BSN Programs in Iowa

There are a little more than a dozen different nursing schools in Iowa that are in our database and have Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing programs.

The Iowa Health System is a major employer of nurses throughout the state, with hospital locations in nearly all of the major cities such as Des Moines, Davenport, and Cedar Rapids.

Below are some featured online BSN or BS of healthcare programs, which you can get in touch with directly by clicking the “MORE INFO” button. These programs are currently accepting applicants and are 100% online. Following our featured list is the entire list of all nursing schools in Iowa.

Full List of BSN Programs in Iowa

Featured BSN programs accepting Iowa applicants
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Campus-based programs in Iowa

Allen College
1900 Heath St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Allen offers an upper division baccalaureate nursing program designed for pre-licensure students. The program is designed for students who have completed all 57 required prerequisites courses. Allen does not offer lower division courses and as such, students must complete these at accredited colleges or universities prior to transfer.

On the same note, the college has two admission methods: guaranteed enrollment for high school students and the transfer option.  The high school admission also known as early admission is for students who ranked in the top 20% of their high school graduating class in addition to having an ACT score of 25 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or better.  For this, all general education requirements admission requirements must be met to ensure progression into the 5-semester major at Allen. Transfer applicants without early enrollment status must have a GPA of 2.7 in prerequisites and earn a minimum of grade “C” in those courses. A 7-semester part time option is available for students who have completed all required prerequisite courses

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Briar Cliff University

3303 Rebecca St, Sioux City, IA 51104

The basic BSN option at BCU prepares students with general education, liberal arts and nursing courses. First, students seek admission in the university and take all general education requirements for baccalaureate programs. Upon completion of core courses usually after the 1^st year, and earning a college cumulative GPA of 2.75, students may then apply to the department of nursing for the major.  Nursing courses start as early as the sophomore year and progress for 3 years.  Admission to take nursing and clinical courses happens once annually in the fall semester.  BCU students can apply for a number of private scholarships dedicated nursing students.  Besides the usual curriculum, bright students can apply for induction in the Theta Gamma chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International to nature their scholastic prospects.

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Clarke University

1550 Clarke Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001

The pre-licensure BSN track requires that students be admitted into the university prior to being admitted in the major. Freshmen should then complete at least 30 semester hours of university general coursework including chemistry and 6 hours in social sciences before applying to the major. Such prerequisites and co-requisites courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.75 or better to be eligible to apply to the major. CPR and CNA certificates are mandatory for candidates applying for the major in addition to an interview with a member of faculty. Clark University also sponsors the Rho Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International to promote scholastic ambitions of highly performing students.  Starting a freshman, students take 4-years to complete the program.

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Coe College

1220 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

General university admission is the first step in bidding for the generic BS in nursing program at Coe. Freshman should seek admission to take non-nursing electives and general education requirements.  Basically, these are reserved for the freshman and sophomore years. By the end of the sophomore year, students that have completed the above courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 become eligible to apply to the major. While out-of-Coe credits are accepted, students who complete majority of the pre-nursing curriculum are given priority over transfer cases. Applicants with a GPA lower than 2.7 maybe ranked and admitted on a space-availability basis. A Certified Nurse Assistant certificate is also a mandatory requirement for admission in the major. Nursing courses are exclusively designed for 3^rd and 4^th years and no other courses are taken along.

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Grand View University

1200 Grand View Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316

The Evangelical Lutheran-affiliated Christian university located in Metro Des-Moines has a traditional nursing major designed for pre-licensure students.  Admission to the major is for students who have earned a GPA of 3.0 in prior college work and completed selected courses in English, Psychology and Biology. Nursing candidates must also take REACH A2 test in Reading, Vocabulary, and Basic math and earn at least 80%. The number of pre-nursing courses taken at Grand view also increases the chance of getting into the major. New major students are admitted twice annually for the fall and spring semester start dates on a space available basis.

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Iowa Wesleyan College

601 N. Main St, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641

The undergraduate nursing bachelors program is a 4-year full time commitment for entry level students seeking initial licensure are registered nurses. Freshmen are welcome to apply for general university admission and complete required support courses. By the end of the first year, students will have taken at least 35 pre-licensure credits. If these are completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, students become automatically eligible for the major ie there is no separate admission for the major.  All major students will have to show proof of Certified Nursing Assistant certification and will also have to attend a personal interview with the department chair. Nursing courses commence in the sophomore year and are taken along with few remaining support courses. In junior and senior years, a GPA of 2.5 must be maintained to be eligible for progression.

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Luther College

700 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101

Each fall semester, Luther College admits new students for the BSN degree training. The college has two admission options: regular admission and direct entry admission. Both programs admit students as freshmen to complete nursing prerequisite courses. However, the direct admission is reserved for high achieving high school graduate with high school GPA of 3.8 and ACT or SAT scores of 28 and 1220 respectively.  10 students are admitted each fall for this option and they must maintain a GPA of 2.75 to be retained in the nursing program.

For the regular admission, students must complete prerequisites with a GPA of 2.75 or better before making a 2^nd application for the major. Selection is competitive and based on space availability. All junior level courses are taken in neighboring Rochester, Minnesota. Students that rank in the top 20% of their nursing classes are eligible for nursing scholarships. All students can also participate in the Nottingham Summer immersion program.

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Mercy College of Health Sciences

928^th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Mercy College of Health Science offers an Online BSN integrated option program designed for Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students. The ASN students must be holders of non-nursing bachelor degrees and must not have taken the NCLEX-RN exam. This is because bachelor degree holders are most likely to have already covered a substantial number of liberal arts and general science courses required in the lower division BSN curriculum. Usually, incoming students from the sending institution will have at least 30-35 transferable lower division credits which carry a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better. Students then start the BSN Integrated program during the 1^st semester of the ASN track. Any outstanding nursing courses and any remaining lower division and nursing courses are covered in the integrated curriculum.  So to know, this program is not an independent program per se, but a collaboration of an ASN program from a sending institution and the online BSN at MCHS as the receiving school.

Morningside College

Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106

Acceptance into the BSN degree requires a separate application and admission process from applying to the college. Students first seek general admission in the university to complete support courses for the major.  Usually, a minimum of 27 credits of support and general education courses are required before applying to the major. Some required courses include chemistry, human anatomy, general psychology, physiology and communication. Such courses must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and student must be ready for a personal interview with a faculty member.

 Application to the major is done at the spring of freshman year for admission consideration in the fall semester. Any outstanding liberal arts and support courses are taken in the next 3 academic years along with the nursing major courses. The college provides a number of summer internships opportunities in various locations in Morningside.

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Mount Mercy University

1330 Elmhurst Cr, NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

The Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) at mount Mercy is a 4-year curriculum consisting of nursing, core and prerequisites courses. Freshmen students take prerequisites and co-requisites in the first year which must carry a cumulative GPA of 2.7. Application to the nursing major is separate and happens in the last semester of the freshman year. By then, students are expected to have completed a Certified Nurse Assistant course. The BSN major starts in fall of the 2^nd year and proceeds for the next 6 semesters.

 At sophomore level, students cover a curriculum of both nursing and liberal arts courses. Junior and senior years are exclusively reserved for nursing courses and the capstone project. Some courses in the BSN curriculum especially in the general education segment can be completed in full time or part time options.  For the academically motivated students, the Kappa Xi chapter of STTI is the good place to nurture scholastic interests.

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Northwestern College

101 SW. 7^th St, Orange City, IA 51041

The basic nursing program at Northwestern integrates liberal arts and faith in the nursing profession. 34 students are admitted in the preparatory phase of the program every year to embark on a pre-nursing curriculum in the freshman year. During the spring of the freshman year, students apply to the nursing major. All students who meet the admission requirements are guaranteed progression into the major. This makes the program an attractive for many students that would not like to become sidelined due to many qualified candidates.  The entire program takes 4 years to complete with study abroad and cross-cultural experience in Tanzania.

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St. Ambrose University

518 West Locust St, Davenport, IA 52803

At St. Ambrose, students are admitted as freshman to complete a pre-nursing curriculum in the first year and second semester of the sophomore year. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required on these courses to be eligible to apply again to the nursing major which starts in the spring semester of the sophomore year.  Prior to being allowed to start the clinical courses, students must show proof of Certified Nursing Assistant certification. In addition, applicants must submit letters of recommendation and TOEFL or IELTS scores for students with English as second language.  In the spring semester of sophomore level, students complete 12 of the required 54 credits of the nursing major. In senior year, students can add courses in biology to enable them graduate with a minor in biology. Upon completion of the entire curriculum, seniors will take an assessment test to gauge their readiness for the NLCEX-RN exam.

