University of Kentucky

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Nursing Science - Doctor's degree
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs
RN to MSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

Registered nurses who have an associate degree or diploma in nursing can apply for our RN-BSN option. In addition to completing the UK Core requirements, the student completes the course work listed in the Sample Plan of Study. Electives may be required to fulfill minimum, in-residence University credit hour requirements.

All RN-BSN courses are taught in a distributed learning format (with the exception of pharmacology and pathophysiology, which are totally online). Most classes meet approximately once each month on Saturday. Between class meetings you work on assignments that include online work and independent study.

Two courses include clinical components - Public Health Nursing (approximately six hours of clinicals each week) and Synthesis of Clinical Knowledge for Nursing Practice (120 on-site clinical hours and 112 hours of clinical research and clinical writing during the eight-week summer session following completion of the other courses in the curriculum). The faculty will work with you to try to find clinical sites in your area. Synthesis is a capstone course, completing the BSN experience.

To be considered for admission to the RN-BSN Option and to professional nursing courses, students must complete specific prerequisites and requirements:

-Graduation from an accredited nursing program with a minimum cumulative 2.50 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all college work.
-Associate degree must be from a college accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (SACS, MSACS, NEASC, NCA-HLC, NWCCU, or WASC)
-Statement of academic and professional goals
-R.N. licensure is required to progress to the second semester of the curriculum or prior to beginning clinical experiences.
-Two professional references

BSN Program Details

The College's B.S.N. program graduates professionals who are ready to meet the ever-changing challenges of today's health care needs. Learning through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical setting instruction, students graduate with a solid foundation of nursing knowledge.

With expert guidance from faculty, students learn to evaluate the latest in nursing research and how to apply it in clinical practice.

Most classes are kept small to promote more effective learning. The student-faculty ratio for undergraduate clinical groups is no more than 10:1.

Special opportunities for involvement include Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing, and the Nursing Student Association (NSA). The College also supports a Nurse Scholars Program, College Ambassadors Program, Research Intern Program, and the Undergraduate Nursing Activities and Advisory Council.

For all program options, all eligible applicants will be considered as the Admissions Committee selects a class that will represent the population it will serve - gender and multicultural factors being considered along with academic performance.

Accelerated BSN Program Details

Do you wish you'd gone into nursing but your bachelor's is in another field? Would you like a career with more advancement potential, better salary, more variety, more job security, and one that feels more like a "calling" than a job? Are you a motivated, dedicated student?

Then we'd like to talk with you about our Second Degree B.S.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), an option for individuals who can dedicate themselves full-time to five semesters of study. Classes are held during the fall and spring semesters (no summers). Second Degree Option students are integrated into the traditional four-year B.S.N. Program. This is not an "accelerated program."

Learning through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical setting instruction, our B.S.N. program graduates professionals who are ready to meet the ever-changing challenges of today's health care needs. Clinical simulation facilities provide excellent laboratory learning opportunities. Most classes are kept small to promote more effective learning. The student-faculty ratio for undergraduate clinical courses is no more than 10:1.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

Profound changes in increasingly complex health care systems mandates change to improve quality of care while reducing costs, improving access, eliminating disparities, and promoting safe practice. “Practice-focused doctoral programs are designed to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing practice. They focus heavily on practice that is innovative and evidence-based, reflecting the application of credible research findings" (AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advance Nursing Practice, p. 3).

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program focuses on development of advanced competencies for complex practice, and research utilization for the improvement of clinical care delivery, patient outcomes, and system management. Graduates will be expert in designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating health care delivery systems and will be prepared to lead at the highest clinical and executive ranks.

Objectives include:

-Graduates who are expert practitioners for diverse populations and systems who engage in leadership to create practice environments that improve health care outcomes

-Graduates who promote evidence-based innovations, technologies and scholarship in nursing and health care delivery to improve practice

-Graduates who synthesize scientific, theoretical, and policy data from a variety of disciplines to improve health care systems and health outcomes for individuals and populations

-Collaborate in inter/intraprofessional networks that promote diversity and optimize care in complex health care systems

-Graduates who create an environment that supports personal and professional development to enhance health care outcomes and life quality for populations

There are two entry points to the DNP program. Currently we offer a post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) entry option for those with an awarded master's degree in nursing who are already prepared in the role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Beginning fall 2009, the post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) entry option will be offered. This option builds on the BSN. degree, and prepares individuals for the APRN role. Both options culminate with the DNP degree.

The post-MSN DNP program offers:

-Faculty known nationally and internationally for work in their specialties
-Close work with clinical mentors
-Classes that mix online work with on-campus work*

The post-MSN program can be completed in two years and the post-BSN option can be completed in three years of full-time study. Part-time plans are also available.

* DNP nursing courses are Web-enhanced and require attendance at class meetings approximately 5 times each semester on UK's campus.

Deadline for fall admission is Feb. 15. Admission decisions are made on a competitive basis. Applications received after Feb. 15 may be considered on a space-available basis.

Our DNP Program has Full Approval Status from the Kentucky Board of Nursing based on the letter of accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).