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Iowa RN Certification and Schools - IA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 12th, 2010

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation of registered nurse (RN) is the largest segment of healthcare practitioners.  They occupy approximately 2.6 million jobs with 60% of those jobs being located in hospitals.  It is a lucrative field to enter as there is a continuing need for good healthcare providers.

Education

On the Iowa Board of Nursing website there is information on Iowa RN schools offering programs that are approved by the Iowa Board.  Programs range from practical nursing, associates degrees in nursing, baccalaureate programs in nursing, master and doctoral programs, and advanced practice certificate programs.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there typically are three main courses of study to become a registered nurse:

• Obtain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), which will normally take four years
• Obtain an associate degree in nursing (ASN), which will normally take either two to three years to complete
• Obtain a diploma; these programs are offered through a hospital and can take approximately three years to complete.

It is easier to advance in the nursing field the higher the level of degree one has as a nurse.  There are also accelerated master’s degree in nursing programs (MSN) that take approximately three to four years and the student earns both a BSN and an MSN in that time.

 RN Continuing Education Requirements/Licensure Renewal in Iowa

The first time someone renews their nursing license in Iowa, they need to take 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which equate to 24 contact units.  The original renewal is for a three-year license.  Subsequent renewals will require 3.6 CEUs, which equate to 36 contact units.  The cost of a license renewal done every three years is $99.00.  This fee is due 30 days before the 15th day of the month that the applicant was born in.

Through campus or online programs, aspiring Registered Nurses in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Iowa Health and University of Iowa Hospital.