Best RN Programs in Kansas for 2024

Labette Community College (LCC) is an educational institution in Parsons, Kansas, and is accredited by the Higher Learner Commission. This college believes in educational equity, and non-discrimination, hence all students are admitted regardless of religion, gender and sexual identity, race and national origin, age, etc.

Its nursing programs, established in 1968, received accreditations from the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing This 66-credit, bi-level, step-out-program is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to transition into becoming Registered Nurses (RN). Hence, it offers career mobility. The student has two options: either take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Practical Nursing exam (NCLEX-PN), by opting out of the RN program; or matriculate through it and be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The former involves successful completion of Level I wherein the student will be conferred a Practical Nurse Certificate. The latter option needs successful completion of Levels I and II in order to be awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Pre-BSN Associate in Science This 60-credit program is tailored to articulate RN graduates of LCC to the RN-to-BSN completion program of Kansas University (KU) School of Nursing. Hence, this program is designed from the formal agreement of KU and LCC. After program graduation, students are ready to transfer to their desired university and pursue their Baccalaureate degree in Nursing. For students who want to continue RN-to-BSN studies in universities other than KU, they should follow the General Studies degree plan in order for different curriculum plans to be accommodated.  

Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC) is an educational institution in Manhattan, Kansas. Established in 1976 by the Kansas State Board of Education, this college is now hailed as “the best education at the lowest price” in Kansas for three years in a row.

MATC offers various programs in healthcare. Its practical nursing program is ranked the third best in the state, and the school itself was recognized as 2021 best nursing school in Kansas. Among the programs offered are:

Associate Degree Nursing Program This 62-credit program serves as a bridge for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become Registered Nurses (RNs). This MATC associate degree program consists of coursework and clinical practice, aligned with the Kansas Board of Regents curriculum, and is accredited by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

To be admitted, students must: complete the required prerequisites, have at most 10-credit hours from a PN certificate program, and own a Windows-based device. Program graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Practical Nursing Program Designed to prepare students for their role as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), this 46-credit program applies the Kansas Practical Nursing Core Curriculum. Hence, students will undergo a blend of classroom and clinical experiences, and the 46-credit hours consist of 14 prerequisites and 32 technical specialty courses.

Aside from eligibility to take the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) upon program graduation, this also acts as the first level for those students who would like to continue nursing education.

Johnson County Community College is located in Overland Park, Kansas.  JCCC has over 46,000 student's enrolled, making it one of the state's largest higher education programs.  They offer an RN program and also an RN refresher program.  The RN refresher program is a non-degree program and is designed to prepare RNs who have been out of the workforce or out of the acute care setting for a while.

Dodge City Community College (DC3) is a student-centered educational institution founded in 1935. This college situated in Dodge City, is accredited by both the Kansas Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Among the programs offered in its Allied Health department are:

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree This two-year degree allows for a certification option as a practical nurse after the first year.  The curriculum is a blend of theory and applicant in various clinical settings, with the clinical experiences done on week-ends. For those who hold a PN license with a practical experience of one year, they may apply for the program and complete the last two semesters. Graduates who successfully complete the program may take the licensure exam. Moreover, this program received approval and accreditation from the Kansas State Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), respectively.

Para-Professional Nursing This involves short-term courses and training in order to prepare students for employment in various clinical and healthcare settings as well as for the state certification exams. For high school students seeking program admission, they need to have a permission from their high school. However, for 18+ years old applicants, a high school diploma or GED is no longer required prior to program admission. Successful completion of this program allows students to find employment as a Geriatric Nurse Aide, (CAN), Nursing Home Medication Aide (CMA), Nurse Aide, Home Health Aide and Activity Director.

Established in 1923, Coffeyville Community College (CCC), named after its location, Coffeyville, Kansas, is a comprehensive post-secondary learning institution. This college is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Majority of its classes are offered online through the distance learning program.  91% of CCC’s total credit hours are taught by full-time faculty. In terms of employment, CCC’s LPN and RN graduates have a 100% job placement rate.

Practical Nursing (PN) program This one-year certificate program aims to prepare students for entry level nursing positions in a variety of healthcare settings. To be admitted, candidates must possess a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN Examination. They may also pursue education in a Registered Nurse associate degree program.

Registered Nurse (RN) program This program is focused towards the Registered Nurse curriculum completion.  Program requirement includes any of the following: A Kansas LPN or Paramedic license or a Kansas-recognized multi-state LPN license. For students from out-of-state they may need to complete additional coursework in order to meet the standard curriculum requirements of Kansas.

Graduates of this two-year program will be conferred an Associate of Applied Science degree with eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN Examination. It also provides them an option to pursue or transfer to BSN programs. For those who would like the latter option, CCC has agreements with various 4-year colleges and universities where students can continue their BSN education.

Cloud County Community College is located in Concordia, Kansas.  Their nursing department offers an ADN program or a LPN program.  Their ADN program is specifically designed for LPNs who seek to become RNs; non-LPNs are not eligible for their program.

Butler Community College is located in El Dorado, Kansas.  They offer an RN program and an LPN to RN program. They also may take online courses after graduation at Kansas University or Wichita State University in their RN to BSN programs.

North Central Kansas Technical College is located in Beloit, Kansas.  They offer an LPN and an ADN program.  Their ADN program is considered full-time and is 18 months in duration.  They accept 30 RN students, once per year.