
A registered nurse (RN), regardless of work setting or specialty, provides health care to patients who are ill or injured. RNs can be found in a variety of work settings. Registered nurses who work in hospitals tend to work nights, weekends and holidays as patients require 24-hour care, while RNs who work in offices, schools or for the government usually work regular business hours.
Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa
To become a registered nurse, there are three typical educational paths--a bachelor's degree (BSN), an associate degree (ADN) or a diploma. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program to become a registered nurse. All registered nursing programs provide classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. As a nursing student, you'll take courses in anatomy, chemistry, psychology, mental health and health management. There are many registered nursing schools in Iowa, both online and campus-based, that can help you earn an ADN or BSN, but there are fewer options when it comes to diploma programs. Registered nursing students must graduate from an approved nursing program as well as pass a national licensing exam called the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Other requirements vary by state. RN schools in Iowa can give you the tools you need to become a successful registered nurse.
Registered Nursing Salaries in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RN employment is expected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. With more than two million jobs in 2008, registered nurses were the largest healthcare occupation. There are over 30,000 RNs in Iowa. BLS states that in May 2009, Iowa RNs made an annual median salary of $50,220. In Iowa, registered nurses earned the highest median salary in Ames, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
To locate an Iowa RN school near you, check out the list below.
Schools for Registered Nurses in Iowa are listed below.
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

University of Phoenix
Cedar Rapids, West Des Moines
Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix is dedicated to meeting the needs of working students. Now the largest private university in North America, we offer conveniently located campuses and learning centers as well as a flexible online learning format.

Kaplan University KHE
Cedar Rapids, Des Moines
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan University can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
| School | Locations | Degrees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Phoenix Online | Online | Bachelor, Master | |
| Walden University | Online | Bachelor, Master, Post-Master Certificate | |
| Grand Canyon University | Online | Bachelor, Master | |
| South University | Online | Bachelor | |
| Kaplan University Online | Online | Bachelor, Master | |
| Colorado Technical University Online | Online | Bachelor | |
| American Sentinel University | Online | Bachelor, Master | |
| Concord Law School | Online | Bachelor |
The map below shows job statistics for the career type by metro area, for Iowa. A table below the map shows job popularity and salaries across the state.
Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Registered Nurses relative to the population of the city, as of 2008. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A Relative Popularity of 1.0 means that the city has an average number of the particular job, for its population, compared to the rest of the US. Higher numbers mean proportionally more jobs of that type.| Metro Area | Jobs | Salary (2008) | Relative Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
IOWA | |||
| Dubuque | 1,150 | $49,500 | 1.3 |
| Waterloo | 1,890 | $49,300 | 1.2 |
| Sioux City | 1,460 | $47,870 | 1.2 |
| Ames | 710 | $56,210 | 1.1 |
| Cedar Rapids | 2,600 | $50,000 | 1 |
| Davenport | 3,540 | $46,370 | 1 |
| Des Moines | 6,170 | $52,980 | 1 |
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