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Navigating the Nursing Profession in Kansas

Updated: Sep 2, 2022



Let us help you land on your dream job here in Kansas! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in Kansas, and more!

 

Through this article, you will be able to know the following:

  • Fees for the licensing

  • Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)

  • Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

  • Licensing and certification

  • Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Kansas

  • Popular hospitals in Kansas

  • Nursing associations in Kansas

  • Contact details



 

Fees for the Licensing

The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. For more details, visit the Kansas licensing page.



As a nursing compact state, Kansas lets nurses obtain multi-state licenses.


*Fees may change without any notice.

**A background check is required in most states, but prices are not usually indicated.


 

Licensing Renewal Process

  1. Check when your license expires by visiting the Kansas Board of Nursing website. Kansas has a Verification page for you to verify your license.

  2. Complete all your continuing education requirements BEFORE your license expires.

  3. Apply for your renewal process by going to the Kansas Board of Nursing. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information. Be reminded that if your Primary State of Residency is not Kansas, you can not apply for a licensure in Kansas because it is a compact state. You must declare that Kansas is your Primary State of Residency to be able to do so.


 

Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in Kansas.

  • For RN/LPN, you must complete 30 contact hours of approved continuing nursing education (CNE) every 2 years

  • For APRN, you must complete 30 contact hours of approved continuing nursing education (CNE) related to advanced practice registered nurse role every 2 years

The Kansas Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited. For more details, you may also check on Kansas Board of Nursing CE.

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Licensing and Certification


Step 1: Education

To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. These programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete. If you have an ADN but you wanna pursue your bachelor’s, there are certain programs that let you earn your BSN in 12 to 18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. Said programs let you save on time and money as you work towards advancing your career.


Step 2: Licensing

Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.

The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.


Step 3: Experience

This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.

Step 4: Certification

Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.

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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Indiana

Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. The average annual salary is currently $66,560.


Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if Kansas is the right place for you.

 

Popular Hospitals in Kansas

Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in Kansas or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in Kansas. Here are some of them:

  • University of Kansas Hospital – (Kansas City, KS):

    • Regionally ranked #1 in Kansas and in Kansas City

    • Nationally ranked in 7 adult specialties

    • Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital

    • Specialties of the hospital include Cardiology & heart surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, Ear, nose & throat (#17 in the nation), and Geriatrics (#24 in the nation)

  • Stormont Vail Hospital -(Topeka, KS):

    • Regionally ranked #2 in Kansas

    • Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 10 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties of the hospital include, Diabetes & endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, Nephrology, and Geriatrics

  • Advent Health Shawnee Mission – (Shawnee Mission, KS):

    • Regionally ranked #3 in Kansas, and #4 in Kansas City

    • Rated high performing in 8 adult procedures and condition

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties of the hospital include, Diabetes & endocrinology, Nephrology, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Back surgery (Spinal Fusion)

  • Ascension Via Christi Hospital-Wichita – (Wichita, KS):

    • Rated high performing in 5 adult procedures and condition

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties of the hospital include, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & endocrinology, and Gynecology.

  • Doctor’s Hospital – (Leawood, KS):

    • Rated high performing in 1 adult procedures and condition

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties of the hospital include, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics.

*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.

 

Nursing Associations in Kansas

Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in Kansas.

Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders: “This institution is a fellowship of more than 300 Kansas Leaders and Professionals working together for collective experiences and wisdom.”

Kansas State Nursing Association: “The association is committed to protect and develop registered professional nurses in all fields of nursing to ensure quality and affordable healthcare for Kansas citizens.”

Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association: “ This group of nurses is dedicated to promoting advanced and excellent nursing practice while cooperating with others in molding the future of healthcare.”

For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.


 

Contact Details

Kansas Board of Nursing

Phone: (785) 296-4929

Fax: (785) 296-3929

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson Street

10th Floor, Suite 1051

Topeka, KS 66612-1230


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