How to Become a Registered Nurse in Iowa
The field of nursing is very competitive career choice, and the work is challenging and rewarding. The state of Iowa requires nurses to be licensed before practicing as a nurse. Registered nurses (RN) must meet certain education and exam requirements in order to become licensed. Nurses must be of good moral character and have the stamina to be on their feet for an entire shift.
Nursing in Iowa is expected to continue to grow by 23% through the year 2020. New nursing opportunities in Iowa are due to advances in medical technology and increased health options. Since the general population is living longer, the aging population is requiring more healthcare.
The Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) requires RNs to complete a nursing program approved by the IBON and earn a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. The program must be completed at a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). An Associate’s degree program typically takes two years to complete and will include class work and clinical training.
Once the educational requirement has been completed, students must take the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The student must submit an application to test to the IBON and then register with Pearson VUE, the exam administrator. There are separate fees due to the IBON and Pearson VUE. Applicants must complete a criminal background check and submit a fingerprint card as part of the application to test.
The IBON will review each application submitted to test and when declared complete, the applicant will be issued an authorization to test (ATT). Once the ATT has been received, the applicant has 90 days to schedule and take the NCLEX-RN test with Pearson VUE. If the applicant passes the exam, they will be issued an RN license. If the student does not pass the exam, the applicant will receive a breakdown of their score and an invitation to take the exam again.
RNs must renew their license every two years. Nursing licenses expire either on 15 September or 15 October. September renewals can be executed anytime after 15 July and the deadline to submit renewal applications is 15 August. October renewals can be executed anytime after 15 August and the deadline to submit renewal applications is 15 September. By meeting the renewal submission deadlines, the RN will have a new license in hand before the previous license expires.
RNs will find a variety of employment opportunities and include staff nurses in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, occupational healthcare centers, visiting nurse and hospice organizations, government, educational and correctional facilities, vacation outlets such as cruise ships, blood collection centers, American Red Cross and insurance companies evaluating medical claims.
The average RN salary is $59,000 annually and based on a 40 hour workweek. The average starting salary for an entry level RN is $48,000 annually. The actual salary will vary depending on the geographic location and type of facility where employed. RNs that assume a supervisory position such as a director of nurses or unit manager, and may approach the $110,000 annually.
RN Nursing Schools in Iowa
- Kaplan University Online Degree Programs
- Attend college on your terms. Kaplan University offers fully online degree programs that fit any schedule.
Programs:
- MS in Nursing
- Master of Science - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
- Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
- And more...
- • Liberty University’s online programs ranked in the top 10 out of more than 2,100 colleges & universities for academic quality, affordability, and accessibility.*
- 100% online programs at associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level.**
- Transfer up to 90 credits into an undergraduate degree program.
- Up to 50% of your master’s degree can be transferred in to help you get the most out of your hard work and maximize the credit you previously earned.
- *BestColleges.com Gold Medal of Distinction
- **excludes licensure, certification, and some doctoral programs
Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Educator
- Do you aspire to fulfill an evolving healthcare role as a highly-qualified nursing professional? GCU is the place for you.
- RNs, pursue your BSN or MSN conveniently online, backed by the legacy of GCU's traditional campus.
- GCU's bachelor's and master's programs prepare students to fill roles in direct care, management, health education and administrative disciplines.
- The baccalaureate degree in nursing and master's degree in nursing at GCU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Develop with hands-on practice, online and lab simulations and in depth peer discussions exploring best practices.
Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice with an Emphasis in Educational Leadership
- M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- And more...
CTU can help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional network, faculty who are real-world professionals and innovative technology. And now several CTU degree programs are ranked by U.S. News Best Online Programs for 2015. Are you in?
Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration
Earn your graduate degree online with Northcentral University. We offer online programs focused on doctoral and master’s degrees in the schools of business and technology management, education, psychology and marriage and family sciences.
Earn your graduate degree online with Northcentral University. We offer online programs focused on doctoral and master’s degrees in the schools of business and technology management, education, psychology and marriage and family sciences.
The field of technology is rapidly evolving to meet the growing demands of modern society. For those seeking a future in tech, this means maintaining skills, increasingknowledge and quickly adapting to change. For today’s students, however, successwill require dedication, commitment and access to education specifically designedto meet the demands of this dynamic industry.
Programs:
- Doctor of Education - Nursing Education
The University
With over 80 years of academic achievements, Jacksonville University is a traditional, longstanding institution consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best colleges.
Programs:
- MSN Clinical Nurse Educator
At Denver College of Nursing, we believe good nurses are the future of quality healthcare. That’s why we strive to achieve excellence in healthcare education every day. We know our students can make a difference in others’ lives while in school by participating in SNA, community service, service –learning and GHP, as well as after graduation—and for years to come.
Programs:
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Programs:
- Nursing BSN B.S.
- BSN completion program for Registered Nurses is available entirely online.
- The RN to BSN program is designed to help students advance their career, or prepare for post-graduate opportunities.
- Courses teach modern health assessment and treatment methods, how to evaluate potential disease or injury, and more.
- Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Concordia University - Portland offers several fully online 14-month Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs and a fully online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) program. You'll learn new strategies and techniques for your classroom while expanding your knowledge and skills as an educator.
Programs:
- M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Social Studies
- M.Ed. in Career and Technical Education
- M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- And more...
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