Nursing

Barton Nursing Programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The Associate Degree Nursing Program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) through 2030.

Starting in 2006, Barton became a 1+1 nursing program. What this means is Barton’s nursing program will have an application process for both levels of the program.

To enter the Practical Nursing Program, you must complete the application process and be able to pass a background check. For more information on the admissions criteria, contact the Nursing Department at 620-792-9357. After completing the PN Program, you will receive a Vocational Certificate.

Entry into the RN Program requires completion of Barton’s PN Program or another recognized Practical Nursing Program, completion of the application process and the ability to pass a background check. At the completion of the RN Program you will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Completion of either the PN or RN Programs makes you eligible to take national licensure examinations for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses.

Certificate
Practical Nursing (45 hours - degree guide)

Associate in Applied Science Degree
Nursing - RN (69 hours - degree guide) 

Associate of Science Degree
AS Nursing Transfer 

View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2025) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2025 and after).

Pre-Nursing 
For information about pre-requisites and application requirements for Barton's nursing program, please contact Renae Skelton at (620) 792-9355 or by email [email protected].

If you are not planning to enter the nursing program at Barton, but want to take classes at Barton before transferring to a four-year institution to obtain your Bachelor's in Nursing, please contact Advisement Center at [email protected] or (620) 792-9225 for advising assistance. Students should also contact the college/university to where they are transferring concerning degree requirements within the appropriate department or college.

College to University
Barton has articulation agreements with four year colleges and universities that specifically direct your studies in certain programs for seamless transition from Barton to the transfer school.  Students should utilize the expertise of academic advisors on campus, as well as information gained by contacting colleges and universities concerning degree requirements within the appropriate departments or colleges. 

Professional Licensure

The Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Program at Barton Community College meets the state education requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas. Barton Community College has not determined if the Associate Degree or Practical Nursing Program at Barton Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has a resource that may be helpful.

• Nurse Practice Act 

A student completes the first two semesters of the program to earn a PN certificate (45 credit hrs) and is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN® to become Licensed Practical Nurse. The graduate then can decide to continue their education or enter the work force.

PN Application Process:
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open. 

Covid-19 Statement: Currently, the Barton Nursing Program does not require Covid-19 vaccination as an entrance requirement. Be advised that Covid-19 vaccination may be required in the future due to the increasing number of clinical sites requiring students to be vaccinated. Acceptance of Religious and Medical exemptions will be at the discretion of each clinical site.

• PN Application Step-By-Step Guide
• Barton's Admission Application
• Nursing Cost Form
• TEAS Testing Information (You can register in TEAS Nursing Test section below)
• PN Application Intent Form 
• Student Handbook

Functional Ability Categories Sheet

Looking for information about CNA,CMA, or CMA Update? Adult Healthcare can answer your questions!.

For more information contact Renae Skelton at [email protected] or (620) 792-9355.

Barton's Associate Degree Nursing Program (70 credit hrs) is an intensive one year completion process. All students wanting to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing from Barton must first complete a Practical Nurse Program and become licensed through the State of Kansas. When the LPN wants to continue their education they may apply for the second year of the nursing program, graduates will receive the Associate in Applied Science degree and is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN® to become a Registered Nurse.

RN Application Process:
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open. 

Covid-19 Statement: Currently, the Barton Nursing Program does not require Covid-19 vaccination as an entrance requirement. Be advised that Covid-19 vaccination may be required in the future due to the increasing number of clinical sites requiring students to be vaccinated. Acceptance of Religious and Medical exemptions will be at the discretion of each clinical site.

• RN Application Step-By-Step Guide
• Barton's Admission Application
• Nursing Cost Form
• TEAS Testing Information (You can register in TEAS Nursing Test section below)
• RN Application Intent Form
• Student Handbook

Functional Ability Categories Sheet

For more information contact Renae Skelton at [email protected] or (620) 792-9355.

The ATI TEAS assesses the academic preparedness of entry-level nursing students in Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. An ATI TEAS Study Manual and online practice assessments are available for the students to use for preparation and review at ATI Testing. Make sure you study for the ATI TEAS test. If you took a different version of the TEAS test you will have to take the ATI TEAS test.

When taking the ATI TEAS, students will demonstrate reading skills in paragraph comprehension, passage comprehension, and inferences and conclusions. The math section will measure their knowledge of whole numbers, metric conversion, fractions and decimals, algebraic application, percentages, ratio and proportion, and data interpretation. Science covers scientific reasoning, life science, chemical science, physical science, human body science, and general science.  And in the English section, students will tackle punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, contextual words, and spelling.

You may take the test up to 3 times within a calendar year, with a 30 day wait period between tests. A minimum score of 58.7 is required.

• TEAS Test Dates & Information 
• TEAS Registration (Review form above before registering)

Definitions

Licensure Pass Rates

The programs’ most recent annual licensure examination pass rates will be at least 80% for all first-time test takers from January 1 to December 31 every year.

Completion Rates

Minimum of 75% of all ADN students who began the first nursing course in the program will complete the program within 2 academic terms.

Minimum of 55% of all PN students who began the first nursing course in the program will complete the program within 2 academic terms.

• Practical Nurses (PNs):
  • Projected to grow 6% from 2021-2031, as fast as average for all occupations. The best opportunities will occur in nursing care facilities and home health care services.
  • Average median pay $48,070/year or $23.11/hour
• Registered Nurses (RNs):
  • Overall job opportunities for RNs are expected to be excellent and projected to grow 6% from 2021-2031.
  • Average median pay $77,600/year or $37.31/hour

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Modified September 2022 

Click here to view the colleges we currently have agreements with.