LPN Programs in Iowa

Iowa LPN Training

Many businesses aren't interested in hiring people with limited experience and education. However, the health care industry has continued to grow despite the economic downturn, and many jobs are opening up for those that have Iowa LPN training. Anyone who enjoys helping people, and has always wanted to work closely with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals should consider LPN training.

Iowa LPN is a specialized education course designed to help someone pass the national exam for licensed practical nurses. LPNs are responsible for providing a high quality of bedside care to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, mental health facilities, and other health care environments. LPNs help to make patients comfortable, answer questions from patient families, and assist doctors and nurses with treatment.

Becoming an LPN in Iowa

Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Individuals who are licensed in compact states can work in other compact states without becoming licensed in those states. Once must be licensed in his or her primary state of residence.

In order to qualify for LPN licensure in Iowa by examination or by endorsement, an individual must have:

• Graduated from an board-approved LPN program
• Their criminal record approved by the board
• Passed the NCLEX

Foreign educated individuals must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed above for all applicants:

• Passing score on the TOEFL, unless instruction and text books were in English
• Professional Report application from CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)

Individuals applying to become an LPN in Iowa must submit:

• An application to take the Iowa LPN Examination, along with the application fee of $143.00 for examination and $169 for endorsement (This includes the money used to conduct the criminal background check).
• Two fingerprint cards and a signed waiver form
• Information regarding any criminal offenses committed by the applicant
• An official nursing transcript submitted directly to the Iowa Board of Nursing
• NCLEX Registration (by examination - $200 fee)

The exam application and NCLEX registration expire 90 days after an individual is authorized to test.

Renewing an LPN License

Licenses in Iowa are granted for 2 or 3 years. Those who are granted a 3 year license must complete 36 contact hours of continuing education in each 3 year period. Those who are licensed for 2 years must meet a 24 contact hour requirement.

Additional Resources

• Iowa Nursing Licensure

Like in other parts of the country, LPNs in Iowa work directly with patients, clients, and facility residents.

LPN duties include performing basic diagnostic tests, administering medication to patients, giving shots and injections, obtaining patients' vital signs, as well as many other important responsibilities.

As a Iowa LPN, you might specialize in obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery or psychiatry or another nursing specialty that interests you.

The Best LPN Schools in Iowa

By providing the most compehensive list of nursing schools, NurseGroups.com helps you find the best LPN programs in Iowa, including the best online LPN schools accepting students in Iowa.

Why Online LPN Classes?

Being a licensed practical nurse is a great career. But many working adults who want to become an LPN have an extremely busy schedule - balancing a full-time job, family commitments and other personal responsibilities. The traditional classroom setting offered by most local LPN schools doesn't offer the same flexibility as taking their LPN classes online.

Online programs allow students to fit their education into their already busy schedule - studying and taking exams when it's convenient for them. LPN students can access their online classroom 24 hours per day / seven days per week.

Also, taking LPN nursing courses online saves students even more time, as online students don't need to commute to school. Online schools enable busy people to get LPN training, without interfering with their current job or personal life.

Iowa LPN Resources on NurseGroups.com

• Iowa Department of Health