Options for Iowa Nursing Schools and Programs
Are you looking for a career that’s in high demand and that gives you the chance to help people? If so, you may be a great fit for a nursing career. Health organizations throughout Iowa rely on licensed practical nurses and registered nurses to provide the vast majority of a patient’s care. Learn more about nursing schools in Iowa by requesting program information from the schools below to find out if this is the right path for you.
As health care in Iowa expands to cover more and more Iowans, the need for skilled nurses is growing. For hard-to-place patients, such as those with an aggressive nature or who have a history of violence, nursing care can be hard to find. If you are physically strong and mentally resilient, you may be able to fill a niche in health care.
Nursing Education in Iowa
By completing your training in Iowa, you may learn how to work with some of the most advanced technology in the medical field. Iowa Public Radio reports that nurses are expected to translate for equipment when it fails to communicate with other types of technology.
The state of Iowa does a lot to recognize its nurses’ accomplishments. The Clinton Herald reports on the 100 Great Iowa Nurses awards, which aim to motivate Iowa nurses.
You can choose from two main types of degrees as a new nursing student. If you want to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Iowa, you may earn a diploma or certificate. For aspiring registered nurses (RN), available options include an Associate’s degree or an Iowa bachelor’s degree in nursing.
To get your nursing license, you must work your way through a curriculum of in-depth nursing courses that build up your theoretical understanding as well as your practical skills. As you proceed through these classes, you may complete over 600 hours of clinical work.
Classes that may be part of your curriculum include Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions, Parent Child Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Principles of Human Anatomy, and Nursing Ethics. While working through these courses, you may learn about different nursing specialties and decide which field you want to work in after graduation.
Iowa nursing students may have the chance to apply for a wide range of scholarships and grants. The Iowa Nurses Association awards several scholarships every year. The Iowa Bureau of Oral and Health Delivery Systems offers low-interest loans and scholarships to nursing students that display financial need. As a member of the Iowa Health Care Association, you may apply for several different types of financial aid.
Upon completing your nursing degree in Iowa, you can get your license through the Iowa Board of Nursing. You must take the NCLEX-PN or the NCLEX-RN, depending on which type of nursing degree you completed. Once you have your license, you may apply to start working as a nurse in health care organizations across the state.
Nursing Degree Programs in Iowa
For more information on specific programs that meet your needs, just click on the corresponding links below.
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in IA
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in IA
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in IA
Entry level nursing programs:
- All LPN/LVN Programs in IA
- All Associate Degree Nursing Programs in IA
- All Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in IA
- All Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in IA
- Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs in IA
Outlook for Nursing in Iowa
Attending one of the many nursing programs in Iowa may give you the chance to benefit from a strong job outlook in the state. Through 2022, job openings for licensed practical nurses are expected to increase by 21 percent (O*Net, 2012). In this time period, the demand for registered nurses may increase by 17 percent (O*Net, 2012).
Salaries for nurses in Iowa are on par with national averages. The average salary for an LPN is $40,710 per year (BLS, 2016). Registered nurses in Iowa earn an average salary of $55,040 per year (BLS, 2016).
If you are ready to find out what a career in nursing can do for your future, contact nursing colleges in Iowa to find out what your options are.
Some of the top employers of Registered Nurses in Iowa include University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines (Central Campus), Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Genesis Medical Center East, Davenport, and Saint Luke’s Hospital.
