2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Missouri

College of the Ozarks is located in Point Lookout, Missouri.  C of O is a Christian college; their nursing program is biblically-based and students must take courses that satisfy these requirements in addition to nursing requirements.  The nursing department's mission is: "to present a Christ-centered, Biblically-based, character-driven nursing education program while preparing qualified individuals for a spiritual role as a professional nurse providing service to Christ and humankind."

Their BSN program focuses on the moral character that nurses must possess to earn patient’s trust. They cultivate this by honing on critical thinking, communication techniques, and compassionate care. There’s also a strong focus on the well-being of the nurse’s mind and body, as those two components must be in balance in order for a nurse to handle the situations they may be presented with in their roles. The BSN program is 4 years long, and includes clinical work in the Ozark Mountains. Students may work in rural or metropolitan healthcare facilities, exposing them to the various settings of care, and the needs of diverse patient populations.

Missouri State University is located in Springfield, Missouri. The division of nursing offers two BSN tracks: a two-year BSN and a four-year BSN. The four-year BSN is akin to most traditional BSN programs. The two-year option is a transfer-friendly program, tailored to those who wish to complete their college career at Missouri State if they've already completed college credits. This also applies for those who have already earned an ADN degree or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Students can enroll into the nursing program twice a year for full-time study.

During the four-year BSN programs, students will be immersed in a traditional college environment whilst still engaging with clinical programs. MSU's program is community-based, giving students exposure to different local environments in which nurses practice. This provides a valuable overview of the possibilities a nurse's future may hold. The program is selective, but student-centered, allowing students to receive an education from dedicated faculty members who take a student-centered approach.

MSU's mission is to prepare graduates who are equipped with the skillset to provide excellent care with a deliberate approach in a multitude of settings. Additionally, there's an emphasis on communication, critical thinking, and therapeutic nursing intervention skills, as well as the incorporation of a liberal arts core.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public research university. They offer a traditional BSN track, an accelerated BSN track, and an RN-BSN track. Their curriculum is designed to prepare nurses who are responsible, accountable, and critical thinkers. The 4 year track is for students who do not hold another bachelor’s degree or RN license. For those who do have a bachelor’s degree, but do not have an RN license, the accelerated track is ideal. RNs who want to obtain their BSN may enroll into the program full or part-time. The bridge program is fully online, tailored to working registered nurses.

Students who enroll into the accelerated BSN program will complete 1,200 clinical hours in under two years, as well as spend significant time in the nursing skills laboratory and high-fidelity simulation center. Those embarking on the 4-year track will have the same opportunities, but at a slower pace. Unique to these nursing programs is the incredible importance that is placed on applying knowledge. Students will spend 300 hours at an internship in various healthcare settings, and will interact with patients in urban and suburban settings.

Truman State University is a public university located in Kirksville, Missouri, United States. They offer two tracks toward completion of their BSN program. In addition to a traditional 4 year curriculum, they have designed an accelerated BSN program, ideal for students with college credits or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Students can enroll into either program annually in the fall.

Truman's nursing department offers high-tech nursing simulation in their Nursing Simulation Center. This simulation-heavy focus aims to enhance the students' critical-thinking and decision-making skills by practicing on life-sized anatomical models. As students continue on the BSN path, their knowledge and simulation-based practice will be enhanced by field experience in various clinical settings. This allows students to gain a greater understanding of applying their knowledge when dealing with real patients. There are also ample research opportunities, as well as study abroad offerings for BSN students.

Nursing majors at Truman State University also benefit from an active community. There are many clubs and organizations for nursing majors that foster a community of people with an interest in the nursing field.

Founded in 1969, Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community whose mission is to prepare individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. This vision infuse the School of Nursing. The school is located in St. Joseph in and the county seat of Buchanan County. Small parts of the city extend into Andrew County. Strategically located on the Missouri River, St. Joseph is the principal city of the St. Joseph Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thus students enjoy all the pleasures of an urban setting. The program in nursing at Missouri Western  is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. A focal point of the curriculum is the nursing simulation lab available for independent practice, guided practice and validations. It is stocked with the latest mannequins and supplies, along with printed technological resources like CDs, video and audio tapes to facilitate multi-sensory interpersonal and critical thinking skills. It is staffed by a Nursing Simulation Lab Coordinator and Laboratory Teaching Assistants (LTAs).

