Use your passion for helping and earn a great living in an in-demand career field! Your future as a registered nurse (RN) starts here at Kirkwood with our multi-tiered nursing programs to provide options.
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program functions as a piece of the nursing ladder program in which the first two semesters of the program lead to a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma. With additional semesters, you'll earn your ADN.
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
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. Take a look at the ADN program map to help you visualize your path forward.
Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year, with 35 specifically for students enrolled in nursing programs. Nursing students may also qualify for the tuition-free Last Dollar Scholarship and/or the Kibbie Grant.
School Year: 2023–24
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 | $7,770 | $2,730 | $2,520 | $2,520 | $2,520 | $18,060 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $250 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $528 | $0 | $0 | $35 | $0 | $563 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $996 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $996 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $2,822.10 | $1,078.96 | $682.80 | $0 | $0 | $4,583.86 |
| Course/Section Fees | $40 | $60 | $75 | $80 | $100 | $355 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $600 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $600 |
| Testing Fees | $120 | $673 | $400 | $483 | $450 | $2,126 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $375 | $0 | $375 | $750 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Uniforms | $175.20 | $19.20 | $0 | $0 | $24 | $218.40 |
| Other | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $13,101.30 | $4,611.16 | $4,102.80 | $3,168 | $3,519 | $28,502.26 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $210 (In-State), $281 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
To ensure your success in the Nursing Program at Kirkwood, please make sure to complete the following:
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.
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.
Please take a look at some of the frequently asked questions we get about Nursing.
Within the scope of practice of the registered nurse, the Kirkwood nursing program graduates will:
Prepare for your new career with an intensive twelve to sixteen week, one-on-one preceptorship with an experienced staff nurse in one of eight local area hospitals. You'll get hands-on clinical experience to create an easier transition to practice, and these preceptorships often lead to full-time positions upon graduation!
Kirkwood ADN (RN) graduates are well prepared to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN. Over the past four years, more than 94 percent of our graduates have passed the exam. Current NCLEX-RN 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.
With your ADN from Kirkwood, you can easily transfer to an RN-BSN program at a four-year school. Some institutions our graduates have attended after finishing their ADN studies include:
Further education in MSN or DNP programs can open up unlimited employment opportunities as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, or nurse manager. Additionally, many area employers provide funding for associate degree RNs graduating from community colleges to complete their RN-BSN degrees.
The Kirkwood Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation through 2027.