Online RN to BSN Programs in Missouri: Selecting a School
Registered nurses with a nursing diploma or ADN can advance their careers quickly by earning their bachelor’s degree through a convenient and affordable online RN to BSN program. We’ll introduce you below to some of the best RN to BSN online programs in Missouri today, providing you with valuable information on program costs, admissions requirements, content delivery methods, job prospects for BSN holders, and more.
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Comparing Missouri RN to BSN Programs Online
Online RN to BSN bridge programs in Missouri are designed to provide current RNs with a nursing diploma or associated degree an affordable, quick, and convenient path to earning their BSN and advancing their careers in to leadership and specialized practice roles. This is accomplished through a number of program components, including:
- Generous credit transfer policies allowing students to apply a substantial number of credits earned in their diploma or ADN program to their BSN degree requirements. Most programs additionally award students credits for having an active RN license.
- Fully-online didactic coursework often presented in an asynchronous format that allows students to log on and complete their coursework according to their own busy schedules.
To help you find the right program, we’ve spotlighted three popular online RN to BSN programs in Missouri. Use these profiles to better understand how they work, how much they cost, and what to expect both during and after your program.
RN-BS Nursing Option — University of Central Missouri
If you already have an associate degree in nursing and an active RN license, the University of Central Missouri’s online RN to BSN program can be completed in as little as two semesters (one year).
The course of study consists completely of online nursing coursework. Therefore, all applicants must have completed all required general education courses prior to starting the program.
Additionally, students must complete prerequisite coursework in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sociology, psychology, and nutrition.
Online students have the option of joining their campus-based program peers for their nursing pinning and graduation ceremony face-to-face on UCM’s Warrensburg campus.
Duration: One to two years, depending on education/experience
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $297/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate of Science in Nursing degree required with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- General education coursework
- Current, active RN license
- Current BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certificate, immunizations, and criminal background check.
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing Dimensions & Perspective
- Health and Physical Assessment
- Advanced Concepts of Wellness for RNs
- Socio-Economic Factors Impacting Health
- Evidence-based Practice/Research
- Concepts of Community Health Nursing (with Practicum)
- Pathophysiology
- Concepts of Nursing Leadership in Management
- Concepts of Nursing Leadership in Management Practicum
Programs that might interest you:
RN to BSN Program — University of Missouri
The University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN program with fully-online courses delivered asynchronously that can be completed in as few as 14 months.
Students choose between two program options:
- Professional Pathway: leading to earning the BSN
- Graduate Pathway: leading to earning the BSN plus preparing for pursuing a graduate nursing degree
Dual enrollment is available to students currently enrolled in an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program allowing students to complete BSN coursework while pursuing their ADN.
Duration: 14-24 months
Mode: 100% online coursework with in-person clinical experiences
Cost: $18,000 (est.)
Admissions Requirements:
- ADN or pursuing ADN (dual enrollment)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (Professional Pathway) or minimum 3.0 GPA (Graduate Pathway)
- Unencumbered RN license or provide evidence of eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) during the first semester of enrollment
- Completion of general education and nursing-specific prerequisites
Curriculum:
Professional Pathway:
- Introduction to Nursing Informatics
- Role Transitions
- Nursing Theory and Research
- Nursing Leadership
- Nursing Ethics & the Law
- Evidence Based Nursing Practice
- Health Assessment
- Nursing in Communities
BSN Degree — Missouri State
Missouri State’s Nursing RN to BSN Degree Completion program is designed for the working RN to enhance healthcare quality and job opportunities. The curriculum is focused on evidence-based nursing practice, clinical guidelines, leadership, and interprofessional health care.
Graduates are prepared to advance their careers in a wide range of practice settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and community organizations.
Courses are presented in eight-week online blocks. The entire program can be completed in as little as three semesters.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Five start dates are available each year.
Duration: One to three years (as few as 12 months full-time)
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $11,686 (est.)
Admissions Requirements:
- ADN or ASN degree earned with minimum 2.50 GPA
- Unencumbered RN license
- Completion of general education and nursing-specific prerequisite coursework
- Meet technical requirements for online schooling
Students preparing to graduate from an ADN/ASN program may be provisionally admitted and begin non-clinical coursework prior to obtaining RN licensure.
