Accredited nursing degree programs in Iowa have historical roots in the state’s efforts to provide life-saving care for community citizens. Following the Civil War, Catholic nuns first learned and practiced nursing at the Medical Department in Iowa City. From there, the profession flourished, developing to meet the diverse healthcare needs of people across the state. In 1907, Iowa passed legislation requiring nurses to receive formal training and pass a licensing exam to practice. Today, innovative educational pathways at accredited nursing degree programs in Iowa carry on this legacy of training to prepare nursing graduates for the healthcare demands and expectations of their profession. To see more accredited nursing degree programs, visit Nursing Degree Programs in Iowa (M-Z).
Allen College
School of Nursing
Allen College uniquely focuses on healthcare education in nursing and allied health professions. Started in 1925 as the Allen Memorial Hospital Nurses Training School, it developed a philosophy of nursing as a holistic profession centered around caring for the human, intellectual and spiritual needs of those served. The college offers multiple nursing degree options and earns a top 25 spot out of 400 reviewed institutions from BestCollege.com for its RN to BSN online program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Allen’s BSN degree accommodates pre-licensure or post-licensure candidates. Pre-licensure students include those entering the profession for the first time, licensed practical nurses with associate degrees, or health professionals looking for a career change. Post-licensure candidates hold registered nurse status but wish to complete a baccalaureate degree for career advancement options. Program studies can be completed within a traditional four-year time frame or on an accelerated track depending on the candidate’s prerequisites and experience. Curricular components require 57 credits or their equivalents from general education classes and 67 credits in the major. In-depth studies focus on:
-anatomy and physiology
-mental health and psychology
-nutrition
-lifespan development
-pediatrics
-gerontology
-ethics
-pharmacology
-pathology and health assessments
-clinical research and statistics
Non-RN graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Allen College
1825 Logan Ave
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
(319) 226-2000
Admissions@AllenCollege.edu
http://www.allencollege.edu/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing.aspx
Briar Cliff University
Department of Nursing
Founded in 1929, Briar Cliff established itself as a Catholic, liberal arts institution for women with a tradition of service to those in the community. The college soon transitioned to a coeducational campus and eventually became a university. Briar Cliff continues to expand use of state-of-the-art technology, such as digital media labs, to enhance programs in nursing, chemistry, biology and art. The university maintains a solid reputation among peer institutions, ranking at No. 38 for best regional colleges in the West and at No. 13 for best colleges serving veterans according to U.S. News & World Report.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The BSN from Briar Cliff prides itself on strong experiential learning with students completing a minimum of 800 clinical hours of practice in health-based community settings. As a result, graduates of the basic BSN program have the skills and knowledge to sit for the NCLEX as well as begin competitive nursing careers. Instructional foundations include 124 credits aligned with university and industry standards for a nursing baccalaureate. Core content in the major explores:
-microbiology and chemistry
-anatomy and physiology
-psychology and mental health
-community health
-nutrition
-evidence-based nursing practices
-pediatric and infant populations
-adult and women’s health
-geriatric care
-disease and recovery processes
-diagnostic assessments and treatments
-intensive and emergency care
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51104
(800) 662-3303
admissions@briarcliff.edu
http://www.briarcliff.edu/academics/departments/nursing/nursing/
Clarke University
Department of Nursing and Health
Born as St. Mary’s Academy in 1843, Clark University progressively evolved into a liberal arts and science university dedicated to offering higher education opportunities for adult learners. The top major at Clark in terms of enrollment percentages is nursing, and 97 percent of all graduates from all majors report working in their chosen field or continuing their education. The university garners consistent recognition from top publications like Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Washington Monthly for being among the best colleges in the Midwest, best value schools, and best baccalaureate colleges.
Nursing (Bachelor of Science)
This pre-licensure degree prepares graduates to sit for the registered nursing exam and work across the medical industry in competitive positions. The degree also provides a solid foundation for graduate studies in the field. The curriculum requires 121 to 127 credits of general education, supporting courses and core major studies. Supporting coursework includes studies in microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, social sciences and statistics. Emphasis for classes in the major cover concepts from:
-nutrition
-nursing practices
-pharmacology
-health assessments
-pathophysiology
-healthcare across the lifespan
-mental health
-community healthcare
-leadership and management
Participation in supervised clinical practicums, labs and internships round out the experiential learning component.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Clarke University
1550 Clarke Drive
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(800)383-2345
admissions@clarke.edu
http://www.clarke.edu/page.aspx?id=2438
Coe College
Department of Nursing
A nationally recognized higher-learning institution, Coe College offers students degrees from over 40 majors including nursing. Coe has carved out an identity as an affordable, high-quality educational institution. It regularly ranks as a top school with regard to these aspects by publications such as The Princeton Review, Barron’s, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Peterson’s Guide to Selective Colleges. In addition, Coe belongs to the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, a group of 14 liberal arts schools known for their academic excellence.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The nursing program at Coe is designed for LPNs or Certified Nursing Assistants who are seeking to complete a BSN. Degree components include general education classes, supporting courses in science, sociology and statistics, credits in the nursing major and supervised clinical experiences. In-depth studies highlight:
-contemporary nursing issues
-nursing science
-management and information systems
-mental health disorders
-pharmacology
-ethics and legal matters
-public health
-pediatric and newborn health
-aging and wellness
-acute and chronic diseases
-pathophysiology
-and diagnostic assessments
Labs and clinical practicums take place in a wide array of campus and community settings. Graduates will have the educational foundations to take the licensure exam for registered nurses and pursue graduate studies if desired.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Coe College
1220 First Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
(877) CALL-COE (toll free for general admissions)
Nicholson, Anita, Associate Professor and Chair
(319)399-8500, extension 8122
anichols@coe.edu
http://www.coe.edu/academics/nursing/nursing_bsn
Dordt College
Nursing Department
At Dordt College, studies in more than 30 majors, including one of the best accredited nursing degree programs in Iowa, offer a comprehensive education that incorporates trending educational practices with traditional Christian Reformed perspectives. For BSN candidates, this translates to a 100 percent employment rate according to employment surveys completed six months past graduation. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dordt at No. 5 for regional colleges in the Midwest and at No. 1 for best colleges for veterans.
