Nursing
Providing Patient Care with Compassion
Are you known for your caring nature and desire to help others? Nursing could be your calling. Nurses assist individuals in regaining or maintaining their health, built on a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, math, and psychology.
Iowa Valley offers both a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma and an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, with a ladder pathway that lets you earn your PN diploma first and continue into the ADN program. Coursework covers medical, surgical, maternal-child, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health nursing, with hands-on lab training and clinical experience in hospitals, long-term care, and mental health facilities across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Nursing program?
The Practical Nursing (PN) diploma is the faster entry point into nursing. Students who want to continue can ladder directly into the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program without starting over.
Which Nursing track is right for me?
- Practical Nursing (PN) Diploma — the quickest path to becoming a licensed nurse, ideal if you want to enter the workforce sooner.
- Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), AAS Degree — a two-year degree for students planning to work as an RN or continue toward a BSN.
- Pre-Nursing Diploma — for students who need to complete prerequisite coursework before applying to PN or ADN.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Contact our Financial Aid office to find out what you qualify for. This program is Last-Dollar Scholarship eligible.
What will I be able to do after graduating?
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX and work as licensed nurses in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and community health settings, with the ADN pathway also open to students pursuing further nursing education.
Nursing remains one of Iowa's most in-demand healthcare careers, with steady job growth projected for both LPNs and RNs through 2032.
Marshalltown Community College
3700 S. Center St. Marshalltown, IA 50158
mccinfo@iavalley.edu
641-752-7106
Ellsworth Community College
1100 College Avenue Iowa Falls, IA 50126
eccinfo@iavalley.edu
641-648-4611