The Best BSN Nursing Programs in Des Moines, Iowa

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an excellent path to launch a rewarding and meaningful career improving patient lives. As the largest city in Iowa, Des Moines offers numerous highly-rated BSN program options to choose from. This extensive guide provides an in-depth overview of top nursing schools in Des Moines, with details on curriculum, admissions, career preparation and more to help find your perfect program fit.

The Value of Earning a BSN Degree

A BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 4-year undergraduate degree that prepares students to become professional registered nurses (RNs). The comprehensive curriculum covers scientific knowledge and clinical training across diverse nursing practice specialties.

Compared to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), the BSN provides additional coursework in areas like leadership, research, community health, health policy and more. While an ADN meets the minimum education required to become an RN, the BSN offers improved career advancement potential. In fact, an increasing number of employers now prefer or require a BSN degree when hiring RNs.

Key Benefits of a BSN Degree

• Prepares you for RN licensure and a wide range of nursing careers
• Develop leadership, critical thinking, research and communication skills
• Higher earning potential and advancement opportunities
• Gain expertise in community health, research, quality improvement
• Meet rising BSN requirements from nurses

Most full-time BSN programs take 4 years to complete. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can take as little as 12-18 months. Keep reading for an in-depth overview of top nursing schools offering BSN programs in Des Moines.

The Nursing Shortage Challenge

With over 200,000 current nurse vacancies across the U.S. according to NSI Nursing Solutions, the nursing shortage remains an escalating challenge, especially in Midwest states like Iowa.

Nursing is already the largest healthcare profession in the country. However, a perfect storm of contributing factors continues driving demand higher than the supply of new graduates:

• Aging Population – Greater life expectancies and population growth means more patients requiring care.
• Care Setting Trends – More health services shifting to outpatient and home care settings increases nursing staffing needs.
• Nurse Burnout & Retirement – Pandemic pressure drives earlier retirements and career changes.
• Capacity Limits – Nursing schools are constrained by budget, facility limitations and faculty shortages.

This growing gap between patient healthcare needs and nurses to provide quality care reinforces why nursing remains one of today‘s most resilient and meaningful career paths.

Standout BSN Programs in Des Moines

Des Moines offers several highly-rated Bachelor of Nursing programs to launch your career. Below overviews the top nursing schools and key differentiators as you evaluate options:

1. Drake University BSN

• Private university founded 1881, exceptional academics
• Cutting-edge simulation labs and diverse clinical sites
• Study abroad and collaborative research projects
• Strong leadership curriculum and development
• Direct path to Master‘s degree and advanced roles

Program Highlights:

• Accredited by CCNE, high 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate
• Competency-based curriculum from Day 1
• 650+ hours clinical experience across range of settings
• Small class sizes, 8:1 student/faculty ratio
• State-of-the-art simulation labs with EHRs, virtual reality

2. Grand View University BSN

• Private liberal arts university founded 1896
• CCNE-accredited, 4-year traditional BSN program
• 600+ clinical rotation hours across range of settings
• Brand new high-tech simulation lab opened 2022
• Structured assistance provided for NCLEX-RN exam prep

Program Fast Facts:

• 85% BSN first-time NCLEX pass rate
• 16 total required nursing courses
• Clinical experiences each semester in Des Moines area
• Program accepts up to 64 first year nursing students

3. Allen College BSN

• Private college focused exclusively on healthcare
• Nursing concepts integrated with clinical experiences
• Hi-tech simulation lab with cutting-edge patient simulators
• Extensive training partnerships with UnityPoint Health
• Exceptional NCLEX-RN first attempt pass rate of 95%

Why Students Choose Allen:

• Competency-based BSN curriculum
• Option to complete in as little as 16 months
• Small class sizes, personalized advising
• Perfect lead-in to UnityPoint Health RN roles

4. Mercy College of Health Sciences BSN

• 90+ year history training Iowa‘s top nurses
• Clinical rotations start freshman year
• Brand new simulation labs opened 2020
• Guaranteed interview for Mercy RN jobs after graduation
• Flexible options for transfers and LPN/paramedic students

BSN Program Features:

• Accredited by ACEN with full approval
• Students rank #1 in Iowa for BSN value
• Collaboration across Mercy‘s specialty facilities
• Just two years for transfers with prereqs met

5. DMACC BSN Completion Program

• Flexible RN to BSN 100% online program
• Accelerated 6-week class sessions
• Accepts transfer credits from prior nursing classes
• Cost-effective Bachelor‘s completion option
• Designed for working nurses advancing their careers

Ideal for Practicing RNs Seeking:

• Career advancement into leadership roles
• Develop specialized expertise in clinical area
• Meet increasing industry BSN requirements
• Further nursing skill and knowledge

Program	Length	Tuition	Acceptance Rate	NCLEX Pass Rate
Drake University	8 semesters	$$$$	68%	89%
Grand View University	8 semesters	$$$	64%	85%
Allen College	5-8 semsters	$$$	71%	95%
Mercy College of Health Sciences	4 semesters	$$	87%	93%
DMACC BSN Online	3-6 semsters	$	N/A	N/A

Notes: Acceptance rates based on 2021 admissions data. NCLEX scores reflect first-time pass rates for BSN nursing graduates in 2021.

