Clinical Internship

The "Clinical Internship" component introduced by KBN is accomplished post-graduation within the practice arena. 

Effective January 1, 2006, any individual seeking licensure in Kentucky by examination and/or endorsement who has not practiced for at least 120 hours following graduation will be required to complete a clinical internship and pass NCLEX prior to full licensure being granted.  The statute, KRS 314.011(20), defines the clinical internship as: “A supervised nursing practice experience which involves any component of direct patient care.”  The statute furthers specifies that the internship “shall last a minimum of 120 hours and shall be completed within 6 months of the issuance of the provisional license” (KRS 314.041).  The key elements of the clinical internship include:  direct patient care, supervision by a licensed nurse, 120 hours in duration, and a 6-month provisional license time frame.

A student graduating from an approved nursing program will first make application to the state of Kentucky and to NCLEX.  Once the Kentucky application is complete, KBN will wait until communication is received from the student’s program of nursing indicating that he/she has successfully completed all requirements for graduation.  Once this communication is received, the graduate will be issued a provisional license for the state of Kentucky that is valid for 6 months.  During the 6-month period, the new graduate will be required to complete the internship and is advised to successfully pass the NCLEX examination if he/she desires to continue practicing within the state.  At the time that the provisional license expires, if the new graduate has either not completed the internship or passed NCLEX, he/she will no longer be able to practice as a licensed nurse within the state of Kentucky. 

Once the provisional license has been received or verified, the new graduate can begin the clinical internship.  During the period of time that the new graduate has the provisional license, he/she will use the title RNA (Registered Nurse Applicant) or LPNA (Licensed Practical Nurse Applicant).  For a new graduate, a primary factor in the selection of an agency is the ability to engage in patient care under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.  To qualify as direct supervision, the nurse responsible for the applicant shall at all times be physically present in the facility and immediately available to the applicant. 

At the completion of the 120-hour internship period, the new graduate will submit a Verification of Completion of Clinical Internship Form to KBN.  Once this verification has been received, KBN will notify NCLEX that the individual is eligible to schedule and take the licensing examination.  Once the test is taken and the results are positive, the new graduate will be granted full licensure within the state.  If the graduate is not successful on the examination, the provisional license is voided and the individual can no longer work in the capacity of a licensed professional until the time that he/she has successfully passed NCLEX.