Pre-Licensure Nursing Admission Steps

Application for Registered Nurse Licensure in Missouri

According to Section 335.066 Missouri Nursing Practice Act (1-16), granting of the nursing baccalaureate degree does not guarantee eligibility to sit for the licensure examination or guarantee issuance of a license to practice nursing in the state of Missouri. For eligibility requirements to apply, write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) as specified in section 335.046-1 of the Missouri Nursing Practice Act. In addition, the applicant should: 1) be of good moral character; 2) have completed high school or equivalent ; 3)
have successfully completed the basic professional curriculum in an accredited or approved school of nursing and earned a professional nursing degree or diploma. Section 335.066, Missouri Nursing Practice Act ( 1-16), provides rules for denial, revocation or suspension of license and grounds for civil immunity. The Board may refuse to issue any certificate of registration or authority and permit or license stated in subsection two of this section. Detailed information may be obtained through the Missouri State Board of Nursing Website - www.prmo.gov/ nursing.asp.

Pursuant to 8 U.S.C.A. 1621 , the Board of Nursing is prohibited from granting professional licensure to a noneligible, non-citizen of the United States. An individual who is qualified alien, a nonimmigrant or an alien paroled into the US as documented by the US may be eligible for licensure. However, individuals who may have permission from the US to be here for a specific duration or purpose may not be eligible for professional licensure pursuant to federal law. For more information, you may visit http://pr.mo.gov/boards/ nursing/CITIZENSHIP-LAWFUL-PRESENCE.pdf.

Criminal Record Check

RSMO 192.2495 prohibits a hospital, healthcare agency, or healthcare organization from knowingly allowing those guilty of Class A and B felonies as defined by state law to give care to clients in their agency. Students entering Missouri Southern State University are assigned to do clinical practice in cooperating healthcare agencies/organizations and because they will be in contact with patients, must additionally meet all clinical site requirements. A criminal record check is required for admission to the Nursing Program. Students who have been found guilty of Class A or B felonies will be ineligible to enter or continue in the Nursing Program. The Nursing program reserves the right to deny acceptance or continuation in the program for the following circumstances:

•  A student is found to have a criminal record or arrest record regardless of a charge and/or
  outcome of the arrest/charge.
• A student or applicant does not disclose history of criminal record or arrest record.

A criminal record check is required for admission to the Nursing Program. Students who have been found guilty of Class A and B felonies will be ineligible to enter or continue in the Nursing
Program.

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of personal characteristics and integrity that indicates a high probability of successful degree completion and must meet application criteria necessary to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Approval and Accreditation

The MSSU nursing program has full approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing, 3605 Missouri Boulevard, P.O. Box 656, Jefferson City MO, 65102-0656.
Main number: 573-751-0681,
FAX: 573-751 -0075,
Email: nursing@pr.mo.gov 
Website: http:// pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp

The Bachelor's in Nursing program at Missouri Southern State University at the College of Health Sciences located in Joplin, Missouri 64801-1595 is accredited by the: Accreditation
Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Bachelor's in Nursing program is continuing accreditation with next review in 2028.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs

Students are required to have completed a physical examination/health verification as a condition of admission to the nursing program. Students will be required to demonstrate physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of each course in the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Core performance standards for admission and progression which comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 are available in the office of the Department of Nursing.