RN Programs in Iowa

RN Programs in Iowa

Anyone who wants to have a career that helps other people out and has a great outlook for the future should consider the idea of registered nursing. Being a nurse is an incredibly rewarding career that can lead to a bright future. Registered nurses are in high demand all around the United States, and they general make good money because of their specialized skill set.

There are different levels of nursing education that an individual can pursue. The lower levels, such as an associate's degree, typically take around 2 years. The higher levels of nursing education to explore can take four years or more to complete. Those programs can easily lead to higher paying jobs in the future.

Becoming an RN by Examination in Iowa

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

  • Graduated from an board-approved RN program
  • Had his or her criminal record approved by the board
  • Passed the NCLEX

Individuals applying to become an RN by examination in Iowa must submit:

  • An application to take the Iowa RN Examination, along with the application fee of $143.00 (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
  • The exam application and NCLEX registration expire 90 days after an individual is authorized to test.

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

    • Graduated from an approved RN program
    • Had his or her criminal record approved by the board
    • Passed the NCLEX

    Becoming an RN by Endorsement in Iowa

    Individuals applying to become an RN by endorsement in Iowa must submit:

    • An endorsement application and a personal check, money order, or cashier's check for the $169.00 fee
    • 2 fingerprint cards and a Signed Waiver
    • Information about any criminal offenses he or she has committed or any disciplinary action received
    • A written assessment of his or her life at the time of any criminal convictions (if applicable)
    • A Request for Nursing Transcript form sent directly from his or her nursing program
    • Verification that he or she has been previously licensed in another US state

    Additional Resources

RN Schools Near You & Online in Iowa

Des Moines Area Community College

  • 800 Porter Avenue Ankeny, IA 50315
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (515) 287-8700

Coe College

  • 1220 1st Ave NE # 1 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (319) 399-8000

Mt. Mercy College

  • 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (319) 363-8213

Kirkwood Community College

  • 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (319) 398-5411

Iowa Western Community College

  • 2700 College Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (712) 325-3200

Southwestern Community College

  • 1501 W. Townline St. Creston, IA 50801
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (641) 782-7081

Saint Ambrose University

  • 518 W Locust St. Davenport, IA 52803
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (563) 333-6000

Eastern Iowa Community College District

  • 306 West River Drive Davenport, IA 52801
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    1(800)462-3255

Luther College

  • 700 College Drive Decorah, IA 52101
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (563) 387-2000

Grand View University

  • 1200 Grandview Avenue Des Moines, IA 50316
    Programs: BSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (515) 263-2800

Mercy College – Health Science

  • 928 6th Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN
    (515) 643-3180

Clarke College

  • 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001
    Programs: BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, RN, RN to BSN
    (888) 825-2753

The University of Dubuque

  • 2000 University Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001
    Programs: BSN, RN
    (563) 589-3000

Iowa Lakes Community College

  • 3200 College Drive Emmetsburg, IA 50536
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (712) 852-3554

Iowa Central Community College

  • One Triton Circle Fort Dodge, IA 50501
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    1(800)362-2793

University of Iowa

  • 50 Newton Road Iowa City, IA 52242
    Programs: Accelerated MSN, BSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, EMT Paramedic, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Nurse Anesthetist, Nursing Administration, Nursing PhD, Pediatric Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (319) 335-3500

Graceland University

  • 1 University Place Lamoni, IA 50140
    Programs: BSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, Nursing Administration, RN
    (641) 784-5000

Iowa Valley Community College District

  • 3702 South Center Street Marshalltown, IA 50158
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (641) 752-4643

North Iowa Area Community College

  • 500 College Drive Mason City, IA 50401
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (641) 423-1264

Iowa Wesleyan College

  • 601 North Main Street Mt Pleasant, IA 52641
    Programs: BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (319) 385-8021

Indian Hills Community College

  • 525 Grandview Avenue Ottumwa, IA 52501
    Programs: ADN, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (641) 683-5111

Northeast Iowa Community College

  • 10250 Sundown Road Peosta, IA 52068
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (563) 556-5110

Northwest Iowa Community College

  • 603 West Park Street Sheldon, IA 51201
    Programs: ADN, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (712) 324-5061

Western Iowa Technical Community College

  • 4647 Stone Avenue Sioux City, IA 51102
    Programs: ADN, EMT Paramedic, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (712) 274-6400

Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences

  • 2720 Stone Park Boulevard Sioux City, IA 51104
    Programs: ADN, Radiography, RN
    (712) 279-3149

Morningside College

  • 1501 Morningside Avenue Sioux City, IA 51106
    Programs: BSN, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    1(800)831-0806

Briar Cliff University

  • 3303 Rebecca Street Sioux City, IA 51104
    Programs: BSN, LPN to BSN, RN
    1(800)662-3303

Hawkeye Community College

  • 1501 East Orange Rd. Waterloo, IA 50704
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (319) 296-2320

Allen College

  • 1990 Heath Street Waterloo, IA 50703
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, LPN to BSN, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (319) 226-2000

Southeastern Community College

  • 1500 West Agency Rd. West Burlington, IA 52655
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (866) 772-4692