Nursing Programs in St. Louis, MO

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in St. Louis, MO

For those seeking entry-level RN positions in Saint Louis, there are several educational routes. The Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and even the rare entry-level Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are all possibilities for students, depending on their ultimate goals.

LPN to RN Programs

Because experienced licensed practical nurses have already learned the basics of patient care covered at the beginning of an RN training program, some schools offer LPN to RN bridge programs that allow LPNs to bypass particular coursework to become registered nurses in a shorter time. St. Louis Community College offers an LPN Bridge program that allows students to take one bridge course before entering the third semester of the four-semester Associate’s Degree in Nursing program. This specialized LPN to RN bridge program saves practical nurses time and tuition costs and prepares them for the NCLEX exam and their first jobs as RNs.

ADN Programs

These 2-year basic nursing programs are the shortest route to an RN license. Typically offered at community colleges, the ADN degree is a great choice for those looking to start their nursing careers ASAP. St. Louis Community College offers an ADN program at three campuses: Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec. Featured courses include General Microbiology, Nursing of Adults and Children, and more.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

The classic educational pathway is the traditional BSN. This four-year degree is becoming more ubiquitous as hospitals and healthcare facilities increase hiring requirements. The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers the traditional BSN pathway and an accelerated version that takes a little over one year to complete.

Find out more about Missouri Accelerated BSN Programs.

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

While not as commonly offered as pre-licensure ADN and BSN pathways, the direct-entry MSN program is an excellent, unique program for those who are looking to find work as an advanced practice RN. These programs typically require a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing subject. Saint Louis University offers an accelerated MSN degree program that can be completed in 21 months (5 semesters).

Find out more about Missouri Accelerated MSN Programs.

Saint Louis RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Saint Louis

Listed below are the top nursing schools in Saint Louis based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Missouri out of 52 other accredited programs offered in the state:

• Chamberlain University - St. Louis - #12
• St. Charles Community College - #5
• St. Louis Community College - #16
• St. Louis University - #9

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in St. Louis, MO

For those who hold an ADN or nursing diploma in St. Louis, a bridge program can be a cost-effective path to a BSN or MSN degree. These programs allow students to finish BSN or MSN coursework in a fraction of the time, building upon their prior RN curriculum.

RN to BSN Programs

Many schools in the Saint Louis area offer the RN to BSN bridge pathway. In just 1-2 years, RNs can have a BSN degree in hand. Many programs are even delivered in an online format. Webster University, for example, offers a fully online RN to BSN program that can be completed part-time, allowing students to continue working or taking care of other life obligations while they advance their education.

Learn more about Missouri RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

The RN to MSN pathway is designed for licensed RNs with an ADN or diploma. Many RN to MSN programs allow students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in one seamless experience.

Learn more about Missouri RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in St. Louis, MO

Advanced nursing degrees are necessary for the highest RN positions. Many of these advanced degree pathways allow for specialization in a number of nurse practitioner roles. MSN, post-master's certificate, and doctoral (DNP and Ph.D.) options are all available to help RNs achieve their goals in Saint Louis.

MSN Programs

The traditional MSN can be completed roughly two years beyond the BSN degree. Saint Louis University, for example, offers an MSN degree with the choice between a Nurse Practitioner and a Clinical Nurse Leader track. Full or part-time schedules are available to accommodate busy working RNs.

Learn more about Missouri Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

These unique programs allow MSN-educated nurses to change specialties without completing an additional degree. Most can be completed in a year or two, saving considerable time and money. The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers post-master's certificate programs in various specializations, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and many more.

Find out more about Missouri Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP & PhD Programs

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway is for RNs who want to enter the most prestigious clinical practice roles. Maryville University offers online DNP programs for both BSN and MSN educated RNs, in various nurse practitioner specialties, including Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Acute and Primary Care, and more. Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are available and typically cater to educational and research nursing roles. The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a Ph.D. in nursing program that is delivered in an online format.

Learn more about Missouri DNP Programs.