Navigating Admissions Requirements

While each Des Moines area nursing school publishes its own minimum admissions standards, most have some common expectations of competitive applicants:

Typical BSN Admissions Requirements

• Minimum HS or college GPA (often 3.0+)
• ACT/SAT standardized test scores
• Program-specific prerequisite courses
• Consistency of good academic standing
• Letters of recommendation
• Admissions interview
• Criminal background and health screens

When researching programs, investigate all the admissions fine print and deadlines closely. Applying to multiple schools can maximize your chances, as nursing program acceptance tends to be very selective.

BSN programs seek future nurses that demonstrate both strong academic competence and essential nursing traits like compassion, physical endurance, attention to detail and communication skills. Showcase these personal qualities throughout the application process.

For students torn between their top BSN options, practical factors like cost, location and availability of flexible class schedules may guide your final decision. Schedule an in-person tour to get a feel for student culture and campus facilities. Comparing clinical partnership sites and specializations may also sway your choice if interested in a specific nursing practice area.

Strategies for Funding Your Nursing Degree

Between tuition, fees, housing and supplies, the cost of a 4-year nursing degree adds up quickly. However, there are creative ways to ease the financial burden that make an excellent nursing education possible.

• Leverage Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In addition to unlocking low-interest federal loans, the FAFSA provides eligibility for needs-based Pell Grants, Federal Nursing Scholarships and Federal Work-Study opportunities. The investment of time is worth the significant aid payoff.

• Use Employer Education Assistance – Many Iowa healthcare employers, including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, offer attractive tuition reimbursement benefits or nursing school loan repayment programs in exchange for an employment commitment post-graduation.

• Apply for Nursing Scholarships – Specialty nursing scholarships are available through groups like the Iowa Board of Nursing for students willing to work in facilities experiencing critical shortages after graduation. The AACN and state/national nursing associations also offer financial assistance.

• Research Campus and Private Awards – Tap into your school‘s academic department and private organizations like the Iowa Nurses Foundation for additional possible grant and scholarship funding. Maintaining a high college GPA also helps qualify for extra academic merit-based aid.

Licensure Requirements for New BSN Nurses

Once you successfully complete an accredited BSN program, there are a few final steps to qualify for your RN licensure and begin applying for nursing positions:

Registered Nurse Licensure Checklist

• Pass the NCLEX-RN licensing examination
• Submit RN license application with background check
• Ensure any ongoing license requirements are met

The Nursing Credentialing Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is understandably daunting for new BSN graduates after finishing years of rigorous coursework. However, Des Moines nursing schools provide dedicated NCLEX-RN prep resources so you can pass on the first try, including:

• Customized study plans and schedules
• Retired NCLEX practice questions
• Full-length simulated NCLEX tests
• Test anxiety coping strategies
• Content refreshers on weaker subjects

With proper prep, most new nursing graduates can confidently conquer the NCLEX exam.

Top Nursing Career Paths for New BSN Graduates

Armed with cutting-edge clinical knowledge and practical training, new BSN graduates are eagerly recruited to fill vacancies across all Iowa healthcare settings. While many initially begin in general acute care nursing roles, there are numerous nursing career specialization and work environments to explore as you gain experience.

In-Demand Nursing Career Pathways

• Pediatrics – Caring for children & young adults
• Geriatrics – Treating chronic conditions in older adults
• Emergency Department – Fast-paced trauma/critical care
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – Managing care for critically ill patients with complex needs
• Oncology – Working with patients to treat cancer
• Operating Room (OR) – Assisting surgeons before/after/during surgery
• Community Health – Education and wellness promotion

Ambitious nurses can also advance into roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Lucrative Nursing Salaries and Job Growth

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data forecasts registered nursing jobs to expand 7% nationally from 2020 to 2030, much faster growth than average projections across other industries. Iowa projects similar nursing job growth in the years ahead.

This unrelenting demand for qualified nurses translates into excellent compensation and job stability. While pay can fluctuate based on your employer, nursing specialty, years of experience and location, on average:

• The median annual wage for RNs nationally is $77,600
• The average RN salary in Iowa as of 2022 reached $66,530
• Specialty nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) often earn over $100K+

With Iowa‘s drastic nursing shortage, new BSN grads also receive lucrative incentives like sign-on/retention bonuses, student loan assistance and generous relocation packages to attract talent.

In addition to tangible bonuses, nursing offers immense intangible rewards that money can‘t buy – the fulfillment of improving lives through patient relationships and healing.

Professional Development Opportunities

Membership in professional nursing associations delivers a range of student and career benefits like networking, continuing education, career coaching and advocacy. Top groups for Iowa nursing students and new RN graduates include:

• National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
• Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Many new nurses in Iowa also choose to obtain specialized clinical certifications in their practice area to demonstrate competency to future employers. Some common examples include Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Pediatric Nurse Certification (CPN) and more.

Start Your Nursing Career in Des Moines!

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing serves as the vital launching pad into an emotionally and financially rewarding healthcare career where you can truly make a difference improving patient lives every day. With its centralized location and excellent BSN program options, Des Moines offers an ideal location to gain nursing expertise leading to jobs across Iowa and the Midwest.

This extensive guide reviewed numerous benefits of investing in a BSN degree, highlighted top-rated nursing schools in Des Moines, offered application guidance, provided licensure and career growth information, and more. Reach out to your favorite BSN programs today to take the next step towards helping others as a registered nurse!