Best Iowa Online RN to BSN Nursing Schools

RN to BSN in Iowa

The best Iowa online RN to BSN programs are a path for RNs to earn an undergraduate degree and advance their careers quickly. Known for its rural, agricultural heritage, Iowa is an exemplary Midwestern state – one of the union’s safest, healthiest, and happiest states. But that’s not to say life in Iowa is perfect. Despite being one of the healthiest states, Iowa is also acutely feeling the nursing shortage that is cause for alarm across the nation. Over the next decade, Iowa will need anywhere from 5000 to 10,000 nurses, and the number of graduates coming out of Iowa nursing colleges is still far short.

The best nursing schools in Iowa are getting creative, innovative, and tech-savvy to meet the need in their hospitals, clinics, and schools. As a result, Iowa is one of the best states in the US for nursing, with more than a dozen top-notch nursing schools and one of the best for online RN to BSN degree programs. In addition, TopRNtoBSN has ranked the best online RN to BSN programs in Iowa for Hawkeye nurses who want to increase their salaries, take on higher-level positions, and become leaders in nursing.

How We Ranked Online RN to BSN Programs in Iowa Nursing Colleges

TopRNtoBSN editors searched through all of the Iowa nursing colleges offering fully online or hybrid BSN programs to rank the online RN to BSN programs in Iowa with the most potential for career development. With our list in place, we ranked programs according to three factors we believe students see a positive impact: Tuition Rate, Student Satisfaction, and Job Placement Rate. Data came from College Scorecard, Niche, and IPEDS.

1. Allen College – Waterloo

When you’re looking into Iowa nursing colleges for an RN to BSN degree program, the options at Allen College in Waterloo help you improve your opportunities for your future. The degree program is a fully online option that allows you to take full-time or part-time courses to fit your schedule. In addition, since it is an online degree program, you have the flexibility to focus on your long-term plans. Allen also offers a scholarship for all nursing students to offset costs.

Allen College stands out from other programs by offering a fully online program focusing on practical skills and knowledge. The CCNE accredited program does require students to complete residency as part of their degree. However, it also allows you to continue working as a nurse while completing your program. Since you can take part-time or full-time courses, the amount of time required for the degree depends on the number of classes you take each semester.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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2. Saint Ambrose University – Davenport

Saint Ambrose University in Davenport is one of the best nursing schools in Iowa for an online RN to BSN program. The degree program offers an opportunity to advance your career by providing the well-rounded education you need to focus on patient care. It takes a liberal arts approach to the degree and ensures that students understand proper methods of communication to handle the challenges of working with patients in a medical setting.

Saint Ambrose University differs from other programs by offering fully online courses that take eight weeks to complete. It focuses on flexibility and accelerated courses to help you move forward with your long-term plans. Due to the short length of the classes, you can complete your degree at an accelerated pace and move forward with your career goals when you finish your bachelor’s degree. The program does focus on the needs of registered nurses with an associate’s degree, so you will have the flexibility to continue your normal activities while working on your degree. associate’s

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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3. Briar Cliff University – Sioux City

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City is one of the best nursing schools in Iowa for its online program. The RN to BSN program at Briar Cliff is CCNE accredited with convenient and flexible online classes taught by experienced faculty. In addition, the faculty offers mentorship to students and takes a personal approach to education while allowing students to work on their degree when it fits their schedule as a nurse. Faculty are available to students through email, online chats, and similar tools to help students with their concerns. That flexibility and focus on mentorship allow students to learn quickly.

A fundamental way Briar Cliff University stands out from other programs is its focus on mentorship and interpersonal interactions between students and faculty. It does not limit the ability of students to seek help and advice from veteran nurses who have handled a variety of situations in their careers. That gives you the confidence to focus on your goals while learning from the right team.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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4. Grand View University – Des Moines

Grand View University offers an online RN to BSN program that helps nurses with long-term career goals. This degree program values interpersonal relationships when dealing with patients. Therefore, the program focuses on developing both effective communication skills and practical skills. In addition, the program ensures that students can identify concerns about a patient’s health and provide the proper care to address.

Grand View University stands apart from its focus on individuals and caring for others. It goes beyond the basics of health care for patients and recognizes that nurses need to provide a comforting presence to their patients. The program takes measures to help you develop the skills to offer confident and kind care that your patients need when seeking treatment. By putting the needs of patients at the core of its courses, Grand View helps nurses develop the skills they need to handle the challenges of interpersonal interactions with patients.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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5. Upper Iowa University – Fayette

When you are looking at Iowa nursing colleges, you will want to evaluate the options for your education from Upper Iowa University. The RN to BSN program is CCNE accredited and provides opportunities to help with your long-term goals. You can take the hybrid online courses that provide most of the classes online and allow you to take a few courses on campus for the experience of hands-on training. Alternatively, you can take the fully online program and avoid the classroom environment.

A fundamental way Upper Iowa University stands out from other programs is its flexible scheduling. So, students can choose to take the accredited courses full-time or part-time. Furthermore, they can also choose between a fully online program or a hybrid program based on your work schedule and your plans for your career. When you add in accelerated education, you can complete your degree in a fraction of the time and focus on advancing your career as a nurse.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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6. Graceland University-Lamoni – Lamoni

Graceland University-Lamoni offers the opportunity to complete your RN to BSN program online without the complexities of going to a traditional school. The online degree program is CCNE accredited, and it focuses on providing flexible classes that work around your current schedule. Since the program is for working nurses who may have a complex or challenging work schedule, it allows you to focus on accomplishing your goals for your education without worrying about your work.

