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A Nursing Career Resource with Licensing Info & Job Openings
Gaining a nursing license, in Kentucky, requires that you join a class for either licensed practical nursing or registered nursing. There are two different 'basic' courses for RNs, the associate's degree which is a two year course or the bachelor's degree which takes about four years to complete. LPN training is usually about one year of courses. These figures can change depending on the type of training chosen- full time or part time, day or night school. Often, a college will require that students have a certain number of prerequisite classes. The number and subject will be listed in the information requested by the student concerning enrollment. Nursing is a science based career and as such, most prerequisite subjects will be science related. A few subjects will not be, such as English composition. All of the prerequisites help a nurse in her career as caregiver such as psychology, which allows nurses to understand how the thoughts and behaviors of their patients affect their health, along with those around them.
In Kentucky, a nursing school program will be listed as state approved, if the program is not approved by the state's board of nursing, you must choose another. Once you have passed all of the required subjects, you will need to apply for testing approval. This is not a hard process, it only entails filling out the application for testing form and submitting the application fee. This processing fee is not refundable.
If your application is approved, you will receive a notification along with testing locations in the mail. The locations provide the National Council on Licensure Exam or NCLEX. In most states this test is administered and graded by Pearson Vue. You must pass this exam before a nursing license is issued. Most students pass the 'boards', but if you do not you may apply to take the test again. Each application and test require that the application and sitting fees are to be paid. A nurse that is already certified in another state may practice in Kentucky if their home state participates in the National Licensure Compact. If the nurse decides to move to Kentucky, they will need to have their license changed to a Kentucky based multi-state license, but can still practice in other compact states. At this time, 2011, twenty-one states participate and 5 others are considering joining.
Licensing renewal, in Kentucky, is every two years. The fee may be paid online or by mail. Failure to renew will render the nursing license inactive. This can be remedied by contacting the state board of nursing. The board will determine if you need to retake the NCLEX or may simply pay the renewal fee.
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