Curriculum:
- Professional Emergence
- Pathophysiology for the Registered Nurse
- Pharmacology for the Registered Nurse
- Nursing: Individuals and Families
- Nursing: Health Assessment
- Evidence Based Practice for the Registered Nurse
- Community Health Nursing I & II
- Advanced Leadership and Management for Registered Nurses
- Healthcare Informatics
- Introduction to Interprofessional Health Care
Common RN to BSN Questions from Missouri Students
Going back to school is a big investment, so it’s normal to have questions before you move forward with your application. Below, we’ve answered five of the most frequently asked questions by prospective online RN to BSN students in Missouri to help get you going.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Missouri?
Two important components to look for in the online RN to BSN programs you consider:
- Approval by the Missouri Board of Nursing
- Programmatic accreditation by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Proper programmatic accreditation ensures that a program meets stated standards of academic quality. It also means that qualifying students are eligible for a wide variety of financial aid resources.
Beyond all of the above, look for an affordable program that offers the flexibility you need to accommodate your unique learning needs and busy schedule.
Expert Insight
If you plan to work while in school, inquire about a program’s course scheduling flexibility. Are you free to access course material on your own time? Are exams scheduled on certain days at specific times? Are you required to meet for virtual classes? It’s important to make sure your work days don’t conflict with exam days or class meetings.
Is there financial aid available to Missouri RN to BSN students?
Yes. In fact, most RN to BSN programs both offer and accept financial aid. Common financial aid types include:
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Student loans
- Tuition deferment and installment plans
Students interested in pursuing federal funding resources will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is also often used by state financial aid programs and others to evaluate applicants for funding help.
Other potential funding sources include colleges and universities themselves. Examples include:
- Southeast Missouri State University, which offers several scholarships for nursing students and provides resources to find more.
- The University of Central Missouri, which offers the Mule Grant for associate degree students looking to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Another potential source is the Missouri League for Nursing, offering a number of funding opportunities for qualifying nursing students.
Be sure to contact the financial aid office at each school you’re considering for the most up-to-date information on funding opportunities for your RN to BSN education.
What are the benefits of securing a degree from an RN to BSN program in Missouri?
The three biggest benefits to getting your BSN degree are:
- Enhanced nursing knowledge and skills
- Greater job opportunities and higher salaries when compared to RNs without a BSN
- Preparation for furthering your education to earn a nursing graduate degree leading to advanced nurse practitioner and top level leadership roles
The biggest benefits to obtaining your BSN through an online RN to BSN program are:
- Affordability
- Short program lengths
- Convenience and flexibility of online study
How long is an RN to BSN program in Missouri?
Completion times for online RN to BSN programs in Missouri vary depending mostly on:
- The total number of previously-earned credits from the student’s nursing diploma or ADN program that can be transferred in to meet BSN credit requirements
- The number of credits awarded to the student for possessing an active RN license.
- The student’s chosen study pace (full-time, part-time)
It’s not unusual for RN to BSN students in Missouri to need to complete only around 30 total credits in their programs to earn their BSN. And that, in turn, can often be accomplished with as little as one year of full-time study.
Those opting to study part-time will typically add another year to their total completion times.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Missouri cost?
Costs of online RN to BSN programs in Missouri also vary from program to program. Major factors impacting costs include:
- Whether the school offering the program is public or private. Private schools often charge higher tuition rates than public schools.
- The student’s resident status. Public schools sometimes charge substantially higher tuition rates to out-of-state students.
- The total number of credits the student must complete in their RN to BSN program.
Notwithstanding, online RN to BSN students in Missouri can expect, on average, to pay from around $300 to $600 per credit.
Bear in mind that tuition rates typically do not include additional costs of program fees, books and supplies, etc. And, of course, be sure to factor in any financial aid funding you are able to secure to help lower your total program price tag.
Salary & Career Info for BSNs in Missouri
St. Louis and Kansas City sit at opposite ends of the state and pull from different labor markets entirely, but the pattern holds in both: BJC HealthCare and Mercy reserve their specialty, coordination, and leadership roles mostly for bachelor's-prepared nurses, and that pay tends to land near the top of this range. Drop into southern Missouri and the Ozarks, though, and hospitals are more concerned with keeping the floor staffed than checking degree boxes, so associate-degree RNs find work fast, usually lower on the scale.
