Become an RN in Missouri:
FAQs at our St. Louis Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – St. Louis. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse (RN)?
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Missouri, contact an admissions representative at our St. Louis campus.
Preparing Future RNs at Arizona College of Nursing – St. Louis
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is crucial to planning your nursing career path. This is because the education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN program typically takes about 1-2 years to complete. It is intended to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles to perform basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the time commitment to complete an LPN program is relatively short, LPNs often find their employment opportunities very limited.
Click here to read our blog post comparing a LPN Program with a BSN Program.
To become a nurse in St. Louis, MO, prospective students must complete a state-approved nursing program. Tuition fees for a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) range from $40,000 to over $100,000. Additional Fees in Missouri for the NCLEX-RN Exam are:
- $55 Application
- $200 Examination
In Missouri, the median Registered Nurse salary is $71,460 per year. As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median nursing salary but will likely increase your earnings with experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in MO range from a low of $51,440 per year to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $94,340 per year. Source
Understanding the differences between a LPN Program and a BSN Program in Missouri is important. These factors can impact your nursing career path and your educational roadmap. Our campus leaders and experienced professionals are here to help you every step of your journey. To learn more, read our blog article detailing the differences between an LPN Program and BSN Program.
The Missouri Board requires RNs to have a high school education or GED and a degree or diploma from a state-approved professional nursing program and pass the NCLEX Exam. Source
Our BSN curriculum covers important topics like critical thinking in clinical settings, community health, critical care, gerontology, leadership, surgical care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric care.
Before becoming a Registered Nurse, you must meet specific educational requirements and expectations for the State of Missouri. To gain an RN license from the Missouri Board of Nursing, you must hold a Diploma, Associate Degree, or Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an educational program approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX licensing examination.
While each program contains clinical experience and specialized training, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is far more comprehensive. When considering nursing degrees, Arizona College of Nursing recommends planning for your future goals in your career by pursuing a BSN degree.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate college degree designed to equip students with the training and studies needed for a successful career in nursing. The BSN curriculum includes both general education and advanced nursing studies. To increase your chances of finding a position in your state and city of choice, you should consider earning a bachelor’s in nursing science (BSN).
As of 2020, there were 73,330 RNs employed in Missouri. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects Registered Nurse jobs in Missouri will grow by 7% by 2030. RN employment in the United States is projected to grow 6% from 2020 to 2030, creating 203,200 new nursing jobs.
Updated 2022: Data Source Local Job Growth: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=MO
Data Source National Nursing Job Growth: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-1
Registered nurses work in many healthcare-related settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses held about 3.1 million jobs in 2020. The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:
- Hospitals (61%)
- Ambulatory healthcare services (18%)
- Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
- Government (5%)
- Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Updated 2022. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3