Nursing

Nursing

From Compassion to Career: Prepare for a High-Demand Future in Nursing

If you have a heart for helping, Kirkwood is the place to turn your compassion into a career. Our Nursing program blends your passion for healing with the latest advancements in healthcare science and technology, preparing you to make a life-changing impact in the lives of others.

Our innovative, multi-tiered program structure offers flexible entry points and advancement opportunities, so you can chart your own course to earning your degree. Whether you're just starting or looking to build on previous experience, we provide a clear pathway to success.

What truly sets Kirkwood apart is our immersive, hands-on training. You’ll gain real-world experience not only in the classroom but also in our state-of-the-art model hospital environment and through clinical rotations at leading local health centers. From pediatrics and labor and delivery to operating rooms, nursing homes, and community health settings, you’ll be prepared to thrive in a wide variety of in-demand healthcare environments.

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ADN classes give you a full range of clinical experience, covering medical, surgical, geriatric, maternal-child, pediatric, and mental health modalities. You'll also get real-world patient care training with supervised laboratory, simulation, and real-life clinical experiences that begin in your first semester at Kirkwood.

The first two semesters of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs are identical and provide a core of knowledge and skills that are common to both nursing roles.

If you're currently an LPN, or earned your LPN at Kirkwood then took a break from college, you can still earn your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and become an RN. Our LPN transfer program allows you to finish up the last two or three semesters of the ADN curriculum to complete your degree

Program Costs

Nursing A.A.S. 

School Year: 2025–26

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer

Pre-Reqs First Second Third Fourth Total
Credit Hours per Semester 37 13 12 12 12 86
In-State Tuition $8,177 $2,873 $2,652 $2,652 $2,652 $19,006
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $250
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $542.60 $0 $20 $0 $0 $562.60
Conferences/Seminars $996 $0 $0 $0 $0 $996
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $3,170.20 $1,186.86 $0 $0 $0 $4,357.06
Course/Section Fees $20 $60 $80 $95 $145 $400
Laptop (required devices) $600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $600
Testing Fees $306 $452.50 $452.50 $446.50 $446.50 $2,104
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $375 $0 $375 $750
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $180 $0 $0 $0 $24 $204
Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated Cost $14,041.80 $4,622.36 $3,629.50 $3,243.50 $3,692.50 $29,229.66

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $221 (In-State), $296 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

Nursing A.A.S. 

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer

Pre-Reqs Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 37 12 12 61
In-State Tuition $8,029 $2,604 $2,604 $13,237
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $150
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $528 $35 $0 $528
Conferences/Seminars $996 $0 $0 $996
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $3,170.20 $1,186.86 $751.08 $5,108.14
Course/Section Fees $40 $60 $90 $190
Laptop (required devices) $600 $0 $0 $600
Testing Fees $270 $620 $387 $1,277
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $375 $375
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $180 $0 $0 $180
Other $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated Cost $13,863.20 $4,520.86 $4,257.08 $22.641.14

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

Nursing A.A.S. 

School Year: 2025–26

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer

Pre-Reqs Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 37 12 12 61
In-State Tuition $8,177 $2,652 $2,652 $13,481
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $150
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $542.60 $0 $20 $562.60
Conferences/Seminars $996 $0 $0 $996
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $3,170.20 $1,186.86 $0 $4,357.06
Course/Section Fees $20 $60 $90 $160
Laptop (required devices) $600 $0 $0 $600
Testing Fees $306 $452.50 $452.50 $1,211
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $375 $375
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $180 $0 $0 $180
Other $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated Cost $14,041.80 $4,401.36 $3,629.50 $22,072.66

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.


Program Requirements

To ensure your success in the Nursing Program at Kirkwood, please make sure to complete the following:

  1. Apply
  2. Take Placement Exams PRIOR to New Student Orientation.
  3. Register for and attend New Student Orientation PRIOR to the start of classes.
  4. Register and attend a Program Conference DURING your first semester to better understand all program requirements.
  5. Obtain your Certified Nursing Assistant certificate to ensure that nursing is right for you and increase your readiness for Nursing Program admission.

Nursing students are required to purchase scrubs to wear when completing nursing labs, simulations, and clinical assignments. You will also need a laptop computer for Nursing exam software. See requirements below.


You are required to wear your scrubs to the first day of lab. All items listed are available for purchase at the Main Campus Bookstore.

Nursing Patch: It must be worn on the left side of the scrub top.

Nursing Scrubs: Scrub tops and bottoms must match exactly.

Scrub Color: The scrub color must be Galaxy Blue. Purchase the same brand for both as dyes may vary and the top and bottoms must match. It is recommended to purchase two sets of scrubs as they are required for Clinic, Lab, and SIM, and these are often scheduled two days in a row.

Top: The unisex and female tops are the two styles allowed for Kirkwood Nursing Students.

Pant: Any straight leg (no cuff) scrub pant is acceptable as long as it fits well and is hemmed if needed. Pant hems should not touch or drag on the floor.

Jacket: A Unisex White Jacket is optional.

