To become an LPN, candidates must successfully complete a practical nursing program, such as the one offered by the Columbia Area Career Center. After completing the program, you must pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) to become LPN certified and licensed. Columbia Area Career Center, formerly known as the Columbia Area Vocational Technical School, accepts 32 students in each class. Courses include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, fundamentals of nursing, growth and development and mental health nursing. The program is full-time and takes 47 weeks. Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a GED. Tuition in 2010 is approximately $8,427.
Columbia Area Career Center
Practical Nursing Program
4203 S. Providence Road
Columbia, MO 65203
573-214-3800
career-center.org
Columbia College's Associate in Nursing program accepts a maximum of 32 students and combines courses in general education, science, math and nursing-specific classes, all of which can be completed online or with day or evening classes. Students complete the program in about 2.5 years. Graduates are eligible to take the Missouri Board of Nursing Licensure Exam and be licensed as a registered nurse (RN). Applicants must be at least 18 years old and complete prerequisite coursework while maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or above. LPNs applying to the program must submit a transcript of practical nursing education along with a copy of a current Missouri LPN license. Additional requirements include successfully taking a urine drug test, submitting documentation of physical health and CPR certification. Tuition in 2010 is between $189 and $314 per credit.
Columbia College
1001 Rogers Street
Columbia MO 65216
573-875-8700
ccis.edu
The University of Missouri is approved by the Missouri Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Sinclair School of Nursing offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to nurses. Students gain experience both in the classroom and in the community; nursing students perform physical assessment testing at local schools. Candidates for the BSN program must be a high school graduate, have ACT composite scores of 24 or higher or SAT scores of 1090 or higher. Applicants with lower scores must meet class rank requirements. Tuition is charged as a fee per credit. Undergraduate tuition for in-state students in 2010 is $245.60 per credit; out-of-state tuition is $646.10 per credit.
University of Missouri
Sinclair School of Nursing
S235 School of Nursing
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-0277
nursing.missouri.edu/