In Kentucky accrediting agencies have approved 26 campus-based nursing programs. These schools represent all regions of the state and include campuses in major cities—Louisville—and small cities—Bowling Green. In all this diversity you’re bound to find a nursing undergraduate or graduate program that appeals to you and can outfit you with just the right degree to land a solid nursing job.
New RNs tend to migrate to major hospitals and medical centers where nurses are always needed, sign-on bonuses may be dangled as career carrots, and the environment is bustling and exciting. University of Kentucky’s Chandler Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, which means it draws patients from all over the state and possibly beyond, AND provides a massive assortment of medical specialties—also fertile ground for new nurses looking for unique and challenging specialties.
However, the risk is that many new nurses miss out some very good job opps within smaller cities—community hospitals, medical centers and public health facilities. Advanced Practice Nurses, especially Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), and Certified Nurse Midwives, are in high demand in rural facilities where many folks live without adequate healthcare. If rural nursing interests you the a few of the schools below may offer rural community nursing as a graduate specialization.
Use the Kentucky Board of Nursing as your go-to resource for the following vital career and practice information:
The Nurse Incentive Scholarship Fund provides free money to qualified undergraduate nursing students or graduate nursing students who are Kentucky residents and willing to practice nursing in Kentucky following graduation. They may attend an approved school of nursing outside the state. Exchange: one year of work for one annual scholarship gift.
The State of Kentucky has from time to time funded nursing loan repayment programs that may be suspended when funds are unavailable. Check with the state government for updated programs. Also don’t overlook the financial incentives that could be offered directly from large hospital systems as a means to attract qualified nurses.