When it comes to Iowa nursing colleges, Graceland University-Lamoni stands out by focusing on the changing world of nursing. It does not limit education to the basics of practical skills and knowledge. It also provides students with leadership skills that prepare them for more advanced roles as a nurse. You will also learn about global policy and community health related to nursing, focusing on the global challenges of nursing and the part of leaders in the nursing field.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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7. Mercy College of Health Sciences – Des Moines

The Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines is an excellent nursing program for RN to BSN students. The online degree program is CCNE accredited and focuses on education mobility. Since it is a fully online program, students can work on their degree when it fits their schedule and from any location. That allows you to continue working as a nurse while focusing on your bachelor’s degree.

When looking into the advantages of a program, Mercy College of Health Services in Des Moines stands out for its focus on flexibility. The program strives to help students accomplish their goals by teaching leadership and nursing skills while still working around a challenging schedule. Since nurses may have different plans every week, the flexible online degree allows you to complete coursework when available and from any location.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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8. Clarke University – Dubuque

Clarke University has an online RN to BSN program that is CCNE accredited and prepares students to advance in their careers. The degree program is entirely online and does not require students to spend any time on-campus to complete their degree. In addition, it allows students to transfer up to 95 credits from other programs, which will enable them to complete their degree at a fast pace.

Clarke University stands out by offering students greater flexibility for their education. The program focuses on critical thinking skills, communication skills, and practical nursing skills to prepare you for the challenges of advancing your career and working as a leader in nursing.

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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9. St Luke’s College – Sioux City

When looking for the best nursing schools in Iowa, St. Luke’s College in Sioux City offers the training you need to focus on your degree. In addition, St. Luke’s College offers a flexible online RN to BSN program. It works around your schedule and focuses on nursing challenges in a modern environment.

St. Luke’s College differs from other programs focusing on informatics and specialized skills. As advances in technology change how nurses handle their patients, a program that offers courses and training to run technological tools will help you. St. Luke’s College provides training in technology and practical nursingLuke’ss. St. Luke’s College in Sioux City takes a well-rounded approach to nursing and provides students with the training to handle the challenges of working in a modern Luke’sonment. Luke’s

Format: Online
Accreditation: CCNE

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10. Iowa Wesleyan University – Mount Pleasant

The RN to BSN program at Iowa Wesleyan University is a flexible online program in Mount Pleasant that offers you the training to focus on your career goals. The ACEN accredited program has six start dates that allow you to work on your degree when it fits your situation. It also allows you to work around your regular hours at work and your family obligations with 24-hour access to your coursework and materials.

A fundamental way Iowa Wesleyan University differs from other programs is its focus on providing students with the training to handle their career goals. For example, it takes your experience in the military or as a nurse into account as part of your degree program. It also offers flexible start dates and provides eight-week-long courses so you can complete your degree at an accelerated pace.

Format: Online
Accreditation: ACEN

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How Do I Become an RN in Iowa?

To become a registered nurse in Iowa, an individual must graduate from one of the approved and accredited nursing programs. The Iowa Board of Nursing keeps an updated listing of approved programs. Furthermore, Iowa nursing programs for registered nurses typically take two years to complete. So, nurses with no prior experience will choose associate degree programs or bachelor degree programs. Registered nurses who meet either of these nursing programs in Iowa will have an Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Although most ASN and BSN programs take two to four years from graduation, accelerated nursing programs in Iowa cut down on time for completion. For example, registered nurses could finish an accelerated program half the time of a traditional degree track. Iowa nursing programs are also part of a statewide articulation plan to make it easy to transfer between colleges.

Iowa nursing license verification is required upon completion of the appropriate schooling. To be licensed, nurses must take and pass the national NCLEX-RN. Along with passing the NCLEX-RN, the Iowa Board of Nursing requires an application fee and background check fee. Iowa nursing licenses are valid for three years and require renewal every three years. Continuing education credits are mandated for the renewal of all Iowa nursing licenses.

How is the Job Market for Nursing in Iowa?

Nursing jobs in Iowa have experienced a steady growth rate in the last decade. According to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 33,770 registered nurses in Iowa. Over the next decade, a minimum of 1,280 Iowa nursing jobs will be available each year through 2024. This demand to fill positions related to nursing in Iowa has made wages competitive. In addition, a shortage of filled nursing jobs in Iowa has led to several statewide initiatives to increase the availability of registered nurses.

A lack of residency programs for nurses has been one of the reasons for the state’s shortage. To combat this issue, schools now have online residency options. The state has also started funding programs for nursing educators in Iowa. As instructors enter retirement, there is a lack of staff to train new professionals for Iowa nursing educator jobs.

In Des Moines, IA, nursing jobs post on local job boards. As a metropolitan location with nationally ranked medical centers, the city always needs licensed RNs. Rural areas have a nursing shortage, too, with some Iowa medical centers forced to shut their doors due to low staffing issues.

How Much Do Nurses Make in Iowa?

A nursing salary in Iowa is competitive. Direct care jobs are considered the fastest-growing state, with wages reflecting the vital need to fill vacant positions. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the mean hourly wage for nurses in Iowa is $27.97. Additionally, the annual Iowa nursing salary average is $59,130. And the nursing salary in Iowa for specialists is even higher. For instance, nurse practitioners in Iowa make an average salary of $106,290 annually. Additionally, nurses with advanced training in psychiatric and mental health or women’s health also earn a high salary.

The nursing salary in Iowa has a lot of appeal for nurses who decide to further their education after becoming registered nurses. For instance, a nursing anesthetist makes upwards of $209,000 per year. The geographic location of a registered nurse will also impact the average Iowa nursing salary. So, metropolitan areas pay the most to nurses with averages that exceed $66,000 per year. However, rural areas pay closer to $55,000 per year. The level of education will also affect a nursing salary in Iowa. When nurses have a BSN, they are more likely to be promoted. According to a 2013 survey of nurses in Iowa, BSN nurses could make upwards of $71,670 yearly.

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