Kentucky Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
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“Online NP education provides flexibility for the working nurse to pursue their career and educational goals while still working. Accredited online programs meet the same education standards as their on-campus counterpart while allowing for additional flexibility.”
Kristen Geyer, DNP, Associate Professor of Nursing, Kentucky Christian University
The demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) in Kentucky has never been higher, making online NP schools an attractive option for aspiring healthcare professionals. These programs offer the flexibility of remote learning while providing rigorous training to prepare students for advanced practice in varied healthcare settings.
Kentucky’s unique blend of urban and rural communities creates opportunities for NPs to make a significant impact, particularly in underserved areas where access to medical care is more limited. By pursuing an NP degree online, students can advance their careers and contribute to addressing the state’s healthcare disparities, all while balancing educational pursuits with work and personal responsibilities.
Kentucky’s NP workforce is experiencing robust growth, reflecting a statewide and national commitment to expanding advanced practice nursing. According to 2022 data, there were 4,730 nurse practitioners in Kentucky, and projections from CareerOneStop.org (2025) estimate this number will rise to 6,870 by 2032, a 45 percent increase over a decade. This growth aligns closely with the national average of 46 percent, highlighting the expanding role of NPs in addressing healthcare demands.
Meet the Expert: Kristen Geyer, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Dr. Kristen Geyer is an associate professor of nursing and the MSN/APRN program coordinator at Kentucky Christian University. She teaches in the online MSN-FNP program.
Dr. Geyer received her BSN degree at Cedarville University, her MSN at the University of Cincinnati, and her DNP at East Carolina University. She also works as a family nurse practitioner in primary care.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Kentucky?
Dr. Geyer: Online NP education provides flexibility for the working nurse to pursue their career and educational goals while still working. Accredited online programs meet the same education standards as their on-campus counterpart while allowing for additional flexibility.
At Kentucky Christian University, we strive to ensure that our students are known by faculty and other students and receive the personal support necessary to complete their degrees. We utilize technology throughout the program to ensure the students understand content such as advanced physical assessment, advanced practice skills, and patient communication skills, and can apply the didactic content to a patient visit. Clinical hour requirements are the same for on-campus and online students, with students completing hours near where they live or work.
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Geyer: While online NP programs are flexible, they still take time and commitment to ensure the student completes the program and can provide safe, evidence-based care following graduation.
I encourage potential students to find time daily to devote to their studies and ensure they have support from their work and family to complete the necessary clinical hours. Before applying to an online NP program, I recommend that students network in their community to find support from other NP students and potential preceptors. Networking opportunities include contacts at their current jobs and local nursing organizations.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Kentucky (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
| School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
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| Eastern Kentucky University |
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| Northern Kentucky University |
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| Frontier Nursing University |
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| Campbellsville University |
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NP Practice Authority in Kentucky
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Kentucky?
| United States | Kentucky | |
| Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 4,710 |
| Average Salary | $132,000 | $116,930 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $89,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $102,060 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $113,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $130,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $149,350 |
| Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of May 2025 | ||
Nearby States with Affordable Online NP Programs
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.