The Top 20 LPN to RN Programs in Des Moines, IA in 2026
Earning an LPN to RN degree in Des Moines, IA opens up expanded career opportunities and higher earning potential for licensed practical nurses. Des Moines offers numerous excellent LPN to RN bridge programs to choose from. Here are the top 20 LPN to RN programs in Des Moines, IA for 2024:
1. Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
DMACC provides a high-quality LPN to RN bridge program that builds on existing LPN education. The program can be completed in 9-12 months full-time or 18-24 months part-time. DMACC offers small class sizes, knowledgeable instructors, flexible scheduling options, and proactively works with health care partners to align education with workforce needs.
2. Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Central Community College allows LPNs to leverage their existing coursework through the advanced placement LPN to ADN option. Students complete nursing courses on-campus and may be eligible to finish general education requirements online. The program has high first-time licensure exam pass rates.
3. Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences provides an accelerated LPN to BSN bridge program option that can be completed full-time in as little as 16 months. The curriculum is provided in a hybrid online/on-campus format with flexible scheduling options and focuses on evidence-based patient care.
4. Grand View University
Grand View University offers an RN completion program for LPNs looking to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. With evening and weekend courses, a credit for prior learning program, and multiple start dates annually, the program is designed to meet the needs of working nurses.
5. Allen College
Allen College provides an innovative 15-month LPN to BSN accelerated bridge program that culminates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates have high licensure exam pass rates and the program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and leadership development.
6. Purdue University Global
Purdue Global offers an online LPN to RN pathway that culminates in an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. The program leverages virtual simulation learning and incorporates 180 hours of hands-on clinical experience to help students transition from LPN to RN.
7. St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University offers an accelerated 15-month LPN to BSN bridge program focused on rural nursing and underserved populations for working LPNs. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and can complete much of the program in a flexible online format.
8. Iowa Wesleyan University
Iowa Wesleyan provides an innovative 15-month Hybrid LPN to BSN bridge program offered in an asynchronous online format with on-campus lab sessions. The program allows students to remain employed while preparing for RN licensure and earning their BSN.
9. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers an online RN completion program for LPNs culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Students gain 180 hours of hands-on clinical experience and learn about leadership, research, and community health nursing.
10. Kaplan University
Kaplan University provides an online LPN to BSN bridge program that takes as few as 16 months to complete. The program has multiple annual start dates, offers credit for prior nursing courses, and has curriculum focused on evidence-based practice.
11. UnityPoint Health – Des Moines University
UnityPoint Health partners with Allen College to provide an innovative Shared Passport Program allowing for a seamless LPN to BSN transition. Students dual-enroll and take BSN introductory courses opening future bridge to BSN program options after earning an ASN.
12. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
In partnership with several colleges, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center offers RNs signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and career development funds to support existing staff and new graduates seeking to transition from LPN to RN.
13. Wells Fargo Arena
Wells Fargo Arena and MercyOne Des Moines have partnered to offer an 18-24 month Paid Nurse Residency Program that sponsors LPNs pursuing RN licensure. It combines work, education, and a structured support program with residency option upon completion.
14. UnityPoint Health – Blank Children‘s Hospital
UnityPoint Health – Blank Children‘s Hospital offers up to $10k in tuition reimbursement for LPN to RN bridge programs as part of its nursing career ladder initiative. Other incentives are also provided to support ongoing education and professional development.
15. Broadlawns Medical Center
Broadlawns Medical Center provides $5k in annual tuition reimbursement to nurses pursuing further education, including LPN to RN bridge programs. The hospital also offers externships, mentorships, training workshops and other development opportunities.
16. Iowa Veterans Home
The Iowa Veterans Home offers an LPN to RN Career Laddering Program that provides tuition reimbursement up to $3k per year and flexible scheduling options around program requirements to support veterans services focused nurses.
17. UnityPoint Health – Methodist West Hospital
Methodist West Hospital provides several incentives for LPN to RN career progression including sign-on bonuses, competitive wages, interview preference for internal applicants to the RN residency program, and up to $7.5k in tuition reimbursement.
18. Iowa Health – Des Moines
Iowa Health – Des Moines assists nurses advancing their education from LPN to RN through several tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs. RNs can also qualify for retention bonuses and wage increases.
19. MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center
MercyOne West Des Moines offers an 18-month LPN to RN externship program that sponsors students through a partner college ADN program. Participants get hands-on hospital experience and career mentoring while maintaining employment.
20. VA Central Iowa Health Care System
The VA Central Iowa Health Care System provides a range of incentives for LPN to RN career progression including a salary increase of over 25% upon earning an RN license. The Veterans Health Administration also offers up to $15k per year in tuition reimbursement.
When choosing among Des Moines’ many excellent LPN to RN programs, it is important to consider accreditation, reputation, flexibility, tuition cost, clinical rotation sites, and student outcomes. Leveraging local employer and veterans focused development programs can provide financial assistance and a structured pathway for career advancement.
