Nursing Schools in Missouri

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is part of the University of Missouri System, along with four other campuses. The Kansas City campus offers both undergraduate and graduate-level degree-earning programs. It was established in 1933 and is built on 40 acres of land. However, the campus is now spread across multiple locations. Most of the academic buildings are in the Rockhill neighborhood. The university has numerous partnerships with nationally recognized healthcare facilities. These partnerships are designed to help promote more collaboration in education, research, and community outreach. The academic programs are offered through 12 schools and colleges. The nursing programs are managed through the School of Nursing and Health Studies. 

The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies offers three CCNE-accredited baccalaureate programs in nursing, including traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. The traditional program is designed to be completed in three years, while the accelerated program may be completed in a year, once the prerequisite courses are completed. The school also offers MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. The MSN program includes six specialty tracks, including Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. These specialty tracks are completed through online studies and at least one on-campus class.

State Fair Community College (SFCC) is located in Sedalia, Missouri. SFCC was established back in 1966 and it currently serves a little under 5,000 students. This is a two-year institution that also has several extended campus locations in the area. The school offers students many academic programs and skill training courses. With over 65 programs in total, this school has become one of the premier community colleges in the area for those who want robust educational opportunities. The school is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. SFCC also has the distinction of hosting The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art on the campus.

The SFCC nursing program makes use of a bi-level structure to offer students the chance to pursue becoming an LPN and then deciding whether to continue on toward an associate degree. The first year of the nursing program will be the practical nursing program where students will learn the necessary skills to become an LPN. Upon successful completion of this portion of the program, students will be able to apply to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. They can then continue on to work on earning their ADN degree. This nursing program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. 

William Jewell College is a private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri. The college was founded in 1849 by the Missouri Baptist Convention. This affiliation continued until the college separated in 2003. It is now an independent college and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Over 40 academic programs are offered, along with 10 pre-professional programs. The college has received numerous recognitions in recent years, including rankings number 155 in the nation for best academic value in 2015. In 2013, the college completed construction on the Pryor Learning Commons. This 26,000 square foot facility houses a variety of innovation studios, along with a coffee shop, touchscreen televisions, a 3D printer, and a live Twitter wall. 

The college offers three BSN programs that are accredited by the CCNE. There is a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN program. When enrolled in the traditional BSN program, students will begin their clinical placements at local clinics and through training at a simulation lab. The clinical learning begins during the second semester of the sophomore year and includes over 800 hours of experience. The program is designed to be completed in four years. However, the school also offers a three-year plan for students that want to start their career sooner.

Jefferson College (JC) is located in Hillsboro, Missouri. Jefferson is a community college that was established in 1963. This school serves more than 5,000 students currently. Students will be able to many associate degree programs that will allow them to work toward potentially lucrative careers. Several of these degree programs are designed to make the transfer over to a four-year university as easy as possible, too.

JC students can expect many transfer options and will be able to use Jefferson to start their journey toward a bachelor degree. The school also has many sports teams and competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I. There are several men's and women's sports teams.

JC has a nursing program that is highly regarded, too. There is the Level I/PN program and the Level II/RN program. All nursing students are going to start at the Level I/PN point and some will finish as licensed practical nurses (LPN's) after the first year. Those who wish to go on to pursue becoming registered nurses (RN's) will stay on to complete the Level II/RN course. This is designed to be a bi-level program and some existing LPN's will be admitted into the Level II/RN program on a restricted basis. Both levels of the nursing program have the approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The school also holds pre-accreditation status for both programs from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. 

North Central Missouri College is located in Trenton, Missouri. This public community college was established back in 1925. It has continued to grow and change over the years to better meet the academic needs of all of the students in the area. Currently, this school serves just under 1,500 students. NCMC offers students great educational opportunities with many different degree and certificate programs. There are also online degree and certificate programs that students can consider. NCMC even has an athletic department that participates in many team sports.

The NCMC nursing program is among the most popular options in this school. There are two separate nursing programs that students will be able to pursue at this school. Students can enroll for the practical nursing program or the associate degree in nursing program. There are some night and weekend course options for the practical nursing program and students can pursue the associate degree program online if they wish to. This program has the full approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing. 

Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) is located in Springfield, Missouri. This school was established back in 1990 and has proven to be a great source of educational opportunities for students in the area. It offers a large number of one-year certificate courses, as well as many two-year associate degree programs. This school is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. OTC is also approved to award degrees for their online degree program by the Higher Learning Commission. The school serves around 15,000 students and continues to give them convenient and flexible academic options.

The OTC nursing program is held in high regard. OTC has two separate nursing programs for students to consider. Students can enroll for the practical nursing program or they can pursue the associate degree in nursing path. The nursing programs are approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Qualified LPNs will be able to sign up for the associate degree in nursing program and will receive advanced placement. The nursing curriculum is designed to give nurses a complete education that will prepare them for a professional career while giving them the tools to pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN licensure exam. 

East Central College (ECC) is located in Union, Missouri. ECC was established in 1968 and it currently serves over 3,000 students. The school is completely accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

 ECC has many transfer options for students who wish to go on to pursue a bachelor degree,  making it a cost-effective option for students just beginning their college journey.

The ECC nursing program has two options for students to consider. There is the traditional associate of applied science degree in nursing program and an LPN to RN bridge program. LPN's that wish to take part in the LPN to RN bridge program will need to meet certain requirements before being admitted. Both nursing programs will give nursing students a thorough education. The curriculum will have both classroom elements and clinical experiences. ECC has a state of the art clinical lab that utilizes advanced technology and realistic patient simulators. The ECC nursing program is completely approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.