How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Missouri
Registered nurses (RNs) in Missouri have a timely opportunity to advance their nursing education and transition into a nurse practitioner (NP) role with a favorable job outlook. If you are a current RN looking to expand your professional career as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), this blog is for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Missouri ranked fifth among states with the highest concentration of nurse practitioner (NP) jobs in May 2022. The BLS reports that the average national salary for nurse practitioners is $129,210, and a nurse practitioner in Missouri earns an average of $124,600 (May 2024).
BLS data shows the growing demand for nurse practitioners is projected to result in approximately 135,500 additional positions nationwide between 2023 and 2033. This anticipated growth in NP employment is currently trending faster than average, with a 46% increase expected over the decade. Missouri is expected to experience a 42% growth rate through 2032.
Read on to learn the step-by-step process for how to become an NP in Missouri.
Educational Requirements for Becoming an NP
A prerequisite for any NP position is holding a current RN license. This can be accomplished by completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), followed by successful completion of the NCLEX® examination.
An RN-BSN program can prepare nurses for the additional prerequisite education required for entry into a graduate program to become a nurse practitioner. Some nursing programs require work experience as a BSN-prepared nurse before admission, while others work with students to meet their individual needs.
Nurse practitioner programs in Missouri prepare graduates through a combination of didactic coursework and clinical experiences necessary to earn an advanced degree and attain licensure to practice in the state. Education may be delivered in online or in-person formats, and students graduate with a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner in the specialty of their choosing.
Specialty Areas for Nurse Practitioners
There are various types of NP specialty areas, each with corresponding educational curricula tailored to the distinct population of interest. Each program prepares graduates to gain national certification as a nurse practitioner in their chosen specialty area and practice within the Missouri scope of practice appropriate for the credential earned, such as:
- Family Practice Nurse (NP-FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP-AGACNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP-PMHNP)
Within the scope of NP practice, different certifications and corresponding examinations are dependent on the chosen specialty area. These certifications include designations offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To become certified in a specialty, a candidate must take and pass the certification exam issued by the organization offering the credential.
The next step in the process of becoming an APRN in Missouri is to earn and maintain a state license to practice. Next, let’s explore some of the state-specific requirements for licensure that the Missouri Board of Nursing sets forth.
State-Specific NP Licensure Requirements
To practice as an NP in the state of Missouri, nurses must have a current Missouri or multistate (compact) license, maintain national certification in a population focus and be licensed by the Missouri State Board of Nursing as an APRN. It’s important to note that the Missouri Board of Nursing does not issue physical licenses; instead, it recognizes APRN status.
The APRN recognition application in Missouri contains important information on obtaining this status to practice in the state. The details are outlined below.
Certification Programs for APRN Recognition in Missouri
The Missouri Board of Nursing specifies that these national certification programs are acceptable to meet the requirements for a Missouri document of APRN recognition.
Enrollment for Notification of APRN Recognition
The Missouri Board of Nursing requires applicants to enroll in Nursys® to receive electronic notifications instead of a physical APRN recognition or licensure card. This system also provides electronic licensure renewal reminders when it is time to renew the recognition status, allowing practitioners to continue practicing in the state.
Complete Application Steps
Another essential requirement for APRN recognition in Missouri is to have the application fully completed, signed and notarized before submitting it to the Board for review. This includes:
- Mailing the application in hard copy to the physical Missouri Board of Nursing office (Electronic applications are not accepted.)
- An accompanying $150 nonrefundable application fee
- Supporting documentation and forms, including proof of national APRN certification
Once APRN recognition is earned, the NP is ready to consider collaborative practice and prescriptive authority in alignment with the scope of practice and anticipated job duties.
Collaborative Practice and NP Prescriptive Authority
Missouri regulates and requires collaborative practice between physicians and NPs in the state, but it does not require APRNs to provide the Board of Nursing with a copy of their collaborative practice agreement. The prescriptive authority of an APRN is dependent on the details of the collaborative practice agreement, and certification to prescribe controlled substances is required for this type of practice.
Professional nursing associations in Missouri help promote collaboration among Missouri nurse practitioners and offer helpful resources such as:
- Continuing education and training
- Election of Missouri nurse representatives for political action
- Well-being and mental health initiatives
- Events for professional networking
As you consider the potential advanced nursing degree paths for becoming an NP in Missouri, one benefit of online education is the vast network of student colleagues and faculty mentors that come together for quality NP education. Online education enables you to earn your degree while continuing to work and gain clinical experience in your community.
Become a Nurse Practitioner at Rockhurst University
Rockhurst University offers several online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for an affordable and efficient pathway to becoming a nurse practitioner in Missouri. Rockhurst offers three MSN specialties in family practice, adult-gerontology acute care and psychiatric mental health, with opportunities to earn two degrees simultaneously through its dual-track programs:
Flexible part-time and full-time options are available to accommodate busy nurses. Other program features include:
- 100% online coursework with clinical placement services and preceptor matching in your region
- An exciting on-campus immersion at Rockhurst University’s start-of-the-art facility in Kansas City
- Preparation for the certification exam