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University of Dubuque

2000 University Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001

University of Dubuque has two admission options for the BSN program. The first options in the Early Admission plan designed for high school students who meet any of the following status: minimum ACT of 25 or Minimum SAT of 1130 (Reading/Math) or 1680 (Reading/Math/Writing). Such students must make their intention known to the department of nursing so that they can receive an admission invitation. Option two is the regular/competitive admission for students who are admitted in the university to take the first 2years of pre-nursing courses.

Both categories of students complete pre-nursing courses but the difference comes at progression in the major. Progression into the major requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a grade “C” or better on all pre-nursing courses taken. Other requirements include having a CNA certificate and scores of TEAS test. Early admission students who meet these requirements have guaranteed progression while the other group depends on competitive selection based on space. Other minor factors may be used to select candidates in the latter group.

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University of Iowa

50 Newton Rd, Iowa City, IA 52242

The university has a BSN curriculum designed as a 2 years prerequisite coursework and 2 years nursing courses. 64 students are admitted in the program each fall and spring semesters.

There are two entry options into the nursing program: early decision admission and competitive regular admission. Early admission for direct entry to the major is reserved for high achieving high school seniors with high school GPA of 3.8 and ACT composite scores of 28. Such students must maintain a GPA of 3.2 to be eligible to remain in the program.

On the other hand, competitive admission is for students who are admitted in the university as freshmen to complete the prerequisites curriculum. For these admission to the major is based on the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. It should be noted that at the time of application, students can have 48 credits of the prerequisites curriculum but at the time of enrollment in the major, all 64 credits must have been completed. This option is also open to transfers students that have taken prerequisite courses in accredited colleges. For early admission, the program can take 4 years while competitive admission students usually take 4.5 years to complete.

Allen College Nursing Program Review

When it was established in 1925, Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa was originally a diploma nursing school, called Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. While it has expanded its program offerings considerably, Allen College (AC) remains focused on healthcare education. The college is part of the Iowa Health System and offers nursing programs and radiography programs. Allen College has accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its nursing programs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Five Semester, Upper Division, Traditional Option

The upper-division, traditional track of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes five semesters to complete. Before enrolling, prospective BSN students must earn at least fifty-seven credits of general education requirements at another college. Once these are complete, they can begin the five-semester nursing course sequence at Allen College. Allen College begins the course sequence in both the fall and the spring. After completing 124 credits in total (including sixty-seven credits of nursing coursework at Allen College), a student earns a BSN degree. He is then eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Fifteen Month Accelerated Option

The accelerated track of the BSN program is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and for students who have completed all the general education requirements and nursing prerequisites. These students begin in May and complete an intense course of study that lasts for fifteen consecutive months. They graduate in August with a BSN. Like the students on the traditional track, they must have 124 credits in order to graduate and start their careers as Registered Nurses (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to BSN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can continue working while completing the flexible LPN to BSN program at Allen College. Before starting the nursing courses, she must enroll at another college and complete the required fifty-seven credits of general education coursework. After she has completed these requirements, she must complete the nursing coursework at Allen College. Allen College requires sixty-seven credits of nursing coursework for the BSN degree; an LPN will receive twenty advanced placement credits on the basis of her education and work experience and must complete the remaining forty-seven credit hours at Allen College. Nursing classes are offered in the evenings and on the weekends, in order to accommodate working LPNs. The LPN to BSN program begins in the fall.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Seven Semester, Part-Time Option

In order to enroll in the part-time BSN program, a student must either hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing or have completed at least sixty-four credits of general education coursework. Qualified students may begin the seven-semester nursing course sequence in the fall. Classes are designed to accommodate work schedules; most are offered in the evening or on weekends, and some are in a hybrid format (partly online, partly on-site). A student on the part-time BSN track must earn at least fifty-eight credits of nursing coursework over the course of the program’s seven semesters.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

A BSN degree is the foundation for graduate-level specialization in the nursing field; an RN who is a graduate of an associate degree program or a diploma program will need to complete a BSN before enrolling in any master’s program. Allen College offers an online option for RNs who wish to do this. In conformity to the Iowa Articulation Plan, an incoming RN will receive up to forty-two advanced placement credits for the lower-level nursing coursework in the BSN program. He must complete an additional thirty credits of nursing coursework through Allen College (all these courses are offered online) as well as fifty-two credits of general education coursework at a different college. There is a clinical component to the RN to BSN program, which students may arrange at a location that is convenient for them. RNs may pursue a BSN degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing – RN to MSN

A graduate of an associate degree program or a diploma program who already knows that she wants to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can enroll in the RN to MSN track. Allen College will help her to shorten the length of her study and transition smoothly from undergraduate classes to graduate classes by allowing her to substitute nine credits of MSN courses for nine credits of the BSN degree. Once she has earned the required 124 credits for the BSN degree, she can transition into the MSN program of her choice, with nine credits already completed. The nursing courses for the BSN portion of the RN to MSN program are offered online. Students may enroll either full-time or part-time.

Master of Science in Nursing

Allen College starts its MSN program every fall, spring, and summer. The program is open to RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree. (RNs who hold an associate degree or diploma must enroll in the RN to MSN program instead.) The program consists of core graduate nursing classes, which are offered online, as well as classes and clinical rotations in a chosen area of specialization. The number of credits and clinical hours required can vary, depending on the specialization. Students may pursue an MSN degree on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Allen College offers the following areas of specialization within its MSN program:

Leadership in Health Care Delivery – Administration:
The Leadership in Health Care Delivery – Administration track of the MSN program requires thirty-six credits and 300 clinical hours.

Nursing Education:
In order to complete the Nursing Education track of the MSN program, a nurse must earn thirty-nine credits and complete a 375-hour teaching practicum and 300 clinical hours.

Family Nurse Practitioner:
Before taking the certification exam to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), a nurse must complete forty-two credit hours and a 600-hour practicum.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) track of the MSN program requires forty-two credits and 600 hours of clinical experience.

Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner:
To complete the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) track of the MSN program, a nurse must earn forty-three credits and complete 600 hours of clinical practice.

Adult Nurse Practitioner:
The Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) track requires forty-four credits and 600 hours of clinical experience.

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner:
The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) curriculum requires forty-four credits and 600 hours of clinical practice.

Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner:
In order to earn dual certification as an ANP and GNP through the Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) program, a nurse must complete forty-seven credits, and complete an 825-hour practicum.

Master’s Completion Program for Nurse Practitioners:
Any Nurse Practitioner (NP) who needs to complete his MSN degree must earn twenty-six credits of core graduate nursing courses, and complete a 75-hour practicum.

Post- Master’s Certificate

An MSN-prepared nurse can complete a post-master’s certificate in any of the MSN areas of concentration. As a nurse with an MSN who has already completed core graduate nursing classes, she only needs to complete courses in her chosen area of focus. Allen College offers the following post-master’s certification options: Leadership in Health Care Delivery – Administration (sixteen credits), Nursing Education (twenty-two credits), FNP (twenty-five credits), ACNP (twenty-five credits), FPMHNP (twenty-six credits), ANP (twenty-seven credits), GNP (twenty-seven credits), and AGNP (thirty credits).

Doctor of Nursing Practice

To achieve the highest level of clinical and administrative responsibility, a nurse can enroll in Allen College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This program is only open to nurses who have already completed an MSN degree. It requires thirty-three credit hours and a 400-hour practicum.

Contact:
Allen College

1990 Heath Street
Waterloo, IA 50703

Briar Cliff University Nursing School Review

Briar Cliff University (founded in 1929) takes pride in its small-school environment. The average class size is nineteen, and the student to faculty ratio is fourteen to one. Just over 1000 students are enrolled at the college. Briar Cliff University (BCU) is a liberal arts college, but it also has a wide variety of pre-professional programs.

Among its work-training programs are several in the field of nursing, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The undergraduate nursing programs at Briar Cliff University are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC); the graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Basic Option

The basic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) option is a standard, four-year course sequence. Students on this track of the BSN program spend their first three semesters completing general education requirements and nursing prerequisites. They apply to the nursing program in the spring of their second year, and begin nursing courses and clinical rotations in the following spring. A student on the basic BSN track must earn at least 125 credits in order to graduate. After graduating, she is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and to begin working as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

A graduate of an associate degree program or a diploma program can continue working while earning his BSN degree through Briar Cliff University’s online RN to BSN program. Briar Cliff requires that the incoming RN complete prerequisites in psychology, sociology, anatomy, developmental psychology, physiology, and microbiology. The incoming RN will be awarded thirty advanced placement credits, thanks to his previous nursing coursework. He must complete the remaining twenty-one nursing credits (offered online) through Briar Cliff University, as well as any missing general education requirements. In total, he must earn 124 credits in order to graduate. The length of the RN to BSN program can vary, depending on how many general education classes an RN must complete and on whether he decides to enroll part-time or full-time.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to BSN

Briar Cliff University also gives Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) advanced standing in its BSN program. Before enrolling in the LPN to BSN program, an LPN must complete the following prerequisites: psychology, anatomy, psychology, physiology, and nutrition. Once enrolled, the LPN can begin the BSN program along with the second-year BSN students. She needs three academic years, on a full-time basis, to earn her BSN degree and prepare for her new career as an RN.

