Big Sandy Community and Technical College Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
A KCTCS college serving eastern Kentucky, BSCTC offers a Kentucky Board of Nursing–approved modular ADN (AAS) pathway and additional nursing credentials. Use this guide for programs, selective admission, 2025–2026 tuition, and official Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) NCLEX resources.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Nursing instruction is offered on the Prestonsburg and Pikeville campuses, with clinical placements across eastern Kentucky counties. The program is ACEN candidate for initial accreditation (July 11, 2025; candidacy expires Fall 2027)—confirm current status with the college and ACEN.
Overview & Why Students Choose Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) is a Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) college with campuses in Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Paintsville (Mayo), and Hager Hill. Its nursing program delivers clinical learning in healthcare facilities across the region—including Pike, Floyd, Johnson, and Magoffin counties—with students responsible for transportation.
The modular Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing pathway prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN (we refer to this pathway as ADN for clarity; the credential awarded is the AAS). BSCTC also lists Practical Nursing and entry-level nurse aide / medication aide credentials for students at different career stages.
Program-level NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates for Kentucky schools are published by the Kentucky Board of Nursing in the NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years document. Use that report for cohort-specific percentages. Confirm the latest outcomes with the school and KBN.
Reasons students choose BSCTC
Regional access & value
Multiple campuses in eastern Kentucky and KCTCS tuition rates can make pre-licensure nursing accessible close to home; BSCTC publishes 2025–2026 per-credit tuition and cost-of-attendance estimates on its Tuition & Charges page.
Transparent selective admission
BSCTC publishes a 70-point selective admission rubric (ACT or TEAS, CNA registry, prerequisite/point courses, GPA bands, and healthcare degree bonus points)—useful for applicants who want clear expectations.
ACEN candidacy pathway
As of July 11, 2025, the nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by ACEN (candidacy expires Fall 2027). Candidacy is not full accreditation; confirm status with the college and ACEN.
Stackable credentials
Alongside the ADN track, BSCTC lists nurse aide and medication aide certificates and a Practical Nursing diploma pathway in the KCTCS catalog—helpful if you want to progress stepwise into nursing.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list reflects BSCTC’s published nursing program page and the 2025–2026 KCTCS Academic Catalog program locations. Programs are grouped by level so pre-licensure RN and PN pathways stay distinct.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Nursing — AAS, Modular Pathway (ADN)
The modular pathway leads to an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN. BSCTC states this program is offered on the Prestonsburg and Pikeville campuses. Progression requires a “C” or better in required sciences and nursing courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, per KCTCS catalog rules for the program.
Pre-licensure (LPN)
Practical Nursing — Pathway 3 (Modular diploma)
The KCTCS catalog lists Practical Nurse – Pathway 3 – Modular for Big Sandy Community and Technical College, preparing students for NCLEX-PN. BSCTC’s public nursing page also references other catalog anchors; always confirm the active pathway and plan with the nursing department before applying.
Certificates (entry / support)
Medicaid Nurse Aide Certificate
Listed on the BSCTC nursing program page as a credential option for students building foundational skills toward nursing careers.
Kentucky Medication Aide Certificate
Listed on the BSCTC nursing program page; verify prerequisites and registry rules with BSCTC and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Effective July 11, 2025, BSCTC states this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), with candidacy expiring in Fall 2027. Candidacy is not accreditation. Confirm current status with BSCTC, ACEN, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) publishes aggregate nursing education data for approved programs. For program-level pass rates, KBN provides NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years (Pass Rates PDF). Locate Big Sandy Community and Technical College in that document for the most recent calendar-year figures reported for the associate-degree (RN) and practical nursing (PN) programs as applicable.
KBN’s methodology and benchmark context (including the 80% or greater NCLEX benchmark described on the benchmarks page) are summarized in the Board’s public materials. This page does not restate a percentage here because the official PDF should be read directly for the cohort year and program row you need.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
If you are evaluating the Practical Nursing diploma, use the same KBN pass-rate publications for NCLEX-PN outcomes associated with BSCTC’s program listing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (program-level) | See KBN Pass Rates PDF; confirm cohort year with KBN and BSCTC nursing. |
| NCLEX-PN (program-level) | See KBN Pass Rates PDF; confirm cohort year with KBN and BSCTC nursing. |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (Past 5 Years); KBN benchmarks overview. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and BSCTC.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and by Kentucky licensure rules. Use the checklist below as guidance only; verify with BSCTC (admissions / international services) and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for KCTCS admission.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Any required evaluations for prior coursework (e.g., WES or other evaluators) per BSCTC policy.
