[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /]Iowa is a great state to work in as a nurse. Demand is high and set to grow over the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-salary//”]annual salary for a registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] (RN) is $53,520, not as high as in other states, but certainly still interesting, particularly since the cost of living is also lower in this state. So how do you become a nurse in Iowa?[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]Becoming a nurse[/hen-ui-link] in Iowa is a 3-stage process:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]CHOOSE THE TYPE OF EDUCATION YOU WANT TO PURSUE[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The least popular, but quickest [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-rn-roles/”]option is the LPN[/hen-ui-link] (licensed practical nurse) diploma, which takes one year to complete. Alternatively, you can [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]become an RN[/hen-ui-link], with options for a 2 year associate degree program, or a 4 year bachelor degree. The longer you study, the more you will learn and the better your job opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]MEET THE PREREQUISITES[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You will always have to have completed your high school or GED. Additionally, if you want to complete an ADN [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//how-to-choose-between-getting-your-bsn-or-msn/”]or BSN[/hen-ui-link], you will usually also need to complete a number of undergraduate courses. The school of your choice will tell you which courses they require, with statistics being the most common one. It should take you no more than six months to complete this.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]PASS THE NCLEX EXAM[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm”]NCLEX[/hen-ui-link] examination, LPNs take the NCLEX-PN exam while RNs take the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]NCLEX-RN[/hen-ui-link] examination. This is a national qualification, meaning you can transfer your license to different states.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]To become an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) in Iowa, you must complete the following four stages as set by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.iowa.gov/”]Iowa Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]OBTAIN A GRADUATE DEGREE THAT IS AT LEAST AT MASTERS DEGREE (MSN) AND FOCUSES ON A CLINICAL SPECIALTY[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In-state programs are approved by the Board. Out-of-state programs must be accredited by an agency that is recognized by the [hen-ui-link href=”http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx?6d6f64653d31267264743d332f372f3230313220333a35383a343020504d”]U.S. Department of Education[/hen-ui-link]. The Board has created a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.iowa.gov/msn-nursing-education-programs”]list[/hen-ui-link] MSN certificate programs, as well as a list of approved MSN and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.iowa.gov/doctorate-nursing-education-programs”]DNP (doctorate) programs[/hen-ui-link].For a course to be approved, the following courses must be included in the curriculum:

Advanced physiology/pathophysiology[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced health assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced pharmacology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Education/counseling of patient/family[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health promotion and maintenance[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]BECOME NATIONALLY CERTIFIED BY A RECOGNIZED AGENCY[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This certification must be in your chosen specialization category. The various agencies set requirements for examination and certification. The general categories recognized by the Board are:

NP (Certified Nurse Practitioner)[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNM ([hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/how-to-become-a-nurse-midwife/”]Certified Nurse Midwife)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CRNA (Certified Registered [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-anesthetist/how-to-become-a-crna/”]Nurse Anesthetist)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Family Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Nurse Midwife[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Registered [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-anesthetist/how-to-become-a-crna/”]Nurse Anesthetist[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/school-nurse/how-to-become/”]School Nurse[/hen-ui-link] Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//fnp-vs-acnp/”]Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Perinatal Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Health[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Perinatal[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Medical/Surgical[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Psych[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Oncology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Gerontology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Orthopedics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Community Health[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Home Health[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical Nurse Specialist Child/Adolescent Psych[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nursecredentialing.org/”]ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/index”]AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aacn.org/DM/MainPages/AACNHomePage.aspx?pageid=1″]AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nccwebsite.org/”]NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/index”]PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care and Primary Care.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.oncc.org/”]ONCC (Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation) that recognizes the Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.amcbmidwife.org/”]AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nbcrna.com/Pages/default.aspx”]National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]APPLY TO BE REGISTERED AS AN APRN[/hen-ui-heading]

This can be done by completing the [hen-ui-link href=”http://nursing.iowa.gov/images/pdf/ARNP%20Forms/ARNP%20Form%2011%202014.pdf”]Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Application[/hen-ui-link]. You must also include various items of documentation and the relevant fees with this application. There is no requirement for a criminal history background check, although you will be asked to disclose past criminal convictions if any.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]RENEW YOUR LICENSE TOGETHER WITH YOUR RN LICENSE EVERY THREE YEARS[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This cannot be done online. You will receive a renewal form in the post instead. There are no continuous education (CE) requirements as set by the Board. However, your national certification agency is likely to have CE requirements that you must meet in order to maintain your certification.The only requirement is for APRNs who regularly work in examination, treatment or counseling of adults and children. These have to take part in a minimum of two hours of training to identify and report child and/or adult abuse. They must do this every five years through an [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.idph.state.ia.us/bh/abuse_ed_review.asp”]approved course[/hen-ui-link].

[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.iowa.gov/”]Iowa Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RiverPoint Business Park[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite B[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Des Moines, IA 50309-4685[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tel: 515/281-3255[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fax: 515/281-4825[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”py-4 my-0 text-center border-b md:pb-8 md:border-none”]You might be interested in[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-layout ids=”76218,76212,76202″][/hen-ui-article-layout]