Best RN Programs in Missouri for 2024

State Fair Community College is a public community college in Sedalia, Missouri. The nursing division offers a bi-level program that allows students to become LPNs after year 1, or to complete a second year with an ADN diploma and NCLEX preparedness.

At SFCC, the focus is on a blend of modern technology and traditional nursing theory. Classrooms are equipped with SMART board technology, and students will spend time in a dedicated health computer lab. This cultivates their familiarity with information processes, nursing technology, and analytical techniques.

SFCC also has human patient simulators, which enhance students' critical decision-making skills in a hands-on manner. SFCC places great importance on personal growth, development, teamwork, and the ability to apply the knowledge in various healthcare settings. SFCC also has an active Nursing Club, which fosters a community of like-minded individuals who are focusing on similar goals. Applicants can enroll once a year in the fall.

St. Charles Community College is a public institution situated in Cottleville, Missouri, and first opened its doors in 1986. St. Charles offers a Missouri State Board of Nursing approved and ACEN accredited ADN program in addition to an LPN to RN bridge program. Students may enroll in either program in both the fall and spring semester.

SCC’s program focuses on a core curriculum comprised of three parts: a liberal arts foundation, nursing theory, and clinical experiences. The program has local partnerships, allowing students to have these clinical experiences in health care settings in their immediate environment. There’s an on-campus Center for Healthy Living, in which nursing students will hone their skills in the practice lab. Their program is designed to jumpstart clinical experiences as soon as possible. SCC’s nursing division places a strong importance on hands-on experience. In addition to the two-year ADN program, the LPN to RN bridge program provides those with some experience in the field with an accelerated pathway towards completion of an ADN degree. Students may apply in the fall and in the spring.

Texas County Technical Institute is in Houston, but in the “show me” state of Missouri! TCTC is a private college specializing in healthcare programs. Houston lies in the heart of the Ozarks in the south central portion of the state, surrounded by the Mark Twain National Forest. Students will enjoy the offers warm hospitality, beautiful natural scenery and proud history. Class sizes are small and intimate. The school boasts that “everyone really does know your name.” Given the small faculty-studio ration, students receive individualized attention throughout the nursing program.

Undergraduate programs – The accelerated LPN to RN runs 2-3 days a week for one year. It is a fast-track bridge program for career advancement.  Students enjoy prompt employment as they can work while earning their degree. The LPN program in practical nursing is also a one-year stint of four days of classes a week with no prerequisites. LPNs go on to work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. The curriculum is extensive offering basic nursing skills, communication, and safe practices using computerized mannequins. Coursework and lab time include electronic health records, medical math and medicine administration. Clinical rotations begin in the second semester along with NCLEX prep. The real-life hands-on setting is ideal for diagnostic assessment, IV certification, therapeutic response, and disease symptoms of all ages. Students learn in a variety of locations such as peds/OB clinics, labor and delivery, walk-in clinics, ER, ICU, wound care, cancer center, dialysis and more. They devise treatment plans and study mental health. They shadow a nurse for 45 hours to experience their specialty in-depth. Graduates have the skill knowledge and clinical judgement to work in hospitals and mental health facilities with a focus on complex patient care.

Ozarks Technical Community College was founded in 1990, and is located in Springfield, Missouri. They offer an LPN to ADN program, and students can enroll at 4 different points throughout the year. The program is uniquely designed as a bridge curriculum that lasts 36 weeks and has ACEN accreditation. This fast-paced program aims to enhance students’ ability in providing high quality, caring, and competent care. There’s a focus on critical thinking, and interdisciplinary teamwork dynamics that nurses will likely operate in.

The program further equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful care provider and care manager. The specialized LPN to ADN focus of the program is a great strength, as it prepares those with similar foundations in the nursing field for the NCLEX exam and makes them capable of working through the challenges prominently experienced in nursing roles.

They also offer a Hybrid Cohort track, which is an online and face-to-face combination format. However, it does require clinical time on the Springfield or Table Rock campuses.

The Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school in Cape Girardeau, MO. What is unique to this institution is its narrow focus on health care education and career preparation. They offer an ACEN accredited ADN program, which has four different tracks to suit various student needs and accommodating those who want to balance a career with further education. The four options offered are an accelerated and a part-time LPN to RN Bridge track, a full-time basic track, and a part-time Paramedic to RN track offered Mondays and Thursdays.

For those who already hold an ADN degree and are RNs, the school offers an RN to BSN program. Within this program, there are further options: students may enroll for a two-year full time, part time, or accelerated course of study. Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences has a dedication to accommodating student needs. Beyond these generous program offerings, they provide robust educational resources, small class sizes, knowledgeable faculty, as well as clinical hands-on learning at Southeast Hospital. Their nursing programs focus on enhancing communication skills, use of technology and informatics, critical thinking, leadership and management, integration of research findings and the ability to interpret statistics.

Missouri State University-West Plains is public college in West Plains, MO. They offer an two-year ADN track, as well as a one-year LPN-RN track, which are both ACEN accredited. The two programs do include a summer semester, and students may enroll annually in the fall.

The coursework revolves around a combination of general education and nursing theory, in addition to clinical work. Students will take a writing course and a government course in their first semester, which cultivates their foundational knowledge before delving into more technical coursework. The program prepares skilled nurses with an awareness of the ever-changing needs of communities; nurses with a grasp on greater political ongoings and how that may affect various healthcare settings in which they may practice. Effective leadership techniques and critical thinking skills are emphasized and developed over the course of study. MSU-West Plains’ mission is to prepare nurses who can deliver competent, caring patient-centered care, and communicate effectively with patients, loved ones, and coworkers.

Cox College is located in Springfield, Missouri.  They offer ASN, BSN and an RN to BSN degree options.  The nursing program began in 1907 as the Burge Deaconess Training School for Nurses, with three nursing students.

Three Rivers College is a community college that was founded in 1966, and is situated in Poplar Bluff, MO. Three Rivers offers an ADN program and an LPN-RN bridge program, which are both ACEN accredited. Students may enroll into the ADN program annually, starting in the fall.

Three Rivers’ nursing program places great importance on effective communication strategies that suit various contexts that nurses will find themselves in. Whether that be as a member of a healthcare team, collaborating with a patient, or lending support to family members, nurses must be prepared to articulate themselves effectively and appropriately. Another focal point is critical thinking and decision making, as well as the application of evidence-based practice. The program aims to prepare students for various healthcare settings and arms them with the tools necessary to be successful in a nursing role. Three Rivers works with local healthcare providers, allowing students to receive hands-on experiences alongside their rigorous preparation for the NCLEX exam.

In the heart of Randolph country, Missouri stands Moberly Area Community College. In institution to the Moberly campus, the institution has four other locations across northeastern and central Missouri. It has a mission to afford educational opportunities that empower student learning and enrich the local community. Students will relish exploring the surrounding lakes, forests, and extensive parklands. The Nursing Program provides great resources and support with vast opportunities for student engagement to enable student success. The program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

Undergraduate programs – Students can work on the Practical Nursing Program in Mexico, Moberly, and the Columbia Area Career Center within the state. Over the course of one year, they earn the PN certificate. They undergo coursework and clinical experiences in various healthcare environment. Graduates function as caregivers under the direction of an RN or licensed physician. A practical nurse education prepares students to apply the knowledge and skills required of the profession. The program offers intravenous therapy content and certification by the Missouri Board of Nursing. The ADN program runs for two years in the same format as the PN. Graduates practice nursing in a variety of institutions in the healthcare field and may manage patient care under the direction of an experienced RN. They enjoy taking responsibility while on a nursing team.