- Kentucky Board of Nursing: For RN or PN licensure eligibility, NCLEX application steps, and any additional requirements for internationally educated nurses.
- Immigration & visa: Whether your program is eligible for F-1 or other visa types and how clinical attendance requirements may affect enrollment.
Policies change frequently. This section is not legal advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
BSCTC nursing is selective admission. Applicants must attend a Pre-Admission Nursing Conference, submit official transcripts (high school/GED and any non-KCTCS college work), provide ACT or TEAS results, and document Kentucky State Registered Nurse Aide registry (or a schedule to complete the nurse aide requirement before NSG 101), per BSCTC’s Application Requirements page.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing (per posted notice) | April 1 (extended deadline on BSCTC nursing page) | Confirm the calendar year and term with the nursing department; deadlines can change. |
Selective admission scoring (70 points)
BSCTC publishes detailed point allocations: ACT composite 18+ (with a points scale) or TEAS scoring bands up to 36 points; points for required/point courses; cumulative GPA points; CNA work experience; and a small bonus for certain healthcare-related degrees. Refer to BSCTC’s Selective Admission Criteria for the authoritative table.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| ACT | Composite 18+ required for ACT route (per selective admission page) |
| TEAS | Optional alternative to ACT; points awarded by total program score bands (minimum 64 for lowest TEAS tier listed) |
| CNA / SRNA | Current Kentucky SRNA registry required (or documented plan to complete before NSG 101) |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
BSCTC posts 2025–2026 KCTCS tuition and mandatory fees on its Tuition & Charges page. Nursing students should also review BSCTC Fees – Nursing for program-specific expenses (e.g., ATI materials, uniforms, immunizations, background checks, liability insurance, KBN licensure-related fees). Some line items on the nursing fees page may lag the latest KCTCS tuition rate—use the Tuition & Charges page for authoritative per-credit tuition.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Resident tuition | $195 per credit hour (2025–2026) |
| Non-resident tuition | $270 per credit hour (2025–2026) |
| Mandatory fee | $8 per credit hour (all students, 2025–2026 table) |
| Distance learner fee | $20 per credit hour when applicable (online/hybrid components per KCTCS rules) |
| Estimated COA (examples) | BSCTC publishes total cost-of-attendance estimates for in-state and out-of-state students by living arrangement (e.g., with parents vs. off-campus) for 2025–2026—see Tuition & Charges. |
| Source | BSCTC Tuition & Charges (2025–2026); Scholarships. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
BSCTC publishes institution-level student achievement metrics (graduation and retention) on its accreditation/student achievement pages; nursing-specific employment rates are not publicly disclosed on this page’s reviewed sources. For licensure exam outcomes, rely on KBN’s published pass-rate documents rather than unofficial third-party summaries.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN / NCLEX-PN | See Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates publication; confirm cohort year with KBN and BSCTC. |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed on the sources used for this guide; ask BSCTC career services or advising for graduate outcomes disclosures. |
| Source | KBN pass-rate PDF; BSCTC Student Achievement page for institutional metrics (not nursing-specific placement). |
Is Big Sandy Community and Technical College the Right Fit for You?
BSCTC fits many eastern Kentucky students who want a public, lower-cost pathway into nursing with regional clinical access—especially if you can meet selective admission expectations and travel for clinical rotations.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a KCTCS nursing program with published selective admission criteria (ACT/TEAS, CNA, point courses).
- Can attend Prestonsburg or Pikeville for didactic/campus requirements and travel regionally for clinicals.
- Prefer to verify NCLEX outcomes using official Kentucky Board of Nursing publications.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a program that already holds full ACEN accreditation without candidacy status (confirm whether that matters for your goals).
- Cannot meet SRNA/CNA and entrance exam expectations for selective admission.
- Require a guarantee of specific hospital placements—clinical sites vary and depend on program arrangements.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
BSCTC states that nursing clinical learning occurs in healthcare facilities throughout the region, including placements tied to counties such as Pike, Floyd, Johnson, and Magoffin. Specific site lists can change by semester; confirm active affiliations with the nursing department.
