Nursing Programs in Kansas City, MO

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at UMKC prepares nurse generalists with a comprehensive approach to health care. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and accountability, covering health management across diverse populations. Students choose between a traditional 4-5 year pre-licensure track for first-time nursing students or an accelerated option for those with a prior bachelor's degree. Both tracks include clinical experiences that begin in the fall. Graduates are equipped for roles as registered nurses in hospitals, community clinics, and other health care settings. A Direct Admit program is available for qualified high school students. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment with faculty mentorship, preparing students to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, and communities.

• 2 concentration options
• Starts fall
• Traditional 4-5 year BSN
• Accelerated BSN for second degree
• Direct Admit for high school students
• Fall clinical program start
• January supplemental application deadline

The University of Missouri-Kansas City's Accelerated BSN program lets students with a prior bachelor's degree earn a BSN in five semesters. With over 1,050 clinical hours—the most in the region—graduates are prepared for nursing practice. The curriculum covers adult medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, mental health, community health, leadership, and critical care nursing. A 300-hour capstone internship provides focused specialty experience. Daytime classes, a health sciences campus shared with medicine and pharmacy, and diverse clinical placements enhance learning. Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition, requiring a minimum 2.75 GPA. Kansas residents pay in-state tuition; discounted rates apply for 15 Midwestern states. Applications open each fall for the following year's cohort.

• 5-Semester program
• Complete in In less than two years
• Starts fall
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• 1050 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• 300-hour capstone internship
• Interprofessional learning campus
• Kansas in-state tuition

Research College of Nursing’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a 12-month, campus-based program for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The intensive curriculum integrates theory, simulation, and hands-on clinical practice through partnerships with HCA Midwest Health and the region’s largest Dedicated Education Unit. Students learn from expert faculty mentors, many of whom are alumni, and gain real-world experience across six leading hospitals. The program covers person-centered care, evidence-based practice, health equity, and professional leadership. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and enter high-demand nursing roles. With a 100% employment rate within six months, the ABSN offers a fast, direct path to a rewarding nursing career. Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, ATI TEAS proficiency, and completion of prerequisite courses.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• $49,670 total program tuition
• 12-Month program
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts spring/summer
• 100% job placement rate
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

Avila University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Kansas City, Missouri, prepares compassionate, skilled nurses through a curriculum emphasizing patient-centered holistic care, evidence-based practice, ethical principles, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students gain hands-on experience in high-fidelity simulations and diverse clinical settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and hospices. Small class sizes foster personalized mentorship from experienced faculty, while the Nursing Education and Resource Center provides a simulated hospital environment. Graduates consistently exceed the national NCLEX pass rate and achieve 98% job placement within five months. The program also offers accelerated and RN-to-BSN pathways, along with the Patterson Scholarship for those committed to rural healthcare.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
• Starts fall/spring
• 98% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Small class sizes
• High-fidelity simulation experiences
• Diverse clinical settings
• Faculty with clinical experience

Rockhurst University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, offered through Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, combines over a century of nursing education excellence with a Jesuit-inspired approach. The curriculum prepares students as nurse generalists through a liberal arts foundation, emphasizing safe, evidence-based, and holistic care. Key courses include health assessment, foundations of professional nursing, and advanced clinical management. Students gain hands-on experience in the state-of-the-art Seelos Simulation Center and through clinical placements with top health systems. The program boasts a low faculty-to-student ratio and dedicated NCLEX coaching. Graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare roles, from hospitals to community clinics. Located in the heart of Kansas City, the program offers a vibrant campus and extensive networking opportunities.

• CCNE accredited
• Capstone required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 115 years of nursing education experience
• Low faculty-to-student ratio
• 1:1 NCLEX success coaching
• State-of-the-art simulation center

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City offers a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing through its Professional Nursing program at MCC-Penn Valley. The curriculum covers a broad scope of registered nursing practice — from recording patient histories and analyzing diagnostic results to administering medications, developing care plans, and supporting patients and families through illness and recovery. Students also learn to operate medical equipment, start IV lines, and educate communities on disease prevention and health maintenance. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and holds full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue licensure in both Missouri and Kansas. Recent graduate employment rates have reached 100%, and the program's NCLEX pass rate hit 90.32% in 2024-25. Hands-on training takes place at MCC's state-of-the-art Health Science Institute. With 72–76 credit hours required and in-district tuition starting at $121 per credit hour, this is one of the more affordable paths to becoming a registered nurse in the Kansas City area. Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available.

• ACEN, Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
• No entrance exam required
• $121 per credit
• 2-Year program
• 74 total credit hours
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 90% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• $77,000 median earnings