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
As of 2020, there were 73,330 RNs employed in Missouri.
Registered Nurses jobs in Missouri are projected to grow by 7% between 2020 and 2030.
RN employment in the United States is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, creating 193,100 new nursing jobs.
Updated June 2024: Data Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=MO
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 $77,190 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 $56,690 per year to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $99,330 per year.
Updated 06/2024. 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
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.
Updated 2024. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Transferring credits can get you on track to complete your program in less time and at a lower cost. Students can progress through our BSN program of study in 3-years or less with qualifying transfer credits, if the courses apply to the program of study. For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)*
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The Falls Church, Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Greenville, Melbourne, and Chesapeake Arizona College of Nursing campuses are not approved to train eligible Veterans and their dependents.
While every student’s schedule may vary due to prior academic experience, you’ll start your BSN degree program with evening general education courses.
In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format. We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their schedule when starting Nursing school. Your schedule will shift to daytime classes once you begin your Core Nursing courses.