Master of Science in Nursing

Briar Cliff University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with two different tracks. While the classes are not offered online, they are offered in a flexible format in order to accommodate working RNs. Students attend classes in the evening, and take up to three years on a part-time basis to complete the program. The curriculum includes fifteen credits of core graduate nursing classes. In addition to the core classes, students must complete classes and clinical rotations in their chosen area of specialization. Briar Cliff University offers the following two areas of specialization:

Family Nurse Practitioner:

In order to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track of the MSN program, a student must earn twenty-seven credits in addition to the required fifteen credits of core classes.

Nurse Educator:

A prospective Nurse Educator must earn at least twenty credits in the nursing education area of focus, in addition to the fifteen credits of core graduate nursing courses.

Post-master’s Certificate

An-MSN prepared nurse may also enroll in the FNP and Nurse Educator tracks of the MSN program. A nurse with this level of education is excused from the core graduate nursing classes. He only needs to complete the classes in the chosen area of specialization. In order to earn certification as an FNP, he must earn twenty-four credits. In order to become a nurse educator, he must earn seventeen credits. He can complete a post-masters certificate over the course of two years, on a part-time basis. Classes are offered in the evenings.

Contact:
Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51104

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Clarke University Nursing School Review

Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa traces its roots back to St. Mary’s Academy, established in 1843. It serves just over 1000 students, most of whom are undergraduates. In addition to its undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, fine arts, and nursing, Clarke University (CU) offers several graduate programs in education, nursing, and physical therapy.

For prospective nurses and nurses who want to continue their education, Clarke University offers a bachelors program in nursing, a masters program in nursing, and a doctoral program in nursing. It holds accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes four years to complete, on a full-time basis. Before beginning nursing courses, a student must complete at least thirty credits of general education requirements, including classes in chemistry, sociology, and psychology. He can begin the nursing coursework once he has completed these; in total he must complete sixty-one credits of nursing coursework. At the end of four years, he is prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If he passes this national exam, he may seek work as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

Clarke University’s RN to BSN program (also called the Timesaver Nursing Program) is designed for RNs who have completed an associate-degree program or a diploma program. On a full-time basis, an RN could complete her BSN degree in just two years. Part-time study is also an option. Clarke University will award the RN thirty-one advanced placement credits on the basis of her previous nursing coursework; she must complete an additional twenty-four credits of nursing coursework as well as any missing general education/nursing support classes. Students can choose to attend classes on Saturdays, or they may attend classes on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator

A nurse with a BSN degree can enroll in Clarke University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurse Educator program. This curriculum requires thirteen credits of core graduate nursing courses as well as twenty-four credits of nursing education classes. On a full-time basis, a nurse can complete the program in just eighteen months. As the classes are online, the nurse should have the flexibility to continue working while studying.

Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

After completing the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, a nurse will be able to provide primary care to patients of all ages. In order to complete the FNP program, he must commit to twenty-four months of full-time study. Over the course of these months, he will earn forty-five credits and complete 600 hours of clinical practice. Clarke University offers the classes in a hybrid format (partly online and partly on-site).

Master of Science in Nursing – ARNP Completion Option

An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) can complete her MSN degree through Clarke University. She must take at least sixteen credits of graduate-level nursing courses, which includes the thirteen credits of core graduate nursing classes as well as at least one additional elective.

Post-master’s Certification – FNP

A nurse who has already earned an MSN degree can complete the coursework necessary for certification as an FNP through Clarke University. He does not need to complete the core graduate nursing courses; he only needs to complete thirty-two credits of coursework for the FNP area of concentration.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP Bridge Program

Clarke University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Bridge Program (also called the MSN to DNP program) is designed for nurses who hold an MSN degree and advanced practice certification as a nurse practitioner (NP). These nurses can complete the DNP Bridge program in just eighteen months. The program begins in the fall, and continues without a break through the next year and a half. Classes are offered in a hybrid format, in order to accommodate working nurses.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP

A graduate of a BSN program can earn a DNP degree in three years of full-time study, through Clarke University’s BSN to DNP program. The program requires eighty-one credits. It begins in the fall, and continues without a break for three years (including three summer semesters). A graduate of the BSN to DNP program is eligible to take the national FNP certification exam, and to exercise the highest level of clinical responsibility. Clarke University offers the BSN to DNP classes in a hybrid format.

Contact:
Clarke University
1550 Clarke Drive
Dubuque, IA 52001

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Coe College Nursing Program Review

Since its foundation in 1851, Coe College (CC) in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa has been coeducational. The school serves approximately 1300 undergraduate students, giving all of them a firm foundation in the liberal arts. In addition to liberal arts classes, students also have the option of pursuing an education in business, science, and healthcare.

For students who wish to enter the rapidly expanding healthcare field, Coe College offers pre-professional programs that prepare students for graduate school in the healthcare field, as well as an undergraduate nursing program that prepares students for direct entry into the healthcare field. The nursing program also offers an advanced placement track for nurses who wish to continue their education. Coe College’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Like all students at Coe College, students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program must complete a strong liberal arts core. The majority of the first two years in this four-year program are devoted to liberal arts classes and nursing support classes. While BSN students take introductory nursing classes starting in their very first semester, they don’t apply to the nursing program until the end of their third semester. If accepted into the BSN program, the fifth semester marks the start of intensive nursing coursework and clinical rotations. The nursing coursework takes four semesters to complete. After earning a BSN degree, a graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this test enables him to begin his career as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN Advanced Placement Program

Each fall and each spring, Coe College accepts students for its RN Advanced Placement BSN Program. The program is designed, in keeping with the Iowa Articulation plan for RNs, to accommodate RNs who are graduates of associate degree programs or diploma programs. Before enrolling in the program, an RN must complete the following prerequisites: organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, introductory sociology, introductory psychology, English composition, and English or a different humanities course. If the RN graduated from an associate degree or diploma program in Iowa, she may immediately begin the upper-level nursing courses once any missing prerequisites are complete.

A student who attended a school outside of Iowa may need to complete the Regents Exam in order to prove that she has the nursing skills required to skip the lower-level nursing courses. At a minimum, an RN in the Advanced Placement BSN program must take seven nursing courses and a statistics course in order to graduate with a BSN degree. Depending on her previous coursework, she may need to complete general education classes in addition to the nursing coursework. At the completion of the program, she will receive a BSN degree, and be prepared to go on to graduate-level nursing coursework at a different college, if she wishes.

Contact:
Coe College
1220 First Ave. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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Des Moines Area Community College Nursing Program Review

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), founded in 1966, has six campuses throughout Iowa, mainly located in the central region of the state. DMACC offers classes in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Des Moines, and West Des Moines. In addition to its six campuses, DMACC serves students through many different learning centers in different parts of Des Moines, in Perry, and in Ames.

DMACC has over 35,000 students in its degree programs, and enrolls an additional 30,000 in its noncredit classes. Included among its programs are several in the field of nursing, all of which are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Practical Nursing Diploma Program

The Practical Nursing Diploma program trains students for careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). This program provides a quick entry into the nursing field, as it takes only two semesters to complete, on a full-time basis. DMACC offers this program on multiple campuses: in Ankeny, starting in the fall and the spring; in Boone, starting in the fall and the spring; in Carroll, starting in the fall, and in Newton, starting in the fall of odd-numbered years. If a full-time course of study isn’t feasible, DMACC also offers the program on a part-time basis in the evenings. In order to complete this track of the Practical Nursing Diploma program, students must attend classes on the Urban campus, in downtown Des Moines. The evening option begins in the fall of even-numbered years, and takes four semesters to complete. Regardless of whether they are enrolled part-time or full-time, students in the program must complete thirty-six credits. After finishing the Practical Nursing Diploma program, students have two options. They may either progress into upper-level nursing courses in the Associate Degree Nursing program, or they may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and enter the nursing field as LPNs.

Associate Degree Nursing Program

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares students to work as Registered Nurses (RN). On a full-time basis, students can complete the program in five semesters. They must earn seventy-one credits in total. The ADN program is available in Ankeny, starting in the fall and the spring; in Boone, starting in the fall and the spring; in Carroll, starting in the fall; and in Newton, starting in the fall. The ADN program is also available on the Urban campus in Des Moines on a part-time basis. Classes are offered in the evenings. Students enrolled part-time take nine semesters to complete the program, starting in the spring semester. Graduates of the ADN program earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, with a major in nursing. They are prepared for the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program – Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing track (also called the LPN to RN track) of the ADN program is designed for LPNs who wish to become RNs. If an LPN has completed the necessary prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, English composition, introductory psychology, and developmental psychology), she can complete the ADN program in just three semesters. DMACC offers the Advanced Standing program on three different campuses. In Ankeny, the program begins in the summer and fall. In Boone, the program begins in the summer. In Carroll, the program begins in the summer. While some courses may be available in the evening, DMACC does not provide a full evening program for students on the LPN to RN track.

