LPN to RN Online Programs in MO: Evaluating Top Degrees
Ready to level-up from an LPN to RN in Missouri? This guide maps your path to becoming a registered nurse through state-approved LPN to RN bridge programs. Discover top nursing schools, essential coursework, and actual program costs—all tailored for working LPNs. We’ve evaluated the highest-quality programs across Missouri to help you make an informed choice; plus, we’ve included current job market insights to show what opportunities await after graduation.
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Online LPN to RN Programs in Missouri: A Comparison
LPN to RN bridge programs blend online convenience with hands-on nursing education, which is perfect for LPNs balancing work and advancement goals. While these programs offer significant online components for theoretical coursework, in-person components are also required due to the hands-on nature of nursing.
Common features of online LPN to RN bridge programs:
- Many lecture-based classes and assignments are held online through learning management systems.
- Students may study at times that fit their schedules.
- On-campus labs and simulations may be required 2-3 days per week.
- Clinical requirements must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities.
Here we’ll explore three schools with LPN to RN programs, including costs, curriculum, and more.
Moberly Area Community College
The LPN to ADN program at Moberly Area Community College can be completed in one year, after which students can apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse.
The hands-on lab and clinical experiences offer face-to-face faculty engagement, experience with state-of-the-art simulation equipment, and real-life clinical experiences on one of four campuses (Moberly, Mexico, Hannibal, and Columbia).
Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to step into the role of registered nurse by:
- Modeling professional, safe, legal, and ethical nursing care
- Demonstrating therapeutic communication with patients and patient support systems
- Prioritizing nursing actions to manage the holistic needs of the patient, utilizing the nursing process
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $5,460/credit in-district, $10,036 out-of-district
Admissions Requirements:
- Licensed as a practical nurse at time of admission
- Prerequisite courses (23 credits)
- Cumulative 2.7 GPA minimum
- TEAS exam scores
- All school transcripts
Core Curriculum:
- Microbiology
- Maternal-Child Studies
- Managing Intravenous Therapies
- Professional Perspectives
- Adult Health Nursing
- Public Speaking/Interpersonal Communications
- Mental Health Nursing
North Central Missouri College’s Online PN to ADN
North Central Missouri College offers an online PN to ADN program that emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and colleague collaboration. Students take classes in pharmacology, adult nursing, leadership, and mental health nursing.
Accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, the school offers online chats and tutoring so students can get help if needed.
Although all classes are delivered online, students are expected to spend time on campus two to three times each semester. These on-site activities include laboratory experiences and an orientation that takes place before the first semester begins.
Students also receive hands-on training during clinicals at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph and the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. During this time, students are assigned block rotations that last two to four days per month.
Duration: Nine months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $11,237
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN license with IV certification
- Graduate from a state-approved LPN program
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses with minimum C grade
- TEAS exam scores
- Background check
- Drug screening
- Immunizations
Core Curriculum:
- Adult Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Leadership in Nursing
- PN to ADN Transition
- Pharmacology
- Maternal & Child Health Nursing
- Microbiology
Missouri State—West Plains
The LPN to RN Track at Missouri State University offers an online, flexible pathway for licensed practical nurses to earn their registered nursing credential. Curriculum prepares graduates to deliver high-quality patient care, covering subjects like:
- Essential nursing skills
- Nursing theory
- Leadership
Designed to accommodate working professionals, the 65-credit program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experience, allowing students to balance their education with other responsibilities.
Admittance to the program is competitive, with each cohort consisting of 30 students. But accepted students can complete the program at their own pace.
Duration: One year
Mode: Online with one (maybe two) campus visits
Cost: $11,069 (tuition and fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Transcripts
- Prerequisite courses
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- TEAS exam scores
- Relevant nursing courses completed with C grade or better
Core Curriculum:
- Transitions for the LPN-to-RN
- Mental Health Nursing
- Nursing Care Across the Lifespan
- Pharmacology
- Adult Medical – Surgical Nursing
- Capstone Course
LPN to RN Student FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Your interest in online LPN to RN programs in Missouri has been piqued, but you still have questions, right? Below, we’ve curated the most-asked questions about LPN to RN programs in Missouri and provided detailed answers so you can make an informed decision about your path forward.
How long are LPN-RN bridge programs?
Typically, you can expect to receive your degree in one to two years from online LPN to RN bridge programs in Missouri. Obviously, this can vary from one program to the next.
For example, while North Central Missouri College’s degree can be finished in just nine months, the bridge programs at Missouri State University-West Plains takes one year.
Expert Insight
Find out if you can take breaks during the program if needed. Life happens, and you’ll want to know how often courses are offered during the school year. For example, some schools only offer certain courses once a year. This means if you take a break, the total time it takes to finish will be extended an entire year.
What are the admission requirements for LPN to RN programs in Missouri?
No matter which program you choose, know that you’ll typically be expected to have a current, unrestricted LPN license to be admitted. Other requirements include:
- Minimum GPA
- C grade or better in prerequisite courses—though there are some programs that don’t require prerequisite courses
- Specific amount of time spent working as an LPN
- Passing score on certain standardized tests—for example, the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam or the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Examination
Each school has its own standards, so pay close attention to the requirements as you assess each one.
What is the cost for LPN to RN programs?
The cost for LPN to RN bridge programs at online Missouri schools can depend on a variety of factors, including the specific tuition model they use. Some schools use a per credit fee based on whether students are residents of Missouri or another state. Other schools charge a flat fee for the semester or year rather than charging by the credit.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN program in Missouri?
The most important thing to look for in an LPN to RN bridge program is accreditation. Accreditation proves that the program has been reviewed for quality and student outcomes, giving you the peace of mind that the program will be worth your investment and that your degree will satisfy licensure demands.
Other factors to consider are whether the school accepts financial aid, the clinical experiences available, class sizes, and NCLEX exam pass rates.
What will I learn in LPN to RN programs in Missouri?
Online LPN to RN programs in Missouri require a combination of nursing and general education classes. As a student, you’ll take courses in a variety of disciplines, from psychology to mathematics to nursing—designed to broaden your perspective and enhance your education.
Once you finish your classwork, you’ll receive hands-on nursing training in clinical environments. At this stage of the program, you will work under the supervision of experienced nurses so you can see firsthand what to expect after you’ve earned your RN license.
What to Expect as an LPN to RN in Missouri
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | LPNs/LVNs | $48,580 | $61,530 | $77,120 |
| RNs | $63,230 | $81,780 | $104,390 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| Missouri | RNs | 76,960 | 84,580 | 7,620 | 9.90% | 5,110 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 13,010 | 13,750 | 740 | 5.70% | 1,090 |
Source: Projections Central