Eastern Kentucky’s healthcare landscape includes community hospitals, regional medical centers, outpatient networks, and long-term care settings that commonly host associate-degree and practical nursing students. Demand for nurses in rural and community settings remains an important workforce theme statewide; for current labor-market context, consult Kentucky workforce and hospital association resources.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical geography | Regional facilities across multiple counties; student transportation required (per BSCTC nursing page). |
| Next step | Ask BSCTC nursing for the most recent list of clinical agencies or rotation types available to your cohort. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
BSCTC highlights student life across its eastern Kentucky locations, including the East Kentucky Science Center on the Prestonsburg campus and outdoor amenities such as walking trails and a community garden. Nursing students also use BSCTC’s broader student services (advising, financial aid, and the Go KCTCS support center) alongside program-specific nursing orientation and handbook materials.
If you plan to commute between campuses or clinical sites, map realistic travel time—especially for early-morning clinical shifts.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Prestonsburg, KY
- Address
- 1 Bert T. Combs Dr., Prestonsburg, KY 41653, US
- Telephone
- (606) 886-3863
- Nursing program
- Charlene Carroll, MSN, RN — (606) 889-4728 · charlene.carroll@kctcs.edu
- Website
- bigsandy.kctcs.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read BSCTC’s Nursing page and the Application Requirements checklist.
- Register for a Pre-Admission Nursing Conference date.
- Compare your transcripts to BSCTC’s Selective Admission Criteria point courses.
- Schedule ACT or TEAS consistent with BSCTC’s published scoring tables.
- Complete Kentucky SRNA registry steps (or documented scheduling) as required for your file.
- Download KBN’s Pass Rates PDF and locate BSCTC’s program rows for NCLEX context.
- Add the nursing program deadline to your calendar and confirm the year with nursing program staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Sandy Community and Technical College a good nursing school?
BSCTC offers KBN-approved pre-licensure nursing pathways and publishes clear selective admission criteria. The nursing program is an ACEN candidate for initial accreditation (July 11, 2025; expires Fall 2027)—candidacy is not full accreditation. For NCLEX outcomes, use Kentucky Board of Nursing publications and confirm current data with BSCTC and KBN.
What nursing programs does BSCTC offer?
Per BSCTC and the KCTCS catalog: Nursing AAS (modular pathway) for NCLEX-RN eligibility, Practical Nursing (the 2025–2026 catalog lists Pathway 3 – Modular for BSCTC), plus Medicaid Nurse Aide and Kentucky Medication Aide certificates. Confirm the active PN pathway with the department.
Where does BSCTC hold nursing classes?
BSCTC states nursing is offered on the Prestonsburg and Pikeville campuses, with clinical experiences across multiple counties; students provide transportation.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Big Sandy nursing?
Program-level rates appear in the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years PDF. Look up Big Sandy Community and Technical College in that document and confirm the latest cohort with KBN and the college—do not rely on unsourced third-party percentages.
What are the admission requirements for BSCTC nursing?
Selective admission includes a Pre-Admission Nursing Conference, transcripts, ACT or TEAS, Kentucky SRNA registry (or documented plan), and a 70-point rubric detailed on BSCTC’s Selective Admission Criteria page. Confirm deadlines and any updates with nursing.
Does BSCTC require TEAS?
You may use ACT (18+ composite for the ACT route) or TEAS; TEAS points depend on total program score bands published by BSCTC. Confirm which exam you will use.
How much is tuition at Big Sandy Community and Technical College?
For 2025–2026, BSCTC lists $195/credit in-state and $270/credit out-of-state, plus a $8/credit mandatory fee (and other fees as applicable). See Tuition & Charges for full tables.
Is BSCTC nursing accredited?
The institution is accredited by SACSCOC. The nursing program is a candidate for initial ACEN accreditation as of July 11, 2025 (candidacy expires Fall 2027). Candidacy is not full accreditation—verify status with ACEN and BSCTC.
When is the BSCTC nursing application due?
The BSCTC nursing page posted an extended deadline of April 1; confirm the application year and term with the nursing department.
References
- Big Sandy Community and Technical College — Nursing programbigsandy.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/nursing.aspx
- BSCTC — Tuition & Charges (2025–2026)bigsandy.kctcs.edu/affording-college/tuition-costs/tuition-fees.aspx
- BSCTC — Selective Admission Criteria (nursing)selective-admission-criteria.aspx
- KCTCS Academic Catalog — Nursing AAScatalog.kctcs.edu/…/nursing-aas
- KCTCS Academic Catalog — Practical Nurse diplomacatalog.kctcs.edu/…/nursing-practical-nurse-diploma
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (Past 5 Years)kbn.ky.gov (Pass Rates PDF)
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Program benchmarks overviewkentucky-program-of-nursing-benchmarks.aspx
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with BSCTC nursing pages, the 2025–2026 KCTCS catalog pathway listings, and Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmarking and pass-rate publications.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy