ABSN Programs in Missouri

This content was produced in partnership with Archer Education.

Of all the ABSN programs available in Missouri, Rockhurst University’s Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is one of the best. Unlike many other programs, Rockhurst’s ABSN combines the online coursework component with ten days of on-campus instruction and supervised clinical rotations in different areas of clinical practice.

The program requires a full-time commitment, but can be completed in only 16 months.

Different Nursing Degrees

Many RNs (Registered Nurses) are being encouraged to go back to school in an attempt to improve the quality of medical care and ensure that high standards are maintained in the future. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is normally a four-year degree, but it can be worth putting in the time. Nurses with a BSN earn significantly more than nurses with only the RN qualification.

Because working nurses are normally pretty busy already, without trying to fit in extra studying, many BSN programs are also available part-time and/or fully online.

Rockhurst University

Rockhurst was founded in 1839, making it the first public university to be founded west of the Mississippi. In 2023, Rockhurst continues to emphasize the practical and critical thinking skills that allow its students to stand out in the healthcare professions.

Degree Requirements

To register for the ABSN, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree (in any field) with a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.7. They must have completed at least two of the four science prerequisites in the seven years prior to their application and passed with a minimum grade of C.

Yearly tuition fees are $13,928, but scholarships are available to help students cover their costs. If you need advice or assistance regarding tuition fees, financial advisor Steve Farr, one of Sedalia’s local experts, will be happy to help.

Degree Structure

All the coursework required from the ABSN is fully online.

The on-campus instruction and clinical rotations are provided by Rockhurst in collaboration with St. Luke’s™ College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Both Saint Luke’s and Rockhurst are accredited by the HLC (Higher Learning Commission), and the nursing programs they offer are CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredited.

Nursing in Kansas

Rockhurst provides clinical placement services and boasts a 100% graduate employment rate. After completion of the ABSN, newly qualified nurses can take advantage of the many job opportunities in Missouri. The costs of living are low, and average salaries for recently graduated registered nurses is around $63,000.

Hospital Nursing

According to the U.S. News and World Report, the top four hospitals in Missouri are Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis), Missouri Baptist Medical Center (St. Louis), Mercy Hospital (St. Louis) and St. Luke’s Hospital (Kansas).

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is ranked among the best in cancer surgery and treatment, lung surgery, cardiovascular services, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, as well as diabetes and endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, GI surgery, otolaryngology, urology and rheumatology.

Missouri Baptist Medical Center performed best in Geriatrics, Urology, and Gastroenterology/G.I. surgery. Additional high-performing specialties were hip and knee replacements, cardiovascular procedures and treatment of strokes.

St. Luke’s has an excellent neurology department, and their gastroenterology is also outstanding. Their cardiovascular procedures were also highly ranked.

Other Opportunities

Missouri has several facilities where qualified nurses are in demand – such as WILS Solutions for Independent Living. With branches in Odessa, Sedalia, Warsaw, and Warrensburg, WILS is a nonprofit center providing resources to persons with disabilities and their families and carers.

WILS recently received funding from the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (which is led by USAging), to promote the uptake of vaccines among the elderly and persons with disabilities. These grants are used to make it easier for people to get vaccinated – especially those who are less likely to go for vaccination voluntarily, like the elderly or the disabled.

Kansas Living

Qualified nurses with a strong community spirit could easily get involved in these kinds of projects. In a small town like Sedalia, it’s easy for small contributions to make a big difference in people’s lives. That’s why KIX radio, together with Central Bank of Sedalia, allows their listeners to nominate their favorite local Unsung Hero. We think all nurses are heroes!

Final Thoughts

Of course, when a nurse is already doing a job to the best of their ability, whether or not they have a certain certificate won’t make much difference. But, as mentioned, whether or not the nurse is certified could make quite a big difference to how much money she earns. And the chance of earning more money seems like an excellent reason to study for an ABSN.