Nurse Aide Training Program

DMACC regularly offers nurse aide training courses, to prepare students for careers as Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA). The basic Nurse Aide training course takes seventy-five hours to complete, and includes both classroom instruction and clinical training. Once a student has completed this class, he has the option of taking the advanced Nurse Aide training course, which requires an additional seventy-five hours. While this will help him in his career, it is not required in order to take the state certification exam. Both nurse aide training courses are offered numerous times each semester, on the campuses in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, and Des Moines. Classes are available during the day and in the evening, and can range in length from two weeks to two months.

Contact:
Des Moines Area Community College – Ankeny Campus
2006 South Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50023

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Other campuses:

Boone Campus
1125 Hancock Dr.
Boone, IA 50036

Carroll Campus
906 North Grant Rd.
Carroll, IA 51401

Newton Campus
600 N. 2^nd Ave. West
Newton, IA 50208

Urban Campus
1100 7^th St.
Des Moines, IA 50314

West Campus
5959 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dordt College Nursing Program Review

Dordt College (DC), in Sioux Center, Iowa, approaches education from the Christian perspective. The school, which is associated with the Christian Reformed Church, focuses on giving its students a biblical foundation, no matter what course of studies the students pursue. When the college was founded in 1955, the school only offered liberal arts degrees. Now, although most of the school’s 1300 students are enrolled in liberal arts programs, the college also offers programs in nursing, social work, business, agriculture, and engineering. Graduate students can also pursue a master’s in education.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; the nursing program at Dordt College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Dordt College cooperates with St. Luke’s College in Sioux City to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Students simultaneously enroll in both colleges, although they live in the housing provided by Dordt College. The first year of the four-year program is devoted to Dordt College’s general education/liberal arts requirements. Beginning in the first semester of her second year, a student in the BSN program begins nursing classes and clinical rotations. St. Luke’s College offers the nursing classes; the student may need to travel to St. Luke College’s campus in Sioux City to take some nursing classes, although most are available on Dordt College’s campus. The student has to travel to Sioux City to complete clinical rotations, most of which take place at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center.

After completing two years of nursing coursework through St. Luke’s College, the student receives an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from St. Luke’s and can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If she passes this test, she is eligible to begin her nursing career as a Registered Nurse (RN). However, if she completes one more year of coursework, through Dordt College, she can earn her BSN degree as well.

Dordt College’s fourth-year nursing courses focus on community health, family nursing, nursing care across cultures, and nursing research (as a preparation for graduate nursing education, should the student wish to pursue advanced certification at a later date). The fourth year of the program includes a clinical component. Students do not need to travel to Sioux City to complete these rotations; local community health organizations in Sioux Center and the surrounding area host the fourth-year nursing students.

At the conclusion of her fourth year, she receives her BSN degree. Although the fourth year of the program are not necessary in order for her to find work as an RN, since she takes the NCLEX-RN at the conclusion of her third year, a BSN degree is the necessary first step toward graduate nursing education. If a student thinks that she may want to pursue advanced certification, completing the full BSN degree is a wise investment of her time.

Contact:
Dordt College
498 4^th Ave. NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250

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Grand View University Nursing School Review

Grand View University (GVU), founded in 1896, has two campus locations in Iowa. The main campus is located in downtown Des Moines and the extension campus (called the Camp Dodge Campus) is located in Johnston, Iowa. Approximately 2300 students are enrolled at Grand View (GV) University, pursing bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and certificates.

For prospective nurses, the university offers a bachelor’s program, and for Registered Nurses (RN), Grand View University offers a bachelor’s completion track and a master’s program. All the nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Prelicensure

The prelicensure track of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes four years to complete. The curriculum includes a combination of general education courses, which are required by the university, and nursing courses/nursing support classes. In order to begin the nursing courses, a student must complete at least the following three courses (eleven credits): English composition, anatomy and physiology, and general psychology. The nursing curriculum is worth eighty-five credits total; these eighty-five credits, in combination with the general education requirements, take four years to complete. After earning a BSN degree, a graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to RN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may enroll in the BSN program. On the basis on his previous education and his work experience, he may receive advanced placement credits for either Nursing Situations with Families and Children within Families in the Institution (five credits) or for Nursing Situations with Adults within Families in the Institution (five credits). The remainder of the LPN to RN program is identical to the prelicensure BSN program. Grand View University offers the LPN to RN program in an accelerated format, for LPNs who wish to continue working while studying. LPNs can take classes in the evening, and study on a full-time or part-time basis. The LPN to BSN program begins each fall and each spring.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

Grand View University’s RN to BSN program is designed to provide flexibility to working Registered Nurses who wish to complete a BSN degree. Classes are offered mostly in the evenings, and students may enroll either full-time or part-time. An incoming RN can receive up to sixty-two credits toward the nursing curriculum. To earn the BSN degree, she must complete at least twenty-five additional nursing credits in addition to any general education requirements that she is missing. The length of the RN to BSN program will vary depending on how many advanced placement credits the RN receives as well as how many general education classes are required.

Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Grand View University trains RNs to become Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL). On a full-time basis (five to eight credits per semester), the program takes two years to complete. It starts in the fall semester, and includes two summer semesters. In total, a student in the MSN program must earn forty credits. After completing the course sequence, a graduate may take the CNL certification exam offered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Contact:
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316

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Iowa Wesleyan College Nursing Program Review

Iowa Wesleyan College (IWC) traces its history back to Mt. Pleasant Literary Institute, which was founded in 1842. It changed its name to Iowa Wesleyan College in 1912, and gradually expanded its liberal arts curriculum to include programs in business, education, science, and nursing. The college welcomes students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, as well as Registered Nurses (RN) who wish to complete a full bachelor’s degree. Iowa Wesleyan College’s nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree requires four years of full-time study. A prospective BSN student must spend his first year completing general education requirements at Iowa Wesleyan College before he can apply to the nursing program. He must have a GPA of at least 2.25 in order to apply. If accepted to the program, he will begin with Foundations of Nursing in the first semester of his sophomore year. This class will enable him to take the state certification exam for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA).

If a student entering the nursing program is already a CNA, he may skip this class. In total, the BSN program requires 124 credits. Of these 124 credits, sixty-four are for nursing classes and clinical rotations. Once enrolled in the BSN program, a student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in order to continue the nursing course sequence. At the end of his fourth year, a BSN student can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this nationwide test will allow him to begin his career in the nursing field.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Completion Program

Iowa Wesleyan College participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan for RNs. This plan grants graduates of associate degree programs or diploma programs credit for their previous nursing coursework; they can complete a full BSN degree in less time than a traditional BSN student. Prior to enrolling in the RN to BSN program, an RN must meet with a nursing advisor and an advisor from Iowa Wesleyan College’s Extended Learning division. The nursing advisor will evaluate the RN’s transcript and determine how many classes, both nursing classes and general education classes, she needs to complete. The advisor from the Extended Learning division will help her plan out her course of study.

She has the option of studying full-time or part-time, depending on how much time she can devote to studying. A typical course load for a student in the Extended Learning division is three classes per semester. Classes are offered at night. The classes are available on Iowa Wesleyan College’s campus in Mt. Pleasant, and also on the campus of Southeastern Iowa Community College in West Burlington and on the campus of Muscatine Community College in Muscatine. The length of the RN to BSN program can vary considerably, depending on whether the RN chooses to study part-time or full-time, as well as on how many classes she needs to complete.

Contact:
Iowa Wesleyan College
601 N. Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641

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Kaplan University Nursing School Review

Request Information from Kaplan University’s Nursing School >>

While based in Iowa, Kaplan University serves thousands of students all over the country through its online degree and certificate programs and its campuses.

The University’s physical campus locations include Davenport (main campus), Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Des Moines, and Mason City in Iowa; Hagerstown in Maryland; Augusta, Lewiston, and South Portland in Maine; Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska; Indianapolis in Indiana; and Milwaukee in Wisconsin. In addition to campuses, Kaplan University has learning centers in and Rockville, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri. At these locations, students can meet in person with advisors, take care of administrative tasks, take advantage of labs and tutoring, and sometimes take onsite classes.

