Nurses need clinical training and a state-issued license to practice. Individuals interested in how to become a nurse in Missouri can explore the details here, as well as the education options for RN career advancement.  

Nurses in Missouri 

More than 100,000 registered nurses work in Missouri, and RNs make up 75 percent of the nurses in the state, according to the 2023 Missouri nursing workforce report from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. About two-thirds of Missouri RNs work in inpatient care settings, primarily in hospitals.  

Around 31 percent of RNs hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as their highest degree, according to the report, while 53 percent hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as their highest degree. A BSN is the most common degree for early career nurses entering the workforce in Missouri. 

The responsibilities of RNs include providing evidence-based patient care, educating patients about staying healthy, and creating patient care plans. Some RNs operate medical equipment, perform diagnostic tests, or assist physicians during surgery.  

Many RNs work in a specialty area, such as medical-surgical nursing, critical care, pediatrics, or cardiology. Nurses work in inpatient, outpatient, home health, and school health settings. For example, school nurses provide care in educational settings. 

The average age of Missouri RNs is 46, according to the board’s report, while about 18 percent of nurses are between the ages of 55 and 64. As current RNs retire, the need for nurses will continue to grow across the state.  

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center reports that registered nurses in Missouri have an average salary of $81,950. 

Steps to Become a Nurse in Missouri 

Missouri nurses must hold a license from the Missouri State Board of Nursing.  

1. Earn a Nursing Degree or Diploma 

Registered nurses need at least an ADN or an RN nursing diploma to practice in Missouri, though many aspiring nurses choose to earn a BSN. Nursing school programs help students build the patient care knowledge and clinical skills they need to practice as an RN.  

Candidates must attend a nursing program approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Approved nursing programs meet the state’s education and clinical experience requirements for an RN license. 

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN 

Missouri RN licensure requires achieving a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests candidates on their patient care, health promotion, and patient safety knowledge. The exam content draws on multiyear studies into the clinical judgment that nurses need to have in order to safely care for patients.  

Nursing students often prepare for the NCLEX-RN during their nursing program and schedule the exam after graduation. 

3. Complete a Criminal Background Check 

The Missouri State Board of Nursing requires RN licensure candidates to complete a criminal background check through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System.  

4. Apply for and Obtain a Missouri RN License 

Prospective nurses must submit a completed application for an RN license to become a nurse in Missouri. The application requires evidence of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the country. Applicants also need to submit their official transcripts showing their completion of a state-approved nursing program. Once applicants receive their RN license they are qualified to practice. 

Missouri is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). As a result, licensed Missouri RNs can practice in other NLC states.  

5. Consider Earning a BSN Degree 

For nurses with an ADN or RN diploma, earning a BSN degree can help them stand out in the job market, as more than half of Missouri RNs hold a bachelor’s in nursing or higher. Earning a BSN also prepares nurses to pursue a graduate-level degree, such as a master’s or doctorate degree for nurse practitioners.  

Earning a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) degree can help registered nurses who hold an ADN or RN diploma increase their career prospects. Nurses who complete an RN to BSN program expand their clinical knowledge and leadership skills. 

Job Outlook for Missouri Nurses 

Nurses benefit from a strong job outlook in Missouri. Based on their salary and the demand in the job market, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center gives registered nurses a career grade of A.  

Missouri RNs are projected to see 10 percent employment growth from 2022 to 2032, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Over 5,100 job openings are expected to be available for RNs in Missouri every year during that period. Missouri RNs’ job growth projection is higher than the six percent national job growth projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for registered nurses from 2023 to 2033.  

Across Missouri, hospitals are in need of staff registered nurses. According to a 2024 workforce report by the Missouri Hospital Association, the state’s hospitals have a 15.6 percent vacancy rate for staff RNs.  

Nurses with a BSN benefit from more job opportunities. One in four hospitals requires a BSN for new hires, while 70 percent have a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses, according to a 2023 survey from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.  

Earn an RN to BSN Degree at SEMO Online 

Nurses with an ADN or RN diploma can advance their education with the RN to BSN program at SEMO Online. Designed for working nurses in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas, the program uses a flexible online format to help nurses pursue their degree while maintaining their current work or family responsibilities.  

The RN to BSN program at SEMO Online is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), as is the BSN program offered at Southeast Missouri State University’s campus in Cape Girardeau.  

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, contact SEMO Online today.