The state of Kansas, much like the rest of the country, has a growing requirement for new nurses to join its healthcare sector. If you want to become a healthcare professional, becoming a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Kansas can be an excellent option. The Kansas Board of Nursing is encouraging more people to fulfill the nursing shortage.
Whether you want to become a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Kansas, understanding the nursing board requirements is essential, as you must meet the requirements to apply for a state license to practice as an RN or LPN. Fast CE For Less has created this guide to help potential new nurses understand the nursing board requirements in Kansas to become an RN or an LPN, and to help existing nurses understand the renewal requirements for licensure.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
To qualify as a candidate to become a registered nurse in Kansas, you must have specialized training and education through a state board-approved nursing program and apply for state licensure via exam. After getting your license, you must also renew your credentials after every two years to continue practicing as a registered nurse in Kansas.
Earn an ADN or BSN
To be eligible to apply for a state license to become a registered nurse in Kansas, you must first obtain a state board-approved prelicensure nursing degree. You can earn your degree by completing a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Ideally, it may be more beneficial to earn a BSN degree, because you will likely have experienced extensive specialized training and education, making you better equipped to take on a more advanced role as a nurse for hire. If becoming a BSN prepared registered nurse is not in your interest, earning an ADN degree is sufficient to become a registered nurse in Kansas,
Regardless of your choice for pre-licensure nursing education, you must ensure that you complete a program approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of state board-approved nursing education programs through its official website here.
Apply for State Licensure
Once you complete your pre-licensure nursing degree, you can apply for a state license to become a registered nurse in Kansas via examination. You must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This is the examination recognized throughout the country to obtain a license as a registered nurse.
To appear for the NCLEX-RN, you must request the institute you earned your nursing degree to send your official transcripts to the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Additionally, you must submit a fingerprint and background check to the board. After that, you must register with Pearson VUE to appear for the NCLEX-RN. You can learn more about the application process through the Kansas State Board of Nursing official website here.
Obtain Your License
Once you complete the registration for the NCLEX-RN, you must take and pass the exam. While you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for two years after registration, it is better to pass the exam without delay. Once you take the exam, the Kansas State Board of Nursing will review your test results and application. If approved, the board will send you your license to practice as a registered nurse in Kansas.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
To become a licensed practical nurse in Kansas, the pre-licensure educational requirements are different than the requirements to become a registered nurse, however, you must still complete an approved practical nurse program in preparation of becoming a licensed practical nurse.
Complete a State Nursing Board-Approved Practical Nursing Program
If you have a high school diploma, you can become eligible to apply for a state license to become a licensed practical nurse in Kansas after completing a practical nursing program approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The Kansas State Board of Nursing has shared a list of practical nursing programs it approves of on its website here.
Apply for State Licensure to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Once you complete a state board-approved practical nursing program, you can apply for the license to become a licensed practical nurse in Kansas via examination. You must take and pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This exam is a nationally recognized exam for licensed practical nurses.
You must request the institute where you earned your practical nursing degree to send your official transcripts to the Kansas State Board of Nursing. After that, you must submit fingerprints and a background check to the state board and register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-PN. You can find more details about the initial application process on the Kansas State Board of Nursing’s official website here.
Obtain Your License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Once you register for the NCLEX-PN, you must take and pass the exam within two years of completing registration. The Kansas State Board of Nursing will review your application after you take the exam. If you pass the exam and your application is verified, the Kansas State Board of Nursing will mail you the license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Kansas.
Renew Your Credentials After Becoming an RN or LPN
The state nursing boards nationwide require RNs and LPNs to renew their license every two to three years. This is to ensure that the nurses are updated with the latest developments in healthcare to achieve positive patient outcomes. A crucial part of renewing your nursing license is to complete a required number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses.
Each state’s nursing board sets its own nursing continuing education requirements for RNs and LPNs. The Kansas State Board of Nursing requires RNs and LPNs to renew their license every two years. RNs and LPNs applying to renew their license must complete at least 30 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years. You can find more details about the nursing continuing education requirements for the Kansas State Board of Nursing at www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-kansas/.
If you are already an RN or LPN looking to renew your license, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com offer an easy, quick, and affordable solution.