[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are nearly 43,000 registered nurses (RNs) and over 4,000 nurse practitioners throughout Kentucky. [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm?AreaName=kentucky+&Name=registered+nurse&items_per_page=10″]At 8.8%[/hen-ui-link], the projected job growth rate for RNs in Kentucky is similar to the national projected growth. Two large metropolitan areas on the Kentucky border offer unique opportunities for nurses to work outside of the state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A Kentucky nursing license from a Kentucky nurse practitioner program or an RN program can lead to many jobs and a rewarding career helping others.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Nurse in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses must meet certain requirements to legally practice in Kentucky. Prospective nurses must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school and pass a national licensing exam before applying for state licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-article-card title=”The Complete Guide to How to Become a Registered Nurse” href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Kentucky Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://kbn.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx” target=”_blank”]Kentucky Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] develops and enforces the state laws that govern nursing practice. These include credentialing, educational guidelines, and continuing education requirements for license renewal. The nursing board also maintains resources for nurses in the state, including the following:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How to retire a license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forms and publications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Licensure compact status[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Leadership programs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Continuing nursing education (CNE) catalog[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Scope of practice for RNs and APRNs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]State legal opinions that affect nursing practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An avenue for students and nurses to register complaints[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Get Your Nursing License in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective nurses receive licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN and submitting their fingerprints. Nurses who are licensed to practice in another state may apply for a Kentucky nursing license by endorsement. These candidates must meet certain educational criteria and pass the 35-question Jurisprudence Examination, which covers the legal aspects of practicing in Kentucky.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Kentucky Board of Nursing provides a free study guide for the Jurisprudence Examination on its website.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Licensure for Nurses From Different States”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses licensed in another state may apply for Kentucky licensure by endorsement. While the board reviews these applications within 14 days of receiving them, reviews for candidates with a disciplinary history or conviction may take up to three months.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Steps to Apply for an RN License”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-compact-states/”]Nurse Licensure Compact[/hen-ui-link] (NLC) [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm”]allows licensed nurses[/hen-ui-link] to practice in participating compact states, including Kentucky, without getting a new license. Nurses without a multistate license must apply for licensure by endorsement to receive a Kentucky nursing license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete an endorsement application and pay the $165 nonrefundable application fee.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Take the Jurisprudence Examination ($15).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Submit to state and federal background checks.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Verify original out-of-state licensure.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item]Provide transcripts from any schools the applicant may have attended in:[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California nursing schools[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Connecticut nursing schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hawaii nursing schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Kansas nursing schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Michigan nursing schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Washington nursing schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top Nursing Schools and Programs in Kentucky” href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/kentucky/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Renew Your Nursing License in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Kentucky Board of Nursing requires nurses to renew their license every year by October 31. Those who do not renew their license by midnight on October 31 cannot legally practice until they do so.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs pay a $65 fee and submit a renewal application online. Nurses must also complete 14 approved CNE contact hours or seven contact hours and additional documentation of competency. The online application asks for the applicant’s:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal name on their Kentucky nursing license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Last four digits of their social security number[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing license number[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Payment method[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Documentation of completed CNE hours[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Employment for Nurses in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At $67,260, the annual average [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-salary//”]RN salary[/hen-ui-link] in KY is considerably lower than the national figure of $80,010. However, Kentucky’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series” target=”_blank”]cost of living[/hen-ui-link] is also lower, making it the 18th most affordable state in 2020.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs seeking employment in Kentucky can expect to compete for job opportunities. A federal study of Kentucky’s nursing workforce from 2014 to 2030 estimates the supply will [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/data-research/nchwa-hrsa-nursing-report.pdf” target=”_blank”]exceed demand[/hen-ui-link] by 10,500 RNs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below lists the five highest-paying metropolitan areas in the area and the mean RN salaries in each. Kentucky is unique as many of their top-paying cities share a border with neighboring states, including Indiana which is part of the NLC.