Nursing FAQs

The nursing program does not utilize a waiting list.  We accept up to 112 students into our technical program each fall and spring semester.  We also start a new co-hort group each summer semester and accept up to 64 students. We do not hold applications for the next term. If a student is not accepted, they must reapply the next term. Upon completion of the necessary prerequisites, the program GPA is the deciding factor for acceptance into the nursing program. 

There are 11 pre-req classes required before a student may apply for and be accepted into the technical program. 

• Minimum program GPA of 2.75.
• ALL prerequisites must be completed:
  • Introduction to Nursing (grade must be a B- or better)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (including Lab) (grades must be a B- or better)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (including Lab) (BIO-168 & BIO-173) (must be less than 5 years old)
• All students must attend a 2-house program conference. Your attendance date must be less than two years old from date of entry into the technical portion of the program. 
• Your CNA license must be listed as Eligible on the Direct Care Registry for the State of IowaOR have passed all of the units for HSP State Certification (CORE, HMM & PADL) and the HSP state exam. You must also be working in direct patient care and provide a letter from your supervisor outlining your regular and consistent job duties related to direct patient care. 

Algebra, Biology, English, Psychology, and Computer Technology classes will help you prepare for the nursing program.

Be sure to check out our Career Academies. We partner with local school districts to help you explore health care options and earn college credits before you graduate.

You must complete all 11 pre-req classes before starting the technical nursing courses.

If you would like to review your individual program plan, before getting started at Kirkwood, feel free to self-schedule a time to meet with Lauri in Nursing.  You may self-schedule a time to meet with her via phone, Zoom or in-person on main campus by clicking here.

Clinical courses are held within the 7-county area Kirkwood serves.

Kirkwood's nursing curriculum is very intense and requires a lot of study time. Many students do work part-time while they're taking classes.

We recommend planning for 4-6 hours of studying for every hour you spend in a class or clinical. For example, a 3-credit lecture class will require about 12-18 hours of study per week.

If you must work, we advise not more than 20 hours a week.

Important note: You CANNOT work the shift directly prior to your clinical day. This is for patient safety and is closely regulated.

As part of the Future Ready Iowa Act, the Last-Dollar Scholarship aims to help fill tuition gaps for Iowans pursuing education or training beyond high school. It covers any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after financial aid is applied. Learn more here.

We do not offer our technical courses/program as an evening/weekend option.  However, you may be scheduled for an evening or weekend clinical assignment. There are no online options for our technical program. All theory classes are face-to-face and our labs, simulation and clinical requirements are all in-person.  

The Kirkwood Nursing program is a ladder program.  Students may complete the first 2 semesters of the technical program and take the LPN board exam.  After completing the last 2 semesters of the technical program they may take the RN board exam.  Students often ask what the difference is between an LPN job and an RN job. 

LPN’s usually care for patients with a lower acuity.  Some of the job duties of an LPN include collecting & charting vital signs, distributing oral medications, checking blood sugar levels, assisting with bathing and toileting and other patient care/comfort tasks.

Earning an RN requires more education.  In addition to LPN job duties RN’s scope of practice is broader.  Some additional job duties as an RN include starting IV’s, distributing IV medications, collecting blood samples, educating patients and families, working with physicians to determine patient treatment plans and coordinating treatments with other healthcare professionals. 

The compliance requirements are based upon our clinical partners requirements. Students will be required to purchase an electronic document manager system for their compliance items. Students will do this in HSC-189: Introduction to Nursing. Our recommendation is to obtain approved documentation of your immunizations before starting HSC-189: Introduction to Nursing. Students will have time to work on their compliance requirements while in HSC-189: Introduction to Nursing. 

Once the criminal background check is completed, any offenses, other than traffic violations, must be reported to the Human Services department in Des Moines.

You'll be given documentation to complete, which will be sent along with the background check to the Department of Human Services. Human Services will then make the decision on whether or not the student will be allowed to participate in clinical.