Undergraduate programs – the coursework for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a mix of general education and nursing lecture classes with a ratio of ten students per clinical instructor, allowing for personal interaction. The nursing program is proud of the quality clinical experiences not only in the simulation lab but in regional healthcare settings. The Senior Capstone course provides a reality-based experience to prepares students to transition to their RN role. In addition, students have the opportunity to work with faculty on research projects. Apart from the BSN, the school offers a Diploma/AND to BSN completion option in an online flexible format to accommodate work schedules. The program is individualized and clinical hours will vary accordingly. It takes two years to finish.

Graduate programs- the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offers two specialties: Health Care Leadership and Nurse Educator. Each track requires 32 credit hours, 20 of which are core shared courses. The nursing and business programs have partnered to offer a Master of Science in Nursing in Health Care Leadership/Master of Business Administration degree. It is a unique dual degree program requiring 47 credit hours, 26 nursing hours and 21 business hours. A graduate Nurse Educator Certificate after completion of 15 credit hours. It aims to build the knowledge and skills specific to the academic or professional staff development educator role. Students go on to apply health informatics for informed decision-making as leaders of teams. They foster evidence-based practice intent on managing resources and influencing healthcare policy.

The University of Missouri is a public research university in Columbia, Missouri. The Sinclair School of Nursing offers a traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, and an RN to BSN online program. The traditional BSN track is a four year program tailored for those who recently graduated high school. The curriculum balances theoretical and liberal arts coursework, as well as professional development.

The accelerated BSN option is only 15 months long, and on-campus. Students who are eligible for this program must have at minimum a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing from an accredited college or university. The RN to BSN online option is designed for ADN-holding registered nurses who want to advance their career without compromising their current nursing role. This is why the program is entirely online.

The University of Missouri's undergraduate program offerings emphasize the diversity of skills that a successful nurse must master. This includes being capable of providing excellent care for many population groups and communities.

Saint Louis University is a private Roman Catholic school, located in St. Louis, Missouri. SLU offers a traditional BSN program, as well as an accelerated one-year BSN track, RN-BSN track, in addition to graduate opportunities. All programs are CCNE accredited.

Saint Louis University has a long history in nursing education, and has been preparing students for roles in the healthcare industry since 1928. Their program takes a three pillared approach: strength, spirit, and compassion. These three qualities are developed and enhanced in each nursing student, as SLU’s philosophy harps on the necessity of possessing them to be an effective, competent nurse. SLU’s campus has well equipped facilities and clinical laboratories, as well as various study abroad experiences, and a low student-to-faculty ratio. SLU nursing students receive one-on-one attention and guidance from academic advisors and faculty members. Students are also given opportunities to take on internships and fellowship programs in local hospitals.

Chamberlain University College of Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Missouri offers individualized support to facilitate the student’s education. Students study full-time to finish in three or more years so they can quickly enter the workforce. The degrees are CCNE-accredited. All feature training in the SIMCARE CENTER™ nursing skills labs under the direction of attentive, highly qualified faculty. The school states that students will be able to take advantage of every resource offered on campus. It is a personalized educational journey led by supportive faculty. They are ready to impart their practical knowledge and tested methods with first-hand experience. All programs have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Undergraduate programs – While earning their three-year BSN, students enjoy hands-on experience and faculty mentorship over three years. They develop and critical thinking along with the knowledge and skills to practice nursing with both competence and compassion. Students enter directly into the program with no wait time. Scholarships and grants are available as well as financial aid. Classes start day one in general education with major courses after the first year. In time, they practice their caregiving skills in labs and instructor-supported clinicals in diverse settings. They appreciate the safe and technologically advanced environment.

Graduate programs – Chamberlain boasts an accelerated MSN that can be earned in two or more years. There are several special tracks done on line: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Nursing, Informatics, Healthcare Policy, and Nursing Population. The program options  in addition to the accelerated MSN are the accelerated RN to MSN and RN-BSN to MSN. Graduates enter a variety of roles in the healthcare profession whether direct or indirect care. They lead healthcare initiatives, educate patients and staff. The fast track makes studying more cost-effective and efficient.