Request Information from Kaplan University’s Nursing School >>

Associate of Science in Nursing
Kaplan University’s Associate of Science in Nursing cannot be completed entirely online. While classes for this degree may be offered online, students in the program must complete clinical rotations onsite and participate in nursing labs at a Kaplan University campus in Iowa or Nebraska. The program is available in Iowa at the Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Des Moines campuses, and in Nebraska at the Lincoln campus. The program requires 110 credit hours in total, which includes a 35-credit core requirement of composition, algebra, psychology, sociology, and science, in addition to nursing classes and clinical rotations. Graduation from the Associate of Science in Nursing program allows a student to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).† The associate’s degree programs in Iowa and Nebraska have approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures; increase your knowledge and competence; and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice. Upon successful completion of the required plan of study and all other graduation requirements, students may be academically prepared to apply to take the licensing examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).†

The program is available to students in Maine and Nebraska. Students must complete 182 credit hours. Classes are offered online with local laboratory and clinical requirements. The Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered onsite in Augusta is granted initial approval by the Maine State Board of Nursing. The Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered onsite in Omaha is approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Kaplan University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). As the program is completely online, it is open to students in any location except Tennessee. The program is open to registered nurses (RNs) who hold either an associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing, although the requirements vary. At the conclusion of the program, the RN will receive the BSN degree, and be prepared for more responsibility in the nursing field as well as for graduate education.‡

Associate’s Degree to BSN:
An RN who holds an associate’s degree will receive at least 90 credits for his or her prior education toward the BSN degree, and may need to earn an additional 90 credits. Credits to completion will be based on a full review of official transcripts. Required classes include both core requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences (29 credits) and nursing courses (41credits) and electives (20 credits).

Certificate or Diploma to BSN:
A nurse who enters the RN-to-BSN program from a certificate or diploma program will have to submit his or her transcripts for evaluation. Depending on prior education, the student will receive as many as 89 credits toward the BSN degree, or as few as 50 credits. The student will have to make up the difference between the credits received from the transcript and the 90 credits that an RN from an associate’s degree program would receive. If the student has not already taken courses in composition and algebra, he or she will also need to complete those before starting on the general education requirements and the nursing courses.

Master of Science in Nursing – Administrative Tracks
The master’s degree in nursing at Kaplan University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Students in the administrative tracks complete core graduate nursing classes in addition to classes in a chosen area of specialty.

Executive Leader Concentration:
The executive leader concentration is designed to prepare students to pursue managerial positions and leadership roles in hospitals, community health, long-term care facilities, and other health care systems. Upon graduation, students may be prepared to sit for the Nurse Executive or the Nurse Executive, Advanced certification examinations (depending on the level of leadership with their organization) provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.§ In this track, a student must complete 60 credits: 30 credits in the area of focus and 30 credits of core nursing classes. A practicum experience and an evidence-based project are included; all the classes are offered online only.

Nurse Educator Concentration:
The nurse educator concentration is designed to prepare students to teach in schools of nursing and continuing education, staff development, clinical education, and patient and community education programs. Upon graduation, students may be prepared to sit for the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination and/or the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Nursing Professional Development board certification examination.§ To complete this track, an RN must earn 60 credits: 30 credits in the area of focus and 30 credits of core nursing classes. A clinical experience and an evidence-based project are included; all the classes are offered online only.

Informatics Concentration:
The informatics concentration is designed to prepare students to meet the clinical, educational, research, and administrative challenges associated with working in a technology-rich environment. This concentration focuses on content and the representation of data and information, and incorporates computer, information literacy, and management competencies. Upon graduation, students may be prepared to use technology and information systems to advance evidence-based research and to pursue informatics leadership roles in health care, industry, and education settings. In addition, students may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Informatics Nursing certification examination.§ The informatics track requires 60 credits: 30 credits in the area of focus and 30 credits of core nursing classes. Students must complete a practicum experience and an evidence-based project; all the classes are offered online only.

Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Tracks
RNs who wish to serve as primary caregivers can enroll in Kaplan University’s Master of Science in Nursing program, choosing a population focus area as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner or as a family nurse practitioner.# These tracks are only open to RNs who can show that they have at least 1,000 hours of work experience, and are only available in select states. Kaplan University maintains a full list of state approvals in their University Catalog. Both tracks consist of 30 credit hours of core classes and 60 credit hours of classes in the chosen area of specialization. While all classes are offered online, students in both tracks must complete several onsite clinical rotations in their community.

Upon completion of the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus area, students may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification.

Upon completion of the family nurse practitioner population focus area, students may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Family Nurse Practitioner certification.§ These are primary care certifications.

Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP degree is practice-oriented, in contrast to the research-focused PhD in Nursing. Driving safe, quality care through interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and complex technology, the DNP-prepared nurse catalyzes progressive change within systems and organizations. The DNP degree is designed to prepare nurses to be culturally competent leaders in the transformation of global health care. The DNP-prepared nurse’s role may include, but is not limited to, administrator, provider, and coordinator.

Doctor of Nursing Practice students who are prepared as advanced practice registered nurses and hold master’s degrees in nursing may take 48 credits to complete the degree. Students who hold master’s degrees with an administrative focus may take up to 60 credits to complete the degree. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing may enroll in the Master of Science in Nursing—DNP path and will complete a full master’s degree in nursing before continuing to the doctoral level. The classes are offered online and the program is available in select states. Kaplan University maintains a full list of state approvals in their University Catalog.

Additional Information about Kaplan University

Accreditation
Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation covers all our academic programs, all branch campuses, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit the HLC website at hlcommission.org, write to them at 230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, or call 800.621.7440.
In addition to the school’s accreditation, some of the nursing programs hold separate accreditations and state approvals as noted above. The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kaplan University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Military Benefits
Kaplan University takes pride in making education accessible and affordable for all students, but it has a special commitment to the military, and is included in Military Advanced Education magazine’s 2016 Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities. Kaplan University offers reduced tuition rates for servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve, and veterans as well as their spouses. The reduction ranges from 14% to 55%, per credit depending on the program and military status.** Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, military personnel may be able to get the remainder of the cost of graduate programs covered through the Veterans’ Association. Kaplan University offers flexible deployment and leave of absence policies to accommodate the mobile lifestyle of servicemembers. In addition, the University offers opportunities to earn credit for eligible military training. ††

Scholarships
The University offers students many ways to save money on tuition, including scholarships.
These forms of financial assistance do not have to be repaid and apply directly toward tuition. Our scholarships can help eligible students save a maximum of $6,000 on a bachelor’s degree.‡‡
You can even apply for outside scholarships to help fund the pursuit of your dream. Kaplan University scholarships are limited to one per student; however you may combine a Kaplan University scholarship with outside scholarships and/or financial aid.

Student Services
Once enrolled at Kaplan University, students can expect the support they need to complete their degree, whether it be technical support for online classes, tutoring, or Career Services. Kaplan University representatives are available via phone, live Internet chat, and on-site at our campuses and learning centers.

Contact:
Kaplan University – Main Campus
1801 East Kimberly Road
Suite 1, Davenport, IA 52807
866.KAPLAN.U
www.kaplanuniversity.edu

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Campuses:

3165 Edgewood Parkway, SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

7009 Nordic Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

1751 Madison Ave, Suite 750
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

4655 121st Street
Urbandale, IA 50323

18318 Crestwood Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21742

475 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, ME 04240

1821 K Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

Plaza West, 2570 Fourth Street, SW
Mason City, IA 50401

5425 North 103rd Street
Omaha, NE 68134

265 Western Avenue
South Portland, ME 04106

Learning Centers:

3333 South Congress Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445

201 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203

1807 Park 270 Drive
Suite 105
St. Louis, MO 63146

9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46240

1601 SW 80th Terrace, 1st Floor
Plantation, FL 33324

1390 Piccard Drive
Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850

For Kaplan University Gainful Employment program disclosure information, click here.<>
* Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.
†Graduates must meet state licensing and certification requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. Check with your state agency for more information. NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
‡While many of Kaplan University’s degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.
§ Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will be eligible to sit for or pass those exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Kaplan University program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams. Students should research the requirements in the state in which they intend to seek employment.
# Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified in order to obtain licensure as a nurse practitioner. Students are responsible for determining whether they will be eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as a nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse in their state. Students can obtain additional information from their state’s Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
**Per-credit tuition reductions are based on standard tuition rate of $371.00 multiplied by the number of credits required to complete the degree.
†† All applicable credit must be reflected on a military transcript.
‡‡Available only to first-time enrollees in undergraduate degree programs. Students enrolled in master’s degree or certificate programs are not eligible.
Savings based on length of study, which varies by program and amount of transfer credits, if any, awarded. No scholarship award is made in the first term. Thereafter, scholarship applied at the end of each term, up to a maximum of 17 terms for bachelor’s degree programs and 9 terms for associate’s degrees. Maximum amount is $8,500, which requires receiving the maximum scholarship per term ($500) for 17 terms. Students studying toward associate’s degrees or who receive transfer credit typically study for significantly fewer than 17 terms and do not qualify for maximum savings. Eligibility rules and other terms apply; consult an Admissions Advisor. Scholarships subject to change and/or discontinuation. Cannot be combined with other Kaplan University scholarships, discounts, or grants or Kaplan University Tuition Cap pricing.

