Nursing Students

Nursing

A career in nursing provides a wide variety of job opportunities. Nurses practice in many settings (hospitals, long term care facilities, community agencies, clinics, schools) and care for all age groups. Ready to get started? 

Apply for Barton Nursing

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed. The priority deadline of January 31, 2024, and the Secondary deadline of March 1st have passed. Check back in October for application information for the 2025-2026 school year.

About Barton Nursing

Barton offers 2 types of programs for people wanting to enter the field of nursing: Certificate in Practical Nursing (PN) and an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). 

Whether you are interested in becoming an LPN or an RN Barton Community College can meet your needs. We welcome your interest in nursing and encourage you to come in to discuss your educational possibilities and take a tour of our new nursing area. 

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 advisement@bartonccc.edu 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.

What does Barton offer?

  • Practical Nurse (PN) program: Certificate (45 credit hours)
  • Registered Nurse (RN) program: Associate of Applied Science Degree
  • Well-rounded and demanding coursework
    • Prepares students with nursing skills needed to start their careers
    • Provides nursing education from pre-birth to death
  • Clinical partnerships allow students to gain nursing experiences in the various aspects of nursing including obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, intensive care, and medical-surgical units.
  • State and nationally affiliated Barton Nursing Club allows students to interact with other students and network with health care professionals.
  • Faculty members with experience in nursing, up-to-date education in nursing skills and teaching techniques.
  • Excellent new facilities including two simulation labs.

 

    Practical Nurse (PN) Program

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

    Practical Nurses care for the sick, injured, persons with disabilities or convalescent. They bring their caring, sympathetic natures to hospitals, home health care services, nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices and other health care providers and agencies. PNs work under the direction of physicians and registered nurses.

    Certificate, 45 credit hours 
     

     

    Registered Nurse (RN) Program

    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.

    Registered Nurses are health care professionals responsible for implementing the practice of nursing through the use of the nursing process in concert with other health care professionals. RNs work as patient advocates for the care and recovery of the sick and maintenance of their health. RNs use the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care of the sick and injured. RNs also provide advice and emotional support to patient’s family members.

    Associate of Applied Science Degree

    Degree Maps
    Degree Maps

    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 2022.

    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 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 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 skeltonr@bartonccc.edu.

    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 advisement@bartonccc.edu 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.

     

    Practical Nursing (PN) Start Here: 1st Year
    Practical Nursing (PN) Start Here: 1st Year

    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 2024-2025 school year are now closed. 

    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.

    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 skeltonr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9355.

    Registered Nursing (RN) Start Here - 2nd Year
    Registered Nursing (RN) Start Here - 2nd Year

    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 2024-2025 school year are now closed. 

    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.

    Functional Ability Categories Sheet

    For more information contact Renae Skelton at skeltonr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9355.

    TEAS Nursing Test
    TEAS Nursing Test

    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.

    Student Achievement Data
    Student Achievement Data
      2020-2021 2021-2022 2022 - 2023
    Licensure Pass Rates ADN - 83.33%
    PN - 100%
    ADN - 88%
    PN - 96.8%
    ADN - 96%
    PN - 100%
    Completion Rates ADN - 88%
    PN - 82%
    ADN - 80%
    PN - 74%
    ADN - 92%
    PN - 62.5%

    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 3 academic terms which is 150% of the usual time frame for the program.

    Minimum of 55% of all PN students who began the first nursing course in the program will complete the program within 4 academic terms which is 150% of the usual time frame for the program.

    Occupational Outlook
    Occupational Outlook
    • 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 

    Accreditation
    Accreditation
    The Associate Degree nursing program at Barton Community College at the Great Bend and Pratt Campus located in Great Bend, KS and Pratt, KS is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).



    3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326

    (404) 975-5000  



    The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is continuing accreditation


    View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

    RN to BSN Articulation Agreements