Research College of Nursing is located in Kansas City, MO. This specialized school is small, private, and fully-accredited. RCN offers a BSN program, as well as various graduate opportunities. The BSN program has several options. There is a 1-year accelerated track, where applicants must hold a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree, there’s a 2-year transfer track for those with pre-requisite credits from another institution. Important to note is that there is not a 4-year track offered here. All students that enroll have completed prerequisite coursework elsewhere or obtained a non-nursing bachelor degree.

RCN offers nursing-only coursework and clinical preparation, designed to be intensive and in-depth. The college’s mission is to prepare students who are ready to take on nursing roles with professionalism and skill, with an infallible ability to provide safe and high quality care. Students attending Research College of Nursing will do scholarly work and research, while simultaneously developing leadership and critical thinking skills. There’s a small student-to-faculty ratio, providing for a close-knit community of like-minded individuals who are paving their way towards a satisfying career as a nurse.

Central Methodist University is a private college in Fayette, MO. CMU offers a BSN program that places a focus on honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility. Student skills are honed through a two-part approach, combining rigorous academic coursework with diverse clinical experience. CMU’s Thogmorton Center for Allied Health is where most of the nursing program is taught. This facility is well-equipped with advance technology and simulators, allowing students to gain hands-on experience. Coursework covers many arenas of the nursing profession, including human anatomy, management, family nursing, and pharmacology.

There is also an accelerated BSN program as well as an RN to BSN program. The accelerated track is designed for students who hold a previously earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This program can be completed in 14 months. The RN to BSN bridge program is in-person, and provides RN’s with career advancing knowledge and faculty interactions that’ll strengthen their network within the nursing field.

University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Missouri.  UCM offers a BSN degree and an RN to BSN degree.  The RN to BSN program is an online program and can be completed in one calendar year.  In 2013, the RN to BSN program was added to the "Best Buy" list on GetEducated.com, meaning it costs less than the average online nursing program.

Maryville University offers a BSN program that focuses on in-depth knowledge of nursing theory and practical experience. MU has well equipped practice labs, as well as a supportive community of faculty and students who have similar goals. MU’s BSN program prepares students who are confident, capable, and knowledgeable with the ability to provide high quality care in various healthcare settings.

Students may choose one of three tracks: the on-campus undergraduate program, the on-campus fast track program, or the on-campus evening and weekend program. Each track is tailored to accommodate student schedules. The fast track program is ideal for those who have completed 65 hours of general education courses, and the evening and weekend program is designed for adult-learners seeking to incorporate a nursing education into their busy lives. There is also an online RN to BSN program, which accommodates registered nurses who seek to advance their career and professional development.

MU's program combines advanced technology, critical thinking and analysis, and clinical experience to cultivate a comprehensive preparation for careers in the nursing field.

Avila University is a  private university in Kansas City, Missouri that offers a CCNE accredited BSN program. This four-year baccalaureate track is designed around four pillars: discover, understand, participate, and assume. "Discover" entails the understanding and appreciation of the human responses and varied perceptions of life experiences; "Understand" focuses on the comprehension of the nursing role in socially and globally responsible health care; "Participate" encourages teamwork to achieve optimal patient-centered care, and "Assume" addresses and prepares students for the prospective nursing roles that graduates will assume.

Avila's BSN program includes preparation in the liberal arts, behavioral, biological, and natural sciences, communication, technology, and inquiry based thinking. Furthermore, the program emphasizes the the values of caring and continuous professional development, and recognition of varied perceptions of and responses to life experiences that people encounter. Senior Avila Nursing Students complete a trauma simulation using the school's high fidelity simulators. Students may enroll in the program in the fall.

Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, MO. They offer two programs, a BSN program and an RN to BSN online program. Both of them are CCNE accredited. Unique to SMSU is that there’s no such thing as in-state or out-of-state tuition rates; instead, all students pay the same price.

SMSU boasts a highly educated nursing faculty, who all hold a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing. The program has a small faculty-to-student ratio, allowing for more personalized attention. Furthermore, students are well prepared for the NCLEX as the program includes a full semester of preparation for the exam. After completion of the first two years of the program, students will gain hands-on experience in various healthcare settings, including schools, long-term care facilities, and major hospitals.

The RN to BSN program is designed for licensed registered nurses, allowing them to combine work with further education. The online program is very flexible in terms of scheduling, which is ideal for those with busy schedules, and also allows students to schedule field experiences that are in their local area.

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.

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.