Even if you are cleared to participate in clinical, the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) has the right to decline licensure. Criminal background checks are repeated prior to taking the licensure exam and are always done upon an offer of employment in any health care setting.  IBON requires students to submit their legal paperwork prior to taking the licensure exam.

If you have concerns that something on your Criminal Background Check would prevent you from being licensed as a Registered Nurse, you can contact the Iowa Board of Nursing to determine your eligibility. 

• Here is the link for the Iowa Board of Nursing’s Criminal Conviction Eligibility form. Make sure you read the information thoroughly. Remember, there is a $25 fee which is explained on the form.
• The conviction would need to be quite serious for an applicant to be denied licensure, though you may need to meet some requirements.
  
• If you need further information, please contact Doug Bartels, Associate Director of Enforcement, doug.bartels@iowa.gov.
  
• If you decide to proceed with your Nursing education at Kirkwood Community College, please know that you will also have to complete an additional federal and state background prior to admission to the technical program.

Nursing program staff will notify you in writing if you are unable to take a clinical course for any of the following reasons:

• Denied licensure by the board
• License is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction
• License/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action
• Refusal to participate in the background check or evaluation process
• A felony conviction
• A felony, serious misdemeanor, or aggravated misdemeanor charge with an outstanding disposition or warrant
• A serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor conviction in which the probationary period has not been completed
• A criminal conviction of any kind, related to past employment, and/or a health care system or organization
• Certain inclusions on the child, dependent adult, and/or sexual abuse registry
• A criminal conviction of any kind related to illegal distribution or theft of drugs in the past 10 years
• 2 OWI convictions in the past 3 years
• A criminal conviction related to the possession of drugs, and/or illegal substances in the past 3 years

Any of the criteria listed below may also disqualify you from enrollment in Kirkwood's nursing program:

• A misdemeanor conviction involving domestic abuse with injury, violence, or sexual misconduct
• A pattern of criminal convictions or charges
• Recent criminal conviction(s) or charges of any type

While enrolled in the nursing program at Kirkwood Community College, it is expected that students report all child abuse, dependent adult abuse, and/or criminal activity in which they are involved, to Kirkwood Community College Nursing Department within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident.  Failure to do so could result in criminal charges per Iowa Code and removal from the program. 

It depends on the number of prerequisites you have remaining — an advisor can help you determine what classes you'll need.

Connect with Lauri Hughes.

Note: Acceptance into the Technical Day Program is fall term only.

Your nursing and other general education courses will be evaluated by the Nursing Program department coordinator and Kirkwood Enrollment Services.

Before sending in your transcripts, we highly recommended meeting with an advisor first. Please bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts, unless you have already sent them to Enrollment Services/One Stop. This way, we'll be able to assess your current status and work with you to plan your path for success at Kirkwood.

Schedule a meeting with an advisor.

Yes — you can work as an LPN in any state in the U.S. However,

• IF you are planning to move permanently to another state right after graduation, you should set up a appointment to meet with the Dean to ensure all license by examination requirements for that state are met.
• IF you temporarily travel to a state to assist in a disaster or to work as an agency or travel LPN, 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

Yes — you can work as an RN in any state in the U.S. However,

• IF you are planning to move permanently to another state right after graduation, you should set up an appointment to meet with the Dean 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 you 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

After the second semester of the technical portion of the nursing program, you'll earn a Practical Nurse diploma and will be eligible to complete the LPN licensure exam.

If you continue through the full program, you'll earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and will be eligible to complete the RN licensure exam.

Many area colleges and universities offer an RN to BSN. Kirkwood’s ADN program transfers to 7 accredited four-year nursing programs in Iowa.  Your state license will remain as an RN. 

You must apply to the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) before you're licensed in the state of Iowa.

After successfully completing the practical Nursing program, you are eligible take the LPN licensure exam (Licensed Practical Nurse).

After successfully completing the ADN program, you are eligible to take the RN (Registered Nurse) licensure exam.