Nursing Schools in Iowa – IA
Select an area of interest to find schools:
- CNA Programs in Iowa
- ADN Programs Approved by The Iowa Board of Nursing
- BSN Programs Approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- LPN Programs in Iowa – Iowa Board of Nursing Approved
- RN to BSN Programs in Iowa
- RN to MSN Programs in Iowa
- MSN Programs in Iowa
- Nurse Practitioner Programs in Iowa
- DNP Programs in Iowa
- Featured Iowa Nursing Programs
Nursing schools in Iowa have experienced a decline in enrollment in the past years and have graduated only 200 nurses a year recently. This number is not high enough to keep pace with the growing demand in Iowa for well qualified nurses. Iowa is experiencing a severe nursing shortage. Male candidates are being heavily recruited by nursing schools to try and alleviate the nursing shortage. Another key factor affecting the nursing shortage is that there are not enough nursing educators working as nursing faculty at the Iowa nursing schools. What this means is that Iowa nursing schools are turning away hundreds of qualified candidates each year because they do not have the staff to teach them. Learn more: How to become a Registered Nurse in Iowa
Online Nursing Schools in Iowa
Many hospitals and health care agencies in Iowa are now seeking registered nurses with baccalaureate degrees in nursing and this is limiting the number of candidates they have to fill openings since many registered nurses have not returned to nursing school for advanced education. Helping alleviate the nursing shortage in Iowa are online nursing schools with limited or no waitlists and plenty of virtual class room for registered nurses or LPNs looking to earn an RN to BSN or LPN to BSN. Schools also offer master’s in nursing programs including nurse educator master’s degree programs. Take a minute to request nursing program and financial assistance information from the schools below, so that you may weigh your nursing school options.
Nursing Job Outlook in Iowa and Iowa Nursing Salaries
According to an Iowa Public Broadcasting special in 2003, by 2009, it is projected that 64 percent of the current registered nurses will be retired or over the age of 65. By 2010, surveys indicate that almost half (49 percent) of Iowa’s nursing teaching faculty plan to retire. What all this means is that there will continue to be a nursing shortage in Iowa even with the measures the state government and nursing agencies are doing to counter the trend. What it means to a new nursing graduate or a registered nurse looking to further their career with an advanced degree is that there will be job security, higher wages and many other benefits for those that choose a career in nursing.
Nursing salaries for a RN at Iowa Health Systems Hospitals are $19.58 to $30.35 per hour according to their website job postings. A registered nurse mentioned that in Southwestern Iowa, in a more rural location of Iowa, she made $19 per hour working in a local hospital. Ottumwa Regional Hospital posts salaries for their RNs at $17-$22 per hour. As you can see there is quite a range depending on location and experience, one can expect an average hourly salary range from $17 to more than $30 an hour.
Associate’s Degree Nursing (ADN) Programs Approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing
| Des Moines Area Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Urban PH: 515-964-6324 | Eastern Iowa Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Scott Community College-Bettendorf, Muscatine Community College, Clinton Community College PH: 563-441-4001 | Hawkeye Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Waterloo PH: 319-296-2320 | Iowa Central Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Fort Dodge, Storm Lake, Webster City/Goldfield PH: 800-362-2793 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Emmetsburg, Algona, Spencer, Spirit Lake PH: 800-242-5108 | Iowa Valley Community College District Campuses Offering LPN: Ellsworth Community College, Marshalltown Community College PH: 641-752-7106, ext 5726 | Iowa Western Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Council Bluffs, Clarinda, Shelby County Center PH: 800-432-5852, ext 3392 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Sioux City, Denison PH: 800-352-4649 |
| Kirkwood Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Cedar Rapids PH: 319-398-4989 | Northeast Iowa Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Peosta, Calmar PH: 800-728-7367, ext 204 | North Iowa Area Community College Campus Offering LPN: Mason City PH: 641-423-1264 | Northwest Iowa Community College Campus Offering LPN: Sheldon PH: 712-324-5061, ext 216 |
| Southeastern Community College Campuses Offering LPN: West Burlington, Keokuk PH: 866-722-4692 | Southwestern Community College Campuses Offering LPN: Creston, Red Oak PH: 641-782-7081 |
BSN Programs Approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing
| Allen College 1990 Heath Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 PH: 319-226-2000 | Briar Cliff University 3303 Rebecca St Sioux City, IA 51104 PH: 800-662-3363, ext 1662 | Clarke College 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001 PH: 563-588-6361 | Coe College 1220 First Avenue NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 PH: 319-399-8120 |
| Dordt College 498 4th Ave NE Sioux Center, IA 51250-1697 PH: 712-722-6689 | Nursing Department Luther College 700 College Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101 PH: 563-387-1057 | Morningside College Morningside Avenue Sioux City, IA 51106 PH: 712-274-5154 | Mount Mercy College 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4797 PH: 319-368-6471 |
| Northwestern College 101 7th St. SW Orange City, IA 51041 PH: 712-707-7086 | St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 PH: 563-333-6000 | University of Dubuque 2000 University Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001-5099 PH: 563-589-3000 | College of Nursing University of Iowa 101 Nursing Building 50 Newton Road Iowa City, IA 52242-1121 PH: 319-335-7018 |
| Upper Iowa University 605 Washington St. Fayette, Iowa 52142 PH: 563-425-5318 Campuses offering RN-BSN: Fayette, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids | William Penn University 201 Trueblood Ave Oskaloosa, IA 52577 PH: 641-673-1010 |
(Source: Iowa Board of Nursing)