Eastern Kentucky University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
EKU’s School of Nursing in Richmond offers pre-licensure AASN and BSN pathways, a second-degree BSN, online RN-to-BSN, MSN (FNP and PMHNP), post-MSN certificates, and a DNP. This guide cites Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmark data, EKU program pages for tuition and deadlines, and school-reported outcome tables.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
EKU stacks pre-licensure associate and baccalaureate nursing on the Richmond campus with a dedicated Clinical Simulation Center, while offering flexible online RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing pathways—useful if you want both rural Kentucky clinical context and APRN options at one institution.
Overview & Why Students Choose Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University is a public university in Richmond, Kentucky, serving the Bluegrass and Appalachian regions. The School of Nursing sits in the College of Health Sciences and offers both pre-licensure (AASN and BSN tracks) and post-licensure online and graduate programs, so you can progress from RN preparation through APRN doctoral study without changing institutions.
EKU emphasizes hands-on learning in its Clinical Simulation Center and publishes consumer-style outcome tables on individual program pages—helpful for comparing cohort-year NCLEX and placement figures side by side with Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmark reports.
Per the Kentucky Board of Nursing Prelicensure Program of Nursing Benchmarks (March 2023 publication), EKU’s Baccalaureate Nursing (Richmond) first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 91.2% for calendar year 2022, compared with the 85.4% Kentucky BSN average for the same year in that report. EKU’s Associate Degree Nursing (Richmond) first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 68.8% for 2022. EKU’s BSN and AASN pages also publish school-reported calendar-year tables (including 2024). Confirm the latest cohort with KBN and EKU.
Reasons students choose EKU
Stacked pathways
Move from AASN or BSN to online RN-to-BSN and into MSN or DNP tracks that EKU lists on nursing.eku.edu, keeping advising within one college.
Simulation & skills infrastructure
The School of Nursing Clinical Simulation Center uses high-fidelity adult, pediatric, maternal, and infant manikins for scenarios that mirror real practice—supporting competency before clinical placement.
Named clinical employers
EKU lists Baptist Health, UK Chandler Medical Center, Norton Healthcare, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and CHI Saint Joseph among employers where graduates have worked—useful context for regional job planning.
Transparent cost callouts
Undergraduate nursing program pages state full-time in-state tuition of $5,010 per semester and the online RN-to-BSN page lists $489 per credit hour, giving concrete numbers to budget around (confirm on EKU’s student accounts materials).
Nursing Programs Offered
The following lists mirror EKU’s School of Nursing degree pages as of this review. Pre-licensure programs prepare students for the NCLEX-RN; post-licensure programs require an RN license or higher credential as described on each page.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
64–65 credits, on-campus Richmond; KBN-approved. ACEN accreditation is listed as continuing accreditation with conditions—confirm details with ACEN and EKU. Applicants use the HESI A2 and competitive admission after pre-nursing coursework.
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-RN BSN)
120–121 credits, on-campus. Students enter as pre-nursing majors, then apply to the clinical major after three semesters; minimum EKU GPA 2.5 and prerequisite science standards apply.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) — Post-Baccalaureate Second Degree BSN
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at EKU the program is the BSN Post-Baccalaureate (Second Degree) track: about 65 nursing credits for students who already hold a bachelor’s in another field, plus prerequisite sciences.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN to BSN
25 nursing credits online; EKU lists $489 per credit hour. Accelerated (about 12 months) and traditional pacing options. Requires unencumbered RN license and an ACEN- or NLN CNEA-accredited ADN.
Graduate & doctoral
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-licensure APRN preparation; CCNE-accredited per EKU’s graduate nursing statements.
MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-licensure APRN preparation; CCNE-accredited per EKU.
Post-MSN Certificate — FNP or PMHNP
Post-master’s certificates for nurses seeking additional APRN population focus.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Terminal practice doctorate; CCNE-accredited per EKU School of Nursing.
EKU does not list a PhD in nursing on its public School of Nursing program menu. Always verify active tracks, delivery mode, and cohort availability on eku.edu/chs/nursing and in the academic catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Kentucky publishes aggregate pre-licensure NCLEX outcomes in the Prelicensure Program of Nursing Benchmarks PDF (Kentucky Board of Nursing). EKU’s own BSN and AASN program pages add calendar-year tables that are more current than the March 2023 PDF; both sources are cited below.
