Nursing In Missouri

If you are seeking a career in nursing, Missouri can be a great place to work. Missouri is a unique spot with its low cost of living and solid pay which makes it a desirable place to live. Whether you are just starting out or looking to further build in your career, Missouri hospitals and clinics have plenty to offer!

Missouri Nurse Salary Breakdown

The average salary for registered nurses in Missouri comes in at $67,790 which is 18% lower than the national salary. However, the cost of living in Missouri is also well below the nation average which means housing, food, and other common day to day living expenses are going to be around 7% lower than other states.

This chart gives a pretty great breakdown of what you can expect to pay living here across a number of categories. Before taking a new job or nursing contract, be sure you've factored in the cost of living into your decision to avoid unexpected bills!

(Living Cost also gives an even more detailed breakdown of living costs in Missouri)

It is also important to note this salary is not equal across all cities in Missouri and what you get paid as a registered nurse can vary from $59,580 all the way up to $94,690 per year depending on what city you live, what hospital you work at, and your role at the hospital.

We've put together a salary breakdown by city to provide a bit more clarity on what you can expect to take home where you end up working:

• Kansas City, MO - $71,800 per year or about $38 per hour
• St. Louis, MO - $70,640 per year or about $37 per hour
• St. Joseph, MO - $66,340 per year or about $35 per hour
• Columbia, MO - $66,300 per year or about $35 per hour
• Jefferson City, MO - $62,980 per year or about $33 per hour
• Springfield, MO - $61,550 per year or about $29.55 per hour

Best Hospitals for Nurses in Missouri

With nearly 200 hospitals across the state it can be difficult to choose the best employer for you and your family, but we've done exactly that. We've featured the hospitals below which are already highly rated on work conditions, nursing opportunities, and patient care standards.

Continuing Education for Missouri Nurses

You're in luck! The Missouri Board of Nursing does not require nurses to complete any sort of continuation education or CEUs to maintain your nursing license. This is true for both registered nurses and nurses. Here's the breakdown:

• Registered Nurses (RN) - No continuing education or CEUs required
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - No continuing education or CEUs required
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Must complete 60 hours every 2 years

(Please note these requirements are only from the Missouri Board of Nursing — your hospital may have different requirements so be sure to ask when interviewing for a new job!)

The Missouri Nursing License

Missouri is actually one of 37 states which are part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This is great news for nurses licensed within a compact state because you are automatically eligible to work in all 37 states after getting your Missouri license without all the hassle, paperwork, and yellow tape that comes with applying and waiting for an individual license per state.

How to get your Missouri Nursing License

After you have made it through nursing school, earned your degree, and passed the NCLEX exam, the final steps to get your Nursing License is quite simple! There's only a few things you need to do in order to start working in Missouri.

Step 1 - Apply

Missouri’s application for a nursing is a paper only form that must be completed, notarized, and submitted by mail along to the Nursing Board in Jefferson City. Your nursing program directors should help you with this process and be available for any questions you have. When sending in your form, be sure to use this address:

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0656

Important Note — No documents will be accepted electronically!

Step 2 - Submit your nursing school transcripts

All applications to the Nursing Board require an official transcript from your nursing program. This transcript must be your degree and graduation date. It's often easiest to work with your school directly to ensure this transcript is sent correctly. Most schools have an online portal to pay for transcripts to be sent by mail to any location, just be sure to double check the address is correct!

Step 3 - Submit your background check (final step!)

Finally, you will need to submit a background check in order to get your Missouri Nursing License. This is done by going through the MACHS website and registering with the four-digit registration number 0001. Once registered, go through the full background check flow and double check all information your enter matches your license application.

How to renew your Missouri nursing license

Step 1 - Be aware of important deadlines

All nursing licenses in Missouri expire on April 30th each odd year (2023, 2025, etc...), and are required to be renewed 3 days before or else the license will become "lapsed". If your license becomes lapsed, it unfortunately requires extra paper work to get re-instated so we really recommend setting up an automatic alert to give you a heads-up on your license three months before it expires.

Setting up this alert is super easy and can be done using the E-Notify website. Simply create a nurse account and enter your information and you are good to go. Trust us — the alert is worth it!

Step 2 - Renewal Application (final step!)

If you signed up for your renewal reminders, three months before your license expires, you will get a notification from the E-Notify system with the Missouri Petition for License Renewal form. The email will have everything you need for renewing your Missouri nurses licensure. Inside the email you will be provided with a special online pin and license number. There will also be a clickable link, and that link will direct you to the form to fill out all Missouri rns licensure information. There is an $85 fee to keep licensure within the state of Missouri for the next two years (there may also be processing fees for online). Be sure to update any contact information prior to the renewal date so if there is any mail sent you are sure to get it.

Missouri State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0656

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Missouri nursing licensing fees

There are a handful of fees you should be aware of depending on your current situation as a nurse. In short, most fees only need to be paid when it is time to renew or need to move to Missouri from a non-compact state. For additional info, please be sure to read through the licensing page from the Missouri Board of Nursing.

License fees for first time Nurses

• Application fee: $0 (completely free!)
• Background check fee: $41.75

License fees when moving to Missouri (from a non-compact state)

• Registered Nurse (RN) application fee - $105
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) application fee - $101
• Background check - $41.75

License renewal fees

• Registered Nurse (RN) renewal fee - $85
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) renewal fee - $52

Missouri Nursing FAQs

We've put together a list of the common questions we see over and over again. Please reach out to us if there's any other questions we can help answer!

Is there a nursing shortage in Missouri?

There is a large nursing shortage in Missouri. A recent study from the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) found there are more than 8,000 vacant staff nurse positions across hospitals in Missouri.

What kind of nurses get paid the most in Missouri?

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is by far the highest-paid nursing speciality in Missouri with an average salary of $193,559 as of December 2022.

What city in Missouri pays nurses the most?

Kansas City hospitals pay nurses the most in Missouri with an average yearly salary of $71,800 as of December 2022.

What is the average salary for nurses in Missouri?

The average salary for registered nurses in Missouri is $67,790 which is 18% lower than the national salary as of December 2022.

How much does a new RN Make in Missouri?

The average New Graduate Registered Nurse salary in Missouri is $63,960 as of December 2022. A new graduate's salary will greatly depend on the city they live, hospital they work at, and role at the hospital.

Do Missouri nurses need to complete continuing education?

Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are not required to complete any sort of continuing education according to the Missouri Board of Nursing.

How many continuing education hours do nurses need in Missouri?

Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are not required to complete any sort of continuing education according to the Missouri Board of Nursing.

How do I renew my Nursing License in Missouri?

In order to renew your Missouri Nursing License, simply complete, sign, and notarize the Missouri Petition for License Renewal form. One complete, mail the form to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

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Additional Resources for Missouri Nurses

Missouri Board of Nursing

The Missouri Board of Nursing is in charge of creating and enforcing rules regarding nursing licensure in the state. The board's website also offers helpful information about renewal, educational requirements, and the state's nursing workforce.

Missouri Nursing License E-Notify System

Get automatic alerts for your Missouri Nursing License such as renewal reminders and discipline alerts.

Missouri Nurses Association

The Missouri Nurses Association represents more than 90,000 RNs throughout the state. The group also advocates for the nursing profession in state government through its political action committee.

National Nurses United (Missouri)

This state group is part of the larger National Nurses United, a professional association and union promoting progressive policies in the nursing field.

Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners

This association offers a variety of resources for prospective nurse practitioners. Members can access a job board, attend an annual conference, and take advantage of continuing education opportunities.

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