10 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Missouri – (Online & Campus-Based)


Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

Are you a Missouri-based LPN who would like to start earning 45 percent more money than you do today? Think about enrolling in one of the LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri. LPNs in the Show-Me State earn $49,500 annually, whereas RNs earn $71,860. You’ll earn more because associate nursing degree programs prepare you for an expanded scope of practice that will enable you to use patient assessment and critical thinking skills. Most of these programs are designed to be completed in one to two years. Employment opportunities for registered nurses are projected to rise by 7 percent in the next decade. This guide to the 10 best LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri can tell you more.



WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri.


1. SoutheastHEALTH College of Nursing & Health Sciences - Cape Girardeau


Program Details: If you are a licensed practical nurse ready to take the next step in your career, SoutheastHealth College of Nursing & Health Sciences has a program that may interest you! The program is one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri. You can choose to pursue your degree part-time or through the accelerated full-time option. The program typically offers start dates for both the part-time and accelerated cohorts, in the spring and fall semesters. The accelerated pathway takes three semesters to complete full-time, and part-time students take six semesters to graduate.

The LPN-to-RN program features hands-on learning in both the classroom and in clinical settings. At SoutheastHealth, the LPN-to-RN program requires you to complete 72 semester hours. Semester credit hours are earned through general education, advanced placement, and nursing courses. The program offers valuable opportunities to learn hands-on skills in its high-fidelity learning laboratory. You will also have access to excellent clinical resources, facilities, and preceptors.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program in Missouri at SoutheastHEALTH College of Nursing & Health Sciences boasts excellent retention, completion, and NCLEX pass rates. This is a great indication that the program provides the support and tools needed for you to succeed.
• As a student in the SoutheastHEALTH program, you will gain valuable hands-on experience in renowned healthcare facilities, like Southeast Hospital, a regional medical center that is recognized as a Nursing Magnet Hospital.


2. Bolivar Technical College - Bolivar


Program Details: Bolivar Technical College offers an excellent LPN-to-RN program in Missouri. After completing prerequisite general education requirements, you may apply for advanced placement in the professional nursing program. This LPN-to-RN Bridge option is a three-semester pathway. Once accepted, you will join the traditional cohort in the third semester.

The program is formatted so that you attend two days of class on campus and two days of clinicals each week. Campus-based learning promotes opportunities for one-on-one time with instructors and peer interaction. The college has an excellent simulation laboratory where you will practice essential skills in a safe environment as you prepare for clinicals.

The 65-credit curriculum prepares you to incorporate critical thinking and evidence-based practice into health promotion and disease prevention interventions for patients in your care. Additionally, you will learn about ethical leadership in nursing as you prepare to transition to your new role as a registered nurse.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN to RN program in Missouri at Bolivar Technical College offers small class sizes to facilitate more engaged learning and better faculty support.
• The LPN-to-RN program boasts consistently high NCLEX pass rates among graduates taking the exam for the first time. This is a good indicator that the program provides a solid foundation of the knowledge and experiences you need to succeed.


3. Texas County Technical College - Houston


Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Missouri offered at Texas County Technical College in Houston is an excellent option if you are ready to take the next step in your nursing career and become a registered nurse! The program includes lectures and laboratory learning and incorporates off-site clinical practicums. Eligible LPNs enter the traditional associate degree nursing program in the third semester and take three semesters to complete the degree.

Classes begin in the summer, during which time you will review some content from your practical nursing education and begin the transition process from an LPN to an RN. The program features a 61-credit curriculum. You will take classes, including Evidence-Based Practice and the Professional Nurse, Nursing Research, and Critical Thinking as a Registered Nurse. Additionally, you will have opportunities to practice essential skills in the school’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, designed to prepare you with the hands-on skills needed to succeed in the program and in practice as a registered nurse.

The LPN-to-RN program also includes 450 hours of clinical practicum. Program faculty determine appropriate clinical sites and preceptors to ensure you have adequate experiences in diverse settings.


