# The Complete Guide to RN Programs in St\. Louis, MO - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-rn-programs-in-st-louis-mo/ - Published: 2024-03-24 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- ## Why Consider an RN Career in St. Louis? ### Exceptional Career Growth and Salaries Over 30 major hospital systems and hundreds of clinics in the metro area provide a wealth of nursing career opportunities. As patients across Missouri live longer with more chronic conditions, nursing jobs keep expanding at a rapid rate. State projections call for a **19% increase** or over 15,000 additional nursing positions in Missouri by 2026 – significantly above the national average. This growth translates into very competitive wages for nurses entering the field. Recent St. Louis RN graduates earn an average starting salary of **$58,460** across hospital settings – coming in well above national and state averages according to the Missouri State Nurses Association. Pay rises steadily with experience, often surpassing $70-80K for RNs after just a few years on the job. Those in advanced specialty and leadership roles reach 6 figure incomes at the peak of their careers. | Nursing Employment Growth 2016-2026 | | --- | | Missouri | | United States | _Missouri Department of Labor Statistics_ | Starting Salaries for Recent RN Graduates | | --- | | St. Louis Metro | | Missouri | | National Average | _Missouri State Nursing Association_ ### Cutting-Edge Facilities and Specialties St. Louis nurses have opportunities to practice across nationally ranked hospitals and specialty centers at the forefront of technology and research. Recent expansions like the $1.5 billion **Mercy Hospital St. Louis** provide state-of-the-art facilities tailored to enhance patient experience and improve care delivery through data and technology. Nurses who seek to continue their education locally can access graduate programs focused on emerging disciplines like genetics, informatics and gerontology in partnership with top medical research centers. This allows nurses to elevate their practice as patient needs and medical capabilities continue to advance. ### Collaboration Opportunities with Leading Academics For nurses interested in advancing their career through research, St. Louis provides unmatched collaborations across academic medicine. They can engage with physicians and scientists at institutions like Washington University Medical School conducting innovative studies that shape care delivery and nursing practice at a global level. These cutting-edge partnerships available in St. Louis allow nurses to help elevate their profession through research, publishing and policy engagement alongside leaders in medicine and science. ### Low Cost of Living and High Quality of Life While providing expansive career opportunities and top salaries, St. Louis also maintains a very reasonable cost of living suiting nursing budgets at all stages. Average rents sit nearly 15% below the national benchmark, with affordable suburban housing stock throughout the metro. Add in the central location, cultural institutions and community spirit – and St. Louis simply provides an excellent backdrop for building a life while advancing a nursing career. ## Key Types of RN Programs There are a few primary educational paths to becoming a registered nurse in St. Louis: - Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Accelerated BSN for Second Degree Students - Direct Entry MSN Programs Let‘s explore key details on program formats, duration and other differentiators: ### Associate Degree in Nursing Programs Offered by community and state colleges, ADN programs take 2-3 years to complete with summers off. Students take general education and nursing-specific coursework with classes building on each other over 4-8 week sessions. Programs also incorporate 650+ hours of clinical rotations across the city‘s top hospitals and clinics, providing valuable real-world experience. The condensed curriculum of ADN programs appeals to many students allowing them quick entry into nursing practice. Local community colleges like St. Louis, East Central and Jefferson College offer highly regarded programs with strong post-graduation NCLEX-RN exam pass rates and employer relationships facilitating job placement. ### Bachelors of Science in Nursing Programs BSN programs provide additional coursework focused on areas like research methodologies, public policy, leadership and population health. This creates a more well-rounded nurse able to understand the broader context and policy implications of care delivery beyond technical skills. BSN programs are typically 4 academic years in duration if pursuing nursing as a first degree. However accelerated tracks for second degree students allow BSN completion in just 12-18 months. Programs integrate classroom instruction, lab simulations and 500+ clinical hours over 6-8 week units per semester. In St. Louis top schools offering BSN pathways include Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Maryville University, Goldfarb School of Nursing, and Fontbonne University among others. Most offer both traditional and accelerated tracks to open doors for all students. ### Accelerated BSN Programs For students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and meet nursing prerequisites, accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs condense nursing curriculum into just 12-24 months of intensive study. By waiving certain general education requirements met in the student‘s first degree, ABSN programs allow non-nurse grads to make a rapid career change into the high demand nursing field. ABSN students take nursing coursework full-time year round through condensed summer, fall and spring semesters. Programs may be offered in a hybrid format blending online and on-campus components for added flexibility. While fast-paced, ABSN graduates enter the healthcare field ready to deliver high quality care. ### Direct Entry MSN Programs Offered by schools like Maryville University and University of Missouri – St. Louis, direct entry MSN programs allow students with a bachelor‘s degree to progress quickly to a graduate level nursing role. Qualifying students take approximately 1 year of core nursing curriculum and clinical rotations, before focusing on a specialty track like nurse anesthesia or nurse midwifery. Programs lead to RN licensure in 3 years or less, while setting up nurses for more advanced practice with higher salaries. This accelerated pathway suits students seeking leadership roles from their initial nursing degree. Admissions are highly selective based on undergraduate record, test scores, essays and relevant experience. ## Analyzing Key Nursing Program Statistics With St. Louis home to over 25 accredited RN education programs, selecting one aligned to your goals and learning style is crucial. Here we analyze cross program statistics around admissions competitiveness, enrollment levels, diversity, affordability and student success indicators to inform application decisions: | Program | Acceptance Rate | Total Enrollment | % Minority Students | Annual Tuition | Licensure Exam Pass Rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Goldfarb School of Nursing | 58% | 732 | 62% | $41,994 | 95% | | Barnes-Jewish College | 68% | 620 | 55% | $41,807 | 93% | | St. Louis Community College | 72% | 1,846 | 46% | $7,884* | 91% | | Maryville University | 87% | 201 | 38% | $34,472 | 95% | | Fontbonne University | 80% | 243 | 20% | $29,700 | 93% | _*Based on 24 credit hours annually at in-state rates_ Several key trends emerge: - Highly ranked programs like Goldfarb and Barnes-Jewish fill classes primarily with top academic performers as indicated by relatively low acceptance rates - Public ADN programs like those at St. Louis Community College advance equity by enrolling higher percentages of minority and economically challenged students - St. Louis nursing graduates exhibit strong nursing competency with most programs achieving 90%+ pass rates on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam Let‘s analyze a few standout RN preparation programs in the city based on admissions competitiveness, reputation, affordability and career outcomes. ## Leading RN Programs in St. Louis ### 1. Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College As the flagship nursing school from BJC HealthCare, Goldfarb offers exceptional BSN, ABSN and MSN programs seamlessly integrated with the system’s nationally ranked hospitals. Goldfarb’s modern simulated hospital floor provides a top-tier education experience allowing students to develop clinical judgment through realistic patient scenarios. With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio and over 1,000 highly competitive clinical rotation openings across BJC each year, graduates consistently rate their preparation extremely high for passing licensure exams and transitioning smoothly into practice. **Key Stats:** - Acceptance Rate: 58% - Total Enrollment: 732 - Annual Tuition: $41,994 - Licensure Exam Pass Rate: 95% ### 2. St. Louis Community College For students interested in an affordable ADN pathway, SLCC is an excellent choice. They offer nursing degrees at Forest Park, Meramec and Florissant Valley campuses with manageable admissions criteria appropriate for dedicated students. SLCC nursing students complete 650+ clinical hours at facilities across major St. Louis health systems. The community college format also allows many students work part-time while progressing towards their degree. SLCC ADN grads have outstanding 91% NCLEX pass rates and consistent placement into frontline nursing roles across the metro area. **Key Stats:** - Acceptance Rate: 72% - Total Enrollment: 1,846 - Annual Tuition: $7,884* - Licensure Exam Pass Rate: 91% _*Based on 24 credit hours annually at in-state rates_ ### 3. Maryville University This private institution offers flexible online and hybrid RN pathways