Nursing (Bachelor of Science)
Dordt’s BSN degree gives graduates a thorough background in trending healthcare issues, clinical nursing precepts, and care across cultural and lifespan continua. In partnership with St. Luke’s College, students engage in a hospital-based program that connects real-world circumstances to nursing practices. Core competencies covered in the nursing portion of the 130-credit major include:
-physiology and anatomy
-nutrition
-pharmacology
-medical and surgical practices
-health assessments
-family health
-community health
-and professional development
Participants earn an associated nursing degree after five semesters and are eligible at that point to take the NCLEX for registered nursing licensure. A BSN is earned after eight semesters of study.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Dordt College
498 4th Avenue NE
Sioux Center, Iowa 51250
(800)343-6738 (toll free)
admissions@dordt.edu
http://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/nursing/
Grand View University
Division of Nursing
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1896, Grand View grounds its curricular studies in the belief that all careers should benefit the good of the community. Its programs, including those in nursing, instill this through experiential learning opportunities that complement instruction. Nursing candidates participate in hands-on training through Independent Nursing Situations that help them develop competencies in chosen clinical areas of study. GVU ranks at No. 54 among colleges in the Midwest and at No. 17 for college programs for veterans.
Nursing BSN: Pre-licensure
The pre-licensure track to earn a BSN is for first-time nursing candidates entering the profession. The first two years of study include university core requirements and nursing prerequisites in science, psychology and statistics. Advanced studies for the major cover an additional 78 credits of upper-level content about:
-nursing foundations and principles
-microbiology and biochemistry
-anatomy, physiology and human development
-newborn and pediatric care
-adult and women’s health
-geriatric health considerations
-mental health and psychiatric care
-general nutrition
-physical assessments
-and community and cultural nursing care
For registered nurses holding a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing, Grand View also offers an RN to BSN program for career advancement. Graduates with a BSN are also eligible to take further studies at the graduate level.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
(800)444-6083 (toll free)
admissions@grandview.edu
http://www.grandview.edu/aspx/audience/programlanding.aspx?aid=17&pid=5
Luther College
Department of Nursing
Established as a Lutheran institution in 1861, Luther College continues to promote affordable education with values for diverse learners from different background. Students have more than 60 majors from which to choose, including a top-notch nursing program that extends learning from the classroom into the real world. Luther ranks at No. 89 among National Liberal Arts Colleges according to U.S. News & World Report and comes in at No. 47 on Forbes list for colleges in the Midwest.
Nursing: Baccalaureate Program
Unlike usual BSN programs, Luther confers a Bachelor of Arts degree to its nursing graduates as explained in their Nursing Student Handbook. This degree is approved by the CCNE and Iowa Board of Nursing. The program teaches humanities, social science and natural science in combination with nursing foundations to prepare future nurses for employment as nurse generalists, leaders and educators in the field. Experiential learning accompanies the rigorous, 128-credit program through clinical assignments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and other affiliated medical groups. Upon graduation, nursing candidates are ready to sit for the national registered nurse exam based on acquisition of broad nursing knowledge in:
-human development across the lifespan
-health assessments
-physical and mental disabilities
-behavioral health care
-wellness and disease prevention
-infant, pediatric and family health
-women’s, adult and geriatric health
-evidence-based nursing practices
-acute and chronic diseases
-emergency and intensive care nursing
-leadership and management
-professional ethics and issues
-health informatics
-and research and clinical skills
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Iowa Board of Nursing
Contacts
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
La Donna McGohan
Department Head
(800)458-8437
nursing@luther.edu
Keeping current with trends in the nursing profession has always been important to meet Iowa’s healthcare needs. The state honors this tradition by providing high-quality educational pathways to supply employers and citizens with the skilled nursing professionals they demand. As a result, aspiring nurses who attend accredited nursing degree programs in Iowa possess the competencies to excel in their careers while contributing to the community’s well-being.