Why Choose This Program

• At Texas County Technical College, student success is the top priority! From the first semester of your program, in addition to classwork, labs, and clinicals, you will be involved in NCLEX prep designed to help you pass the NCLEX on your first attempt.
• Texas County Technical College offers job placement assistance to students in the LPN-to-RN program. The job placement assistance program aims to help you find a job by the last semester of the program.


4. Southwest Baptist University - Bolivar


Program Details: If you are looking for LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri with a Christ-centered environment, Southwest Baptist University is a great option! The program admits students who have completed prerequisite requirements once per year in the summer semester and can be completed in just three semesters. The program features small class sizes to accommodate individualized learning and offers afternoon and evening classes, which makes it an excellent choice for working nurses.

The LPN-to-RN program is a 62-credit pathway, which includes prerequisite credits, LPN bridge credits, general education, and nursing course credits. As a Christian university, SBU offers Spirituality in Healthcare and Old and New Testament Histories in its nursing curriculum. Additionally, you will study Health Promotion in Nursing, Advanced Patient-Centered Care, and Nursing Role Integration.

The program incorporates hands-on learning in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and mental health facilities. You will have extensive opportunities to provide direct patient care to patients across the lifespan who are experiencing varying degrees of health and illness. All clinicals are completed under the supervision of clinical faculty or approved preceptors.


Why Choose This Program

• Southwest Baptist University’s LPN-to-RN program boasts expert faculty with many years of experience in nursing education and leadership. Their knowledge, skills, and dedication to the profession will be instrumental in helping you prepare to successfully transition from an LPN to an RN.
• Flexible scheduling allows you to earn your degree while maintaining active in your current nursing job.


5. Ozarks Technical Community College - Springfield


Program Details: Ozark Technical Community College offers another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Missouri. The program offers five start dates each year, making it easier for you to begin your academic journey when you are ready. It takes 36 weeks or nine months to complete the program and earn the Associate Degree in Nursing.

The program consists of classes primarily delivered online. However, some lab, simulation, and clinical time are required to be attended in person on campus and at clinical sites as determined by the school. The ADN program requires the completion of 65 credits. 38 credits are earned through pre-admission courses, and 27 credits are from nursing program courses and clinical credits. You will study advanced concepts as they relate to psychiatric, maternal, pediatric, community, and family health. Each nursing course has a corresponding clinical practicum, ensuring you have diverse experiences providing patient care.


Why Choose This Program

• Students who are 25 years old or older and have not been enrolled in school within the last two years may apply for the Ozarks Technical Community College Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. This grant offers financial assistance to students who may otherwise not pursue a higher degree, making it possible to set your career on a new trajectory without worrying about financial constraints!
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at OTCC have excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates, consistently exceeding both state and national levels among first-time testers.


6. Mineral Area College - Park Hills


Program Details: Mineral Area College is home to another of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri. As an LPN, once you complete the required prerequisites, you may apply to take the LPN-ADN bridge course and receive advanced standing. The Bridge course is offered in the summer semester. You will then complete two more semesters of coursework and clinicals to earn the Associate of Science in Nursing degree.

The Advanced Placement LPN to RN program is a 75-credit pathway. Credits are earned from prerequisites, practical nursing education transfer credits, LPN-ADN bridge credits, and advanced placement nursing courses. Some of the classes in the curriculum include Therapeutic Nutrition, Clinical Pharmacology, and Contemporary Nursing. Students in the LPN-to-RN Advanced Placement program attend classes on the main campus in Park Hills, Mercy Hospital Perry in Perryville, or at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

You will also learn and hone essential skills in the simulation lab with members of your cohort as you prepare for clinical practicums. The program provides a broad range of clinical opportunities where you will work with clinical faculty and preceptors to develop your skills by providing hands-on patient care in various clinical settings.


Why Choose This Program

• Mineral Area College has a broad range of student support services. From academic and financial advisors to career readiness coaches and mentors, you will have a team of support staff to assist you through the program as you transition and prepare to become a registered nurse.
• The LPN-to-RN program in Missouri at Mineral Area College has excellent retention and completion rates, as well as outstanding NCLEX pass rates and job placement rates, all of which speak highly of the value of the program.


