Kansas City offers aspiring nurses excellent opportunities to launch their career through high quality 2-year Registered Nursing (RN) programs. There are over 15 accredited schools and colleges providing 2-year pathways to gain an RN diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
These comprehensive programs cover all the essential nursing topics and clinical work to prepare students for RN licensure and nursing practice.
Overview of 2-Year RN Programs
2-year RN programs are offered at the diploma and Associate Degree level.
Diploma programs take about 18-24 months and concentrate purely on nursing coursework and clinical training. You gain a nursing diploma upon graduation.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs take 2 years and include nursing requirements along with general education topics like English, math, social sciences etc. You earn an ADN upon program completion.
Both diplomas and ADNs allow you to qualify for RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. There is also the option to continue onto higher nursing degrees like a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
Admissions Requirements
Admission into Kansas City’s 2-year RN programs is competitive. The main prerequisites are:
- High school completion or GED certificate
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Complete entrance exams like ATI TEAS or HESI
- Clinical hours or work experience in healthcare may be preferred
Curriculum and Training
Typical coursework covered includes:
Nursing Classes – Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics, Mental Health etc
Science – Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology
General Education – Psychology, English etc.
Extensive hands-on clinical rotations are also required and arranged at hospitals and medical facilities affiliated with your nursing school.
Accreditation and Licensing
It is important to verify a nursing program‘s accreditations when researching schools. Most Kansas City ADN programs hold accreditations from Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
After meeting all ADN or diploma requirements, graduates take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to gain RN licensure required for employment.
Top Schools Offering 2-Year RN Programs in Kansas City
There over 15 quality nursing schools in the Greater Kansas City region offering 2-year RN education through ADN or diploma-level training.
Here are profiles of some of the top picks:
1. Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley
Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley provides an accredited ADN program with competitive admissions. It takes 5 semesters complete including prerequisites and costs just $13,500 in total tuition. Graduates have high NJCLEX-RN first time pass rates.
Location – Kansas City, MO
Program types – Associate Degree in Nursing
Credit hours – 72 credits
Tuition – $117 per credit hour
Admissions – Selective process with entrance exam requirement
Accreditation – ACEN
Click Here to Visit School Website
2. Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College is one of the region’s largest providers of ADN programs through its accredited Nursing department. It provides different program tracks for new and current healthcare workers looking to advance. The comprehensive curriculum covers topics from mental health nursing to pediatric care resulting in skilled, compassionate nurses.
Location – Overland Park, KS
Program types – Associate Degree, LPN to ADN
Credit hours – 69-78 credits
Tuition – $105 per credit
Admissions – Competitive
Accreditation – ACEN
Click Here to Visit School Website
3. North Central Missouri College
North Central Missouri College offers a dynamic 2-year RN program with the option of daytime or evening/weekend courses. Experienced faculty provide robust theoretical foundations supplemented by 300+ hours of clinical experience across specialty areas like pediatrics, obstetrics and community health. Graduates consistently have high first-time NCLEX pass rates.
Location – Trenton, MO
Program types – Associate Degree in Nursing
Credit hours – 72 credits
Tuition – $168 per credit
Admissions – Selective application process
Accreditation – ACEN
Click Here to Visit School Website
4. Dear Nursing and Health Occupations
For those looking for an accelerated option, Dear Nursing and Health Occupations provides an intensive 1-year diploma-level Registered Nurse program. This program covers nursing concepts, medical terminology, pharmacology and hands-on clinical skills across medical, surgical, geriatric and pediatric care in just 12 months. Graduates can gain RN licensure and quickly enter the Kansas City nursing workforce.
Location – Kansas City, KS
Program types – RN diploma program
Program length – 12 months
Tuition – $16,495 total
Admissions – Competitive process with health and immunization requirements
Accreditation – ABHES
Click Here to Visit School Website
Career and Salary Outlook for Kansas City RNs
There is growing demand for qualified RNs in the Kansas City region driven by an aging population, nurse retirements and expanded health services. Graduates of 2-year RN programs can find jobs in diverse settings like:
- Hospitals
- Urgent care clinics
- Physician offices
- Community health organizations
- Skilled nursing homes
The average annual salary for RNs in Kansas City is $70,000 with pay rising along with years of specialized experience. Many employers even offer tuition reimbursement if nurses return to complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or advanced nursing credentials.
How to Choose and Apply to RN Programs
When researching 2-year RN programs in Kansas City, make sure to consider factors like:
- Location and program delivery formats – online, on-campus, hybrid, accelerated tracks etc.
- Clinical hour requirements
- Faculty qualifications and student-instructor ratio
- NCLEX-RN exam pass rates
- Tuition cost and financial aid options
- Specializations or tracks available
Thoroughly review admissions criteria and apply on time with all required documents like transcripts, entrance exams results, immunization records and essays if needed.
Preparing a strong application takes time and effort but is worthwhile to gain admission into these selective 2-year RN programs for an exciting, meaningful and family-sustaining nursing career!
