Find your
fearless
From Day One…
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Brodrick, a first-year student in the nursing program, took a fearless leap, changing career paths to follow his calling to care for others when it matters most.
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When Brodrick took this leap, he knew he needed the right support. For him, that meant finding a university with an accredited nursing program that was both affordable and focused on career readiness.
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From our classrooms to world-class hospitals, SEMO nurses are rooted in relationships. Our strong clinical partnerships open doors to experiences, and often careers, right here in our region.
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Broderick’s experiences as a nursing major in SEMO’s simulation labs and clinical partnerships have made him feel more prepared than ever to step into his nursing career.
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With one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the region, our graduates are ready to get to work. Because fearless nurses start here.
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In nursing, heart matters as much as skill. For Broderick and so many others, nursing clicked when they realized it’s not just a career, it’s a calling to care.
Future Focused.
You Focused.
Academics
Find Your Future in SEMO’s Accredited Nursing Programs
SEMO’s accredited nursing programs empower future healthcare professionals to step fearlessly into their calling. Through our Bachelor of Science in nursing program, students gain confidence in simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins, learn directly from experienced faculty, and form cohorts that move forward together. Our high NCLEX pass rate and strong clinical partnerships help graduates earn multiple job offers. For those needing flexibility, SEMO also offers accredited online nursing programs built for working professionals. Not sure if nursing is your perfect fit? Explore all of SEMO’s programs and find the path that moves you fearlessly forward.
Moretta Burk
Outcomes
"The majority of our students, whether they’ve graduated from the BSN program or the master’s program, receive multiple job offers. It’s a wonderful time to be a nurse."
Meet Moretta Burk
Student Experience
Active Learning
A Calling Strengthened Through Experience
At SEMO, experience defines our nursing program. Students in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program train with high-fidelity mannequins, gain clinical experience in regional hospitals, and learn from faculty mentors. As part of an accredited nursing program, you’ll graduate prepared to make a real difference in healthcare.
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12In our labs, students train with 12 high-fidelity mannequins that mirror real clinical environments and follow the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practiceâ„¢ for excellence in hands-on learning.
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70Through 70 active clinical partnerships, nursing students gain experience alongside professionals in hospitals and healthcare settings across the region.
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96.97%Our graduates achieved an NCLEX pass rate of 96.67% in 2025, surpassing the national average.
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96%Our Family Nurse Practitioner program boasts a five-year average first-time pass rate of 96% and an overall pass rate of 100%, showing that SEMO graduates are prepared to lead in advanced practice.
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100%Designed for working professionals, the RN to BSN program is 100% online so nurses can advance their education without putting their lives on hold.
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100%Graduates from our BSN and FNP programs achieve a 100% employment rate, proving SEMO nurses are highly sought after and recruited.
Everyday Experiences Matter, Too
Learning doesn’t end after your last class of the day. At SEMO, you’ll participate in clubs, services, intramurals, leadership programs, and more. Collectively, your classes, real-world learning, and extracurriculars make SEMO the perfect place to develop into the fearless leader you’re destined to be.
Admissions & Aid
A SEMO education is within reach — and one of the most affordable in the area. From test-optional admissions to generous financial aid options, we’re invested in your success. More than 85% of undergraduate students are eligible for scholarships, including our Copper Dome program.
Deeply Connected
Community
Where Clinical Partnerships Create Community Impact
SEMO’s nursing programs empower the next generation of healthcare professionals through affordable, career-focused education that directly impacts our region. Our strong clinical partnerships, with leaders like Mercy and St. Francis Healthcare Systems, create a powerful pipeline of skilled nurses ready to serve their communities. These experiences give students real-world confidence while strengthening the quality of care across Southeast Missouri. Because at SEMO, nursing isn’t just about earning a degree, it’s about improving lives and lifting the health of the region we call home.
Clay Thornhill, VP of HR Operations, Mercy Southeast
In-Demand Alumni
"We know that if a student is a part of SEMO, they’re going to get a very quality education. What we love most about being part of the SEMO community is working with people who not only demonstrate clinical and educational excellence, but who also share the same values we look for at Mercy. A lot of our key stakeholders here at Mercy are SEMO grads, and I think that's a big contributor to our success."
Hospitals Hire Our Grads!
Career and Alumni Success
Outcomes
From SEMO Classrooms to the Frontlines of Care
Graduates from our BSN and FNP programs achieve a 100 percent employment rate, proving that SEMO nurses are prepared to make an immediate impact in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the region. Guided by purpose and fueled by experience, our alumni lead with skill and the fearless determination that defines every Redhawk nurse’s career.
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$1.3bIn FY 2023-24, SEMO alumni generated $1.3 billion in added income for the state economy, which is equivalent to supporting 12,859 jobs.
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$90.2mSEMO’s operations spending, including the University’s payroll and the in-state spending of the University and its employees, added $90.2 million in income to the state or the equivalent of 1,075 jobs.
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$31kThe average bachelor's degree graduate from SEMO will see an increase in earnings of $31,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Missouri.
Take the Next Step
Forward Motion
You’ve already started to explore SEMO. Keep that momentum going. Schedule a campus visit or start your application today.
Request Info
Learn More
If one of our career-focused programs sounds like a fit — and you’re ready to turn grit into greatness — we’d love to tell you more about Southeast Missouri State University. Complete this brief form, and someone will be in touch real soon.
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