition
• Alumni receive automatic 10% scholarship
• Dedicated Nursing Pathway Coordinator

Sullivan University’s A.S. in Nursing program, offered at its Louisville campus, prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a registered nurse in as few as 21 months. The on-campus curriculum covers pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, maternal-newborn, and pediatric nursing, integrating skills labs and clinical simulations. Students benefit from small class sizes, experienced faculty, and included resources such as e-resources, 24/7 tutoring, uniforms, and parking. The program comprises 22 courses and accepts military benefits and employer reimbursement. Financial assistance and scholarships are available for qualifying students. Sullivan’s ADN program reported NCLEX-RN pass rates of 66.7% in 2023 and 63% in 2024.

• 21-Month program
• 22 total courses
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Military benefits accepted
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Hands-on skills labs and clinical experiences
• Personalized attention
• Experienced specialist faculty

This accelerated path allows licensed practical nurses to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing and become RNs in just 18 months. Building on prior LPN knowledge, the 20-course curriculum includes medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, mental health, and maternal-child care, alongside hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. Offered at Sullivan’s Louisville campus, the program emphasizes core nursing competencies with small classes and specialist faculty. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Military benefits, employer reimbursement, and scholarships are available, and 24/7 tutoring is provided. The program is accredited by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and SACSCOC. Recent NCLEX pass rates for Sullivan’s ADN program were 66.7% (2023) and 63% (2024).

• Kentucky Board of Nursing, SACSCOC accredited
• 18-Month program
• 20 total courses
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Military benefits accepted
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Skills labs and real-life simulations
• Small class sizes