[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/”]Nurse practitioner (NP)[/hen-ui-link] programs in Missouri prepare you for specialty roles in which you provide care to the state’s most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people with mental health conditions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Explore this guide on what to look for in a nursing school, the top nursing programs in Missouri for NPs, and how to get started in this advanced and rewarding nursing career.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Explore the Best Missouri Online Nurse Practitioner Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best NP programs in Missouri, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list was developed in 2021.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Missouri[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse practitioner programs in Missouri prepare students for careers as primary health care providers (similar to the role of a physician). Before enrolling in NP school, applicants must choose a specialty (i.e., family practice, pediatric care, women’s health, geriatric health, acute care, or mental health).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The road to becoming an NP in Missouri can take up to 6-8 years and includes:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completing an RN program and earning an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/”]undergraduate nursing degree[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Working as an RN for at least one year[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completing an NP program and earning a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] or[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/dnp/”] doctor of nursing practice (DNP)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Obtaining an NP license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While program length may be longer or shorter depending on degree program and specialty, NP programs take about 2-4 years to complete.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is NP Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Choosing an accredited nursing program in Missouri is important because it increases the likelihood graduates will be adequately prepared for an RN or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)[/hen-ui-link] role.[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/what-is-accreditation/”] Nursing school accreditation[/hen-ui-link] proves a nursing program meets specific educational standards established by accrediting bodies, such as the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.acenursing.org/” target=”_blank”]Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)[/hen-ui-link] and the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation” target=”_blank”]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited NP schools in Missouri undergo rigorous evaluations to ensure graduates have a high chance of meeting specialty role competencies and passing the NP state board exam. Accreditation also makes candidates eligible for financial aid and gives them the ability to transfer course credits to other accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All Missouri NP programs in our rankings are accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Missouri[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Missouri?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an NP in Missouri can take up to 6-8 years. This includes 2-4 years of undergraduate nursing study, one year of RN experience, and 2-4 years of NP school. Program length can vary based on specialty, enrollment status, and whether you are pursuing an MSN or DNP.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much do NPs make in Missouri?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As of May 2024, Missouri NPs make an average annual salary of $124,600, per the federal[hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/oesmap/” target=”_blank”] Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[/hen-ui-link]. But salary can vary based on specialty, location, and years of experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What type of NP is most in demand?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP job demand may be impacted by many factors, including work setting and specialty. For example, in 2023 the [hen-ui-link href=”https://mohealthcareworkforce.org/indicator-dashboards/workforce/” target=”_blank”]University of Missouri[/hen-ui-link] reported the highest employed Missouri NPs worked in hospitals and specialized in family practice and acute care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the easiest NP degree to get?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Program length, enrollment status, and specialty might play a role in how easy it is to earn a particular degree. For example, MSN programs are generally quicker to finish than DNP programs, but some MSN courses may be more complex than DNP courses because of your chosen specialty.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]