How to Become a Registered Nurse in Iowa
In the state of Iowa there are three different ways to become a Registered Nurse. The quickest is a hospital based diploma program, although these are rare and not a lot of people have the opportunity to take advantage of them. This program takes about three years to complete. The average RN salary in Iowa is $61,790 a year, or $30 an hour.
Another pathway is the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), which junior and community colleges typically offer. In fact, about fifty percent of registered nurses in Iowa choose this route.
Not only does the ADN provide essential training, but it also serves as a stepping stone to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or even a master’s degree. Generally, you can complete an associate’s degree in two to three years. After graduation, you will qualify for an entry-level registered nurse position.
Additionally, some private colleges offer associate programs. However, credits from private colleges often do not transfer toward a BSN or master’s degree later on. Therefore, it is important to consider your long-term educational goals when choosing your program.
A third path to becoming a registered nurse in Iowa is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a college or university. Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes about four years to finish.
Interestingly, many registered nurses who start with an associate’s degree later decide to return to school for a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree. In response, many healthcare employers offer tuition reimbursement programs to help nurses continue their education.
Furthermore, Iowa colleges and universities provide online programs. These allow registered nurses with an associate’s degree to earn their BSN through flexible online courses.
With a BSN or master’s degree, nurses qualify for higher-paying positions. For instance, advanced degrees open the doors to management roles, such as assistant head nurse, head nurse, assistant director, director, and various administrative positions.
Additionally, Iowa nurses are moving toward the business side of healthcare. Employers increasingly value their expertise in health planning, development, marketing, consulting, policy, and quality assurance.
As you can see, pursuing a BSN or higher degree offers many opportunities and advantages for registered nurses in Iowa.
Both the associate and bachelor’s degree paths require lower-level college courses. For example, you’ll study anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, algebra, statistics, sociology, and psychology.
In addition, both programs include supervised, hands-on clinical experience. You may complete this training in a hospital, home health care, nursing care facilities, public health departments, or other health care settings.
Meanwhile, the BSN provides more advanced training. Not only will you learn about nursing practice and theory, but you’ll also study communication, leadership, and critical thinking. As the nursing field becomes increasingly complex, advanced training has become especially important.
All three programs require that upon completion the student must pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse and a criminal background check through the Iowa Board of Nursing. Upon satisfaction of this final requirement the student becomes a legal registered nurse.
Iowa Associates Degree RN Programs
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Nursing Department
Phone: 515-964-6324
EICCD Department of Nursing
Phone: 563-441-4256
Department of Nursing
Phone: 319-296-4013
Nursing Department
Phone: 800-726-2585, x5164
Health Science Department
Phone: 800-362-2793
Nursing Department
Phone: 800-242-5108
IVCCD-Health Occupations Division
Phone: 641-752-7106
Nursing Department
Phone: 800-432-5852, x3392
Health Science Department
Phone: 319-398-5563 |
Nursing Division
Phone: 515-643-6615
Nursing Department
Phone: 800-728-2256
Nursing Department
Phone: 641-423-1264
Nursing Department
Phone: 712-324-5061
Nursing Department
Phone: 866-722-4692
Nursing Education Department
Phone: 641-782-7081
Department of Nursing Education
Phone: 712-279-3149
Nursing and Allied Health Division
Phone: 800-352-4649 |
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Accredited Iowa RN Schools
See our complete list of qualified pre-licensure RN schools in Iowa that meet the registered nursing education requirements. The Iowa Board of Nursing is the organization responsible for making sure that each Iowa nursing program provide adequate education to prepare students to become an RN. Before receiving a nursing license the graduating student will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam in the state of Iowa.
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