Kentucky State University Forges RN-to-BSN Partnership

Courtesy of Kentucky State University

In a significant move for nursing education,  Kentucky State University and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College have officially announced a new partnership aimed at providing a streamlined pathway for registered nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The schools unveiled the partnership at a signing ceremony.

“The RN-to-BSN pathway with Kentucky State University is a great opportunity to continue supporting ECTC nursing graduates as they advance their educations and careers,” said ECTC President Dr. Juston Pate. “Not only does this partnership increase affordability, acces, and resources for BSN students, it develops a critical future workforce for our region.”

The Power Of Two

Under this new initiative, students will enroll at KSU but receive services directly on ECTC’s Elizabethtown campus. They will also have full access to ECTC’s nursing labs and other vital student services.

KSU President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its significance for the healthcare sector. “We are very excited to embark on this new partnership with ECTC to train the next generation of nurses to serve the Commonwealth. Creating a pathway for ECTC nursing graduates to seamlessly transfer into KSU’s BSN program is only just the beginning,” he stated.

Helping To Cover The Costs

This collaboration allows ECTC nursing program graduates to transition smoothly into KSU’s BSN program while benefiting from substantial on-campus support at ECTC. One of the standout features of this partnership is the ECTC-2-KSU Pathway Scholarship, which offers a tuition-free opportunity for students who qualify for federal Pell grants, making higher education more accessible for aspiring nurses.

The ECTC-2-KSU Pathway Scholarship is a renewable, last-dollar scholarship that covers tuition for fall and spring semesters after federal and state aid and external awards have been applied. To qualify for this scholarship, students must meet certain criteria, including being Pell-eligible and enrolling in a minimum of six credit hours each term while pursuing their BSN degree.

As KSU joins the ECTC Robbins University Center—a hub that allows four-year colleges and universities to offer high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees locally—this partnership marks a vital expansion of educational opportunities for nursing students in the region. The Robbins University Center is named in honor of Dr. Robert and Rita Robbins of Elizabethtown, who contributed a historic $1 million donation to ECTC in 2018.

Classes for the new RN-to-BSN program will commence on Jan. 13 and March 17, 2025.