Registered Nursing (RN) is one of the most competitive academic programs at Johnson County Community College (JCCC)—and it’s easy to see why. JCCC’s RN program was rated the No. 2 nursing school in Kansas for 2026 and boasts a 93% to 100% NCLEX pass rate between 2022 and 2024.
That strong reputation, combined with high student demand, has made admission increasingly competitive. Due to classroom space constraints and faculty capacity, the program can only accept a limited number of students each year. In 2024, 52% of Registered Nursing program applicants were not admitted.
Beginning in Spring 2027, JCCC will take a significant step to expand access by introducing a second application cycle, offering both fall and spring entry points. This new option will allow more students to begin their nursing education sooner, while also helping meet the growing demand for nurses across the region.
Applications are now open for the Spring 2027 RN cohort, with a deadline of August 1, 2026.
Meeting regional workforce needs
The new cohort offering is a direct response to requests from JCCC’s community clinical partners to admit more students. By increasing admission capacity, JCCC will be able to train more nurses to join the growing workforce and address ongoing nursing shortages across the state.
According to the University of Kansas Medical Center’s “State of Nursing in Kansas” report from 2025, “nearly 40% of RNs said they intend to exit the field within the next five years, equating to about 1.6 million nurses leaving the profession nationwide.” According to state projections, Kansas specifically will need to fill more than 3,000 RN positions by 2030.
“What excites us about adding a spring cohort is the meaningful opportunity it creates to better serve both our students and the healthcare community while maintaining the high-quality educational standards JCCC is known for,” said Lori Shank, Director of JCCC’s Registered Nursing program.
Hands-on training for in-demand careers
In just four semesters at JCCC, students prepare for a career in registered nursing through interactive, classroom simulation experiences, combined with hands-on clinical learning.
Students learn to provide patient care in pediatrics, mental health, medical-surgical environments, obstetrics, and gerontology in JCCC’s state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation Center. The Simulation Center features four full-size acute care rooms and a surgical room, where students train with the same equipment and supplies they will use in an actual hospital.
In addition to on-campus learning, JCCC partners with hospitals, clinics, and community sites across the Kansas City Metro for clinical training as part of their education. Students complete clinical rotations with area healthcare providers like AdventHealth, Children’s Mercy, and others — often leading to employment opportunities as they begin their careers.
Once they graduate from JCCC, students can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure, but often these students are hired before then (contingent on successful completion of the NCLEX).
For students interested in continuing their nursing education, JCCC partners with the University of Kansas to offer a track that allows students to dual-enroll in JCCC’s AAS program and KU’s BSN coursework. Students can complete both an Associate of Applied Science in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in four years.
Learn more and apply
Learn more about JCCC’s Registered Nursing program, admission requirements, and application deadlines at jccc.edu/nursing. Prospective students are encouraged to review eligibility criteria early and prepare application materials ahead of the August 1, 2026, deadline.