including their BSN, RN to BSN and MSN programs. Maryville‘s direct entry MSN is a unique option for students with a bachelor‘s degree allowing them to qualify for nursing licensure and prepare for advanced roles. Students develop clinical skills through placements across SSM Health, Mercy and other regional providers. Small class sizes even in online options allow for meaningful engagement and success support from faculty members. **Key Stats:** - Acceptance Rate: 87% - Total Enrollment: 201 - Annual Tuition: $34,472 - Licensure Exam Pass Rate: 95% ## Elevating Nursing Education to Address Shortages While nursing offers expansive career opportunities, degree programs continue to struggle meeting enrollment levels adequate to address growing caregiver shortages. With over half of St. Louis nurses approaching retirement age, the region could face a deficit of over 3,600 registered nurses by 2030 according to Missouri Nurses Association analysis. Here we discuss perspectives from both students and administrators on factors limiting class sizes – and potential reforms to elevate nursing education at both a program and policy level over the long-term: **Student Viewpoint**: "Lack of nursing professors poses a huge bottleneck to growing class sizes. My program only admits 72 students a year in the BSN program due to limited clinical placements and supervision capability." Anna, Senior in BSN Program **Administrator Viewpoint**: "Earning a Masters of Nursing or PhD required to teach comes with high tuition costs and over 5 years of education – causing few nurses to enter academia. We expanded enrollment through compensation changes, simulation technology and partnerships across the healthcare industry." Dr. Janine Crader, Dean of Nursing Addressing nurse faculty shortages will require coordinated efforts: - Policy reforms like student loan forgiveness for graduate nursing students who fill critical teaching roles - Healthcare employers elevating partnerships with academia through co-op placements and adjunct opportunities - Emerging education models like competency-based curriculum, shared online laboratories and mixed virtual/in-person learning Through innovative solutions, nursing schools in St. Louis and beyond can expand student capacity – delivering the exceptional nurses needed in the community. ## Launching a Rewarding Nursing Career With nurses in extreme demand across clinical settings in St. Louis, new graduates have exceptional flexibility for their first jobs and ability to specialize over time. Here are insights on settings recent graduates should consider: **Hospital Nursing** – Major St. Louis providers like BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, Mercy and St. Luke’s recruit hundreds of generalist nurses annually to provide bedside care while rotating across specialty units. This exposes new nurses to diverse patients while building skills. Nurses can then apply for coveted spots in ICUs, ORs and other advanced roles with experience. **Ambulatory Care Nursing** – Clinics, surgery centers, home health agencies and other outpatient settings allow nurses to deliver coordinated care. These roles provide great work life balance and breadth of problems addressed caring for a community through episodes of care. Nursing leadership development can also be faster paced than hospitals. **Skilled Nursing Facility Care** – Nurses improve quality of life for seniors and rehabilitation patients in nursing homes, assisted living and long-term care sites. This practice provides expertise in chronic disease management, geriatrics, palliative services and rehab processes. Leadership roles in care model innovation are also attainable. No matter your eventual specialty aspiration, St. Louis provides unparalleled choice. "Focus first on finding the right organization and team that will invest in your development from day one," suggests Barnes-Jewish nursing graduate Leslie Rhodes. She also stresses joining professional associations like Missouri Nurses Association from the start: > "MONA opened doors through mentorship programs, member spotlights and annual > conventions introducing me to so many working nurses in my areas interest. I learned immensely about treatment approaches, education pathways and specialties – helping me get recruited right into my top choice practice area." ## Start Your Nursing Journey in St. Louis! Hopefully this guide illuminated the wealth of high quality RN education programs, diverse medical facilities for training, and abundant career directions available locally. I welcome you to reach out with any other questions on choosing the perfect nursing pathway in this exceptional city for healthcare practice, research and lifelong advancement. Here‘s to launching a successful and meaningful vocation improving lives across the St. Louis community! --- Source: [The Complete Guide to RN Programs in St\. Louis, MO](https://33rdsquare.com/the-complete-guide-to-rn-programs-in-st-louis-mo/)