Nursing Programs in Des Moines, IA

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Des Moines, IA

Changing jobs or beginning your first serious career can bring about a mix of emotions. Fortunately, for those entering nursing in Des Moines, IA, there are numerous colleges with low or zero-entry barriers so you can start your LPN to RN, ADN or BSN educational journey right away.

PN to RN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurses (PNs) support patient care in many ways yet nurses who are looking to provide greater assistance to their patients – and earn a higher wage – can do so by becoming an RN. In Iowa, a number of community colleges offer a seamless educational Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse path. For instance, Iowa Central Community College’s associate’s program includes Practical Nursing curriculum as its first year of study. As such, students can simply complete the second year of the program to sit for the NCLEX exam and become an RN.

ADN Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs in Iowa allow students to get the foundational level of training they need to enter the field of nursing. Most programs are offered at junior or community colleges and expose students to clinical rotations in areas such as medical, surgical, OB-GYN, pediatrics and geriatrics. Des Moines Area Community College offers an ADN program that also prepares students for their RN.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

If you are confident that caring for others is your professional calling, then you may want to consider a direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Des Moines, IA. Offered in hybrid online and on-ground formats and at a quickened pace, today’s BSN programs can often be earned in three instead of four years. Mercy College of Health Sciences, which has been educating nurses for over 100 years, offers an accredited three-year, concept-based BSN program that provides students with clinical experiences in acute and chronic care settings. The bachelor’s nursing program boasts that 88% of graduates receive a job offer within the first year.

Find out more about Iowa Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Des Moines, IA

Registered nurses can better prepare themselves for an ever-changing workforce by completing an accelerated RN to BSN/MSN program. With many online, on-ground and blended educational formats to choose from, working nurses can earn their Bachelors of Science in Nursing or their Masters of Science in Nursing in less time.

RN to BSN Programs

Not surprisingly, top-notch hospitals and medical centers prefer to hire registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree, and this trend in healthcare is likely to persist in the years to come. Working RNs who wish to bolster their earning potential as well as strengthen their learnings can do so by completing RN to BSN programs in the Des Moines, Iowa region. Recognized nationally for their nursing programs, Grandview University offers an RN to BSN option for interested students.

Find out more about Iowa RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Nurses who are truly ready to excel their careers can complete an RN to MSN bridge program in Iowa. Designed for students who are confident about their career paths in nursing, RN to MSN programs allow students to earn a both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in rapid succession. Graceland University, about an hour outside of Des Moines, offers an RN to MSN bridge program in an intensive, online format. By streamlining university admissions processes, students can save time – and save on tuition costs – in this unique bridge program.

Find out more about Iowa RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Des Moines, IA

Nursing is both a calling and a vocation, and those registered nurses who wish to take on a more impactful role can do so by pursuing advanced practice educational programs. Universities in Iowa offer post-master’s certificates or even doctorate programs so nurses can work toward elevating their career – and their profession.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

The demand for nurses extends beyond the hospital and into the college classroom where nursing instructors are needed to teach the next generation of RNs. Experienced nurses looking to become educators themselves can earn their Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate from Purdue University Global, located outside of Des Moines, IA. It also offers other post-grad certs such as Nurse Practitioner and Leadership.

Find out more about Iowa Post-Master's Certificate Programs and Iowa Nurse Practitioner Programs.

DNP Programs

Experienced nurses seeking to teach at the college level or play a leadership role in hospital administration may choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). In addition to MSN and post-grad certs, Purdue University Global offers a highly regarded DNP in an online format. From scientific research to nursing administration, the program prepares nurses to engage the profession at the highest levels.

Find out more about Iowa DNP Programs.