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According to a recent article from the Associated Press, Iowa's nursing shortage, which spans across multiple nursing categories, has reached an alarming stage. Many nursing leaders have beefed up their efforts to provide better training programs to help prepare for a growing number of vacancies in the upcoming decade, as well as encourage current and prospective nurses to stay in the profession long-term. If you're considering the practical nursing field and are interested in opportunities in Iowa, keep reading to search LPN programs, learn about state licensing requirements, and get salary and employment information.
- Top LPN Programs in Iowa
- Finding an LPN Program
- State Licensure Requirements
- Salary for LPNs
- LPN Employment Trends
- Resources for More Support and Info
Top 10 LPN Programs in Iowa
| #1 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA |
| #2 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IA |
| #3 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA |
| #4 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA |
| #5 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA |
| #6 | Southwestern Community College Sylva, NC |
| #7 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville, IA |
| #8 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA |
| #9 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA |
| #10 | Southeastern Community College Whiteville, NC |
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Top LPN Programs in Iowa
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Methodology +
The top LPN programs listed in this state's ranking were determined by comparison of three primary, equally-weighted criteria including
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- In-state tuition
- Graduation rate
Additional details for each school were included:
- Count of programs available
- Public and not-for-profit schools
- Normalized on a 100 percent curve
The methodology used for tie-break is as follows...
- Ties are broken based on lowest average net price for full-time, first-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition (average cost of tuition and expenses after grants and scholarships).
- If necessary, the lowest in-state tuition rate is used as a second tie-break
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Hawkeye Community CollegeLocation
Waterloo, IA
Graduation Rate28%
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Northwest Iowa Community CollegeLocation
Sheldon, IA
Graduation Rate54%
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Indian Hills Community CollegeLocation
Ottumwa, IA
Graduation Rate24%
-
Northeast Iowa Community CollegeLocation
Calmar, IA
Graduation Rate34%
-
Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeLocation
Sioux City, IA
Graduation Rate18%
-
Southwestern Community CollegeLocation
Sylva, NC
Graduation Rate40%
-
Iowa Lakes Community CollegeLocation
Estherville, IA
Graduation Rate48%
-
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictLocation
Davenport, IA
Graduation Rate28%
-
Kirkwood Community CollegeLocation
Cedar Rapids, IA
Graduation Rate22%
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Southeastern Community CollegeLocation
Whiteville, NC
Graduation Rate29%
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North Iowa Area Community CollegeLocation
Mason City, IA
Graduation Rate41%
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Des Moines Area Community CollegeLocation
Ankeny, IA
Graduation Rate20%
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Iowa Central Community CollegeLocation
Fort Dodge, IA
Graduation Rate37%
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Iowa Western Community CollegeLocation
Council Bluffs, IA
Graduation Rate18%
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Marshalltown Community CollegeLocation
Marshalltown, IA
Graduation Rate18%
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Search for the Right LPN Program in Iowa
There is no getting around the licensure process if one wishes to practice and find employment as a practical nurse in Iowa. One crucial requirement for licensure is completion of state-approved postsecondary nursing education, either in the form of a diploma, certificate, or associate degree. Accredited LPN programs in Iowa offer quality education and training to prepare its graduates for employment within state borders. Use the search tool below to filter for and compare available academic options across the state.
[School Searches]
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Obtaining LPN Licensure in Iowa
There's no getting around it – Iowa state licensure is an absolute must for LPN practice within the state, and responsibility for meeting all licensing requirements rests solely with the nurse. Below is a description of those requirements and what an applicant must do to meet them.
Basic Eligibility
- Graduate from a state-approved LPN nursing program
- Report any past felony convictions or record of prior disciplinary action against you, regardless of jurisdiction. These must be reviewed and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing prior to license issuance.
- Pass the NCLEX examination
LPN Education
The Iowa Board of Nursing is responsible for the approval of all LPN programs with a physical presence in the state. The Iowa Board of Nursing does not approve out-of-state programs, but will accept an applicant for initial licensure/endorsement who has graduated from an approved out-of-state program.
The majority of LPN programs in Iowa can be found at community colleges throughout the state. Most of these programs can be completed in two semesters of full-time study, culminating in the award of a certificate. Some programs can lead to an associate of applied science degree (AAS), but this option usually takes two years.