7. Crowder College - Neosho


Program Details: At Crowder College, you will find another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Missouri. As an LPN, you will receive credit for the first year of nursing classes and may enter the program as a Level II student. The program admits bridge students once per year in January and takes three semesters to complete, including one prerequisite semester.

According to the program’s webpage, the curriculum utilizes a “wide variety of instructional methods.” When speaking with Kara Jones, Nursing Administrative Assistant at the school, she states that lectures and simulations occur on campus and that students often have assignments to complete outside of school. Additionally, the program has several clinical sites that are utilized for patient care and training with clinical instructors or preceptors.

The LPN-to-RN curriculum at Crowder College has one of the lowest credit requirements, with only 50 credits needed to complete the LPN Bridge option. Credits are distributed from prerequisites and first and second-semester nursing coursework and clinicals. At Crowder College, you will take classes, including Professional Concepts in Nursing, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology II, and Health Concepts.


Why Choose This Program

• Crowder College offers affordable on-campus residence options for students. For prospective students who want to return to school but wish to avoid commuting, this is an excellent option to consider!
• The LPN-to-RN program at Crowder College has low faculty-student ratios, ensuring you have individualized attention from faculty in both the classroom and in clinicals.


8. Three Rivers College - Poplar Bluff


Program Details: The Poplar Bluff RN Bridge program at Three Rivers College is another awesome LPN-to-RN program in Missouri. The program offers the option to take day classes or evening classes. Day program classes begin in the summer semester, and evening program classes begin in the fall, after completing the required prerequisites. It takes three semesters to complete the program and earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing.

The LPN-to-RN program features a 63-credit curriculum. You will receive 17 credits articulated from your LPN program and earn 20 general education and 26 nursing credits. Sarah Lamb, Senior Administrative Assistant for Nursing and Allied Health, states that students may take prerequisites and general education courses online. However, all nursing courses are held in-person on campus. Additionally, you will participate in laboratory and clinical practicum experiences at local healthcare facilities. Patient care is completed under the guidance of nursing faculty and clinical preceptors.


Why Choose This Program

• When you pursue your degree through the LPN-to-RN program at Three Rivers College, you will have the support of academic advisors and dedicated faculty whose priority is to help you succeed in the program and beyond. Their years of experience and genuine desire to help others will help as you prepare to transition from being an LPN to an RN.
• The LPN-to-RN program in Missouri at Three Rivers College boasts outstanding completion rates, NCLEX pass rates, and excellent job placement rates for graduates.


9. East Central College - Union


Program Details: East Central College is home to another excellent choice for LPN-to-RN programs in Missouri. The program is a perfect fit for working nurses, as classes are held one evening per week and every other weekend. This exceptional LPN-to-RN program has excellent faculty and staff led by Nancy Mitchell, Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing Director. The program is designed to offer classes in a format that accommodates working nurses. Classes are offered in the evening and every other weekend. The program utilizes some distance-learning to allow flexibility.

The program is two semesters, including a one-semester nursing bridge course. To earn the associate degree in nursing, you must complete 72 total credits. Credits are earned through prerequisites/general education coursework and core nursing courses. Additionally, you will receive 19 articulated credits for your LPN program. You will study courses including Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Trends, Successful Transitions in Nursing, and Nursing Care of Adults and Children. Additionally, the curriculum includes clinical courses that have corresponding clinical practicums. You will participate in a minimum of four practicums at community health facilities, completing at least 400 hours of patient care.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program in Missouri at East Central College has a maximum 15:1 student-teacher ratio in the classroom and in clinical settings. Low student-teacher ratios help you maximize learning opportunities and allow for individual learning experiences without feeling as though you are lost in the crowd.
• East Central College offers several opportunities to help you prepare for job placement, including hosting job fairs, seminars, and other networking opportunities. Graduates of the program have excellent job placement rates, with most reporting being employed within three months of completing the program and obtaining RN licensure.


