A nursing career offers the opportunity to care for others, meet critical needs in healthcare and build a rewarding career with room to grow.
“Our graduates are highly sought after,” said Dr. Lisa Jones, associate chair of nursing at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). “We have a 100% employment rate for our BSN graduates. By the time they graduate, if they want a job, they already have the promise of a job because they are so highly recruited by clinical agencies.”
Five years after graduation, EKU Nursing bachelor’s degree recipients earn median wages of $77,299, with master’s degree recipients earning median wages of $111,462, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics’ Postsecondary Feedback Report.
Earning national recognition, EKU Nursing is ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing and The Princeton Review’s Best Online Nursing School Master’s Programs for 2025. Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate JoAnn Nardoni said, “I chose EKU because I saw the awards my program had won for valuable curriculum and the reasonable cost. Those two elements were very important to me!”
Whether beginning a journey in nursing, looking for a career change or pursuing an advanced degree, EKU’s School of Nursing prepares students to excel in every stage of their career.
Launch a Career as a Registered Nurse
Students beginning their nursing education can choose the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Each option provides extensive clinical preparation in EKU’s Clinical Skills Lab and Simulation Center, as well as real-world experiences.
“When our students enter their clinical placements, they are in an area that is reflective of the content they’re in that semester,” said Jones. “They have exposure to the kind of patients they’re learning about in class.”
With clinical sites in Corbin, Somerset, Richmond and Lexington and counties including Rockcastle, Clark and Estill, students experience a wide variety of healthcare settings while serving communities across the region.
Expand Your Nursing Career
For licensed nurses seeking to grow their career, EKU’s fully online RN-to-BSN program offers flexibility and affordability. Students can select either an accelerated or traditional pace to balance coursework with professional responsibilities. Courses focus on nursing research, public health, leadership and management skills, leading up to a capstone experience and final project. With working nurses in mind, students can complete their capstone clinical project at their current place of employment.
Explore Advanced Learning
Nurses who want to specialize or move into leadership roles can continue their education through EKU’s graduate programs.
Nardoni said, “The doctorate I earned from EKU was by far the best experience I’ve had! I loved my time at EKU and will miss the connection.” As an online student, she added, “The professors, my classmates and social media connection made me feel like I was right there on campus.”
From first-year students to doctoral graduates like Nardoni, EKU Nursing provides the structure and encouragement for students to thrive and discover a pathway to lifelong service and impact.
“The School of Nursing has a CARES philosophy, which stands for compassion, advocacy, resilience, excellence and service,” said Dr. Brooke Bentley, chair of EKU Nursing. “That is a culture that our faculty demonstrate, but we also try to share that with our students. We are here to help them achieve their academic goals, but we are also here to meet their non-academic needs.”
By Ethan Sirles
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Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.