Nursing

The Nursing program at American National University provides educational training and resources to meet the regional needs for nurses at the technical level. The program helps graduates develop the basic nursing skills and knowledge to function effectively as health care providers in a variety of health care settings as defined by professional nursing standards. The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to function as a registered nurse.

Graduates of this nursing program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), leading to licensure as a registered nurse. A clinical externship of 660 hours is required to gain real-world work experience to include caring for patients one-on-one, performing medical procedures, gathering patient information, and helping healthcare facilities stay organized.

This program is currently only open to residents of the state of Kentucky. American National University has met the requirements established by law for our Nursing Associate degree program and we maintain Kentucky Board of Nursing approval. The associate degree in nursing program at the campus in Pikeville holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee receipt of initial accreditation by NLN CNEA.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability in the provision of competent nursing care within legal, moral, ethical principles, and established health care guidelines.
• Recognize the role of the associate degree nurse in nursing research and evidence-based practice to advance the practice of nursing.
• Implement the concepts of the nursing process, critical thinking, decision making, and clinical reasoning skills in the provision of patient-centered care to individuals across the life span in various health care settings.
• Demonstrate competence in the utilization of health informatics and emerging technologies for the promotion of safety and quality in health care delivery.
• Use effective interpersonal communication skills in interacting with patients, families, and the members of the interdisciplinary health team.
• Apply knowledge of leadership skills with the focus on accountability, collaboration with other disciplines, responsibility to direct one's practice as manager, educator, advocate, and provider of care.
• Incorporate, within the concepts of cultural awareness, the guidelines of health promotion, disease prevention, and management in the planning of patient care in various settings.
• Select therapeutic nursing interventions that are rooted in evidence-based knowledge and practice for the assurance of effective health outcomes.
• Examine infection prevention and control procedures and guidelines established within the health care systems to minimize health care risks.
• Develop plans for personal and professional growth through commitment in continuing education, participation in professional organizations, service to the community, and lifelong learning.

Your learning experience.

• Delivering nursing care that aligns with ethical, legal, and moral principles, adhering to Kentucky state and federal law and regulations.
• A comprehensive knowledge base about the field of nursing, such as developing an expertise in managing acute and chronic health issues.
• A utilization of the incredibly important skill of critical thinking within the nursing process, as well as clinical decision-making to provide compassionate, patient-centered care across diverse populations and settings.
• Preparation for the NCLEX-RN Exam.

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Admission to the program is limited due to its competitive admission process, which is necessitated by the program's small cohort sizes and limited clinical placement capacity. The applicant must submit all college and high school/GED transcripts for review, demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.5. Transfer credit is evaluated on a course-by-course basis, but nursing core courses may not be transferable. Applicants are ranked using competitive admissions criteria; a current résumé and completion of the NEX Entrance Exam are required (preference may be given to applicants with one year of recent healthcare experience or an active medical license). Prior to participation in the clinical externship, students must provide a clear background check and drug screen, Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) Certification from the American Heart Association, proof of immunity or vaccination, and personal health insurance coverage.

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Not every course requires a residency; however, when a student is scheduled in a class that includes residency, the student is required to attend all residency sessions on campus. For example, if a student is scheduled for a weekend residency session, the student must attend all three (3) days of the session.

Clinicals are based on availability and could occur on days, evenings, or weekends; the number of hours will vary based on facility. Students should be prepared to travel beyond their typical commuting distance to complete the required clinical hours.

Upcoming start dates: January 3, 2027; March 21, 2027; June 6, 2027; August 22, 2027; November 7, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $412 per quarter credit hour; for the 119 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $49,028. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Nursing costs. When enrolling in NUR112, the student will be charged a Nursing Equipment Deposit of $1,000. This deposit is fully refundable upon the return of the equipment in good condition at the program's conclusion. Nursing students are required to obtain items such as a physical exam, white nursing shoes and AHA CPR for Healthcare Providers certification, which have a total cost of approximately $500.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $5,720 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,728 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 010489. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Kentucky residents. Residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky may also qualify for the College Access Program (CAP) grant (maximum $5,300 for 2026-27), the Go Higher Grant (up to $1,000) and the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES).

Where could your degree take you?

• Registered Nurse (hospitals)
• Registered Nurse (long-term care facilities)
• Registered Nurse (physician offices)
• Travel nursing
• Registered Nurse (urgent care facilities)

Certifications and licensure.

• NCLEX-RN eligibility (licensure as a registered nurse)

Student outcomes.

• Nursing, Associate of Science (Pikeville, 2024-2025 ABHES annual report): 85% retention, 79% placement and 64% licensure. Graduates of the Nursing associate degree program found employment as Registered Nurses, Nurse, Staff RN and Staff Nurse.

ANU publishes an ASN Licensure by State disclosure (https://an.edu/bfd_download/asn-licensure-by-state/) showing where the program meets state educational requirements for licensure.

Simulation. Simulation sessions are conducted using the UbiSim virtual reality (VR) platform. Students will engage in VR experiences as participants and observers during synchronous, remote class sessions, with pre and post conferences and scenario debriefing. A virtual reality headset will be made available for your use; students unable to use a headset can complete the clinical simulation in a non-immersive, PC-based format.

Clinicals. Clinical courses include clinical rotations in health care facilities and clinical sessions in simulation settings, supervised by properly credentialed instructors at sites such as a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or a community health care facility. Clinicals are based on availability and could occur on days, evenings, or weekends; students should be prepared to travel beyond their typical commuting distance.

Labs. Students in fully online courses will receive lab kits to be used in each course with a lab component, and perform lab requirements and demonstrate competency during online, synchronous courses.