Nursing Program (LPN)

Nursing Program (LPN)

Get to Work as a Nurse, Faster

Use your passion for caring to achieve your dream of becoming a nurse who makes a difference — at Kirkwood we can help you get there sooner than you might think!

In just one year, you can learn how to combine your compassion as a helper and a healer with the latest in healthcare science and technology. Take these skills with you to make a life-changing difference for patients in need.

Nursing is projected to be one of the fastest-growing career fields in the next 10 years. Let our one-year Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program help you start a bright future. 

Start Your LPN Connect With Us

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 16 percent through 2024. More than 400,000 registered nurse jobs will open up over the next seven years due to increased health care demands of an aging population and decreased supply caused by impending retirements and current nurses. Employment opportunities for licensed practical nurses are also projected to grow, with a projected increase of 16 percent by 2024.
Healthcare Salary Information: 
topregisterednurse.com | indeed.com | nursesalaryguide.net

Healthcare Labor Characteristics: 
Corridor Healthcare | Corridor Nursing | Cedar Rapids Healthcare | Cedar Rapids Nursing 

LPN 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. Take a look at the LPN Transfer program map to help you visualize your path forward.

Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year, and there are 35 for students enrolled in nursing programs. Nursing students may also qualify for the tuition-free Last Dollar Scholarship and/or the Kibbie Grant.

Program Costs

Nursing A.A.S. 

Program Entry Semester: Fall 2023

Pre-Reqs

TERM PRE-REQS TOTAL
Credits: 37 37
Tuition: $7,770 $7,770
Fees: $2,509.20 $2,509.20
Books: $2,822.10 $2,822,10

 

Year One

TERM ONE TWO TOTAL
Credits: 12 12 24
Tuition: $2,520 $2,5220 $5,040
Fees: $872 $924 $1,796
Books: $628 $0 $628

 

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST $20,562.10

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on in-state tuition rates. Book cost estimates are for new books. Individual expenses may vary. These costs also do not factor in potential financial aid benefits. For a complete view of your specific cost expectation, visit our Cost Estimator Tool.
 
Included fees: Included fees: Technology Fee, Lab Course Fee, Third Party Credentials (State LPN and RN Boards), Class Related Supplies, and Ancillary Expenses (ATI Fee, Clinic Background Check, ExamSoft Testing Fee, ExamSoft - Pandemic Fee, Health Screenings (Immunizations/health physical costs are estimated, some costs may be covered by student's insurance provider), Lab Kits, Laptop, Net Learning Fee, Nurse Aide Training, Nursing Central, Simulation Fee, and Uniforms (Uniforms, Wrist Watch with Second Hand, Nursing Shoes, Name Badge, Scrubs, Nursing Patch, Nursing Pin)
 
Current Tuition Rates per Credit Hour: $ 210 In-State; $ 281 Out-of-State; $ 400 International
 
Updated: 7/31/2023

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.

Explore More

Lauri Hughes
Pre-Nursing Advisor PRIOR to Assigned Permanent Advisor

Walk-In Advising by Appointment

Linn Hall, Room 2172

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. 

Schedule Now

 

Please take a look at some of the frequently asked questions we get about Nursing.

Within the scope of practice of the practical nurse, the Kirkwood nursing program graduates will:

  • 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 the 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.

We train standout nurses! Our LPN graduates regularly pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exams, with graduate pass rates of 100 percent over the past four years. Current NCLEX-PN rates for all nursing programs in the state of Iowa are published on the Iowa Board of Nursing website.

If you are planning to work outside of the state of Iowa, please meet with the Dean of Nursing to make sure you are familiar with Nursing licensure requirements of that particular state. For more information, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.

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


Questions? 

Department of Nursing
2172 Linn Hall
319-398-5563
nursing@kirkwood.edu