North Central Kansas Technical College Nursing Program Review

North Central Kansas Technical College (NCKTC) operates two main campuses, one in Beloit and the other in Hays. Between the two campuses, NCK Technical College offers twenty-four different programs of study (not all programs are available on both campuses). The college, which was established in 1964, has programs in computer information technology, agriculture, construction and related trades, culinary arts, healthcare, and many other fields.

In addition to short-term certificate programs in the healthcare field, NCKTC offers two nursing programs: a Practical Nursing program and an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Both programs have approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, and the ADN program has additional accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program is available on both campuses, in Beloit and in Hays. It takes nine months (two semesters) to complete, but students must take four prerequisite classes (thirteen credits) before beginning. The program’s prerequisites are anatomy and physiology, nutrition, general psychology, and human growth and development. Over the program’s two semesters, students earn an additional thirty-five credits, which prepares them to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Graduates of the Practical Nursing program receive a certificate. At this point, graduates may either begin working as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or advance into the ADN program and become Registered Nurses (RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program

The ADN program takes eighteen months (four semesters) to complete. In total, an ADN student must earn seventy-six credits. This includes thirty-one general education credits. The first two semesters of the ADN program are the same as the two semesters of the Practical Nursing program, so students in the ADN program can complete the lower-level coursework in either Beloit or Hays. The upper-level coursework, however, is not available in Beloit. ADN students in the third and fourth semesters of the program must complete the coursework on the Hays campus. The program is competitive; generally three applicants apply for each spot.  Upon graduating from the ADN program, a student receives an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. He can then take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program – LPN to RN

An LPN can transition directly from the Practical Nursing program into the upper level (third and fourth semesters) of the ADN program, or she can return to school after gaining work experience as an LPN. Either way, NCKTC follows the requirements of the Council for Nursing Articulation in Kansas. LPNs receive advanced placement credit for the lower-level nursing courses, allowing them to complete the ADN program in just two semesters, provided that they meet all the general education requirements.

Certified Nurse Aide Course

On a regular basis, NCKTC offers a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) course which trains students to provide basic nursing care to patients in long-term care facilities. The course takes ninety hours to complete, and is available in a variety of formats. The typical format requires a commitment of two or three days a week over the course of eight to ten weeks, but there are shorter options as well. NCKTC also offers a hybrid version of the course, allowing the student to complete the classroom instruction online and travel to campus/healthcare facilities for hands-on instruction. NCKTC’s CNA course is approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and prepares the student to take the state certification exam. For those who have already passed the CNA exam but need to brush up their skills before re-entering the workforce, NCKTC also offers a CNA refresher course.

Contact:
North Central Kansas Technical College
Hays Campus,
2205 Wheatland Avenue,
Hays, KS 67601

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Other Campus:

Beloit Campus
3033 US Highway 24,
Beloit, KS 67420