Registered nurses (RNs) are the backbone of the country’s healthcare industry, with an estimated 2.7 million RNs employed nationwide. Almost 65,000 registered nurses work in the state of Missouri alone. These professionals independently administer care to patients, and they also supervise less experienced nurses, such as nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses, in their day-to-day responsibilities.
Missouri has sixty state-approved programs for pursuing RN licensure. These programs fall into three pathways: hospital diploma, associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Diploma programs apply a three-year apprenticeship model within a hospital or medical center. They were historically very popular but have dwindled in number over the past several decades. The ADN pathway enables students to acquire RN licensure and an entry-level position in just two years. Missouri has 35 accredited ADN programs; most are offered by the state’s vast network of community colleges. The BSN pathway offers the deepest exposure to nursing science and practice, often with a well-rounded complement of liberal arts courses. BSN graduates are trained for nursing leadership and management roles. Candidates from all three pathways must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination before practicing in Missouri.
Registered nurses enjoy a very robust job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 65,000 RNs are currently employed in Missouri. They earn a median salary of $56,690 per year, although BSN degree-holders frequently receive top-quartile pay of $69,160 or more annually. Nursing salaries are often a few thousand dollars higher in major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Saint Louis.
To provide the state’s nursing students a clear roadmap, we’ve profiled Missouri’s prelicensure RN programs below. The list includes all diploma, ADN, and BSN options in each major city.