2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Iowa

University of Dubuque is a private, coeducational university in Dubuque. This Presbyterian Church-affiliated educational institution was founded in 1852. Its programs are grounded on a liberal arts core. Presently, the university has a student to faculty ratio of 15:1. Moreover, it received a university-wide accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and the State of Iowa Department of Education. Its baccalaureate degree in nursing under the Department of Nursing also holds approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing and an accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - With a 21st century curriculum design, this BSN program aims to meet the 21st century health care demands by producing baccalaureate-prepared nurses with developed core competencies. Students are fully-equipped for patient-centered care provision and evidence-based practice through exposure to clinical experiences in specialty care. The program also includes rotations to rural health areas in order to cater to under-served populations. The first two years of this four-year program are focused on social sciences, humanities, basic sciences, math, technology, communication, and nutrition. The last two years, on the other hand, are focused on nursing sciences with transition from classroom to real-life health facilities. A senior capstone course is included, requiring a 144-hour preceptorship. In this course, students are paired with a practicing nurse. Graduates are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, meeting the licensure foundational academic requirements of 50 states. However, additional requirements may be needed for some states beyond these licensure academic conditions.

With more than 90 years of educational service, Allen College is a health-care focused private institution in Waterloo. The college started in 1925 as a hospital-based School of Nursing which offers diploma programs. Presently, it offers a wide range of healthcare programs—baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral. Moreover, in terms of accreditation, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its baccalaureate, master’s and doctor of nursing practice degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) as well.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Students seeking a BSN degree at Allen College can do so through any of these three tracks—traditional, accelerated, and RN to BSN. The traditional BSN option requires 4-year completion with the first the first 1.5 years for the prescribed general educational credits from another college, while the remaining 2.5 years for the nursing coursework at Allen College. Meanwhile, the Accelerated BSN option has rigorous coursework which can be completed in 15-16 months or 4 consecutive semesters. Completion of the traditional and accelerated options provide eligibility to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Lastly, the RN to BSN option can be completed in one or two years for an accelerated plan or part-time plan, respectively. Nursing courses in this option are delivered in an online format.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - This MSN program has 8 specialization tracks. The said tracks are: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP), Community/Public Health Nursing (CPH), Leadership in Health Information Technology (LHIT), and Leadership in Healthcare Delivery (LEAD). The LEAD option allows students to obtain an MSN from Allen College and a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Students with BSN degree or RNs with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees are eligible for program admission. Moreover, these tracks are also offered as certificate programs for individuals who already possess an MSN degree.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Two entry tracks are offered for this DNP program—the post-graduate DNP and BSN-DNP option for master’s- and baccalaureate-prepared individuals, respectively. Moreover, students in the BSN-DNP option can choose between Nurse Practitioner, Community Public Health Nurse, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Leader, as their track.

Northwestern College is located in Orange City, Iowa.  They offer a traditional BSN program and an online RN to BSN program.  Students in their traditional BSN program have an advantage as their Nursing Arts Laboratory is located in a former hospital, which has a nurses station, patient rooms with beds, IV equipment, hospital-based computerized medication system and an electronic health record simulation program.

Located in Iowa City, University of Iowa is one of the premier public research universities in the country. With 175 years of educational service, it is the state’s oldest higher educational institution. Its College of Nursing places emphasis on holistic patient care provision. The curriculum is designed to provide a learning-centered environment.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - This BSN program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Two pathways are available for this program—the pre-licensure BSN and the RN-BSN. The pre-licensure program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and for their roles as entry-level nurses. It is offered on-campus and is designed for a full-time study. Meanwhile, the RN-BSN program is for RNs with an associate degree or diploma who would like to obtain a BSN degree.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - With an individualized study plan, this MSN program has flexible coursework since it is offered in an online or hybrid format. Students can choose between these specializations: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) or Nursing Systems Administration (NSA). The former has options for 2- or 3-year completion while the latter can be completed in 2 ½ years. An MSN Bridge for Master of Nursing and Healthcare Practice (MNPH) Alumni is also offered which can be completed in 1 ½ years.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - This DNP program has several pathways offered— BSN to DNP Dual Certification, MSN to DNP, and Post-APRN to DNP. Students are fully-equipped for the highest standard of care provision throughout the patient’s lifespan.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - This scholarly and research-focused doctoral product has several entry tracks. Hence, students with an associate’s degree in nursing, baccalaureate in nursing or other fields, and master’s degree in nursing or a health-related field are eligible for program entry. Program graduates are equipped in the three roles highlighted by the AACN.

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is a public educational institution in Mason City. It also operates various community education centers in Hampton, Charles City, Osage, and Lake Mills. It was founded in 1918, and was originally named Mason City Junior College. With more than 100 years of educational service, the college has transfer agreements with several four-year institutions for its students’ seamless transfer and transition. Hands-on experiences are an essential part of the curriculum, made possible by the College’s facilities such as the Diesel Technology Lab, Health Simulation Center, and Careers labs. Moreover, its nursing program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Nursing (ADN), A.A.S. - This Associate Degree Nursing program has two entry options—for beginning students and for LPNs. It has two annual starts (summer and fall terms). Upon program completion, graduates are conferred an Associate in Applied Science Degree. This provides eligibility to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing exam,

RN to BSN - This RN to BSN program allows associate-prepared RNs to complete their BSN coursework, both locally and online. The RN to BSN 3+1 structure allows three-year coursework completion at NIACC and one-year BSN completion at the University of Iowa’s online RN-BSN program. Moreover, NIACC has formal articulation agreements with several universities offering baccalaureate degrees in nursing. This allows seamless transition from NIACC to its partner institution. These partners include, but are not limited to: Allen College, Clarke University, Grand View University, Mercy College of Health Sciences, and University of Dubuque.

Coe College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Their nursing program's slogan is, "The nursing program is elite, selective, and known for educating outstanding nurses. We are not a typical BSN program!"  Their program is unique in that their students have the opportunity to travel abroad, are paired one-on-one with nurse experts, and participate in highly interactive classrooms.

Iowa Central Community College is a comprehensive public educational institution with seven centers, academies and campuses across Iowa, aside from its main campus in Fort Dodge. This community college was organized 1966, and is presently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The college offers a flexible study program with options for on campus and on-site for some of its programs. In terms of accreditation, its ADN program under the Health Sciences Department is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The said department also offers a Practical Nursing Program.

Associate Degree Nursing Program - With 84 required credits, this AAS program prepares students for their roles as registered nurses. In the first and second semester in the program, the coursework is similar to that of the Practical Nursing Program. Hence, students can obtain a practical nursing diploma after the first summer, and he/she can also obtain an AAS degree after finishing the program. Due to limited enrollment, admission is selective. Moreover, an advanced standing option for LPNs is offered, allowing them to continue in the second year.

Practical Nursing Program - With 44 and a half credit hours required, this diploma program prepares students for entry-level nursing care positions under the supervision of an RN or physician. Since the first two semesters are similar to that of the AAS degree, students can transition to the said degree after completing the diploma program. Coursework includes extensive clinical work of 360 hours in various healthcare settings. This program has an approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing.