How To Become a Nurse in Missouri 2025

Nurses in Missouri enjoy many rewarding job opportunities as they assist doctors, care for patients, and carry out other specialized responsibilities. This requires a strong educational background and clinical experience before becoming a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or nurse practitioner. This article will show you how to become a nurse and the requirements in Missouri.

What Does an RN Do?

A certified registered nurse serves patients in several ways. Many nursing jobs include tasks such as bedside care, administering medication, taking patients' vitals, recording medical information, and many other aspects of patient care. Below are some of the most common nursing careers in Missouri.

• hospital staff nurse
• surgical nurse
• emergency room nurse
• labor and delivery nurse
• public health advocate
• home health nurse

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Missouri?

It takes about one to two years to complete an RN program and obtain an RN license. The fastest way to do this is to enroll in accelerated nursing programs online. These degree programs are convenient and grant you the chance to finish nursing school within 12 months.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Missouri

We offer a three-step approach to completing the educational requirements for nurses and obtaining the necessary nursing licenses. This will explain the coursework requirements, background checks, and how to prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Step 1: Get an Associate Degree

While many nurses go straight to a four-year college to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can still enter the nursing field with just an associate degree. You can complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) within two years or fewer and qualify for several jobs as a nursing aide, nurse's assistant, or other public health professional.

The ADN program prepares graduates for entering the nursing workforce by exposing them to several coursework topics, like medicine, anatomy and physiology, and medical record-keeping, along with supervised clinical experience.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

The next step involves passing the NCLEX-RN exam as soon as you graduate from an accredited nursing program. Once you've passed the test, completed a criminal background check, and paid the licensing fees, you'll be ready to complete your licensing application. All RN candidates must take the NCLEX-RN exam unless they hold an out-of-state license and apply for the license by endorsement.

Step 3: Consider Advanced RN Credentials

Finally, if you wish to gain a better chance at career advancement in the nursing field, then consider pursuing more advanced RN qualifications, such as a BSN degree or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These continuing education programs open the doors to lucrative careers in more advanced nursing roles and healthcare administration.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Missouri

Below is a list of Missouri universities where you can obtain various RN credentials. These and other online nursing programs make it possible to gain employment in several nursing professions.

1. University of Missouri - Kansas City

The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) offers several ways to become an RN by earning a BSN in the field. Then, experienced RNs can advance their qualifications by enrolling in the university's RN-to-BSN program, which is available 100% online. UMKC boasts an impressive 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam among its graduates.

• Estimated tuition cost: $371.90 per credit hour (in-state); $968.50 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Missouri State University

Missouri State University has multiple pre-nursing and accelerated programs for prospective healthcare professionals. This includes a standard BSN program, an accelerated BSN, a BSN completion program, and an MSN for mid-career professionals.

The BSN completion option permits nurses to complete their coursework 100% online. This university also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is the terminal degree in this career field.

• Estimated tuition cost: $263 per credit hour (in-state); $526 per credit hour (out-of-state);
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University has in-person training for its BSN and MSN programs. It also offers an online RN-to-BSN bridge program where nursing students can work with experienced nursing faculty remotely, including a preceptor or mentor in various specializations. This prepares nurses for future roles as nursing managers, school nurses, insurance company nurses, nurse educators, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $302 per credit hour (in-state); $646 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University (SLU) offers both standard and accelerated BSN programs along with an MSN option. Although SLU's tuition rate is higher than some of the other options on this list, its nursing school claims to award over $1 million in scholarships every year. The school also claims to have a solid 97% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $650 per credit hour (in-state); $1,715 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. University of Missouri - St. Louis

The University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) has three BSN options for undergraduate nursing majors. It also grants both a DNP and a research-focused Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.

UMSL's accelerated BSN allows nurses to finish within just 12 months, if they can handle a fast-paced and rigorous curriculum. You can take advantage of this and the school's financial aid resources to make your nursing education much more affordable.

• Estimated tuition cost: $643 per credit hour (in-state); $1,431 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Missouri

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses can expect a 6% growth in job openings between 2023 and 2033. This is faster than average compared to other occupations. The expected salary is $93,600 per year (or $45 per hour) for RNs across the country.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Missouri

Check out these frequently asked questions (FAQs) for nursing education in Missouri. This section covers degree costs, nursing prerequisites, and other important considerations.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Missouri?

The cost of your education will depend upon the nursing degree program you pursue. There are several ways to become an RN, by enrolling in an ADN, BSN, or other programs, but each of these has different tuition costs.

Tuition is generally higher at four-year universities than community colleges. You should make every effort to offset costs by completing the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) and obtaining nursing scholarships. There are several on-campus degrees and online colleges that accept FAFSA in Missouri.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Most nursing schools require certain prerequisite courses in areas like biology, chemistry, and lower-division nursing topics. You may have to complete these before applying to nursing programs. Fortunately, you can address these requirements by exploring the various self-paced nursing prerequisites online for reasonable tuition rates and distance-learning convenience.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse is to earn an associate degree or bachelor's degree through fast-track online programs. Normally, these credentials take longer to complete in traditional university settings, but now there are ways to earn them quicker. An accelerated BSN degree, for example, might only take 12 to 18 months compared to four years in standard programs.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

The easiest nursing degree is the ADN credential, which you can earn within two years at a community college or online degree program. This program usually involves more basic coursework, designed to train nurses for entry-level healthcare careers. If you choose to complete the ADN through a fully online program, make sure you invest in good online learning equipment, including the best laptop for nursing students.

Find a Nursing Degree

We welcome you to use Learn.org to discover more about online nursing degrees, including RN licensure, BSN programs, master's degrees, and other nursing programs. This is your top resource for online degrees in any field at any degree level.