Luther College Nursing Program Review

Luther College (established in 1861) is situated in the northeast region of Iowa. Approximately 2500 students take classes at the college each year; all of them are undergraduates. Luther College (LC) offers baccalaureate programs in the liberal arts, social work, business, and education. In addition to these programs, the college has an emphasis on healthcare education, offering pre-professional programs in physical therapy, veterinary medicine, and medicine.

For students who want to enter directly into the healthcare field after finishing their degree, Luther College offers a baccalaureate program in nursing. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Luther College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program was started in 1974; the first students graduated in 1978. Since then, between twenty and thirty students have completed the BSN program each year. The program requires four years of full-time study (not including summers). Students in the BSN program spend their first year completing both general education requirements in the liberal arts and science classes that are foundational for the nursing major. In the fall of their second year, BSN students begin nursing courses and clinical rotations. The next three years are devoted to a combination of nursing courses and additional general education classes. After completing the four-year course sequence, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry Program

The majority of students who are interested in the BSN program must complete a full year of foundational courses before they can apply to the BSN program. However, highly qualified and motivated high school students can apply to the BSN Direct Entry Program. Luther College accepts ten students each year, to start in the fall. These students can begin immediately with their nursing major. In order to be considered for admission to the Direct Entry program, a high school senior must have at least a 25 on the science reasoning section of the ACT or 570 on the math section of the SAT, a GPA of 3.8, four years of high school English, three years of math, three years of social sciences, and two years of natural sciences. Students who are not accepted to the BSN Direct Entry program can complete their first year at Luther College and apply to the BSN program for the start of their sophomore year.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Completion Option

Registered Nurses (RN) who have completed an associate degree program or a diploma program also have the option of earning a BSN degree through Luther College. Luther College participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan for RNs; incoming RNs receive credit for their previous nursing courses, allowing them to complete the BSN program in a shorter time period. When an RN is accepted to the RN to BSN program, he must meet with an advisor who will evaluate his transcript and plan out an individual course of study for him.

Nottingham Summer Study Program

While many colleges do not allow their nursing students to study abroad, Luther College provides a special opportunity for its BSN students to study abroad in the summer. BSN students have the option of taking one senior-level nursing class in Nottingham, England. This course, which takes one month to complete, allows students to explore community-centered nursing care. While Luther College also offers this class on its campus in Iowa, the course in England is unique because it allows the BSN student to gain hands-on experience of nursing care in a national healthcare system.

Contact:
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, IA 52101

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Morningside College Nursing Program Review

Morningside College (MC), founded in 1894, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was founded as a liberal arts college, and has kept to that tradition while expanding its program offerings into a variety of other fields such as education, business, engineering, and health sciences. Morningside College focuses on undergraduate students, although it does offer graduate programs in education as well. About 1200 students, both undergraduates and graduate students, attend classes on the campus in Sioux City.

Students who want to pursue a career in healthcare have a variety of options at Morningside College, from pre-professional programs in physical therapy, optometry, dentistry, to a full bachelor’s degree in nursing. The bachelor’s degree program has two separate tracks, one for students who are not already Registered Nurses (RN) and one for RNs who want to complete their degree. Morningside College’s bachelor’s degree in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Basic Prelicensure Track

To complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Basic Prelicensure Track, a student must earn 124 credits in total. This takes four years of full-time study. In the first year, a student focuses on Morningside College’s general education requirements and on nursing prerequisites. At the end of her first year, a student can apply to the six-semester nursing course sequence. Admission is competitive; in order to be considered a student must have a GPA of at least 2.75.

Nursing classes and clinical rotations begin in the student’s sophomore year, and continue throughout her junior and senior years. A BSN student must continue to maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 throughout the program. After completing the BSN course sequence, a graduate earns her BSN degree and can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After passing this test, she can seek work as an RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Degree Completion Track for RNs

Morningside College offers a degree completion track for graduates of an associate degree program or a diploma nursing program. Since the college participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan for RNs, an incoming RN will receive thirty credits for his completed nursing coursework. In addition to these thirty advanced placement credits, an RN must earn twenty more credits to complete the nursing coursework required for the BSN degree.

The nursing courses have a clinical component. Morningside College requires students on the degree completion track to meet all of the general education requirements as well. They can transfer in up to forty-eight general education credits, but must complete the remaining thirty credits of general education classes at Morningside College. An advisor will help the incoming RN plan out a course of study that accommodates his work schedule, but usually an RN can complete the degree completion track in four semesters of full-time study. Part-time study is also an option for working RNs, but they must complete all the nursing classes within five years.

Contact:
Morningside College
1501 Morningside Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106

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Mount Mercy University Nursing School Review

Mount Mercy University (MMU), until 2010 known as Mount Mercy College (MMC), began as a two-year training college for women. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy Catholic Order, it opened its doors in 1928. From the very beginning, the school focused on nursing education. While the college now has over forty undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, it remains committed to educating future nurses. Mount Mercy University has a bachelor’s program in nursing, a degree completion program for Registered Nurses (RN), and a master’s program in nursing with several different tracks.

The nursing programs at the college are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program must commit to four years of full-time study (not including summers). In the first year of the course sequence, they focus on Mount Mercy University’s general education requirements and nursing prerequisite classes. In order to begin the six-semester nursing course sequence in the fall of their sophomore year, they must also complete a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) course. Most of sophomore year is also devoted to general education requirements; junior and senior BSN students focus completely on nursing coursework. At the end of the program’s four years, a graduate may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Completion

After gaining at least three years of experience as an RN, a graduate of an associate degree program or a diploma program can apply to Mount Mercy University’s RN to BSN program. The RN to BSN Completion program is offered through the college’s Adult Accelerated Programs Division, so it is designed to accommodate working adults. Depending on the RN’s work schedule, he may choose to study full-time or part-time.

Mount Mercy University participates in the Iowa Articulation Plan for RNs, allowing the incoming RN to transfer credits from his previous nursing program into the college’s BSN program. (He may also choose to gain advanced placement credits by taking a test to prove his nursing skills.) After an RN is accepted to Mount Mercy University’s RN to BSN program, he must meet with an advisor to help him plan out his individualized course of study, based on his previous education and work experience. Depending on how many advanced placement credits he receives and how many general education credits he needs to earn, the length of the RN to BSN program can vary considerably.

Master of Science in Nursing

An RN who is a graduate of a BSN program may enroll in Mount Mercy University’s zxxMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. She may begin either in the fall or the spring, and she may study on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes take place in the evening, in order to allow students to continue working throughout the program. On a full-time basis, the MSN program takes eighteen months to complete. The curriculum consists of thirty-six credits, which includes credits for core graduate nursing classes and credits for classes in a chosen area of specialization. Mount Mercy College offers three areas of specialization within its MSN program:

Health Advocacy:

The Health Advocacy track of the MSN program prepares nurses to engage in health promotion and disease prevention in communities. There is an emphasis on research in this track of the MSN program.

Nursing Education:

The Nursing Education track of the MSN program gives nurses the skills and knowledge they need to train future nurses.

Nursing Administration:

The Nursing Administration track is designed to help nurses be administrative leaders at healthcare facilities.

Contact:
Mount Mercy University
1330 Elmhurst Dr NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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North Iowa Area Community College Nursing Program Review

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) was founded in 1918 as Mason City Junior College. It began as a commuter college specializing in the liberal arts, and expanded rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s. The college added vocational programs (now its major area of focus), built housing to accommodate students, and opened new community education centers.

Now, in addition to its main campus in Mason City, NIACC runs learning centers in Charles City, Garner, Hampton, Lake Mills, and Osage. For students who want to enter the nursing field, NIACC offers several different options: a diploma program, an associate degree, and a college transfer major. The nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Practical Nursing Diploma Program

Before enrolling in NIACC’s Practical Nursing Diploma program, a student must complete a nurse aide training course (available at NIACC) and take the state certification exam for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA). This course must be completed prior to the summer semester, as the summer semester marks the start of the Practical Nursing Diploma course sequence. A student in this program progresses through the summer, fall, and spring semesters, earning forty-three credits in total. At the conclusion of the spring semester, she receives her diploma in practical nursing, and can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program takes five semesters to complete. Like the practical nursing program, the ADN program requires incoming students to be CNAs. The curriculum includes both general education classes (English, sociology, psychology), science classes (microbiology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition), and nursing courses. In total, an ADN student must earn seventy-two credits. ADN students may begin in either the summer or the fall. After completing the five-semester course sequence, a graduate can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program – ADN Option for Licensed Practical Nurses

After completing a practical nursing diploma program, either at NIACC or at another college, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can enroll in the ADN Option for LPNs. She must start in the summer with a transition nursing course. After this, she can join the second-year ADN students in the fall semester. After completing the upper-level nursing coursework in the fall and following spring semester, she earns her associate degree in nursing and is eligible to become a Registered Nurse (RN), as long as she passes the NCLEX-RN.

