LPN Programs in Missouri

LPN Programs in Missouri

By EveryNurse Staff on January 14, 2023

LPN Programs in Missouri

Offering approximately 80 percent of the bedside nursing care in the U.S., licensed practical nurses play an important role in a hospital. From monitoring a patients’ health to administering basic care, like changing bandages on wounds, at least 12 to 18 months of classroom instruction and clinical experience is required. After graduating from an LPN program in Missouri, an individual may take an exam which leads to gaining licensure in the field.

Schools With LPN Programs in Missouri

  • In order to earn a certificate from the LPN program offered at Carthage Technical Center (CTC), students must fulfill a certain number of course requirements, such as Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology, and Growth and Development. The program at CTC is comprised of a curriculum that includes 1,371 total instruction hours, such as a clinical component (in Medical/Surgical, Mental Health, Maternal/Newborn, Pediatric, Geriatric, Leadership, and IV Therapy) that takes place at various partnering clinical sites. Classes meet on Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are divided into three blocks called ‘trimesters,’ which combine classroom instruction and clinical training.
  • A student in the Trenton region often enter the Nursing Level I program offered through North Central Missouri College when he or she wishes to become an LPN. The Level I program also takes place at the outreach site of Northwest Technical School in Maryville, Missouri, and the outreach site at North Central Area Vocational School in Bethany, Missouri. Following a selective admission process, students enter a fast-paced certificate program that provides intense classroom and clinical instruction. The Trenton and Maryville campuses cater to daytime learners, while the Bethany campus is home to a night and weekend program. Pre-requisites for all three campuses include Anatomy, Physiology, Speech, and Math for Allied Health (or College Algebra).
  • The Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Saline County Career Center is located in the city of Marshall, and is open to adults ages 18 and over who possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalency. Before applying for admission, future students must take a pre-entrance test, pay an enrollment fee, and complete the application by April1.
  • Moberly Area Community College offers two Practical Nursing Programs – one at the main campus at Mobley, and another offered at the Advanced Technology Center in Mexico, Missouri. The one-year certificate program which centers on educating students in nursing theory and providing valuable clinical experiences typically takes a student 12 months to complete. The program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
  • Classes for the LPN program offered at Bolivar Technical College take place on the Bolivar campus. The certificate program is comprised of a curriculum requiring the completion of 71 credit hours centered on Theory, Laboratory, and Clinical Practice. Students should expect to graduate in 12 months, and will have become equipped with the academic and clinical knowledge regarding how to care for patients in both acute care and long term care settings. The certificate program also includes state IV certification.
  • Students who pursue his or her LPN education at the Eldon Career Center will earn eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN exam through the State Fair Community College’s (SFCC) Nursing program. Applicants must submit an application to both the practical nursing program and to SFCC. The first year of the SFCC Associate Degree Nursing program meets the requirements of the Missouri State Board of Nursing for Practical Nursing, and upon successful completion, allows a student to pursue licensure as an LPN. Students who pass the LPN licensure exam also have the option to continue on into Year Two of the program to earn credentials as an RN without having to reapply.
  • Franklin Technology Center is located in Joplin and offers a 10-monthlong Practical Nursing Program that starts in August of each year, and sees students graduate in May. Described as an “intense, accelerated program,” students attend class from Monday to Thursday, completing an array of assignments and lectures. Attendance is a large part of the program, as is participation in classroom activities. Courses in the school program’s curriculum include Anatomy & Physiology, Personal & Vocational Concepts, Fundamentals of Nursing, Pharmacology & IV Therapy, Nutrition, as well as Nursing of Children.
  • Students in the Lexington, Missouri region often attend the Practical Nursing Program at Lex La-Ray Technical Center when they wish to become an LPN. Every year, students who have passed the selection criteria and ranked the highest in admission scores centered on the TEAS test are admitted into the program. Those who have earned a score of 40 or above are granted an interview. Usually, the top 75 qualifying candidates are selected, but only 29 are admitted into the program. This LPN program is accredited by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and the State Department of Education.
  • Nevada Regional Technical Center offers an LPN program that is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and accredited by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of Missouri and North Central Accreditation Agency Association. Every year, a maximum of 30 students are admitted into the program. The curriculum requires the completion of 1,500 hours of course study with clinical experiences that take place at sites, such as Nevada Regional Medical Center, Barton County Memorial Hospital, Truman Healthcare and Rehab, Nevada Medical Clinic, and the public school systems in Nevada, Butler and Lamar and Vernon county Ambulance District.

Level Up Your Career

Missouri LPN Checklist

  • Find a state-approved LPN program to gain the necessary training, skills and knowledge to become a licensed practical nurse upon graduation; expect the typical program to last around one year – not including the time it takes to complete pre-requisite requirements.
  • After getting a certificate in practical nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam in Missouri.
  • Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to theMissouri Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$45 fee.
  • Renew LPN license every two years.
  • There are no continuing education (CE) requirements for LPNs employed in the state of Missouri.

Missouri Salary & Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for entry-level licensed practical nurses in the state of Missouri is $37,630. However, there are roles within various workplaces that allow an LPN to earn a higher salary when they take on more supervisory responsibilities. These opportunities usually come when an employee has gained a certain amount of experience while working at the same job for years.

Additional Missouri Program Rankings

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