Nurse Practitioner Schools in Kentucky

Registered nurses enjoy an enriching and rewarding career. Many choose to further their career by earning a master's degree (MSN) or doctoral degree (DNP) in nursing and practicing as a nurse practitioner.
In Kentucky, nurse practitioners can practice independently, act as a patient's primary care provider, and can prescribe medications.
Choosing a Nurse Practitioner Program
When considering an advanced-practice nursing program, the following components should be considered:
- Accreditation- Graduate programs for MSN/ DNP should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Moreover, each state sets standards for schools. Kentucky’s State Board of Nursing has lists of approved and accredited schools with MSN programs, DNP programs, and post-master's
- Program Cost-Graduate programs typically require completion of 30-55 credits, the average being 45 credits. The average cost per credit is around $400 for residents of Kentucky; otherwise, tuition can cost an average of $700 per credit. Books, supplies, fees, and living expenses are not included in these figures.
- Program Length- MSN programs usually take about two years to complete, and DNP programs take about three to four years to complete if attending full time. Since holding BSN is a frequent requirement for admission into a graduate nursing program, ADN nurses may need to spend a little longer on their educational path.
- Internship/ Externship Opportunities-Nurse practitioners, unlike physicians, are not required to complete residency or internship programs. However, these programs help prepare the nurse practitioner to work in the specialty of choice by having them gain valuable clinical experience and build upon their knowledge base. As of February 2017, there were no formal residency programs available in the state of Kentucky.
- Online/Campus Options-According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are ten graduate programs for nurses in the state of Kentucky. Depending on the degree sought (MSN or DNP), online programs are readily available, with some more than 50% online courses. Online courses allow for more flexibility and self-directed learning, which is beneficial for some learners.
Admission and Certification Requirements
The requirements for entry into an MSN or DNP program may vary among educational institutions, but applicants may be required to:
- Hold a BSN degree from an accredited undergraduate nursing program
- Hold a current RN/APRN license
- Submit transcripts from previous colleges
- Have maintained a minimum GPA in undergraduate coursework (specific GPA may differ between schools, usually must be 3.0 or higher)
- Provide references/ letters of recommendation
- Provide a written goal statement
- Interview with faculty
- Have prior work experience as an RN before admission, although some programs may allow for concurrent work experience
Licensing/Certification
The Kentucky State Board requires national certification for APRNs before they can be licensed. Many times, graduate programs offer certification; however, the board provides a list of other approved national certifying agencies. Certification may be in:
- Family practice
- Adult-Gerontology (acute and primary care)
- Pediatrics (acute and primary care)
- Emergency
- Critical care
- Women's Health/Midwifery
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
In addition to certification, the requirements to become licensed in the state of Kentucky are:
- Hold an active, unencumbered RN license
- Submit fingerprints
- Complete a background check/ criminal history report
- Completion of a post-basic education program
- Have the graduate program submit official transcripts to the board
Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Agencies and Organizations
- Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Midwives
- Kentucky Board of Nursing
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Kentucky Nurses Association
Schools That Offer Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kentucky
According to the CCNE, Kentucky has several accredited schools with graduate-level programs for nurses, some with online/ distance learning available. Additionally, some schools in the state have BSN to DNP tracks available, which makes for a more streamlined educational path for registered nurses.
Bowling Green, KY
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-0111
Frankfort, KY
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 597-6000
Grayson, KY
Kentucky Christian University
Grayson, KY 41143
(800) 522-3181
Highland Heights, KY
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(800) 985-7215
Hyden, KY
Frontier Nursing University
- Family Nurse Practitioner Online
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
- Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Family Nurse Practitioner Online
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Online
- Women's Health Care NP Online
Hyden, KY 41749
(606) 672-2312
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Hybrid
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Hybrid
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108
Louisville, KY
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 272-8000
Spalding University
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-9911
University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-5825
Morehead, KY
Morehead State University
- Family Nurse Practitioner Online
Morehead, KY 40351
(800) 585-6781
Richmond, KY
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 622-1000
Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.