[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /]Kansas has a huge requirement for nurses, making it an interesting state to work in. Salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was $71,990 per year on average in 2023, which is a 0.9% rise from the previous year. Naturally, being a nurse is about having a passion to make things better for others, and not about the salary. So how do you become a nurse in Kansas?[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Entry level nursing is a 3 stage process:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]YOU NEED TO DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF EDUCATION THAT YOU WANT TO OBTAIN[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can become a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]licensed practical nurse[/hen-ui-link] (LPN) by completing a one year diploma program. Although the shortness of this option makes it interesting, it is not that popular due to the low availability of jobs and the relatively lower pay. Instead, most [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//how-to-choose-between-getting-your-bsn-or-msn/”]students choose the RN[/hen-ui-link] (registered nurse) option, which can be achieved through a 2 year associate degree (ADN) or a 4 year bachelor degree (BSN), which provides the greatest amount of knowledge and skills and leads to the best (paid) jobs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]MEET THE PREREQUISITES[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No matter which option you choose, you will need to have completed your high school or GED diploma. If you choose the [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] or BSN, you may also have to complete a number of undergraduate courses, usually in subjects such as statistics and English. You can expect this to take between three and six months to complete.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]BECOME LICENSED BY PASSING THE NCLEX EXAM[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The LPN will take the[hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”] NCLEX[/hen-ui-link]-PN examination while the RN will have to take the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/how-to-master-nclex-style-test-questions/”]NCLEX-RN examination[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]To become an [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]APRN [/hen-ui-link](Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.ksbn.org/”]Kansas State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] has outlined these 4 stages.[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE AT MASTER LEVEL (MSN)[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This should be from a program that is approved by the Board or meets their standards.Additionally, standards have been set for the roles they want to take up. As such:

An NP (Nurse Practitioner) must hold an MSN with a clinical specialization.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A NMW(Nurse Midwife) must hold an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/popular-msn-degree-specializations//”]MSN with specialization[/hen-ui-link], or a Masters in Nurse Midwifery.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A CNS ([hen-ui-link href=”/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]Clinical Nurse Specialist[/hen-ui-link]) must hold an MSN with a clinical specialization.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An RNA (Registered Nurse Anesthetist) must hold a Masters in Nurse Anesthesia.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Role alignment between the RN and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]APRN[/hen-ui-link] roles[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Theoretical instruction in your chosen APRN category[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health care delivery system[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ethical and legal implications of advanced nursing practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]3 hours in advanced pharmacology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]3 hours in advanced pathophysiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]3 hours in advanced health assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical instruction that includes:

Performing or ordering diagnostic procedures[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Evaluating diagnostic and assessment findings[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescribing medication and other treatments for patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]500 hours of learning in each clinical track[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]BECOME CERTIFIED THROUGH THE BOARD[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an RNA, you must also maintain your national certification. However, although not required for other roles, it is recommended that they also seek national certification, as this increases job opportunities. The following national agencies are recognized by the board:

The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nbcrna.com/Pages/default.aspx”]National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.amcbmidwife.org/”]AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nursecredentialing.org/”]ANCC[/hen-ui-link] (American Nurses Credentialing Center) that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/index”]AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aacn.org/DM/MainPages/AACNHomePage.aspx?pageid=1″]AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nccwebsite.org/”]NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/index”]PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care and Primary Care.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]APPLY TO BECOME LICENSED[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To apply, you must complete the [hen-ui-link href=”https://ksbn.kansas.gov/initial-application/”]Advanced Practice Application for License to Practice[/hen-ui-link] and include all relevant documentation and fees. If you are applying to become a RNA, you must also sent the verification to the State of Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some APRNs are able to apply for prescriptive practice. To do so, they must enter into a collaborative practice with a registered physician, who has to sign an affidavit. Additionally, you must include a written protocol with details of your authority in terms of medication. These documents must be reviewed each year.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]RENEW YOUR LICENSE AUTOMATICALLY BIANNUALLY TOGETHER WITH YOUR RN LICENSE[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This is done on the last day of your birth month. Although you will receive a renewal reminder in the mail, you will not receive a printed license card, but details of your license can be found online. The Board also requires you to complete 30 hours of continuous education (CE) in your area of specialization. Your national certification agency may have further CE requirements. You must also review your collaborative agreement every year.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.ksbn.org/”]Kansas State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Landon State Office Building[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]900 SW Jackson Street[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Suite 1051[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Topeka, Kansas 66612-1230[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Main: 785-296-4929[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fax: 785-296-3929[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”py-4 my-0 text-center border-b md:pb-8 md:border-none”]You might be interested in[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-layout ids=”76218,76212,76202″][/hen-ui-article-layout]