According to "U.S. News and World Report," the best nursing college in the state is at the University of Missouri in Columbia. The Sinclair School of Nursing was rated No. 47 in the United States in 2009. Ratings were compiled using surveys submitted by prominent faculty members and college deans nationwide. The college offers degrees at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Among the programs offered at Missouri is an online RN to BSN program for nurses already working in the field and an accelerated bachelor's degree program for those who already have a degree in another field that want to get into the field of nursing. A master of science in nursing is also available. The college also offers both a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and Ph.D. The school also benefits from ongoing relationships with its medical school, the School of Health Professions and the multitude of research centers in the area.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Sinclair School of Nursing
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-0277
nursing.missouri.edu
St. Louis University's school of nursing was ranked No. 54 in the nation, according to "U.S. News." As part of a university within the Jesuit tradition, the nursing college is known for its academic rigor and excellence. One of the unique aspects of the SLU curriculum is its interprofessional education that is designed to train students in the necessary skills of the nursing profession while orienting them to the necessity of working with other health professionals such as doctors and physical therapists while obtaining their nursing education. The college also offers the RN to BSN program and an accelerated one-year program for those from outside fields. At the graduate degree level, SLU offers the master of science degree along with an accelerated master's degree. Both the DNP and Ph.D. are also offered through the college.
St. Louis University
School of Nursing
3525 Caroline Mall
St. Louis, MO 63104
314-977-2500
slu.edu/colleges/NR
The University of Missouri at Kansas City is the state's third highest-rated nursing college, ranking No. 95 by "U.S. News." Like Missouri-Columbia and SLU, UMKC offers both the RN to BSN program and the accelerated BSN program. Unique to the program among the three, however, is the BSN to Ph.D. track that allows students to move directly from the bachelor's program directly into the doctoral program upon graduation. The primary research interests of the university Ph.D. program include HIV and violence prevention in underserved populations, the cultural context of cancer care end-of-life palliative care, effects of exercise on cardiovascular health, prenatal programming of adult disease and muscle fatigue and aging. In addition to the Ph.D., UMKC also offers doctor of nursing practice degree.
University of Missouri-Kansas City
School of Nursing
2464 Charlotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-235-1700
nursing.umkc.edu