Kentucky Board of Nursing (benchmark PDF)
| Program (KBN label) | Calendar year | First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Baccalaureate Degree Nursing — EKU Richmond (US76507900) | 2022 | 91.2% |
| Associate Degree Nursing — EKU Richmond (US76408000) | 2022 | 68.8% |
| Kentucky BSN average (all programs in report) | 2022 | 85.4% |
| Kentucky ASN average (all programs in report) | 2022 | 79.2% |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — Prelicensure Program of Nursing Benchmarks (PDF, March 2023). Confirm newer annual data with KBN. | |
EKU school-reported (program pages)
EKU’s BSN program page reports first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by calendar year; for example, 100% in 2024 (school-reported table). The AASN page reports 100% first-time in 2024 and 74.2% in 2023 (school-reported). Cohort sizes vary year to year—confirm interpretation with EKU and cross-check KBN publications when updated.
| Program | School-reported 1st-time NCLEX (calendar year) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (combined pre-licensure reporting on BSN page) | 2024: 100%; 2023: 91.2%; 2022: 90% | EKU BSN program page |
| AASN | 2024: 100%; 2023: 74.2%; 2022: 68.8% | EKU AASN program page |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and EKU School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Board of Nursing. This is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other minimum scores required by EKU admissions for your applicant type.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow EKU’s instructions for translated transcripts (the Second Degree BSN application notes TOEFL and translated transcripts for international applicants).
- Kentucky Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, confirm documentation, CGFNS/VISAScreen, or endorsement steps with kbn.ky.gov.
- Immigration & visa: Confirm whether clinical courses meet requirements for F-1 or other statuses and any restrictions on clinical placement.
Policies change frequently. Verify with EKU’s international student services, the School of Nursing, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at EKU is limited access: university admission does not guarantee admission to clinical nursing courses. Minimum metrics (such as GPA 2.5 for BSN and AASN applicants) make you eligible to apply, but the School of Nursing states that admission remains competitive and not guaranteed.
Application timeline (from program pages)
| Program | Term | Application deadline | Classes begin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | Fall | March 31 | August |
| Traditional BSN | Spring | October 31 | January |
| Second Degree BSN | Fall | March 1 | August |
| AASN | Fall | May 15 | August |
| AASN | Spring | October 31 | January |
| RN-to-BSN (online) | Fall / Spring / Summer | July 1 / November 1 / March 15 | August / January / May |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (examples) | BSN & AASN: minimum 2.5 EKU or cumulative GPA stated on program pages; RN-to-BSN: minimum C (2.0 equivalent) in transferred nursing coursework. |
| HESI / TEAS | AASN requires HESI A2. Traditional BSN materials reviewed emphasize prerequisites and GPA; confirm whether standardized tests apply to your cohort. |
| Clinical clearance | CastleBranch background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR, and health insurance per program packets. |
Honest tip: Because BSN applicants submit DegreeWorks audits and rubric-based materials, keep prerequisite science courses within the five-year window EKU specifies and document transfer coursework early.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The figures below come directly from EKU School of Nursing program marketing pages. Total cost of attendance also includes fees, housing, books, uniforms, CastleBranch costs, and supplies—budget beyond tuition alone.
| Program / rate | Published amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AASN — full-time in-state tuition | $5,010 per semester | EKU AASN page |
| Traditional BSN — full-time in-state tuition | $5,010 per semester | EKU BSN page |
| Second Degree BSN — full-time in-state tuition | $5,010 per semester | EKU Second Degree BSN page |
| RN-to-BSN — online tuition | $489 per credit hour | EKU RN-to-BSN page |
| Out-of-state undergraduate tuition | Not publicly disclosed on the nursing program pages reviewed | See EKU Student Account Services / official tuition schedule for non-resident rates. |
| Graduate nursing tuition | Not publicly disclosed in the excerpts reviewed for this page | Confirm per-credit tuition on the MSN/DNP program pages or graduate billing office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use both KBN benchmark data and EKU’s consumer tables when evaluating outcomes. Strong pass rates in one calendar year can differ from the next as cohorts change.
| Metric | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN | 91.2% (2022, calendar year) | Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmark PDF; EKU BSN page reports school data through 2024. |
| AASN first-time NCLEX-RN | 68.8% (2022, calendar year) | Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmark PDF; EKU AASN page reports school data through 2024. |
| Job placement (BSN & AASN pages) | EKU reports employed within 6–12 months after graduation (e.g., 100% for 2023–2024 academic year on BSN/AASN tables—school-reported). | Confirm methodology and cohort size on EKU’s program pages; strong placement claims should be verified with Career Services. |
| Next step | Confirm current rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and EKU School of Nursing before making decisions. | |
Is Eastern Kentucky University the Right Fit for You?
EKU fits a wide range of nursing students—from traditional undergraduates in Richmond to working RNs online—but limited-access policies mean you should plan for competitive progression into clinical majors.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a public university with both ADN and BSN pre-licensure options plus online RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing within the same institution.
- Value simulation-heavy preparation and regional clinical relationships across central and eastern Kentucky.
- Plan to work in Kentucky or adjacent states where EKU’s named employer partners recruit.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed admission to the nursing major at the same time as freshman admission—EKU uses a multi-step progression model.
- Require a fully online pre-licensure RN program (EKU’s pre-licensure tracks are on-campus).