Nurse Aide Training

Through NIACC’s Continuing Education Division, students can enroll in the Nurse Aide Training Course. This is a prerequisite for all of NIACC’s nursing programs, but can also provide a direct entry into the nursing profession as well. After completing the seventy-five hour training course, a graduate may take the state certification exam for CNAs. The training course includes thirty hours of classroom instruction, fifteen hours of lab instruction, and thirty hours of hands-on training in a healthcare facility. NIACC offers the class multiple times each semester. Classes are available during the week and the weekend and in the evening and the day.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

While NIACC is a two-year college and cannot offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, it does host the University of Iowa’s RN to BSN program. The program is open to RNs who are graduates of any associate degree or diploma program, but graduates of the NIACC ADN program are guaranteed to transfer smoothly into the RN to BSN program. NIACC guarantees that a graduate of the ADN program will have at least half of the required 128 credits for the BSN degree. The remainder of the coursework can be completed on NIACC’s campus and online.

Contact:
North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401

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St. Ambrose University Nursing School Review

St. Ambrose University (SAU), founded in 1882, serves over 3000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school’s main area of focus is undergraduate studies, and undergraduate students account for nearly two-thirds of the student population. Undergraduate students can choose from among seventy possible majors and minors, including nursing. Saint Ambrose University, through its Center for Health Sciences Education, offers three undergraduate programs in nursing.

In addition, it has one graduate program for nurses who want to continue their education. St Ambrose University’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Prelicensure

A prospective Registered Nurse (RN) must earn at least 121 credits in order to complete St Ambrose University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. These credits include fifty-four credits of nursing coursework, and sixty-seven credits of general education classes. The first three semesters of the program are devoted to general education requirements; nursing coursework begins in the second semester of the BSN student’s second year. In total, a student in the prelicensure BSN program must commit to four years of full-time study. After completing the BSN course sequence, she may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Second Degree

Saint Ambrose University offers a special BSN track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Like the students in the BSN prelicensure program, these students must earn fifty-four credits of nursing coursework. However, they do not have to complete the full general education requirement. In addition to the nursing coursework, a student on the second-degree BSN track must take four science classes (nineteen credits) and six nursing support classes (twelve credits).

The required classes include biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, human genetics, psychology, sociology, life span development, nutrition, biomedical ethics, and pharmacology. Students can begin the second-degree BSN program in the spring semester. After graduating, they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

RNs can complete a full BSN degree through St Ambrose University’s Adult College Curriculum for Education and Leadership (ACCEL) program. The ACCEL program is designed to accommodate working adults, so classes are usually offered one day a week. Some courses may be available in the evenings, on the weekends, and in an online format. In order to complete the RN to BSN program, an RN has to earn twenty-six credits of nursing coursework. In addition to these nursing credits, he must fulfill any missing general education requirements. An RN is free to enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis. The RN to BSN course sequence begins in the fall.

Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration

Each fall, St Ambrose University enrolls a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) class. The MSN program focuses on nursing administration, preparing nurses to become nursing managers at healthcare facilities. The program takes three years to complete on a part-time basis, and is open to RNs who have completed a BSN program. The MSN curriculum requires forty credits in total.

Contact:
St. Ambrose University
518 West Locust Street
Davenport, IA 52803

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St. Luke’s College Nursing Program Review

Although St. Luke’s College didn’t officially open its doors until 1966, it traces its roots back to the 1890s. St. Luke’s College, an institution which focuses solely on education in the healthcare field, developed out of Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, and Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. When these diploma nursing schools closed in the 1960s, Saint Luke’s College took over the mission of training nurses for the Sioux City, Iowa area.

While St. Luke’s College remains committed to providing nursing education, over the years it has also added programs in other healthcare fields, including programs in radiology, respiratory care, phlebotomy, medical laboratory sciences, and clinical pastoral education. St. Luke’s College is located in Sioux City, Iowa, on the campus on St. Luke’s Health System. It is a commuter school; it does not have housing for students.

Associate of Science in Nursing

St. Luke’s College offers one program in nursing, an associate degree program which prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The school has a high rate of success with this licensing exam. Over 97 percent of its nursing program graduates pass the test on their first try. In order to prepare its students for this test, as well as for their careers as Registered Nurses (RN), Saint Luke’s College has a rigorous, five-semester course of study. Students must enroll on a full-time basis. The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program begins each fall and each spring, and includes one summer semester.

In total, a student in the ASN program must earn seventy-two credits. This includes the following general education and nursing support classes: English composition, general psychology, anatomy and physiology I and II, developmental psychology, nutrition, sociology, microbiology, and ethics. The remainder of the program is devoted to nursing coursework and clinical rotations. Clinical rotations start in the very first semester of the program, so every ASN student has the opportunity to get a thorough, hands-on experience in the nursing field. St. Luke’s College’s nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing.

Further Education Opportunities

Although St. Luke’s College does not offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, it does cooperate with the BSN program at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. Over the course of four years, a student can earn both an ASN degree from St. Luke’s College and a BSN degree from Dordt College. In the first five semesters of the program, students take classes in both Sioux City (at St. Luke’s College) and in Sioux Center (at Dordt College). At the end of the five semesters, the student completes the ASN degree from St. Luke’s College and takes the NCLEX-RN. He then spends the remaining three semesters completing BSN coursework at Dordt College. Students can begin the joint ASN/BSN program in either the fall or the spring.

Contact:
St. Luke’s College
2800 Pierce St #410
Sioux City, IA 51104

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University of Dubuque Nursing School Review

The University of Dubuque (UD), a small, Christian college, has been educating students since 1852. The university has four different colleges: The School of Business, the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Professional Programs, and the Theological Seminary.

As part of its School of Professional Programs, the University of Dubuque offers a prelicensure track for prospective nurses. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa State Board of Nursing; the University of Dubuque itself is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The University of Dubuque’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes four years to complete, on a full-time basis. During the first two years, prospective BSN students complete the pre-nursing course of studies. They take general education requirements and nursing prerequisite courses, worth a total of sixty-three credits. After four semesters as pre-nursing students, they can enroll in the four-semester nursing course sequence.

This intense section of the curriculum includes sixty-three credits, of which fifty-four are for nursing courses. In order to address the needs of the area, the BSN curriculum has a special focus on caring for the aging and nursing in rural communities. The majority of the final semester of the program is devoted to a five-credit practicum, which takes place at a local healthcare facility. As a small school, the University of Dubuque considers it very important that the nursing classes and clinical rotations have a low student to faculty ratio, so that students can get the individual attention that they need. In the classroom, the average ratio is eight students per faculty member; in the clinical setting the ratio is four or five students per instructor. Students have two admission options for the BSN program.

They can either enter through the Competitive Admission Pathway or through the Early Admission Pathway. If they enter through the Competitive Admission Pathway, students complete the first two years of pre-nursing classes and then apply for a spot in the nursing course sequence, beginning in the fall of their third year. If a student applies through the Early Admission Pathway and is accepted, she can guarantee her spot in the nursing courses after she completes the first two years of prerequisite coursework.

The Early Admission Pathway is open to high school students who have a minimum score of 25 on the ACT, or a score of 1130 on the math and reading sections of the SAT, or a score of 1680 on all three sections of the SAT. Regardless of which admission path a student chooses, she must complete a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) course and be listed on the Iowa Registry of Direct Care Workers before she can begin the nursing coursework. After completing the BSN course sequence, a graduate can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If she passes this national test, she may look for a job as a Registered Nurse (RN), or continue on to graduate-level nursing coursework at another university.

Contact:
University of Dubuque
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001

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The University of Iowa Nursing School Review

The University of Iowa (UI, UIOWA) was the first public college in the state when it was founded in 1847, and it remains the flagship member of the Iowa higher education system. The school enrolls over 30,000 students each year, in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

As part of the College of Nursing, the University of Iowa offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in nursing. The nursing department is highly respected and according to the U.S. News and World Report, has several graduate programs that are among the top ten in the field. The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Prelicensure

The University of Iowa’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Prelicensure curriculum requires 128 credits in total. Of these credits, half are for general education/nursing support classes, and the other half are for nursing courses and clinical rotations. Studying full-time, the program takes four years or four-and-a-half years to complete, depending on the admission option selected. Students have two choices for admission:

Early Decision Admission

The Early Decision Admission option is open to outstanding high school seniors. If accepted, a student on this track will enter the BSN program immediately upon enrolling at the University of Iowa. He will spend his first four semesters completing the general education classes and nursing prerequisites, transitioning into the four-semester nursing course sequence in the fall of his third year. He can graduate with his BSN in four years, and take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Competitive Admission

To enter via the Competitive Admission track, a student must enroll at the University of Iowa and complete four semesters of general education coursework. In the fall of her third year, according to the university’s suggested plan of study, she does not take any classes. She applies to the nursing course sequence for the spring semester. If accepted, she will spend the next four semesters completing the nursing classes. She will earn her BSN in four-and-a-half years.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

After earning an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing, a Registered Nurse (RN) can complete the University of Iowa’s RN to BSN program. The courses are mainly offered online, although students do need to occasionally travel to campus for in-person meetings, and they do need to complete two clinical rotations. On a full-time basis, an RN can complete the program in three semesters. Studying part-time, he will need five semesters to finish. The nursing course sequence for the RN to BSN program begins each fall. In total, a student in the RN to BSN program must earn at least thirty-two credits of nursing classes in order to complete the BSN degree. In addition, if the incoming RN is missing any of the university’s required general education classes, he must plan on completing those as well.

Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares RNs to take the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification exam offered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). It begins each fall, and takes six semesters to complete. The classes are mostly offered online, although students usually need to travel to campus at the beginning and end of the program, and for one of the required classes. In total, an MSN student must earn thirty-nine credits in order to graduate. The MSN program is only open to RNs who have a BSN and at least two years of work experience.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing) program is open to nurses who have either a BSN or an MSN degree. A nurse with a BSN degree must plan on six or seven years to complete the curriculum; an incoming student with an MSN degree can usually complete the PhD in Nursing program in four to five years. In total, a student must earn seventy-four graduate-level credits. Although some of the classes in the program are offered online, students do need to come to campus for most of the courses. Students may choose to study either full-time or part-time.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP

A BSN-prepared RN who wants to earn advanced practice certification should enroll in the University of Iowa’s Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program. Most of the classes in the BSN to DNP program are available online, but students may have to travel to campus for a few courses. Clinical rotations are a required component of the program, but these can be scheduled in a location that is convenient for the student. The program consists of a core curriculum, and classes in a chosen area of specialization. The University of Iowa offers seven different areas of specialization. For all areas of specialization, except for Nurse Anesthesia, students may choose to study full-time or part-time. The following are the available tracks of the DNP program:

Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) program requires eighty-three credits in total. A student on this track must commit to four years of full-time study (which includes two summer semesters). She may also choose to complete the degree in five years (including four summer semesters), studying on a part-time basis.

Nurse Anesthetist:

To become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), a nurse must earn seventy-seven credits. This takes three years of full-time study (including three summer semesters). Part-time study is not an option for the CRNA DNP program. The nursing department cooperates with the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Department of Anesthesia to offer the CRNA DNP program, which has accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Family Nurse Practitioner:

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) DNP curriculum requires eighty-four credits in total. On a full-time basis, this requires four years of study (including two summer semesters). A part-time student can complete the curriculum in five years, including three summer semesters.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner:

To prepare for certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), a nurse must complete seventy-seven credits. This takes four years of full-time study or five years of part-time study.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) DNP curriculum requires eighty credits. A full-time student can complete the course sequence in four years; a part-time student must commit to five years of study.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner:

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) course sequence requires four years of full-time study or five years of part-time study. In total, a PMHNP student must earn seventy-seven credits.

Health Systems:

The Health Systems (HS) DNP program requires seventy-two credits. To complete this, a student must study full-time for four years or part-time for five years.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – MSN to DNP

Although the standard track of the DNP program is for RNs who have a BSN degree, nurses who have an MSN degree are also welcome in the University of Iowa’s DNP program. Depending on their MSN course of study, they should be able to complete the MSN to DNP program in less time than the BSN to DNP students. The University of Iowa has three different DNP tracks for MSN-prepared nurses:

Health Systems:

A nurse with a master’s-level degree in field related to health systems can complete the Health Systems (HS) DNP program in three years, taking between three and six credits per semester. In total, he must earn forty-one credits.

Health Systems (for nurses with a non-HS master’s degree):

If an incoming student has a master’s degree, but in a field that is not related to HS, she can complete the HS DNP program in four years. In total, she must earn fifty-four credits.

Nurse Practitioner:

A nurse with an MSN degree can prepare for advanced certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) by earning thirty-one credits. This takes two years, including one summer semester.

Contact:

The University of Iowa
101 College of Nursing Building
50 Newton Road
Iowa City, IA 52242

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Upper Iowa University Nursing School Review

Upper Iowa University (UIU), which was founded in 1854 in Fayette, educates over 5000 students each year at its main campus in Fayette and at its many education centers. The university has extension centers in Des Moines, Manchester, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, and Waterloo, Iowa; Madison, Milwaukee, Prairie du Chien, Elkhorn, and Wausau, Wisconsin; Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Rockford, Illinois; Alexandria, Fort Polk, New Orleans, and DeRidder, Louisiana; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and overseas in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Upper Iowa University offers a wide variety of programs, but not all are available at all campus locations. At its main campus in Fayette and at its extension centers in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Upper Iowa University offers a bachelor’s completion program for Registered Nurses (RN). The nursing program is a fairly recent addition to the university, since it was founded in 2006.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is not open to traditional students. It is designed as a degree completion program for RNs who are graduates of an associate degree nursing program or a diploma nursing program. By completing a full BSN degree, these RNs can prepare themselves for graduate-level nursing education and advanced practice certification. In order to complete the RN to BSN program, a student must earn 120 credits. This includes credits awarded for the RN’s previous nursing coursework, as well as any transfer credits for general education coursework. An RN in the program must complete at least eleven nursing courses, for a total of thirty-six credits, at Upper Iowa University. Four of these eleven classes have a clinical component. Depending on how many general education credits an RN needs to complete in addition to the thirty-six credits of nursing coursework, the length of the program can vary considerably. In order to accommodate working RNs, many of the courses are offered in an online format. The RN to BSN program has approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Student Resources

While enrolled in Upper Iowa University’s RN to BSN program, an RN can take advantage of more than classroom instruction. The university, with its wide reach throughout the country and even overseas, is a resource for students. It offers an Office of Career Development, to assist students and alumni in finding work and advancing in their chosen career path. Students who are members of the U.S. Military or veterans will find Upper Iowa University especially welcoming. The school, which is named a military friendly university by Military Advanced Education and GI Jobs Magazine, participates in a number of programs including the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program Service, Veterans Educational Assistance Program, Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program, Montgomery GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. And all students, veterans or not, can take advantage of Upper Iowa University’s scholarship and financial aid program. In addition to participating in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the university offers financial aid of its own, and a variety of scholarships for students on its main campus, students in its distance-learning/extension centers, international students, and transfer students.

Contact:
Upper Iowa University
605 Washington Street
Fayette, IA 52142

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Western Iowa Tech Community College Nursing Program Review

On its main campus in Sioux City, Iowa as well as on its extension campuses in Cherokee and Denison, Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC, WIT), founded in 1966, offers a variety of work-training programs. Over 7000 students are enrolled in its degree programs, and an additional 17,000 take advantage of Western Iowa Technical Community College’s noncredit courses. Included among the school’s programs are several in the field of nursing. The programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program at WIT prepares students for entry-level work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The curriculum consists of thirty-six credits, and includes courses in nursing, anatomy and physiology I and II, psychology, nutrition, and developmental psychology. Classes are available online, and on the campuses in Sioux City and Dennison. On a full-time basis, a student can complete the Practical Nursing program in just two semesters. Part-time study is also allowed in the Practical Nursing program. After completing the two semesters, a student will receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). She then has two options: she can start her career as an LPN or she can progress to the Associate Degree Nursing Completion program and work toward certification as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Completion Program

After completing two semesters in the Practical Nursing diploma program and earning his license as an LPN, a student can enroll in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) completion program. This takes three semesters to complete, and consists of thirty-seven credits (in addition to the thirty-five credits of the Practical Nursing program). If a student chooses to study on a part-time basis, the program will take longer to complete. WITCC offers the ADN Completion program on the main campus in Sioux City as well as online. After finishing the ADN Completion program, a student is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and start his career as an RN.

Nursing Assistant Certificate Program

Through a four-credit Nursing Assistant Certificate program at WITCC, a student can prepare to enter the nursing field as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). The training course prepares the student to help patients with their basic needs, such as eating and bathing, and helps the student learn medical terminology and safety procedures. The course requires a commitment of seventy-five hours over the course of several weeks. Forty-five hours are devoted to classroom instruction, and the remaining thirty hours are devoted to a hands-on experience in a healthcare facility. After completing the program successfully, the graduate will receive a certificate of completion. She can then take the state CNA certification exam and apply to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to be added to the direct care workers registry. WITCC offers this class several times each semester, in Sioux City, Dennison, and Cherokee.

Contact:
Western Iowa Technical Community College
4647 Stone Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106

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