Shoes: Must be clean, have an enclosed heel and toe, rubber soled, with no holes in the top (athletic shoes are allowed), with no neon or extreme colors or patterns. Shoes must be worn with white or neutral color socks or stockings that coordinate with the scrubs and without ornamentation.

Kirkwood Clinic ID: Nursing student clinical ID badge is obtained at the Eaglecard office in the Allsop Computer Lab, Neilson Hall Room 131. Scrub top must be worn in ID picture. Cost is $10.

Students accepted into the Nursing program are required to have their own personal laptop computer, required software, and other equipment. All required technology is available for purchase at Eagle Tech on Main Campus.


Explore More

Lauri Hughes
Pre-Nursing Advisor PRIOR to Assigned Permanent Advisor

If you are new to nursing, looking for more information about Kirkwood's Nursing program, or have not been assigned an advisor yet, self-schedule a meeting with Lauri by clicking the button below. Meetings with Lauri can be done via Zoom, phone, or in person.

Schedule Now

Students in any of the 15 health programs are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of HOSA, a global student-led organization exclusively for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

HOSA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO)CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

To learn more about HOSA please email the faculty advisor, Laurie Simmons at laurie.simmons@kirkwood.edu

Nursing is the largest health care profession in the United States. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates that employment among registered nurses will grow by 6% through 2023 to 2033. About 194,500 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment opportunities for licensed practical nurses are also projected to grow, with a projected increase of 3% each year through 2033.

Explore Careers

All students new to Kirkwood's nursing program are required to attend a program conference. You should register and attend a program conference prior to or during your first semester of prerequisites (the program conference is a prerequisite for Introduction to Nursing).

The conference allows you to learn more about the program and specific admissions requirements. You'll also get the opportunity to have any questions answered by a nursing advisor.

You'll need your k-number and password to register.

Register for the Nursing Program Conference

NOTE: All nursing program conferences expire after two years. As a prerequisite, your conference date must be valid through the beginning of the technical portion of the program.

Continue your education! You can easily transfer to earn your RN-BSN at an area 4-year college.

Kirkwood students can transfer to these local programs, among many others:  

  • Allen College
  • Briar Cliff University
  • Iowa State University
  • Morningside University
  • Mount Mercy University/St. Ambrose University
  • University of Iowa College of Nursing
  • Western Governors University

Nursing Graduates

 

Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. View the state listing guide to identify which states Kirkwood’s program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

If you are planning to move permanently to another state right after graduation, you should call the Nursing office at 319-398-5613 and schedule a meeting with the Department Coordinator to ensure all license by examination requirements for that state are met.

If you temporarily travel to a state to assist in a disaster to work as an agency or travel RN, you can work in many/most states on your Iowa multi-state or “Compact” license or obtain a license by endorsement from that state.

  • The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows a nurse who resides in a compact state to hold one license in the nurse's primary state of residence and practice in all other states in which the compact is in effect
  • Primary state of residence is where you hold your driver's license, pay taxes, and/or vote
  • View a list of NLC states
  • NLC fact sheet for new graduates

The Kirkwood Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation through 2027.

National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation


The Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing

2600 Virginia Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20037

202-909-2526

 

 

 

 

 

River Point Business Park

400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite B

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-281-3255

 

Kirkwood's nursing program mission is to guide, advise, and educate caring and competent nurses for the future.

 

Program Outcomes

  • Patient-Centered Care: Provide compassionate patient-centered care to meet client physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual needs within the context of the family and the community.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with members of theA Venn diagram illustrating the concepts of Skills, Knowledge, and Values overlapping with Caring and Competent Future Nurses at its center. These spheres are surrounded by larger spheres of Learning Community, Local Community, and Global Community. This is placed on a plank of Patient centered Care, Teamwork and Collaboration, Evidence based Practice, Quality Improvement, Safety, Informatics by the Institute of Medicine, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses. interdisciplinary health care team to ensure the provision of safe, quality, effective care through the use of communication and relationship–building skills.
  • Evidence-Based Practice: Use systematic assessment, critical analysis, and application of best evidence and practices to implement evidence-based health promotion, prevention, and condition management to optimize patient, family, and population health.
  • Quality Improvement: Participate in the development and implementation of health care organization quality improvements.
  •  Safety: Implement safe care practices for patients, families, communities, and members of the health care team.
  •  Informatics: Utilize electronic medical records, intranet and Internet resources, and other informatics resources and tools to make informed clinical decisions.
  • Patient Self-Management: Facilitate patient self-management of health through planned education coordinated across the continuum of care to promote health, prevent illness, and manage health care conditions in the context of the family and the community.
  • Professionalism: Perform all activities ethically and with integrity, always demonstrating a commitment to provide evidence-based, safe, quality, compassionate care for diverse patients, families, and communities.
  • Leadership: Develop and use leadership skills to organize, motivate, and inspire health care team members to provide safe, quality, effective, and efficient patient care.


Questions?

Health
2164 Linn Hall
319-398-5563
nursing@kirkwood.edu