Looking to become a nurse in the heart of the Midwest? Check out nursing jobs in Missouri to find a position that allows the work-life balance you’re looking for. The state covers a land area of nearly 70,000 miles and is home to over 6.2 million people who need high-quality nursing care.
Growing healthcare staffing shortages means there are many full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, and travel nurse jobs in Missouri that match your preferred specialty and facility type. Ready to take the next step toward meeting your personal and professional goals? Find out more about living and working in the Show-Me State and learn why Missouri is the perfect place to continue your nursing career.
Quick Facts About Missouri Nursing Jobs
- Does MO belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact? Yes. You can find out more about the state’s nursing laws, rules, and regulations, in our article on the Missouri Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses make in Missouri? The average annual salaries for nursing jobs in Missouri depend on your license/certification:
- NP salary in Missouri: $116,680
- RN salary in Missouri: $77,590
- LPN salary in Missouri: $55,220
- CNA salary in Missouri: $36,350
- Where can I learn more about MO requirements for nurse licenses? The Missouri Board of Nursing website lists the most accurate information on state licensure. If your credentials are expiring soon, check out our article on how to renew a Missouri nursing license.
- What are the most populous cities in MO? The top five MO cities by population are:
- Kansas City
- St. Louis
- Springfield
- Columbia
- Independence
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Missouri
Want to find out more about whom you’ll be caring for? While Missouri has historically lacked the cultural diversity seen in other parts of the U.S., recent demographics suggest a significant increase in the growth of previously underrepresented nationalities and ethnic groups.
Missouri’s cultural index — a measurement of the diversity of a population — increased to 61.1% from 54.9%. In terms of today’s Missouri residents, approximately 77.9% are White, 11.7% are Black, 5.3% are Hispanic or Latino, 2.3% are Asian, 0.6% are American Indian, and 2.7% identify with two or more races.
The median age of state residents is 39.2, which is on par with the national median. Over 10.3% of the population lives with a disability, and 9.1% of residents don’t have health insurance, so you’ll want to be sure you brush up on your cultural competence skills before practicing in Missouri.
Whether you’re looking to work in an urban or rural area, there are plenty of available nursing jobs to choose from. Start your search by exploring positions by role:
- CRNA jobs in missouri
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Missouri
- Certified nurse midwife jobs in Missouri
- RN jobs in Missouri
- LPN jobs in Missouri
- CNA jobs in Missouri
- CMA jobs in Missouri
- Surgical tech jobs in Missouri
- Medication aide jobs in Missouri
- Home health aide jobs in Missouri
- Caregiver jobs in Missouri
- Student nurse jobs in Missouri
Working in Missouri
Missouri is the top state for job growth and employment in the U.S, so you’ll likely have no problem finding a nursing job that meets your needs and preferences. With a clinical workforce of nearly 200,000, Missouri healthcare practitioners make up the sixth-largest employment sector in the state. The employment rate sits at around 61.5%, which is higher than the national average.
Looking to work in an acute care facility? A great way to find a job is by checking out available positions with Missouri’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers. Prominent employers include:
- BJC Healthcare
- Boone Health
- Bothwell Regional Health Center
- Children’s Mercy Hospital
- Cox Health
- HCA Healthcare - Belton Regional Medical Center
- Mercy Hospital - Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis Campuses
- Phelps Health
- Saint Francis Healthcare System
- SSM Health
- St. Luke’s Health System - Kansas City
You can also find jobs directly with the State of Missouri or with the Missouri Department of Health. Around 7.1% of Missouri residents have served in the armed forces, so it’s worth checking out Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing jobs if you’re interested in giving back to military service members. If you’re searching for post-acute nursing positions, you can explore job opportunities in long-term care facilities across the state.
The average commute time in Missouri is 23.5 minutes, which is about three minutes shorter than the national average. Around 81.8% of residents drive to work alone, 8.9% carpool with others, and 1.5% take mass transit. If you want to avoid a commute altogether, you can join the 4.7% of people who work from home by checking out remote nursing jobs in your area of expertise.
Moving to Missouri with kids? Nurses with children can find licensed and vetted childcare providers in their area on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. If you’ll need someone to look after your furry friends while you care for patients, you’ll be able to find plenty of trustworthy and affordable pet sitters who would be happy to lend a hand.
Living in Missouri
When you envision life in Missouri, you probably assume days off will be spent visiting the Gateway Arch or attending a Cardinals baseball game. While cities like St. Louis and Columbia are fun to explore, there’s much more to living in Missouri than initially meets the eye.
In addition to its bustling downtown areas, the state is also home to some of nature’s greatest wonders, including Dogwood Canyon and the Johnson’s Shut-Ins. The state’s 93 state parks cover nearly 150,000 acres and can be enjoyed on foot, horseback, bike, or boat.
Curious about the food and beverage specialties Missouri has to offer? As St. Louis is the home of the Anheuser-Busch brewing company, beer connoisseurs and historians may appreciate getting a tour of the company’s headquarters and finishing the day with an ice-cold pint. Foodies take delight in enjoying local dishes like Kansas City barbeque, toasted ravioli, and gooey butter cake.
As an inland state, Missouri has a relatively temperate climate. Residents are able to enjoy the magic of all four seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Winter temperatures average around 25 degrees and summer temperatures can reach the mid-90s.
You’ll be happy to hear that the cost of living in Missouri is 14.4% lower than the national average, which means you’ll be able to do more with your hard-earned paycheck. The average home costs $212,300, and the price to rent a two-bedroom apartment is about $950 per month.
Explore Great Nursing Jobs In Missouri on IntelyCare
Think you have what it takes to be a nurse in Missouri? IntelyCare can help connect you with nursing jobs to kick-start the next phase of your career.