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

BSN Programs Approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing

(Source: Iowa Board of Nursing)

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