Career Description

Registered nurses (R.N.s) care for sick and injured patients. Registered nurses will assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Registered nurses monitor and record patients’ conditions and report any changes to physicians. They maintain detailed reports, record vital signs, and order, interpret and evaluate tests to identify and assess patients’ conditions and work closely with patients and their families.

Academic Requirements

Becoming a registered nurse requires formal education from a state-approved nursing school and state licensure. R.N.s train by completing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree program in nursing. To obtain licensure after completion of an approved nursing program, registered nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) before practicing in the profession.

Schools

University of Central Missouri – Lee’s Summit Lee's Summit
Waynesville Career Center Waynesville
Warrensburg Area Career Center Warrensburg
Washburn University Topeka
University of Kansas Lawrence
The Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences of SBU Springfield
Saline County Career Center Marshall
Three Rivers College – Sikeston Sikeston
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville
Pike-Lincoln Technical Cener Eolia
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center Poplar Bluff
Rolla Technical Institute Rolla
Ozarks Mountain Technical Center Mountain Grove
Pemiscot County Career and Technology Center Hayti
Perryville Area Career and Technology Center Perryville
North Technical Florissant
Northland Career Center Platte City
Nichols Career Center Jefferson City
North Central Career Center Bethany
Nevada Regional Technical Center Nevada
New Madrid R-I Technical Skills Center New Madrid
Lewis and Clark Career Center St. Charles
Lex La-Ray Technical Center Lexington
KU School of Health Professions Kansas City
Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City
Kirksville Area Technical Center Kirksville
Hillyard Technical Center St. Joseph
Johnson County Community College Overland Park
Grand River Technical Center Chillicothe
Hannibal Career and Technical Center Hannibal
Four Rivers Career Center Washington
Franklin Technology Center Joplin
Davis H. Hart Career Center Mexico
Eldon Career Center Eldon
Excelsior Springs Area Career Center Excelsior Springs
Current River Career Center Doniphan
Dallas County Technical Center Louisburg
Columbia Career Center Columbia
Cass Career Center Harrisonville
Clinton Technical School Clinton
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center Cape Girardeau
Career and Technology Center at Fort Osage Independence
Carrollton Area Career Cener Carrollton
Texas County Technical College Houston
CALC Institute of Technology Alton
William Woods University Fulton
Arcadia Valley Career Technology Center Ironton
William Jewell College Liberty
Webster University St. Louis
Western Governors University – Missouri Clayton
Washington University St. Louis
University of Phoenix – Springfield Springfield
University of Phoenix – St. Louis St. Louis
University of Phoenix – Kansas City Kansas City
University of Missouri – St. Louis St. Louis
University of Missouri – Columbia Columbia
University of Missouri – Kansas City Kansas City
Truman State University Kirksville
University of Central Missouri Warrensburg
University of Mary Kansas City
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Stephens College Columbia
Texas County Technical Institute Houston
State Fair Community College Sedalia
State Technical College of Missouri Linn
St. Louis Community College – Wildwood Wildwood
St. Louis Community College St. Louis
St. Louis Community College – Meramec St. Louis
St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis
St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley St. Louis
St. Louis College of Health Careers – Fenton Branch Fenton
St. Charles Community College St. Peters
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau
Southwest Baptist University Bolivar
Saint Louis University St. Louis
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences Kansas City
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences Cape Girardeau
Rockhurst University Kansas City
Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield
Park University Parkville
North Central Missouri College Trenton
Northwest Missouri State University Maryville
Missouri Western State University St. Joseph
Moberly Area Community College Moberly
Missouri Valley College Marshall
Missouri State University – West Plains West Plains
Missouri Southern State University Joplin
Missouri State University Springfield
Mineral Area College Park Hills
Missouri Baptist University St. Louis
Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods Kansas City
Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley Kansas City
Metropolitan Community College – Business/Tech. Kansas City
Metropolitan Community College – Longview Lee's Summit
Maryville University of Saint Louis St. Louis
Metropolitan Community College – Blue River Independence
Lincoln University Jefferson City
Jefferson College Hillsboro
Hannibal-Lagrange University Hannibal
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College St. Louis
Graceland University – Independence, MO Independence
Grantham University Kansas City
Fontbonne University St. Louis
Drury University Springfield
East Central College Union
Culver-Stockton College Canton
Concorde Career College Kansas City
Cox College Springfield
Crowder College Neosho
Chamberlain College of Nursing St. Louis
College of the Ozarks Point Lookout
Columbia College Columbia
Bryan University Springfield
Central Methodist Univeristy Fayette
Baker University Kansas City
Avila University Kansas City

Next Up:

Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists work under a physician’s supervision to take care of patients with lung problems. The patients might have chronic asthma or have suffered a heart attack, stroke or other disease or illness.

Learn More

AT A GLANCE

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

27.54%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Next Up:

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

A cardiovascular technologist assists with the diagnosis and treatment of heart issues. They conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. They may conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

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AT A GLANCE

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

11.13%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Next Up:

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat both sudden and long-term conditions. They may do physical exams, physical therapy or order tests and therapies for patients. NPs order, perform or interpret results of blood tests, EKGs and X-rays. They use these tools, along with patient symptoms and medical history to develop the right diagnosis.

Learn More

AT A GLANCE

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

27.93%

Education Required

Master's Degree