Best Iowa RN to MSN Degree Programs + Bridge Requirements
Updated November 7, 2022
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
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Choosing to be a nurse is a huge decision. It is not a career that is suitable for everybody. It involves a lot of continuous education, working on your feet and often having to work shifts. It is also not suitable for people with a nervous disposition or who don't like seeing blood or other bodily functions. However, for those who want to truly make a difference in the world, it is an absolutely amazing career. It also offers a very interesting remuneration package, although this varies depending on where you decide to work after qualification. However, the expected salary growth is as high as 19%, which is far above any other profession at present.
There is a dire need for nurses in Iowa. Cancer is now the leading cause of death in the state, which has never been seen before. Additionally, the population is aging and, like in the rest of the country, obesity and obesity-related illnesses cause a lot of problems. Because we are living longer, but we are less healthy, the need for healthcare is growing tremendously. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act has made it possible for more people to seek health treatment, which means there is an even greater need for nurses.
If you want to become a nurse, it is important that you choose a really good school to train at, especially when obtaining your MSN degree. Luckily, there are a number of such schools across the state of Iowa. Let's take a look at the best ones.
Top RN-to-MSN Programs in Iowa
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Ambrose University | Davenport, IA |
| 2 | Allen College | Waterloo, IA |
| 3 | Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, IA |
| 4 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| 5 | Clarke University | Dubuque, IA |
Explore the Best Iowa RN to MSN Degree Programs and School Info
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St. Ambrose UniversityLocation
Davenport, IA
The St. Ambrose Nursing Department now offers a BSN program, as well as a BSN to MSN program through ACCEL. This means that they are focused on offering students high professional standards, which they can use to advance their career or even change career directions.
Campus Location: Davenport, Iowa
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $455 per credit
Financial Aid: No
Scholarships: No
Time Commitment: 36 months
Available Online: No
Degree Requirements: GPA of 3.0, resume, transcript, letters of recommendation, personal statement and essays, undergraduate statistics class and interview
Programs: BSN to MSN -
Allen CollegeLocation
Waterloo, IA
Allen College has applied its mission statement to all its nursing degree programs. It is designed to prepare students from a range of backgrounds to take on advanced roles in nursing in a huge range of settings. The faculty members are trained to make sure their knowledge is synthesized to that of their students, encouraging practice and inquiry. The degrees come with practicum opportunities, which mix the theoretical elements with the clinical components.
Campus Location: Waterloo, Iowa
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE, NLNAC
Tuition: $712 per credit
Financial Aid: Yes
Scholarships: Yes
Time Commitment: 36 to 53 credits (24 to 48 months)
Available Online: Yes
Degree Requirements: GPA of 3.0, resume, transcript, undergraduate statistics class, letters of recommendation, personal statement and essays
Programs: BSN to MSN, RN to MSN, Doctorate Degrees, Post-Master’s Certificate -
Briar Cliff UniversityLocation
Sioux City, IA
Briar Cliff University wants to enable people to promote health, healing and hope. They want this on an individual level, but also for the community as a whole. They are strong advocates of social justice and of creating healthy environments. In the eyes of Briar Cliff, health is a state of being and one that you can become. All humans are born with the right to be healthy and it is a value that individuals can choose for themselves. As a Catholic Franciscan school, they also value the sanctity of life, community, openness and service.
Campus Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $526 per unit
Financial Aid: Yes
Scholarships: Yes
Time Commitment: 24 months
Available Online: Yes
Degree Requirements: GPA of 3.0, personal statement and essays, transcript and letters of recommendation
Programs: BSN to MSN as well as post-Master’s certificates -
University of IowaLocation
Iowa City, IA
The University of Iowa College of Nursing is there to prepare the nurses of today to be able to apply all their knowledge and training to healthcare settings. They will also learn how to adapt and evolve together with the ever-changing world of health care.
Campus Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Type: Public
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $31,155 per year for out of state and $15,507 for in state
Financial Aid: No
Scholarships: No
Time Commitment: Between 24 and 30 months
Available Online: Yes
Degree Requirements: GPA of 3.0, transcript, personal statement and essays, resume, undergraduate statistics class, letters of recommendation
Programs: Doctorate Degrees and BSN to MSN -
Clarke UniversityLocation
Dubuque, IA
The Clarke University Nursing Department offers a program that allows students to develop themselves and to use the skills they have used in compassionate nursing care. Clarke graduates are in high demand in a range of different health organizations. This is because the faculty mentors have a commitment to excellence both in terms of theoretical education and practical experience.
Campus Location: Dubuque, Iowa
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $690 per credit
Financial Aid: No
Scholarships: No
Time Commitment: 37-45 credits
Available Online: Yes
Degree Requirements: GPA of 3.0, resume, transcript, letters of recommendation, personal statement and essays, undergraduate statistics class, interview.
Programs: Post-Master’s Certificate, BSN to MSN and Doctorate Degrees
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