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REGISTERED NURSE (RN)

A Registered Nurse, or RN, is one of the most widely recognized professions. RNs interact with patients on a daily basis, which is the reason nursing has been ranked as the most trusted profession for the past 20 years. Nurses administer care, answer questions from the patient and their caregivers and communicate their concerns to the patient care team. RNs work as a team to aid patients in healing and communicate with patients and their family members about their care plan.

RNs can be licensed after graduating from an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program. Many continue their education and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

RN Duties

✓ Administer medication, change wound dressings and address other medical needs of patients

✓ Assess patients

✓ Observe and record patient behaviors

✓ Read and interpret patient information, making treatment decisions when appropriate

✓ Counsel and educate patients and their families on treatment plans

✓ Consult with physicians and nursing supervisors to determine the best treatment plan for patients

RN Education/Licensure Requirement

✓ Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required

✓</span >Current Kentucky RN license required

✓ Current BLS training required (can be obtained at PMC)

PATHWAY TO BECOMING AN RN

  • Reccommended High School Courses

    • Take the ACT test
    • College Readiness Track
    • Anatomy and/or Physiology
    • AP English Literature/Composition or Dual Credit Literature/Composition class
    • AP Biology or Dual Credit Biology class
    • AP Chemistry or Dual Credit Chemistry

    These classes are not required for admission to all nursing schools but are recommended in most instances.

    Speak to your Guidance Counselor about:

    • What dual credit classes are offered at your school from colleges/universities in the region
    • What financial resources are available and how to apply for them

  • Associate Degree RN Programs

    University of Pikeville Elliot School of Nursing

    University of Pikeville (UPIKE) Elliott School of Nursing offers:

    • A two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program
    • A two-semester/one-year LPN-to-RN program
    • A four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program

    Applicants to UPIKE’s nursing program are eligible to apply for the Rural Health Nursing Fellowship funded by Pikeville Medical Center. If accepted, a student who meets all of the requirements could graduate from the nursing program debt free.

    Big Sandy Community & Technical College

    Big Sandy Community & Technical College offers a two-year ADN nursing program providing a seamless education in nursing with two exit points, allowing students to choose a career as an LPN, RN or both. For this program, there are certain pre-requisite courses that are required for admission.

    Galen College of Nursing

    Galen College of Nursing offers a two-year ADN nursing program featuring a quarter-based program with four starts per year. In Eastern Kentucky, Galen College of Nursing features a campus in Hazard.

    American National University

    American National University (ANU) has a campus in Pikeville where students can earn their ADN in two years. ANU offers a blended program featuring synchronous video and asynchronous online learning with limited on-campus residency.

    Southwest Virginia Community & Technical College

    Southwest Virginia Community & Technical College offers an associate degree nursing program at its campus in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and accepts new students each fall semester.

  • Financial Resources

    State/Federal Level

    FAFSA
    KEES
    Nurse.org List of Nursing Scholarships
    KBN Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

    University of Pikeville

    Pikeville Promise
    GPA Scholarships
    Legacy Scholarship
    Rural Health Nursing Fellowship (ADN, RN-BSN)

    Big Sandy CTC

    Nursing – Betty M Dorton Nursing Scholarship
    Estaline Salisbury Jenkins Book Scholarship for 2nd Year Nursing (RN) Students
    Big Sandy Area #220 Mended Hearts Nursing Scholarship Endowment for 2nd semester LPN/RN students
    Charlene Nunn Scholarship for first-generation college student in teaching or nursing  program
    Work Ready Kentucky Scholarships available to students without another Associate Degree

    EKCEP

    The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) Healthcare Pathways Partnership Program (H3P) is designed to help unemployed and underemployed individuals in the region take advantage of a career in nursing, and to help employees move up the career ladder while mentoring and encouraging upward mobility. A Nurse Navigator will help the student/employee move through the admission process and obtain information to evaluate eligibility for EKCEP funding and support services. Call PMC Hospital Education/Development Services at 606-430-3400 for more information.

    As a result of EKCEP’s H1-B Skills Training Grant, the H3P Program offers tuition assistance for qualifying students pursuing the following career paths:

    Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program

    To be eligible for a Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, students must be enrolled in a program that contributes to workforce development in a high-need area and demonstrate potential for high academic success. Find your program and see if you can get trained tuition-free! Featured areas:

  • Becoming Licensed

    Students who successfully complete nursing programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

*Additional differential pay may also apply to stated starting pay rates.
Pay rates are subject to change and bonus amounts are subject to change or elimination at any time without notice.

161 Hibbard Street, Pikeville, KY 41501 | (606) 430-2251

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