10. Missouri State University-West Plains - West Plains


Program Details: If you are looking for options when it comes to an LPN-to-RN program in Missouri, Missouri State University is definitely worth considering! MSU offers an LPN-to-RN Bridge program with new cohorts beginning each spring and summer/fall semester. At Missouri State University, you have the option of choosing to take classes through the online pathway or to enroll in the campus-based pathway. The seated (campus-based) pathway is only available when 10 or more students are enrolled. If enrollment in that pathway is not sufficient to offer a seated option for the semester, applicants are given the option of enrolling in the online option. Students in the online program must come to campus at least two times during the program, as designated by the program director.

The one-year program at MSU is a 65-credit pathway. The curriculum includes theory, labs, and clinical practicums. Some of the courses you will take include Nursing Care Across the Lifespan, Current Trends and Issues in Nursing, and Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing. Clinical practicums are completed at the school’s contracted sites in Missouri, northern Arkansas, and Kansas. You will complete 132 preceptor-supervised clinical hours per semester.


Why Choose This Program

• One thing many students like about the LPN-to-RN program at Missouri State University is that clinical rotations are self-scheduled. Once you identify the preceptor(s) at the clinical sites where you are assigned, you are free to schedule clinical hours with your preceptor instead of waiting for clinical faculty to assign days and times for your clinicals.
• At MSU, most program faculty remain active in clinical nursing practice, which means you will learn from nurses who are knowledgeable about current trends in nursing practice and who can prepare you to transition to your new role as a registered nurse.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



Darby Faubion Reflects On The Significance Of LPN-To-RN Programs In The State Of Missouri From Her Personal Viewpoint


One of the things I find intriguing and truly love about nursing is that there is no end to the possibilities of things you can learn and do in this field. Having taught nursing and allied health, I have seen firsthand the impact that earning a higher degree has on LPNs who choose to become RNs. Missouri has some wonderful options for earning your degree and becoming a registered nurse, like the programs featured in this article. These programs offer flexible learning options, which lead to career advancement, increased earning potential, and unlimited professional growth. If you are considering an LPN-to-RN program in Missouri, there is no time like the present!



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Starting LPN VS. RN Salary In Missouri: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


RN Average Starting
Annual Salary
LPN Average Starting
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$56,690$43,990+$12,700+28.87%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


2. Experience-Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Missouri: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


Level of ExperienceRNLPNDifference
Number%
Entry-Level$56,690$43,990+$12,700+28.87%
1-4 Years of Experience$64,090$49,290+$14,800+30.03%
5-9 Years of Experience$77,190$56,030+$21,160+37.77%
10-19 Years of Experience$84,770$60,790+$23,980+39.45%
20 Years or More Experience$99,330$64,410+$34,920+54.22%
Average Salary$77,590$55,220+$22,370+40.51%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


3. Metro Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Missouri: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?


MetroRN Average
Annual Salary
LPN Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Cape Girardeau$73,260$52,790+$20,470+38.78%
Columbia$79,620$56,520+$23,100+40.87%
Jefferson City$69,330$51,650+$17,680+34.23%
Joplin$73,030$53,170+$19,860+37.35%
Kansas City$81,110$59,750+$21,360+35.75%
St. Joseph$75,730$54,130+$21,600+39.90%
St. Louis$80,480$59,360+$21,120+35.58%
Springfield$68,120$51,790+$16,330+31.53%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


4. LPN VS. RN Job Outlook In Missouri: Is The Job Outlook For RN Better Than LPN?


OccupationEmploymentNew Employment
Growth (2020-2030)
20202030Number%
RN73,33078,130+4,800+6.55%
LPN14,83015,340+510+3.44%
Difference+58,500+62,790+4,290+3.11%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


5. LPN VS. RN Job Openings In Missouri: Are There More Job Openings For RN Compared To LPN?


OccupationNewReplacementAnnual Job Openings
(New + Replacement)
RN4803,9304,410
LPN511,1391,190
Difference+429+2,791+3,220
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


6. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In Missouri VS. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In The Nation: Who Earns More?


Average Missouri
LPN-to-RN Annual Salary
Average National
LPN-to-RN Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$77,590$94,480-$16,890-17.88%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



Best LPN to RN Programs in other States
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin