Overview of Missouri Nursing Schools
If you’ve kept up on recent health care legislation and its effects on the health care community at large, you likely know that the United States has a severe shortage of nurses. From LPNs who work under registered nursing professionals to registered nurses, there are many different roles you can play in this industry.
Learn more about nursing schools in Missouri by contacting those listed below for program details.
The field of nursing is expanding rapidly in Missouri. Existing health care organizations and providers are expanding, while new communities and organizations open up around the state. In the St. Louis area, for example, a large skilled nursing community is in development. As these businesses look to grow, they may need more skilled nursing graduates.
Missouri, like many other Midwestern states, has a care shortage in its rural counties. As a result, rural community colleges are expanding their nursing programs to boost graduate numbers. Working in a rural area may allow you to practice to your full potential.
Professional development is also a priority in Missouri, so you can look forward to staying on top of nursing standards and techniques. Nursing leaders in Missouri have made it a priority to keep nurses engaged in professional development opportunities.
Nursing Education in Missouri
The courses you take as a nursing student depend on which type of degree you want to earn. As an LPN student, you may take low-level nursing courses that prepare you to take directions from registered nurses. In a two-year or four-year registered nursing program, you may take more in-depth courses that allow you to learn more about different specialties.
Some of the courses you may take as a nursing student include Nursing as a Profession, Psychosocial Issues in Nursing, Nursing Skills and Simulations, Pathophysiology & Therapeutics, Foundations for Nursing, and Pharmacology & Nursing Implications. You should plan on focusing heavily on clinical experience, as this is an important part of learning how to function in a health care environment. Most programs in Missouri include over 600 hours of clinical experience.
Since the nursing shortage in Missouri is fairly serious, there are many financial aid programs that aim to get aspiring nurses through nursing school. Health Professional Nursing Student Loans, worth up to $2,500 for LPN students and $5,000 for RN students, are forgivable through service. If you are active in the Missouri League for Nursing, you may qualify for scholarships that are designed for LPN students and RN students. Through the Missouri Nurses Association, you can apply for scholarships that are awarded in odd-numbered years.
Nursing Education & Career Information in your City
Nursing Degree Programs in Missouri
In the list below, you will find links to specific nursing programs in MO.
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in MO
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in MO
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in MO
Entry level nursing programs:
- All LPN/LVN Programs in MO
- All Associate Degree Nursing Programs in MO
- All Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MO
- All Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MO
- Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs in MO
Career Outlook for Nursing in Missouri
Upon completion of your LPN or RN education, you can get your nursing license. You must take either the NCLEX-PN or the NCLEX-RN. With a passing score on this test, you can apply for a professional nursing license through the Missouri Board of Nursing.
With high levels of anticipated job growth, Missouri may be the perfect place to start your career as a nurse. Through 2022, O*Net predicts a 16 percent increase in LPN jobs throughout the state. In this same time period, they hope to see a 12 percent jump in RN jobs (O*Net, 2012). Registered nurses in Missouri earn an average salary of $60,830 per year, while licensed practical nurses earn an average of $39,600 per year (BLS, 2016).
If you’re ready to change the world of health care through service and education, take the first step to a new career today by contacting nursing schools in Missouri. Please check out the Missouri Board of Nursing for additional information and answers to your questions, or email us at [email protected].
