In 2011, the Kentucky Board of Nursing officially adopted the term advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to describe master's-prepared nurses with specialized experience and education. Prior to 2011, the Board used the term "advanced registered nurse practitioner" (ARNP). The change was made to more accurately reflect the fact that nurse practitioners are not the only advanced nurses working in Kentucky. APRNs today include nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).
Like many states, Kentucky is in the midst of a physician shortage. Master's-prepared nurses often provide direct patient care in areas where physician coverage is scarce. The state has nearly 3000 nurse practitioners in active practice; many of them provide primary care in rural and medically underserved areas. Kentucky also has over 1000 CRNAs. In small, rural areas, CRNAs are often the only providers of anesthesia.
Master's-prepared nurses who have taken advanced coursework in pharmacology are eligible to prescribe medication in Kentucky.
MSN programs for Kentucky nurses include:
- Frontier Nursing University. Frontier is located in Hayden, but nurses from around the world seek out the school's innovative distance learning programs, which allow students to complete classwork online and clinicals in their home communities. Frontier's nurse-midwifery program includes a strong business component; upon graduation, students have the knowledge they need to open an independent birth center. The school also offers a family nurse practitioner and women's health care nurse practitioner program. The ADN-MSN bridge option is ideal for nurses who lack a bachelor's degree but aspire to a career as a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife.
- Eastern Kentucky University. Located in Richmond, Eastern Kentucky specializes in preparing nurses for advanced practice in rural locales. The school's MSN programs include rural health family nurse practitioner, rural psychiatric nurse practitioner and advanced rural public health nursing with a concentration in either administration or nursing education.
Below is a list of all the accredited schools with campus locations in Kentucky that offer MSN programs.
Bellarmine University (Louisville, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN/MBA, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: Nursing Administration with Advanced Practice Rural Public Health Nursing, Nursing Education with Advanced Practice Rural Public Health Nursing, Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner, Rural Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Frontier Nursing University (Hyden, KY)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: ADN to MSN Bridge Option, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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McKendree University (Louisville, KY)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Murray State University (Murray, KY)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Academic Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Anesthetist (NA)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, KY)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Spalding University (Louisville, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult NP (ANP), Educator, Family NP (FNP), Leadership in Nursing & Health Care, Pediatric NP (PNP)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: MSN - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Nursing Management, MSN - Parent-Child Nursing, MSN - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, MSN - Public Health Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Louisville (Louisville, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, KY)
Matching Program Tracks: Nurse Educator, Nursing Administrator, Occupational Health Nurse, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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