- Expect published graduate nursing tuition on this page—MSN/DNP per-credit rates were not confirmed in the excerpts reviewed here.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Richmond sits along the I-75 corridor between Lexington and northern Kentucky, giving EKU nursing students access to a mix of community hospitals, larger academic medical centers within driving distance, and rural health settings characteristic of Appalachian Kentucky. Workforce demand remains high: state leaders frequently cite nursing shortages across Kentucky counties, which supports strong clinical placement demand—but also means students should be prepared for varied community and acute-care experiences.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Baptist Health (Kentucky) | Named by EKU as an employer of graduates; multi-hospital system serving central and eastern Kentucky. |
| University of Kentucky HealthCare (Lexington) | EKU lists UK Chandler Medical Center among employers; major quaternary referral hub within ~30 minutes of Richmond. |
| Norton Healthcare (Louisville) | Named employer for graduates; illustrates reach of EKU alumni into metro Louisville. |
| Cincinnati Children’s Hospital | Named employer—highlights pediatric specialty opportunities within regional commuting range. |
| CHI Saint Joseph (Lexington) | Named employer; faith-based system serving central Kentucky. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses and advising are centered in the Rowlett Building on Kit Carson Drive. The School of Nursing Clinical Simulation Center provides high-fidelity adult, pediatric, maternal, and infant simulators for immersive scenarios before clinical rotations. EKU promotes BookSmart low-cost textbooks and student success resources through the College of Health Sciences; nursing-specific student stories and events are highlighted on nursing.eku.edu.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Richmond, KY
- Address
- School of Nursing, Rowlett Building Room 223, 4373 Kit Carson Drive, Richmond, KY 40475, US
- Telephone
- 859-622-1827
- Contact email
- nursing@eku.edu
- Website
- eku.edu · nursing.eku.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official EKU School of Nursing site and open the track that matches your entry point (AASN, BSN, second degree, or RN-to-BSN).
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If you are applying to the AASN, register for the HESI A2 through EKU’s testing office; BSN applicants should confirm whether any exam applies to their pathway.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing degrees does Eastern Kentucky University offer?
EKU lists AASN, Traditional BSN, Post-Baccalaureate Second Degree BSN, online RN-to-BSN, MSN (FNP and PMHNP), post-MSN certificates, and DNP. The associate program is ACEN-accredited (with conditions); baccalaureate through doctoral nursing programs are CCNE-accredited per EKU. Confirm active listings on nursing.eku.edu.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for EKU’s BSN and AASN programs?
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing Prelicensure Program of Nursing Benchmarks PDF, EKU’s Baccalaureate Nursing program had a 91.2% first-time pass rate for calendar year 2022, and the Associate Degree Nursing program had 68.8% for 2022. EKU’s program pages publish more recent school-reported calendar-year tables. Confirm the latest data with KBN and EKU.
How much is tuition for EKU nursing programs?
EKU’s AASN, Traditional BSN, and Second Degree BSN pages list full-time in-state tuition of $5,010 per semester. The RN-to-BSN page lists $489 per credit hour. Out-of-state undergraduate rates were not on those pages—see EKU’s official tuition schedule. Graduate nursing tuition was not excerpted here.
Does EKU require the TEAS for nursing?
The AASN pathway requires the HESI A2 Admission Assessment. Traditional BSN materials emphasize GPA, prerequisites, and progression; confirm any testing requirement for your application cycle with the School of Nursing.
When are EKU nursing application deadlines?
Traditional BSN Fall March 31 and Spring October 31; Second Degree BSN Fall March 1; AASN Fall May 15 and Spring October 31; RN-to-BSN lists Fall July 1, Spring November 1, and Summer March 15. Verify on the program page before you apply.
Is EKU’s associate nursing program fully accredited?
EKU states the associate program holds ACEN accreditation with a continuing accreditation with conditions decision. Review ACEN’s public disclosure and confirm current status with ACEN and EKU.
Does EKU offer an Accelerated BSN?
Yes—the Post-Baccalaureate Second Degree BSN is EKU’s accelerated-style pre-licensure option for students who already completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, with about 65 nursing credits.
Where do EKU nursing students complete clinicals?
Clinical sites rotate and are arranged by the program; EKU names regional employers such as Baptist Health and UK HealthCare as places graduates work. Ask the School of Nursing for the current list of affiliate sites.
What should international applicants know about EKU nursing?
Review English proficiency, transcript translation, Kentucky Board of Nursing licensure steps, and visa implications for clinical courses with EKU’s international office and KBN. Requirements change—this page is not legal advice.
References
- Eastern Kentucky University School of Nursingnursing.eku.edu
- EKU — Traditional BSN (tuition, deadlines, NCLEX table)eku.edu/chs/nursing/bs-nursing
- EKU — AASN (tuition, HESI, NCLEX table)eku.edu/chs/nursing/aas-nursing
- EKU — RN-to-BSN (online tuition)eku.edu/chs/nursing/rn-to-bsn
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Prelicensure Program of Nursing Benchmarks (NCLEX PDF)kbn.ky.gov (PDF)
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — homekbn.ky.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
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 NCLEX sourcing against Kentucky Board of Nursing materials, tuition figures against EKU program pages, and program list alignment with the School of Nursing website.
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