alert Due to forecasted winter weather, ALL Iowa Western Community College locations are closed and classes are cancelled for Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Employees do not need to report.

Department: Nursing

The nursing field continues to be one in high demand, and Iowa Western’s Associate Degree Nursing program will prepare you for quick entry into the profession as a registered nurse. The program features clinical study groups and tutoring support, along with faculty support. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, allowing them to write the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) examination for registered nurses.

Iowa Western students begin their nursing education by first enrolling in the Practical Nursing program before moving on to the Associate Degree Nursing program. The program offers real-life experiences and is very much hands-on. There are 12 hours per week of clinical LPN work and 16 hours per week for RN work. That means you’ll be fully prepared for entry-level staff nursing positions.

Students also have great opportunities to transfer to four-year schools to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and job placement is very high. Persons of all ages are encouraged to check into this program.

The Nursing programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, RiverPoint Business Park, 400 SW 8th Street, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309-4685, (515) 281-3255.

Students who complete this AAS degree will have earned a Nursing: Practical Nursing diploma by completion.

Doctors might be higher profiled in the health care industry, but Practical Nurses play an extremely important role in the care of patients. You can enter this important and exciting profession by enrolling in Iowa Western’s Practical Nursing study program. You will earn a diploma and prepare to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination. You will also have the opportunity to progress and complete the Associate Degree Nursing program to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

In this program, you’ll learn under the close direction and supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The courses will serve as the foundation for Iowa Western’s Associate Degree Nursing program. You’ll receive 12 hours worth of lab work per week and get hands-on experience in rehab facilities, daycare facilities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

Nurses are in high demand. You can enter the job market immediately after graduating or continue toward a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse for even higher-paying positions.

The Nursing programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, RiverPoint Business Park, 400 SW 8th Street, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309-4685, (515) 281-3255.

Students who complete this diploma will earn credit toward completion of the Nursing: Associate Degree Nursing AAS degree.