How to Become an RN in Iowa (A Complete 2023 Guide)

Looking for a detailed guide on how to become an RN in Iowa?

You’ve come to the right place. 

Here, we won’t leave out any details. We’ll give you all the steps, as well as how to complete them. 

Plus, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic. 

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started right away! 

5 Steps to Becoming an RN in Iowa

These are the 5 steps to becoming an RN in Iowa: 

1. Set your career goals
2. Choose a nursing degree

• Pick a nursing school
• Get your RN license 
• Get a nursing job

Let’s dive into the details. 

Step 1: Set Your Career Goals

What kind of nurse do you want to be?

Do you want to be a nurse at a hospital?

Or maybe you want to do something more out there, like intensive care, public health, or military nurse. 

What about working as a nurse in government agencies, insurance companies, or education faculties? 

These are the career goals that you should set before anything else. 

The reason for this is because your career goal will help you decide what subjects to study, which degree to take, where to find a job, and all that. 

Step 2: Choose a Nursing Degree

Once you know your career goals, it’s time to choose a nursing degree. 

Now, RNs in Iowa can either pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

Sure, both qualify for the NCLEX exam, but both paths are very different. 

Here is a comparison table that you can refer to:

NCLEX pass rates cover January 1 to December 31, 2020

The Iowa Board of Nursing and the Iowa Center for Nursing Workforce conducted a study and released the results in April 2021. They asked whether there was a preference for nurses with a BSN since it’s a higher degree. 

Guess what? 89.2% of responders said no.

Still, in 2018, 52.2% of RNs in Iowa had BSNs or higher. 

The statistics don’t matter so much, of course. The decision will be yours and yours alone. So make sure to compare degrees and pick one that will suit your career goals. 

If you’re confused, we came up with some questions to ponder to help you make a decision: 

• What kind of nurse do you want to be? Remember what we covered in step 1. If you want to specialize in mental health, you’re good with an ADN. However, if you see yourself stepping into a leadership role someday, you’ll need a BSN.

• Do you want to work in a Magnet hospital? Magnet-designated facilities are the gold standard for innovative nursing practices. However, these hospitals show a preference for BSN nurses.

• How is your financial status? BSN programs are longer and, therefore, more expensive. You may have to get a loan to pursue this track.

• How soon do you want to start working? An ADN allows you to begin working after 2 years or less. If you prefer to earn right away, it may be the better option for you. But again, keep in mind that your salary might be smaller than if you have a BSN degree. 

Step 3: Pick a Nursing School

When you’ve settled on a nursing degree, you can start searching for schools. 

However, what’s best for someone else may not be best for you. So we won’t give you a list of “the best nursing schools in Iowa”. Instead, we’ll give you some things to think about when looking for a nursing school. 

• Approved. This is not an option. You have to go to a nursing school that is approved by the State Board of Nursing. If not, you won’t be eligible to take the NCLEX exam. 

• Delivery options. Does online education work for you? Some people prefer it if they have a busy schedule or a side job. But if you work better in a classroom setting, then it’s a good idea to attend a traditional school. Or, you could go for one that provides both. 

• Location. If you prefer to attend in-person classes, begin looking at the practical side of things. Where is the school located? How easy is it for you to commute there daily? Are you open to staying on campus?

• Instructors. Are the instructors full-time or part-time? What kind of background do they have? Remember, these are the people that are going to educate you. 

• Class size. Some schools limit the number of students in a class. This is so faculty members have more time to personalize their approach and cater to their needs.

• Financial assistance. Does the school offer financial support? All nursing students, regardless of degree, can benefit from this.

• NCLEX pass rate. The ratio of students who pass the licensing exam on their first try shows you how well the school prepares its students for it.

• Career placement. Some schools partner with healthcare institutions to help you after you graduate. Having this in place makes job-hunting less stressful.

Step 4: Get Your RN License

So you’ve set your career goals, you’ve chosen a degree, and you’ve completed the degree at your preferred nursing school. 

Now it’s time to get your actual RN license. 

Here are the steps to get your RN license in Iowa:

• Register for the NCLEX exam with Pearson Vue. You need to pay the $200 exam fee here. 

• Apply for an RN license.
  • Make your nursing school send a hard copy of your official transcript directly to the Board through ground mail. It won’t be accepted if it arrives by other means.
  • Complete your application through the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) website. You need to make an account to use their online service. 
  • Pay the fee of $143 (already includes criminal history background check)
  • Submit to the Board the completed required documents packet given to you by your nursing school. If your nursing school is out of state, you can request a packet of required documents with instructions from the Board. 

• Get your Authorization to Test (ATT). Once the Board reviews and approves your application, you will receive your ATT, which will have your NCLEX exam schedule, along with other instructions. 

• Pass the NCLEX exam. If you pass, the Board will inform you that your RN license is already issued. 

• Verify your license online through Nursys. Simply click on quick confirm and follow the prompts to complete the process. 

And there you have it!

You are now a Registered Nurse in Iowa. 

The last thing now is to find a job. 

Step 5: Get a Nursing Job

If your nursing school has a career placement program, you can go to them for your first nursing job. 

However, you can always explore your options independently. 

What’s the secret to an effective job hunt? Let’s trim it down to 3 phases.

Phase 1: Shortlist

First, check out healthcare facilities in your area. Remember, a hospital is only one of your options.

If you’re leaning toward that setting, ask yourself which hospital piques your interest? 

Consider your experience and preferences and use these to narrow down your options.

Phase 2: Research

Next, gather as much information as you can.

Tap your network and see if you know anyone who can give you a better idea of what goes on in the facility. Get in touch with former colleagues or professors. You can even speak with your physician and get his input.

If some places look extremely attractive, go to their website and see what posts are open. Check out their requirements and see how well you fit them.

Phase 3: Apply

All your effort will be for nothing until you take the plunge. Prepare your CV and a cover letter — you can even customize these based on what you’ve learned.

Highlight skills and experiences that make you a good fit for your preferred role. Most of all, believe that you can do it! A healthy amount of self-confidence makes an applicant attractive to a prospective employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

As promised, we’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. So let’s go!

How much do RNs earn in Iowa?

RNs in Iowa earn 29% less than the national average of $82,750. That means the average salary in the state is $64,990.

Your degree may impact your compensation. ZipRecruiter found that BSN nurses’ annual salary average is $73,756, while ADNs’ is $49,562.

How often do I need to renew my RN license in Iowa?

Your RN license expires on the 16th day of your birth month every 3 years. 

To renew, you must complete CE requirements.

You need to earn 36 CE hours in preparation for your license renewal. On your first cycle, 2 out of the 36 hours must be on identifying and reporting abuse of children. Another 2 hours must be about the same subject but focus on dependent adults.

For all renewals after that, you need to recertify for each course. These courses must be at least 1 CE hour.

Helpful Resources for Iowa RNs

• Iowa Board of Nursing Website (Official)
• Information for RN Applicants (Official)
• Iowa RN Continuing Education Requirements (Official)
• Associate Degree Programs (ADNS) Approved by Iowa BON
• Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) approved by Iowa BON

List of Associate Degree Programs (ADNs) in Iowa

Here’s a list of ADN programs approved by the Iowa BON:

Visit the Iowa BON website for updates.

List of Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) in Iowa

Here’s a list of BSN programs approved by the Iowa BON:

Visit the Iowa BON website for updates.

In Conclusion

So there you have it. 

Your complete 2023 guide on how to become an RN in Iowa. 

As you can see, the journey will take time, dedication, and investment. You need to go through each step one at a time. 

But in the end, you will feel the satisfaction of getting to your hold RN license and starting your first nursing job. 

So good luck!