Navigating Nursing Programs in Kansas: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities

Kansas offers a variety of nursing programs, from Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) courses to advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) degrees. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, options, and career outlook for nursing professionals in Kansas.

Demand and Opportunities in Kansas Nursing

The demand for nurses is high in Kansas, making it an attractive state for those seeking a career in healthcare. As a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, nurses licensed in Kansas can apply for a multistate license, expanding their practice opportunities.

Salary and Job Outlook

While the cost of living in Kansas is lower than the national average, salaries for nurses are also comparatively lower.

The average RN salary in Kansas is $66,560, compared to the national average of $80,010.
The average nurse practitioner (NP) salary is $104,530, while the national average is $114,510, according to the BLS.

Despite these differences, the number of RN jobs in Kansas is projected to increase by 8.1% between 2018 and 2028.

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for RNs

Topeka: $67,480
Lawrence: $61,680
Manhattan: $60,220
Wichita: $59,480

Educational Pathways and Program Requirements

Kansas offers several educational pathways to becoming a nurse, including CNA programs, ADN, BSN, and MSN/DNP programs. Each pathway has specific requirements and leads to different roles and responsibilities in the healthcare system.

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Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Programs

CNA programs provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to assist patients with daily living activities under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

Requirements for CNA Certification:

Must be at least 16 years of age.
Complete a state-approved CNA program.
Pass the Kansas State Certified Nurse Aide examination.
Kansas CNA certification is required by the first day of classes.
Copy of Negative TB Skin Test (within last 6 months) or chest X-ray (within last 5 years).

CNA Responsibilities:

Providing or assisting with personal care, such as taking temperature or blood pressure, feeding and bathing patients.
Filling the role of a general caregiver.

ADN and BSN Programs

To become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Kansas, you must earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

General Requirements for ADN/BSN Programs:

Graduation from an accredited nursing school.
Passing the NCLEX-RN examination.
Completing a criminal background check.
Complete a formal, post-basic nursing education program that is not located or offered in Kansas

University of Kansas School of Nursing

Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, a total of 60 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 is required for admission to the School of Nursing at the University of Kansas.

UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies

The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies offers both traditional BSN and accelerated BSN (for students with a prior bachelor's degree) programs.

Pre-Licensure BSN Program at UMKC:

Students begin as Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) Pre-Nurse students.
Students must earn a grade of B- or better in all pre-requisite courses required for admission to the nursing program.
Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA to be admitted, and a 2.70 GPA must be maintained each semester.

UMKC Direct Admit Program:

The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) offers the Direct Admit Program for outstanding high school students who intend to enter UMKC as freshmen.
Eligible students are offered direct admission into the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Program as freshmen, allowing them to be pre-admitted to the clinical major.

Direct Admit Progression to Clinical Major Criteria:

Maintain cumulative GPA and individual semester GPA of 2.75 or higher
Maintain nursing prerequisite GPA of 2.75 or higher

Prerequisite Courses at UMKC (Examples):

BIOLOGY 112: Microbiology and Living (3 credits)
CHEM 115 & 115LE: Elements Of Chemistry I and Elements Of Chemistry, Laboratory I (5 credits)
HLSC 101: Introduction to Health Sciences (2 credits)
MATH 110: Precalculus Algebra (or higher; satisfies Math Pathway) (3 credits)
NURSE 101: Introduction to Nursing (2 credits)
NURSE 120: Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
NURSE 160: Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)

Professional Degree Requirements at UMKC:

NURSE 125: Medical Terminology (1 credit)
NURSE 127: Drug Calculations (1 credit)
NURSE 220: Fundamental Concepts & Skills (6 credits)
NURSE 230: Health In Aging (2 credits)
NURSE 250: Health Assessment for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
NURSE 252: Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
NURSE 256: Pharmacology (3 credits)
NURSE 262: Management of Adult Health I (5 credits)
NURSE 342: Legal & Ethical Issues (2 credits)
NURSE 345: Quantitative Analysis In The Health Sciences (3 credits)
NURSE 360: Management of Mental Health (4 credits)
NURSE 362: Management of Adult Health II (5 credits)
NURSE 364: Management of Maternal & Family Health (4 credits)
NURSE 366: Management of Child & Adolescent Health (4 credits)
NURSE 395: Pathophysiology (3 credits)
NURSE 462: Special Topics (Healthcare) (2 credits)
NURSE 465: Management of Community and Public Health Nursing (4 credits)
NURSE 467: Management of Critical & Emergent Care (5 credits)
NURSE 468: Effectiveness in Complex Health Systems (4 credits)
NURSE 472: Clinical Internship (5 credits)
NURSE 476: Research Methods in Health Sciences (3 credits)

APRN Programs

An APRN license requires an MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, a current and unencumbered RN license, and a background check.

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Requirements for APRN Licensure:

MSN or DNP degree from an accredited program.
Current and unencumbered RN license.
National board certification in the specific APRN role.
Completion of advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment coursework.
A clinical component that shall consist of at least 750 practice hours for any student in an advanced program on or after March 1, 2025.

Additional Considerations

General Education Requirements

UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a course in Culture and Diverse Perspectives; a course in Civic & Urban Engagement; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course.

Constitution Course Requirement

Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation.

Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination

In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807, any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution.

Background Checks

For KU programs to maintain accreditation status, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires that all persons, employees, volunteers and students involved in patient care activities to have background checks. This background check will be done at the applicant's expense after provisional acceptance has been granted.

Criminal History

In 1997, the Kansas Nurse Practice Act was amended to add a new provision in the felony section: no person who has been convicted of a felony against persons (as specified in Article 34, Chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, prior to its repeal, or sections 36 through 64-174, 210 or 211 of chapter 136 of the 2010 Session Laws of Kansas and amendments thereto) shall be licensed.

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Resources and Support

Kansas Nurse Aide Registry: www.ksnurseaidregisrty.org
Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services: 785-296-6877 or 785-296-0061
Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry at K-State: Provides information on undergraduate research opportunities.
Health Professions Advisor at K-State: Helps students establish long-term academic plans.

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