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for RNs[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Metropolitan Area[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Mean Annual Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$72,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$70,010[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Huntington — Ashland, WV-KY-OH[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$67,820 [/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Evansville, IN-KY[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$65,560[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Clarksville, TN-KY[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$65,190[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”hospitals”]Best Hospitals to Work as a Nurse in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]U.S. News & World Report evaluated 119 hospitals in Kentucky and selected the state’s best. Top-ranking hospitals must offer a full range of general and surgical services and hold rank as either a best regional hospital or receive three or more high performance ratings in procedures or conditions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/hospitals-clinics/albert-b-chandler-hospital” target=”_blank”] University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital (Lexington)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Nationally ranked in one adult specialty and two childrens specialties, this hospital has received 12 high performing marks in both specialties and procedures. The hospital is home to a level 1 trauma center, boasts 569 acute care beds, and employs 9,000 healthcare workers.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″] Baptist Health (Louisville)[/hen-ui-heading] This facility received the American Nurses Credentialing Centers (ANCC) Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services three times. In Magnet facilities, nursing leaders develop and implement strategies to improve patient outcomes, like education and supporting greater autonomy. The 519-bed hospital has been counted among the best places to work in Kentucky 10 times.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.stelizabeth.com/” target=”_blank”] St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington Hospitals (Edgewood)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] While the teaching hospital is located in Edgewood, data from the Covington location was also used to rank the hospital third in Kentucky. St. Elizabeth offers general and specialty care, including virtual visits with healthcare professionals. The hospitals nursing staff has received the ANCCs Magnet designation for excellence. Boasting 502 beds, it is St. Elizabeth Healthcares flagship location.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″] Baptist Health (Lexington)[/hen-ui-heading] This major medical research and education center is a 434-bed tertiary care center known for excellence in heart and cancer care. Baptist Health has held the ANCCs Magnet designation since 2005. The hospital encourages nurses to earn a BSN; 67% of the nursing staff completed a bachelors degree by 2018. Staff are also encouraged to seek national certification and publication in peer-reviewed journals.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nortonhealthcare.com/” target=”_blank”] Norton Healthcare (Louisville)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This hospital is the regions leading orthopedic care provider, and Norton Childrens hospital is the only freestanding, full-service pediatric hospital in Kentucky. Norton also leads the region in cardiovascular and cancer care. The 605-bed hospital employs more than 4,000 nurses, with a stated mission to develop quality CNE opportunities for its healthcare staff.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Nurses in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Kentucky values the nurses who provide healthcare for the state’s citizens. The following websites offer support and networking opportunities for nurses across Kentucky.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://kbn.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx”] Kentucky Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The Kentucky Board of Nursing develops and enforces state laws that govern the profession under the Nurse Practice Act. The board maintains resources for nurses, including information regarding licensure, practice and education, and current legal opinions and laws.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://kentucky-nurses.nursingnetwork.com/” target=”_blank”] Kentucky Nurses Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This full-service professional organization promotes the RN role in healthcare delivery. Members enjoy priority access to events and job postings.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.kcnpnm.org/” target=”_blank”] Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners & Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This professional association for APRNs offers networking opportunities, awards, and scholarships. The group also supports legislative initiatives to improve patient care. Other resources include a prescription guide and a CNE learning calendar.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.kyonl.com/” target=”_blank”] Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This nonprofit organization strives to advance administrative leadership by providing educational programs, networking events, and scholarships. Membership is open to RNs who serve in leadership positions.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is Kentucky a nursing compact state?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Kentucky became a nursing compact state in March 2017. Nurses who hold a multistate license in Kentucky can practice in all neighboring states except Illinois [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/ohio/”]and Ohio[/hen-ui-link], since these states do not participate in the NLC.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to get a Kentucky nursing license?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Kentucky Board of Nursing reviews applications within 14 days of receipt. However, individuals who have been subject to any disciplinary or corrective action through the board may wait up to three months for their review.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do I transfer my nursing license to Kentucky?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Out-of-state nurses must apply for licensure by endorsement. After paying a $65 fee, applicants should submit to a state and federal background check with fingerprints, pass the Jurisprudence Examination, and verify their original license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How many times can you take the NCLEX in Kentucky?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Candidates who have not yet taken the NCLEX may hold a provisional license. Individuals who fail the examination have their provisional license revoked and may not practice until they pass the NCLEX. In Kentucky, candidates may take the NCLEX every 46 days. There is no limit to the number of times it can be taken.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top Nursing Programs in Kentucky[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top Kentucky RN-to-MSN Programs” href=”/state/kentucky/msn-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Best CNA Classes Louisville KY” href=”/state/kentucky/louisville-cna-training/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Best Kentucky Online Nurse Practitioner Programs and Requirements” href=”/state/kentucky/nurse-practitioner-programs/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid]