There are different degree types that can be granted based upon the level of nursing care that is going to be practiced. Associate and baccalaureate degrees grant the designation of registered nurse while master's programs prepare students to undertake a higher level of responsibility and care. A practical nursing degree leads to a career as a licensed practical nurse. All nursing scope of practice issues are handled through the Iowa Board of Nursing.
In Iowa, there are two schools that are accredited by the NLNAC to offer the practical nurse degree option. Des Moines Area Community College (dmacc.edu) and Western Iowa Tech Community College (witcc.edu). The practical degree can usually be completed in one year. This type of nurse has a scope of practice similar to a registered nurse but with some limitations.
The associate degree options in Iowa are available at Des Moines Area Community College, Mercy College of Health Sciences (mchs.edu), North Iowa Area Community College (niacc.cc.ia.us) and St. Luke's College (stlukescollege.edu). An associate degree in nursing usually takes about two years to complete with additional time to complete any classes needed for admission to the nursing program. Associate degrees are useful if you want to go into a non-managing nursing career. Many nurses start at this level and later continue on to a baccalaureate degree .
The baccalaureate degree option is useful if you want to enter a managerial position right away. These programs usually contain the standard hands-on education along with some community health and management courses. The two Iowa institutions offering this degree option are Briar Cliff University (briarcliff.edu) and Iowa Wesleyan College (iwc.edu). This degree option typically takes a little over four years to complete including any prerequisite courses.
The master's degree is considered to be an advanced degree in nursing. When students undertake this degree option, they should already have earned a bachelor's degree in nursing and completed a few years of work experience before matriculation. Most programs train degree candidates towards a specific specialty in nursing such as family practitioner, nurse anesthesia, midwifery or gerontology studies. Allen College (allencollege.edu) and Briar Cliff University are the two schools in Iowa that the NLNAC has accredited to offer these degrees.