Licensure Fees and Logistics
- Must have graduated from high school or received a GED
- Must hold a valid Social Security number
- Must submit an official transcript from his or her nursing program denoting the degree awarded and date of graduation directly to the Board. Only mailed hard copies will be accepted.
- Submit two completed fingerprint cards and pay a $143 fee ($50 for fingerprint card processing and $93 for exam application processing) to the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Under the Home Base Iowa Act, military service applicants can submit a military service application, which allows the applicant to apply verified military education, training, and service credit towards any licensure experience or educational requirement
- Iowa is a member of the multi-state Nurse Licensing Compact that allows a nurse who resides in a compact state to hold one license (from the nurse's primary state of residence) and practice in all other states in which the compact is in effect
License Renewal
License renewal can be done online through IBON 电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录) Services and include a $99 fee. Expiration dates are indicated on each wallet card, but can also be viewed online through the 电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录) Verification System. LPNs can renew their license up to 60 days before the expiration date, and Iowa law requires that it be renewed no later than 30 days prior to expiration. There is no monetary penalty for missing this cut off; however, it is not guaranteed that the new license will arrive before the old one expires. Paper renewals that are returned to the applicant for any reason and then resubmitted after the 15th of the applicant's birth month are considered late renewal and are subject to a $50 late fee. The state does not prohibit the practice of practical nurses who are waiting for a new licensure during the 30-day grace period. Employers, however, can prohibit practice.
Additionally, LPNs must complete a continuing education requirement for license renewal. The first renewal requires 2.4 Continuing Education Units or 24 Contact Hours for renewal. Subsequent renewals require 3.6 CEUs or 36 Contact Hours.
Wages for Iowa LPNs
Iowa is a state whose population is spread throughout a number of modest-sized cities including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, as well as small rural communities and farms. Check the tables below for more detailed information on LPN salaries in Iowa.
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[Chart]
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas
[Chart]
Employment Trends for Iowa LPNs
According to the Iowa Center for Nursing Workforce , Iowa has a ratio of three LPNs per 1000 residents, substantially higher than the national average of two LPNs per 1000 residents. Below is a look at some helpful employment statistics and trends for Iowa LPN job seekers.
Top Employment Locations
| Area | Total Employment (2014) |
|---|---|
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 1,230 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 970 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL | 750 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 720 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 720 |
| Area | Total Employment (2014) |
|---|---|
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 700 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 460 |
| Cedar Rapids | 410 |
| Sioux City IA-NE-SD | 300 |
| Dubuque | 270 |
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Employment of LPNs in Iowa
2012 - 7,630
2022 - 9,210
Average Annual Openings 350
Sources: Projections Central
Resources and Associations
Future of Nursing Campaign for Action: Iowa Action Coalition
This is the state website for the Campaign for Action, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The Campaign's goal is to promote the implementation of recommendations in the Institute of Medicine's report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.
Iowa Association of Nursing Students
Website provides information on association membership, policy and procedures, and the association's annual convention. The association is a chapter of the National Student Nurses Association.
Iowa Board of Nursing
The Iowa Board of Nursing oversees all aspects of education and licensing of nurses in the state. Its mission is to protect public health, safety and welfare by regulating the licensure and practice of nurses, and through nursing education and continuing education.
Iowa Department of Education
Website offers useful information on education throughout the state, including info on community colleges, career planning, and veterans and military education.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Government website with information regarding all aspects of public health in the state. Excellent source for Iowa health news and links to other state resources.
Iowa Hospital Association
The Iowa Hospital Association is an organization that represents and supports Iowa hospitals in achieving their missions and goals. Their website offers links to a wealth of nursing and health-related resources.
Iowa Nurses Association
The INA is the professional association of registered nurses in Iowa. INA provides excellent information on a variety of LPN subjects including nursing careers, continuing education and public policy.
Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL)
The IONL's mission is to, "represent and support nurse leaders in the state of Iowa as catalysts for innovation." Its board consists of executives from leading hospitals and medical centers throughout the state
.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
The NCSBN is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing for all 50 states, Washington D.C. and four U.S. Territories. The NCSBN provides education, service and research to promote regulatory excellence in patient safety and public protection.
Visiting Nurse Association
Headquartered in Iowa City, the Visiting Nurse Association is a non-profit organization that provides medical services to individuals with acute or chronic illness or disability throughout Johnson County.